Description

SMUD’s People Services and Strategies Department seeks a Principal Employee Relations Analyst to provide professional and analytical support as well as subject matter expertise on employee and labor relations matters. The Principal Employee Relations Analyst is a lead contributor that performs a wide variety of duties related to employee and labor relations, such as providing professional guidance, advice, and training on employee and labor relations matters at all levels of the organization; assisting supervisors with employee coaching, performance management, and performance improvement; conducting and supporting fact-finding investigations of potential policy violations and EEO complaints; writing defensible investigatory reports; recommending discipline and drafting disciplinary documents; addressing sensitive employee matters; and, serving in a support role for labor relations with one or more collective bargaining units, including day-to-day contract management, grievance response and resolution, and labor negotiations. 

This position may also include program coordination responsibilities, such as oversight of Critical Infrastructure Program Personnel Risk Assessments, participation on the Threat Management Team, or coordination of the DOT & Substance Abuse Programs. Additional responsibilities may include supporting Workplace Violence Prevention Plan investigations, compliance reporting, and monitoring related to these or other assigned programs.

NOTE: This position is posted until a sufficient number of qualified applications are received and may close any time after 12/10/2024. For immediate consideration, applicants are encouraged to apply early.

 Purpose
To perform advanced professional analytical support and consulting services in the development, coordination, implementation, and administration of labor and employee relations policies, procedures, and programs; serves as a Chief Negotiator in negotiations with labor unions as well as in grievance resolution efforts; provides ongoing employee relations services to SMUD departments by keeping appropriate management abreast of changes in local Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs), conducting fact-finding investigations, leading disciplinary processes, and recommending solutions to employee relations issues. 

Nature and Scope
There are four (4) levels in this job classification series that have similar job content but with progressively more challenging degrees and levels of skill, responsibility, knowledge, experience and qualification requirements:     

Flex Classifications (that permit progression from lower-level classes to higher level classes without examination based upon assessment of an individual's experience and performance) within the series:   

Entry: Incumbent acquires knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the tasks associated within the series but are not yet demonstrating these at the Journey level.   
Journey: Incumbent is demonstrating the required skills and knowledge to independently perform the full scope of the job.   
   

Non-Flex Classifications (that promote from lower-level classes to higher level classes and require an examination, such as an interview, based upon individual experience and performance) within the series:   

Senior: Advanced journey level resource who is responsible for advanced assignments, as dictated by the work needing to be performed; may serve in a lead role.   
Principal: Subject matter expert/lead level and is responsible for leading the most advanced work, as dictated by the work needing to be performed.     

Entry to Journey: Incumbents at the entry level are required to successfully “progress” to the journey level within 60 months of appointment to remain within the job series.       

Seniors and Principals must be hired through a promotional process and do not automatically progress from lower levels in the series. 

Duties and Responsibilities

• Directs or oversees staff or a work team in accomplishing daily work tasks and assignments; provides leadership and counsel on work methods and standards; inspects completed work for compliance with established work standards and processes. Also responsible for the evaluation, training and performance management of assigned staff. Ensures accountability for delivery of programs, services and execution of strategies. 
• Represents SMUD in conducting good faith negotiations, in accordance with all applicable labor and employment laws; acts as chief negotiator for union-related matters.   
• Builds and maintains effective relationships with unions and SMUD management.    
• Serves as an expert on SMUD’s Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs), providing advice and guidance to management on contract provisions, contract interpretation and other employee relations matters.    
• Arranges and schedules meetings among grieving employees, supervisory and managerial personnel, and union representatives, to investigate and resolve grievances. Advises, consults with, and prepares response for management in grievances, arbitrations, unfair labor proceedings, and other labor matters.    
• Represents SMUD at administrative hearings.   
• Collaborates with legal department and affected management on grievance, arbitration, and unfair labor practice issues.    
• Leads in the maintenance of MOUs and handles meet and confer processes related to operational issues, working conditions, and wage and hour provisions; makes presentations and provides recommendations to appropriate parties; and finalizes contract language.    
• Conducts fact-finding investigations, leads disciplinary processes, and recommends solutions on the most complex of employee relations issues.    
• Serves as the program coordinator for employee relations programs (e.g. Substance Abuse Policy Administration/DOT Administration, Threat Management, and Policies & Procedures) including owning and managing all vendor contracts associated with these programs.    
• Leads team training, projects and programs to align with SMUD’s employee relations goals and objectives.  
• Researches, reviews, and analyzes legislation to keep apprised of legislation affecting employee relations and fair employment as well as other federal and state laws, codes, and regulations governing employment and employee relations work.   
• Provides guidance and assistance to SMUD employees and leaders regarding EEO/fair employment issues, investigative findings, and related matters to ensure they understand their rights and responsibilities. Mediates, facilitates, monitors, and follows up on implementing plans to resolve relevant employment matters. 
• Educates and gives instruction on employee and labor relations matters to ensure that SMUD employees and leaders understand and adhere to Federal, State, and local laws as well SMUD policies and procedures.   
• Performs other related duties as needed to include working outside of typical business hours when necessary.

Requirements

Required Education
Bachelor’s degree with major course work in human resources, business, psychology/behavioral science, or a related field from an accredited college or university, or equivalent experience. 

Required Experience Qualifications
At least five (5+) years of progressively responsible professional work experience in the field of public sector labor/employee relations including experience in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and Problem Resolution Counseling with at least two (2+) years in a lead and/or supervisory role. 

Knowledge Of

• Fundamentals and practices of effective supervision, including training and performance management  
• Applicable federal, state and local employment and labor regulations, policies, MOU’s and laws    
• Investigative techniques used in labor, employee relations and grievance resolution    
• Negotiation fundamentals and strategies as applied to employee/labor relations    
• Cost analysis methods and techniques used in labor relations work    
• Labor and/or employee relations administration in civil service environment    
• Project and program development and administration    
• Fair employment laws, regulations and practices    
• Basic training methods and techniques

Skills To

• Effectively organize people, resources and work plans    
• Develop and administer labor and/or employee relations programs    
• Lead by influence while collaborating to meet organizational goals    
• Understand, interpret, and explain laws, regulations, policies, MOUs, and other agreements governing labor relations program operations    
• Collect and analyze data to establish/identify needs, evaluate program effectiveness, and draw logical conclusions    
• Investigate a variety of issues, grievances, and complaints in a timely and sensitive manner    
• Develop, coordinate, and/or provide training to various groups in SMUD    
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with people of diverse socio-economic backgrounds and temperaments; deal with others in a tactful and diplomatic manner; interview people to determine root causes of interpersonal conflicts    
• Maintain confidentiality of information; work effectively with others who may have objectives counter to assigned role    
• Contribute to minimizing labor unrest and disruption by maintaining good working relationships with union representatives   
• Operate standard office equipment including computers and applicable software

Desirable Qualifications

• Public Sector Employee Relations experience
• Formal training and/or certification in Employee and Labor Relations Experience conducting fact finding investigations, including writing defensible reports and disciplinary documents
• Experience responding to grievances or appeals and serving as an employer representative in administrative hearings
• Experience providing consultation to management on performance management
• Formal training and/or certification in Mediation/Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) and/or Conflict Management/Resolution

Required Licenses/Certificates
Must possess and maintain a valid California Drivers License CDL and a satisfactory driving record not more than two moving violations in the last two years.

Physical Requirements
Applicants must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without a reasonable accommodation.

We recommend you apply through our  SMUD Careers page to be considered for this position. Please create a SMUD Candidate account, upload your resume and cover letter.