Sr. Employee Relations Specialist - Hybrid - 137728

Reporting to the Employee Relations Director, the Sr. Employee Relations Specialist serves as an integral part of the Employee Relations team within Health Human Resources (HHR). HHR supports all of UC San Diego Health, which includes the Health System, UC San Diego School of Medicine, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, and Student Health & Well-Being.

This position involves the administration of programs, procedures and plans related to employee workplace issues such as conduct, discipline, performance, communications, policies and procedures. Uses employee relations concepts and applies policies and procedures to resolve a variety of employee relations issues and situations. Provides guidance to all levels within the organization, utilizing specialized employee relations expertise within area of responsibility to resolve questions, concerns and grievances for a large, complex group of employees in creative and effective ways. Internal and external contacts often pertain to significant employee relations programs and objectives. Normally receives little direction on assignments.

Key Responsibilities:

• Applies advanced employee relations specific concepts and skills to investigate formal and informal employee complaints (including whistleblower / UC hotline complaints) and develops recommendations on the organization's response to employees.

• May conduct highly sensitive termination interviews, analyze separation statistics and make recommendations.

• Ensures that legal and regulatory requirements are met in terms of employee relations to minimize exposure to liability for the organization.

• Provides advice and counsel to managers on such issues as performance management, complex organizational changes, work place climate and other related areas.

• Determines appropriate level of corrective action and discipline up to and including termination.

• Responds to employee relations issues according to state and federal laws and union / labor contracts. Coordinates advanced analysis of complex issues and develops recommendations for integrated human resources solutions to clients.

• Provides advice and counsel to assigned client groups on complex wide ranging employee relations issues. Provides information in response to complex Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

• Works effectively with people from diverse cultures to provide employee relations related support.

• Administers and interprets labor / union contracts.

• Prioritizes work assignments, adapts to changing priorities, and conducts complex and varied analyses and develops resulting recommendations.

• Reviews and analyzes a variety of human resources issues, e.g., policy revision proposals, internal procedures and practices.

• Coordinates with Office of General Counsel and outside counsel to respond to employment litigation. Serves as a liaison between management and counsel.

• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

• Seven years of direct employee relations experience, education/training, OR a Bachelor's degree in related area plus three years of direct employee relations experience/training.

• Proven knowledge of employee relations field.

• Experience and proven success performing employee relations functions, ideally within in a large, complex organization.

• Excellent communication skills. Provides written analyses, recommendations and presentations to various audiences, including leadership.

• Strong knowledge of applicable federal and state labor laws and regulations.

• Thorough knowledge associated with administering labor/ union contracts, dispute resolution, grievance procedures and facilitation and mediation processes.

• Highly effective analytical, problem solving, critical thinking and organizational and advanced computer skills.

• Demonstrated ability to handle extremely sensitive, difficult or volatile situations / individuals effectively and in confidence.

• High level of personal accountability and moral functioning.

• University of California experience.

• SPHR or SHRM-SCP certification.

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check and pre-employment physical.