Labor Relations Director jobs in Oakland, CA

Location: OaklandFull Time
Job ID: 55786
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UC OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

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DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

Academic Personnel and Programs manages systemwide programs and develops policy supporting academic careers at UC. We are the stewards of the Academic Personnel Manual (APM) and serve as the UC Center of Expertise for academic recruitment, retention, advancement, compensation, diversity, employee and labor relations, and data analysis. We provide faculty and students with opportunities to study and work in Washington, DC and Sacramento. Several of our programs offer publication, media, and digital services to the UC community as well as to California and to the world.

POSITION SUMMARY

Recognized expert who regularly leads academic labor relations and employee relations projects of criticality to system. Utilizes comprehensive and in-depth labor relations, employee relations, and academic personnel expertise to provide guidance and recommendations regarding strategic direction for the system. Works on academic labor and employee relations matters that are the most diverse and complex in scope and where analysis of data and situations requires evaluation of many factors and implications with broad impact on the organization. Develops internal and external contacts often pertaining to systemwide plans and objectives. Determines methods and procedures on new assignments and functions as a lead with other labor and employee relations professionals. Knowledge of the Academic Personnel Manual and know how academic bargaining is inter-twined with APM policy development and interpretation. Is considered a subject-matter expert.

The Academic Labor and Employee Relations Director coordinates positions on policies and contracts from UCOP, campus, and Academic Senate constituents and manages complaints filed by academic employees. In academic employee actions and systemwide academic collective bargaining, the Director ensures that consideration is given to the concerns and points of view expressed by constituents including academic administrators and the Academic Senate and that academic personnel tenets and policies are applied. Responsibilities include conducting fact-finding; reviewing and revising grievance responses; drafting policy and contract language for policy- and contract-covered academic employees; analyzing, drafting, and coordinating responses to academic personnel actions rising to the level of the UC Provost, President, or Regents; applying Regents, Presidential, and APM policies for consistency across all academic units.

The Director works closely with UCOP offices and campus Academic Personnel Offices to provide guidance and implement laws/statutes, policies, and UC labor contracts. The Director conducts fact-finding investigations for Whistleblower or other complaints relating to academic employees; consults with other UCOP offices including General Counsel and Compliance. Writes reports on findings for the Provost. Serves on systemwide committees and workgroups, and presents information to UCOP senior leadership and campus leaders and staff. Responsibility for policy revisions and legal and policy compliance. Serves as part of the Academic Personnel and Programs Management Team, works closely with Academic Personnel and Programs staff to plan and implement documents and other guidelines or policy changes as needed.

Responsibilities

• 55% Participates in and attends academic collective bargaining sessions. In conjunction with systemwide UC Labor Relations, coordinates the development and presentation of policy positions for systemwide academic collective bargaining with the campuses, and ensures consideration of academic administrator and Academic Senate concerns in these processes and consistency with Regents, Presidential, and APM policies. Acts as liaison for the campuses and the Academic Senate with the Labor Relations to ensure that negotiation objectives comply with academic personnel strategic goals, policies, and applicable laws and regulations. Collaborates with UC negotiators to identify anticipated union issues and possible UC responses both in advance of negotiations for strategic planning and during negotiations as new issues arise or bargaining dynamics require. Interprets and explains UC academic personnel policy for UC negotiators and facilitates a good relationship and understanding between UC Labor Relations and APP. Advises the Associate Vice Provost and Vice Provost who update and advises the Provost on academic bargaining issues. Presents appropriate data and strategies to further the Academic Personnel perspective for the Associate Vice Provost, Vice Provost, and Provost. Participates with legal counsel, UC Labor Relations, and collaboratively with campus representatives in reviewing academic grievances, Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) cases, and settlement discussions. Coordinates communication and implementation of contract changes with UC Labor Relations and the campuses; shares best practices and keeps informed on current cases and issues; develops administrative guidelines and manuals as needed. Proactively works with UC Labor Relations to develop positive relationships with unions. Reviews drafts of new Academic Personnel Manual sections and other academic policies, and provides expertise on compliance aspects. In conjunction with UC Labor Relations, develops contract administration guidelines and manuals to best ensure consistent application of negotiations intent. Works with the Academic Policy & Compensation Data team in APP and campus academic personnel directors to produce data needed for bargaining including cost estimates for contract actions and market competitiveness.
  
• 25% Coordinates the review of academic grievances and complaints submitted to the Office of the President, including the development and preparation of the Office of the President's response, conduct of investigations, and coordination with campuses, Governmental Relations, and the Office of General Counsel. Cases include whistleblowers, medical separation, termination, faculty code of conduct, and Step III contractual appeals. Provides models/templates for campus implementation of grievance policies; provides guidance and expertise to campus academic employee relations managers; may conduct special training for campus personnel programs that address specialized campus implementation issues and creates toolkits for their use, as needed; keeps campuses and APP colleagues apprised of new labor developments that may impact academic personnel policy. Represents academic personnel's perspective and concerns to applicable UCOP offices. Provides assistance to UC colleagues and campuses as needed in preparing responses to investigations by DFEH, OCR, PRA, among others. Assists campuses with the application of DOL statutes relating, for example, to FLSA statuses. Advises the Associate Vice Provost and Vice Provost who update and advises the Provost on academic employee relations issues. Presents appropriate data and strategies to further the academic personnel perspective for the Associate Vice Provost, Vice Provost, and Provost. Works with the Associate Vice Provost and Academic Personnel Director to verify that academic personnel policy updates are in compliance with employment laws.
  
• 10% Under the general direction of the Associate Vice Provost and working with the Academic Personnel Director, leads and plans academic personnel policy development, implementation, and administration and provides guidance to the campuses. Conducts research and provides resources to UCOP managers, the faculty and Academic Senate, and campuses regarding policy interpretation, implementation, and authority.
  
• 10% Leads or serves on UCOP and systemwide committees, taskforces, and workgroups representing academic personnel. Participates in the development of items and reports that are presented to the Board of Regents, President, Provost, Academic Senate, and University senior management, and makes presentations to task forces and campus Academic Personnel Directors. Coordinates the development and production of reports related to academic personnel issues.
  
  Required Qualifications
  
  
  
• Minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible experience demonstrating a comprehensive knowledge of employment/labor policies, practices, programs, and issues, and experience integrating policy recommendations and solutions within a highly diverse and politicized environment (both internal and external), or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
  
• Possesses expert analytical skills to conduct analysis and develop recommendations, demonstrating organization and problem-solving skills.
  
• Exhibits expert knowledge of legal requirements needed to minimize exposure.
  
• Demonstrates the expert level skills necessary to bargain complex issues involving significant costs to the university and represents its interests effectively.
  
• Possesses highly developed skills to provide guidance to managers and employees on complex and significant labor and employee relations issues.
  
• Demonstrated ability to handle the most difficult or volatile situations / individuals effectively. Demonstrates skills and abilities in conflict and change management.
  
• Has highly developed written, oral, and electronic skills for presenting and communicating complex information to managers at varying levels in the organization on labor and employee relations issues.
  
• Has expert knowledge of dispute resolution and grievance procedures and expert knowledge of administering and ensuring adherence to labor / union contracts.
  
• Demonstrated ability to engage in sophisticated and complex policy development.
  
• Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with a wide range of people and to create and sustain a positive, inclusive work environment.
  
• Excellent written, electronic, and oral communication skills. Experience in researching and preparing complex reports and memos; experience speaking before large and small audiences with poise and confidence to achieve support for difficult and sometimes unpopular positions.
  
• Demonstrated ability to lead with energy and enthusiasm and in a highly collaborative manner; strong ability to work as a listener, contributor, and change agent interacting with constituencies at all levels of the UC system; ability to foster strong relationship with high-level University leaders, faculty, staff, campus leadership groups, and other key stakeholders; understanding of the place of the University in the community and the state.
  
• Expert level political acumen.
  
• Demonstrated project management skills, including the ability to adapt to constantly changing priorities in managing a wide range of projects; ability to respond to short timelines on high priority projects for OP leadership.
  
• Demonstrated ability to maintain strict confidentiality of privileged information and perform a wide range of confidential tasks involving personnel information, grievances, and law suits.
  
  Education
  
  
  
• Bachelor's degree required.
  
  SPECIAL CONDITIONS
  
  This position can be hybrid or remote within the state of California. The selected candidate must reside within the state of California or be willing to relocate.
  
  SALARY AND BENEFITS
  
  Job Title
  Labor Relations Representative 5
  
  Job Code
  000261
  
  Salary Grade
  Grade 26
  
  Payscale:
  $150,000 - $190,000
  
  Full Salary Range:
  $112,100 - $216,700
  
  The University of California, Office of the President, is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The full salary range shows the growth potential for this position and the pay scale is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position.
  
  Benefits: For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University visit: Benefits of Belonging
  
  ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
  
  HOW TO APPLY
  
  Please be prepared to attach a cover letter and resume with your application.
  
  APPLICATION REVIEW DATE
  
  The first review date for this job is July 28, 2023. The position will be open until filled.
  
  CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
  
  Background Check Process: Successful completion of a background check is required for this critical position. Background check process at UCOP
  
  Smoke Free Work Environment: The University of California, Office of the President, is smoke & tobacco-free as of January 1, 2014. UC Smoke & Tobacco Free Policy
  
  August 2021 Update: The University of California has issued a policy requiring employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID -19 before physically accessing the University location or programs. Upon hire into a UCOP position, you will be provided detailed instructions on how to comply with this policy including access to the COVID vaccination at no cost. New hires to UCOP who work onsite or will come onsite for any activities at a UCOP or other UC location must comply with this policy within 8 weeks after their start date. The policy allows for employees to request approval for an exception or deferral. UC COVID-19 Vaccine Policy
  
  EEO STATEMENT
  
  The University of California, Office of the President, is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. EEO/AA Employer UC Nondiscrimination Policy
  
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  To apply, visit https://careerspub.universityofcalifornia.edu/psp/ucop/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_APP_SCHJOB.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=19&JobOpeningId=55786&PostingSeq=1
  
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