Experience and Education: Eight (8) years of increasingly responsible professional human resources administration experience, including five (5) years labor and employee relations experience and three (3) years administrative and/or lead supervisory experience, supplemented by a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in human resources, public administration, business administration, or a related field. Work experience in public sector with labor relations legal consulting may be substituted to meet the human resources administration experience requirement on a year-for-year basis. An equivalent combination of experience and education sufficient to perform the essential job functions and provide the required knowledge and abilities is also qualifying.
Are you a proven energetic leader with a passion for fostering strong workplace relationships, solving complex challenges, and have a commitment to mentoring and growing team members’ capabilities? The City of Anaheim Human Resources Department seeks an experienced Employee Relations Manager to plan, direct, manage, and supervise the programs and activities of the Employee Relations Division, which include but are not limited to employee and labor relations, discipline, classification & compensation, EEO/ADA, and employee leaves of absence. In addition, ability to coordinate assigned activities with other City departments, divisions and outside agencies; and to provide highly responsible and complex administrative assistance to the Human Resources Director and Deputy Director. This position reports directly to the Human Resources Director and/or Deputy Director.
Upcoming Increases: 5% increase on June 20, 2025. In addition to the upcoming increase, the City of Anaheim provides excellent compensation, benefits, optional compressed work schedule (9/80), and remote work policy. For benefits information, click here.
Ideal Candidate:
In addition to the essential functions, the ideal candidate will:
• Have a positive, energetic and responsible approach with the desire to become a member of the Department’s leadership team.
• Strategic thinker and adept at handling challenges in a fast-paced, results-driven organization with diverse labor and human relations and resource issues.
• Self-starter, service-minded manager who leads by example and creates an environment of teamwork and trust throughout the city.
• Possess the ability to exercise sound independent judgment and brings recommendations on key issues within the general policy direction.
• Strong collaborative leader and relationship builder who participates in organizational solutions and committed to supporting the Department’s Mission, Vision, and Values.
• Demonstrates high emotional intelligence, professional ethics, and integrity.
Essential Functions
The following functions are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed functions and/or may be required to perform additional or different functions from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices. You can view the full job description by click on this link.
Responsible for all services and activities of the Employee Relations Division, including but not limited to labor relations, discipline and employee relations, classification & compensation, EEO/ADA, and employee leaves of absence; manage and participate in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies and priorities for assigned programs; recommend and administer policies and procedures.
Lead, plan, train, motivate and evaluate the work of the Employee Relations staff. Responsible for performing a variety of professional level administrative, technical, and analytical duties.
Abitlity to understand and interpret laws and regulations including ADA, family leave, FLSA, disability, and related State and Federal laws as well as principles and techniques related to employee and labor relations collective bargaining laws, procedures, and practices.
Experience in multi-union, public sector environment; lead and/or participate in labor negotiations, union inquiries, and meet and confer activities, and all related responsibilities thereof, including but not limited to conducting and overseeing research, gathering and analyzing data, conduct surveys, calculating costs, formulate sound recommendations, consult and collaborate with department stakeholders.
Confers with, recommends, advises, and elicits cooperation of supervisors and managers on human resources matters including the application of discipline, processing and resolution of grievances, coordinate and participate in the grievance process, attend grievance hearings and prepare grievance responses, evaluation of performance, and administration of Memoranda of Understanding.
Conduct, oversee and assist with confidential internal investigations, determine and recommend appropriate corrective action, draft discipline documentation and implement employee discipline, including termination, in compliance with applicable rules and laws.
Develops, interprets, and assist with all personnel rules and regulations; brings recommendation on key issues and policies to the Human Resources Director and/or Deputy Director for the organization; develop City-wide policies and strategies; exercise sound judgment.
Assists in the administration, investigation, and/or resolution of EEO complaints and ADA matters; and prepares related reports and documents.
Oversee, conduct and implement classification, reclassification and organizational studies; research, analyze, audit and participate in the maintenance of the City’s classification plans; assess the City’s position in the labor market and identify wage, benefit and working condition trends; conduct desk audits; prepare classification specifications, develop recommendations and reports.
Develop systems to appropriately manage and track deadlines and case status; monitor workflow.
Manage and participate in the development and administration of the Employee Relations Division budget.
Provide responsible staff assistance to the Human Resources Director/Deputy Director; prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
Attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of employee discipline, labor relations, employee benefits administration, harassment and discrimination prevention, employment law, and classification and compensation.
Oversee the preparation and negotiation of letters of understanding to resolve issues that arise during the term of a collective bargaining agreement; facilitate open communications between the unions and management; ensure City meets obligations to notify or bargain with recognized unions of any matter subject to bargaining.
Participate in a variety of litigation matters; consult with internal and external legal counsel on recommended courses of action; represent the City and/or Human Resources in arbitration and/or PERB proceedings.
Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.