Title: Manager Employee Relations

Department: Employee Relations

Location:

Sacramento, CA, US, 95817-1899

Category: Human Resources

Minimum Pay Rate: $142,188.80

Maximum Pay Rate: $188,323.20

Apply by Date: 09/23/2024

Posting Type: Open

About the Role

SMUD is seeking our next Employee Relations (ER) Manager to lead the charge as we continue in pursuit of our 2030 Clean Energy Vision. This role plays a key part in maintaining successful union relations while balancing SMUD’s best interests with those of our employees. We are comprised of three bargaining units, as well as our unrepresented professional and administrative staff. The ER Manager is responsible for the day-to-day oversight of a team of six, while navigating and resolving complex and oftentimes challenging employee and labor relations matters.

You are:

• An authentic leader who values the employee experience while bringing their whole selves to SMUD.

• Collaborative , with deep expertise in labor relations and negotiation approaches.

• An effective communicator , tailoring your approach to the recipient(s).

• Detailed ; able to implement guidelines, approaches, and refer to best practices in employee relations matters.

• A strategic thinker skilled in navigating daily complexities associated with public sector civil service environment while keeping focus on the “big picture” – organization-wide impacts and long-term priorities.

Does this sound like you? Keep reading!

Purpose

To provide technical direction, leadership, and staff supervision involved in the planning, implementation, administration, and ongoing evaluation of SMUD’s Employee and Labor Relations functions.

Nature and Scope

As a subject matter expert, this role is a working manager specializing in labor relations and employee relations. It reports to and supports the Director, People Services & Strategies in the development, implementation, evaluation, and management of goals, objectives, budgets, projects, programs, policies and procedures. This job classification oversees and performs complex and highly sensitive managerial and analytical work and serves as a member of SMUD’s human resources leadership team.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Leads the negotiation of Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with multiple labor unions, including preparation of strategies, negotiating authority, proposals, and proposal costing; and ensures proper documentation of the negotiations and implementation of the collective bargaining agreements.

• Consults or directs consultation with unions regarding operational or organizational changes; and negotiates significant impacts related to wages, hours, or terms and conditions of employment.

• Directs the employee fact finding and disciplinary processes, ensuring consistency in application and considering legal risk in consultation with management.

• Administers grievance procedures and acts as management representative as needed.

• Consults with all levels of employees and union representatives to identify and resolve union and employee concerns and issues in an effective, orderly and timely manner.

• Interprets MOUs and other union/management agreements and advises leaders on courses of action.

• Develops and directs the implementation of training programs for leaders and employees to ensure compliance with local/state/federal employment laws and other relevant employee relations topics.

• Oversees and performs Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Whistleblower Retaliation investigations as well as accommodations (for religion and victims of crimes).

• Oversees administration of SMUD’s Ethics & Compliance Hotline, ensuring timely communication with reporters and management, efficient case management, and recordkeeping.

• Oversees Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) Personnel Risk Assessment Program investigations to ensure compliance with North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) CIP standards.

• Directs the background investigation process and consults with Legal and appropriate management to disqualify someone from SMUD employment or from specific positions or job assignments.

• Collaborates with Integrated Disability Management unit to review cases that may require employee relations actions.

• Oversees Substance Abuse/ U.S Department of Transportation (DOT) Program activities including employee drug/alcohol testing, DOT medical exams, and reasonable suspicion processes in accordance with applicable regulations and SMUD policies.

• Directs California Employment Development Department (EDD) claims administration and representation at EDD hearings as needed.

• Partners with Security Operations to administer SMUD’s Threat Management Program to ensure the safety and security of employees in accordance with SMUD’s Workplace Violence Prevention Plan.

• Consults with and assists the SMUD Legal Department in preparation for and representation at arbitrations, lawsuits, California Public Employment Relations Board complaints, and other administrative processes including gathering evidence, testifying as a witness, and implementing decisions and judgments.

• Directs and participates in preparing resolutions, reports, presentations, and other communications relating to employee relations activities that require notification to or action by the SMUD Board of Directors.

• Directs the maintenance of records including electronic imaging and prepares reports on negotiations, union activities, employee discipline, fair employment investigations, and discipline.

• Performs other related duties as needed to include working outside of typical business hours when necessary.

Required Education

• Bachelor’s degree majoring in Business or Public Administration, Human Resources Management, or related field from an accredited college or university.

Required Experience Qualifications

• At least five (5+) years of progressively responsible experience in directing and supervising staff in the areas of employee/labor relations; experience serving as the chief spokesperson negotiating union contracts and Memoranda of Understanding.

Knowledge Of

Fundamentals and techniques of supervision and management; strategic business planning methods and techniques; human resources policies and practices; state and federal labor laws and regulations related to dismissals and discrimination; investigative techniques related to labor relations, laws, regulations, and practices governing the labor negotiation and bargaining process; budget development, control, and administration; payroll processing and reporting functions; policy development methods and techniques; HRIS programs and record keeping systems; project management techniques; contract administration; effective negotiation techniques; labor and other special agreements; effective communication and persuasion techniques.

Skills To

Manage and supervise staff; develop and implement policies, programs and procedures; conduct budget preparation and expenditure control; maintain positive working relationships with union representatives, employees and management related to employee and labor bargaining and negotiations; review, assess and resolve a variety of personnel problems and issues; negotiate and bargain effectively; manage contracts; manage projects/schedules; interpret and apply Civil Service rules, SMUD’s Standard District Policies (SDP’s), and human resources policies; prepare comprehensive and complex reports; develop and deliver presentations to diverse groups; utilize a personal computer and/or computer terminal, systems and software relevant to the job; communicate effectively verbally and in writing internally/externally; establish and maintain effective working relationships internally/externally.

Desirable Qualifications

• California Public Sector Labor/Employee Relations experience.

• Experience spanning a variety of functional Human Resources areas, inclusive of a leadership role.

• Financial acumen, including experience in managing a department budget.

• Human Resources certification.

Physical Requirements

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

Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) - Who We Are

As the nation's sixth-largest community-owned electric service provider, we're proud of our reputation as one of the best places to work in Sacramento. Our employees tell us in our engagement surveys they're "Happy, satisfied and engaged" which helps create a workplace that best serves our customers. Sacramento was named as the 2nd happiest place to work in America by Forbes Magazine. Lake Tahoe, San Francisco and the world-renowned Napa Valley are within easy driving distance of our locations.

Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

SMUD celebrates diversity, and inspires an inclusive culture based on trust and respect to create belonging and connection among our employees, customers, and communities. By working together, we are powering positive, equitable opportunities for all. We aspire to be a workplace where you can be yourself, achieve your best, and thrive together.

An example of our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging is when SMUD signed the California Equal Pay Pledge in 2020. This requires equal pay for employees who perform “substantially similar work,” when viewed as a composite of skill, effort, and responsibility at the time those employees started within that classification. As such, initial hiring salary range is not subject to negotiation and salaries will vary over time based on performance.

SMUD is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, veteran status, or any other applicable legally protected characteristic. All employment decisions are made on the basis of individual qualifications, merit, and business needs and interests.

Why Sacramento, California?

The capitol of California, Sacramento is the state's sixth-largest city, and the 35th largest in the U.S. Local universities include California State University, University of the Pacific's McGeorge School of Law, and the University of California, Davis and several competitive community colleges. The UC Davis Medical Center, a world-renowned research hospital, is one of more than a dozen hospitals and shared services centers in the Sacramento region. Part of the agriculturally-rich Central Valley, Sacramento is at the forefront of the farm-to-fork food movement. Northern California is home to some of the country's top technology companies, including Google and LinkedIn, and a multitude of startups in many industries. Sacramento is home to the NBA Kings, the River Cats (AAA baseball), the Republic FC (soccer) and the San Francisco Giants, NBA Warriors and NFL 49er's aren't far away. Sacramento offers an affluent liberal arts community with Broadway, Mondavi Center, Crocker Museum and summer musical theater to name a few.

Remote Work

This position will be required to work onsite two or three days a week on a regular basis; sometimes more or less, depending on the work and, at times, early mornings or evenings for onsite meetings. And,on a rare occasion, the position may require weekend work.

SMUD provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. SMUD complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

SMUD expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of SMUD employees to perform their expected job duties is absolutely not tolerated.

Req ID: 1689