Senior/Principal Employee and Labor Relations Consultant

Lawrence Berkeley National Lab's (LBNL) Human Resources Division has an opening for a Senior/Principal Employee and Labor Relations Consultant to join the team.

In this exciting role, you will create, guide, consult, counsel, and contribute to the learning and development of others. You will contribute to Employee & Labor Relations (ELR) strategies, programs, policies, projects, and processes while consistently working to optimize people and processes, and efficiency of lab wide solutions. You will manage complex conflict cases, employee related workplace issues, contract interpretation and execution, negotiations, performance management, risk management, and other complex workplace issues. This position requires incumbents to be adept in all ELR facets, and UC/DOE policies and procedures, including basic State and Federal labor and employment laws; may serve as chief spokespersons on behalf of LBNL on labor relations issues, including local contract negotiations and arbitration. You will support LBNL-wide strategic HR and ELR solutions in the integration of ELR while instilling cultural values, and supporting achievement of business results.

What You Will Do, at the Senior Level:

• Represent LBNL both internally and externally in labor and employee relations,
• Partner with ELR stakeholders at all levels including HR Strategy Partners (HRSPs) to effectively support a diverse client group including scientific, technical, clerical, service and skilled trades employees. This includes developing and maintaining positive, productive and reliable Labor Relations partnerships.
• Responsible for providing sound counsel and guidance to HRSPs, supervisors, and management in resolving ELR issues and problems, interpretation and application of union contract provisions, employment laws, and internal policies.
• Advise, guide, and counsel management in the interpretation and application of union contract provisions, employment laws, internal policies, and to the extent prudent, the maximum avoidance of employment lawsuits and arbitrations. While ensuring collective bargaining agreements, LBNL Policy (ie: Regulations and Procedure Manuals) are administered effectively and with emphasis on protecting the LBNL's management prerogatives and rights while fostering collaborative labor - management relationships.
• Plan, conduct, and/or develop unique solutions to complex problems or projects, exercises independent judgment in developing methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for measuring results, and applies advanced principles, theories, and concepts.
• Provide leadership and support in all areas and aspects of ELR. This includes serving as SME in research and analysis regarding employment regulations and laws such as ADA, FMLA, Weingarten and Skelly.
• Conduct, lead and/or partner on investigations or in the Fact-Finding Investigatory process and report on findings.
• Lead or participate (as necessary) in collective bargaining negotiations in development of Lab positions/proposals and strategies representing the Lab in University of California system wide negotiations, and serving as chief spokesperson in local negotiations where appropriate while providing critical updates.
• Lead, represent, or support the LBNL in employment lawsuits, grievance arbitration proceedings, and hearings before government agencies such as PERB, EEOC, DFEH and EDD.
• Administer collective bargaining agreements, including hearing grievances and responding at various steps of the grievance process.
• Create, develop, deliver and maintain ELR learning content and resources for HR and LBNL supervisors.
• Contribute to ELR related projects including contributions to the creation or development of ELR policies and processes.
• Implement, maintain, manage on ELR strategies including policies, procedures and operating standards for the LBNL based on trust, mutual respect, and accountability, that are aligned to organizational goals, comply with collective bargaining agreements and legal requirements, and promote positive employee relations

In addition to the above, at the Principal Level:

• Represent the LBNL both internally and externally as an expert in labor and employee relations.
• Partner with ELR stakeholders at all levels including HR Division Partners (HRDPs) to effectively support a diverse client group including scientific, technical, clerical, service and skilled trades employees. This includes developing and maintaining positive, productive and reliable Labor Relations partnerships.
• Responsible for providing sound counsel and guidance to HRDPs, supervisors, and LBNL management in resolving ELR issues and problems, interpretation and application of union contract provisions, employment laws, and internal policies.
• Advise, guide, counsel and lead LBNL management in the interpretation and application of union contract provisions, employment laws, internal policies, and to the extent prudent, the maximum avoidance of employment lawsuits and arbitrations. While ensuring collective bargaining agreements, LBNL Policy (ie: Regulations and Procedure Manuals) are administered effectively and with emphasis on protecting the LBNL's management prerogatives and rights while fostering collaborative labor - management relationships. Plan, conduct, and/or develop unique solutions to very complex problems or projects, exercises independent judgment in developing methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for measuring results, and applies advanced principles, theories, and concepts.
• Develop, implement, maintain, manage, advise on ELR strategies including policies, procedures and operating standards for the LBNL based on trust, mutual respect, and accountability, that are aligned to organizational goals, comply with collective bargaining agreements and legal requirements, and promote positive employee relations

What is Required, at the Senior Level:

• Bachelor's degree in Labor Relations, Human Resources, Business Administration, or other relevant field, and/or equivalent HR experience/training.
• Minimum of eight (8) years of relevant work experience or equivalent.
• Extensive knowledge of employee and labor relations principles and practices.
• Demonstrated experience in all facets of labor and employee relations, inclusive of labor contract administration, collective bargaining (including experience as chief spokesperson), mediation, arbitration advocacy, facilitation/conflict resolution, drafting of settlement agreements, letters of understanding and arbitration post hearing briefs.
• Knowledge of state and federal labor laws pertinent to ELR; general knowledge of employment law pertinent to Titles VII/IX, Civil Rights Act, as amended, ADA, EEOC/DFEH, FMLA, etc.
• Superior verbal/written communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written fashion and conduct business in a professional and ethical manner.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a strong understanding of organizational communications and dynamics and ability to work and collaborate effectively with a broad range of constituents.
• Strong research, analysis and problem solving skills.
• Proven experience in effective conflict resolution.
• Exceptional negotiation, consultation, mediation and facilitation skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Highly organized and comfortable working in a fast paced and dynamic environment.

In addition to the above, at the Principal Level:

• Minimum of twelve (12) years of relevant work experience or equivalent.
• Extensive knowledge and expertise in employee and labor relations principles and practices.
• Significant demonstrated experience in all facets of labor and employee relations, inclusive of labor contract administration, collective bargaining (including significant experience as chief spokesperson), mediation, arbitration advocacy, facilitation/conflict resolution, drafting of settlement agreements, letters of understanding and arbitration post hearing briefs.
• Extensive knowledge of state and federal labor laws pertinent to ELR; general knowledge of employment law pertinent to Titles VII/IX, Civil Rights Act, as amended, ADA, EEOC/DFEH, FMLA, etc.
• Communicates effectively in both oral and written fashion and conducts business in a professional and ethical manner.

Desired Qualifications:

• MA/MS degree with concentration in HR or related field.
• Knowledge of LBNL/UC/DOE policies and procedures.
• General knowledge of Human Resources management theories, principles and practices as well as Workers Compensation law.

Notes:

• This is a full-time, career appointment, exempt (monthly paid) from overtime pay.
• Senior Level: The full salary range of this position is between $118,272 to $199,608 per year and is expected to pay between a targeted range of $133,068 to $162,636 per year depending upon candidates' full skills, knowledge, and abilities, including education, certifications, and years of experience.
• Principal Level: The full salary range of this position is between $118,272 to $199,608 per year and is expected to pay between a targeted range of $133,068 to $162,636 per year depending upon candidates' full skills, knowledge, and abilities, including education, certifications, and years of experience.
• This position is subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.
• Work will be primarily performed at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA. Starting May 7, a REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification is required to access Berkeley Lab sites (for more information click here).

Want to learn more about working at Berkeley Lab? Please visit: careers.lbl.gov

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: The foundation of Berkeley Lab is our Stewardship Values: Team Science, Service, Trust, Innovation, and Respect; and we strive to build community with these shared values and commitments. Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We heartily welcome applications from all who could contribute to the Lab's mission of leading scientific discovery, excellence, and professionalism. In support of our rich global community, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under State and Federal law.

Berkeley Lab is a University of California employer. It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.