Labor Relations Consultant

Under general direction of the Labor Relations Director for Employee and Labor Relations (ELR), provide labor relations support to management by representing UC Davis in grievances, arbitration, administrative hearings, labor actions, bargaining, and meet-and-discuss/confer sessions. Respond to demonstrations, advise managers and supervisors on employment and labor issues, and conduct training. Assure consistent application of collective bargaining agreements and agreed-upon labor relations philosophy to assigned contractual and non-exclusively represented units.

Responsibilities

• 35% - Complaint Management: Represent UC Davis in grievances, arbitration, and administrative hearings.
• 30% - Contract Administration, Negotiations, Local Bargaining: Participate in bargaining and meet-and-discuss/confer sessions; ensure compliance with collective bargaining agreements.
• 25% - Relations with Employee Unions: Engage with unions, respond to labor actions, and maintain productive labor relations.
• 10% - Staff Support/Training: Advise managers and supervisors on employment and labor issues; conduct training sessions.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
• Experience practicing law in a trial setting, representing clients at administrative hearings, or acting as a management advocate in grievances, arbitration, unfair labor practice charges, and meet-and-discuss/consult sessions. This includes preparing witnesses, examination and cross-examination, and delivering oral openings, closings, and motions.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Higher Education Employer-Employee Relations Act (HEERA) or other public sector labor laws, including scope of bargaining, contract compliance, standards of unilateral changes, union notice requirements, and public sector labor union behavior.
• Knowledge of the Information Practices Act, Public Records Act, or HEERA requirements for information release, including release of personnel records and creation of data for bargaining.
• Knowledge of Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) administrative procedures for unfair labor practice charges, unit modifications, and unit requests for recognition.
• Advanced operational knowledge of labor and employment laws, including the National Labor Relations Act, Labor Code, Fair Labor Standards Act, and recent developments. Understanding of applicability to the public sector, desirability to implement through contracts, and probable impact on arbitration decisions.
• Skills in writing clear, concise, analytical, legally correct, accurate, and persuasive briefs, appeals, motions, settlement agreements, and management positions.

Preferred Qualifications

• J.D. or pending J.D. (employment or labor law background preferred) or equivalent work experience.
• Experience working in the healthcare and/or higher education industry and using University applications.
• Knowledge of UCD Staff Personnel Policies (PSS & MSP) and existing union contracts, including thorough knowledge of grievance processes and standards for decision-making.
• Skills functioning in demanding environments to resolve conflict/confrontation situations among emotionally distressed and uncooperative parties.
• Ability to work effectively and sensitively with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds to build mutual respect, fairness, and equity.
• Analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills to assess labor relations information, define problems, consider alternatives, and propose solutions.
• Computer skills including Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook.

About the Department

This position provides critical management and administrative support to the Employee & Labor Relations (E&LR) department within Human Resources, serving the Medical Center, School of Medicine, and School of Nursing, which employs approximately 20,000 individuals.

Pay

$8,125.00 - $15,225.00 per month.

Schedule

• Shift: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
• Percentage of Time: 100%
• Appointment Type: Staff: Career
• Location: Hybrid (mix of on-site and remote work)
• Travel: Occasional travel to UCDH, Davis Campus, and distant locations (may require overnight stays) for training or University business.

Benefits

• High-quality, low-cost medical plans for you and your family.
• UC-paid dental and vision coverage for you and your family.
• Retirement plans for eligible employees, including Pension and other Retirement Savings Plans.
• Supplemental insurance options: additional life, short/long-term disability, pet insurance, legal coverage, accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity.
• Pregnancy and Parental Leave, Family & Medical Leave, Adoption Assistance, and Pay for Family Care and Bonding for eligible employees.
• Lactation Support Program and family care discounts/resources.
• Employee Well-being resources and programming.
• On-site Employee Assistance Program with free mental health services.
• Generous paid holidays annually.
• Paid Time Off/Vacation/Sick Time as outlined in UC Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreements.
• Continuing Education (CE) allowance and Staff Education Reimbursement Program for eligible employees.
• Access to free professional development courses and learning opportunities.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer and Student Loan Debt Counseling Program for eligible employees.

Physical and Mental Demands

• Standing: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Walking: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Sitting: Continuous, 6 to 8+ hours.
• Lifting/Carrying (0-25 lbs): Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Pushing/Pulling (0-25 lbs): Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Bending/Stooping: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Squatting/Kneeling: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Twisting: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Reaching Overhead: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Keyboard Use/Repetitive Motion: Continuous, 6 to 8+ hours.
• Sustained Attention and Concentration: Frequent, 3 to 6 hours.
• Complex Problem Solving/Reasoning: Continuous, 6 to 8+ hours.
• Organizing & Prioritizing: Frequent, 3 to 6 hours.
• Communication Skills: Frequent, 3 to 6 hours.
• Numerical Skills: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Constant Interaction: Frequent, 3 to 6 hours.
• Customer/Patient Contact: Frequent, 3 to 6 hours.
• Multiple Concurrent Tasks: Frequent, 3 to 6 hours.

Work Environment

• UC Davis is a smoke- and tobacco-free campus. Smoking, use of smokeless tobacco products, and unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes) are prohibited on UC Davis property.
• May require working outside of core business hours (evenings and weekends) to perform essential functions.
• This is a confidential position. Employment is contingent upon clearing a criminal background check, drug screening, medical evaluation clearance, and functional capacity assessment.
• This position is designated as a mandated reporter under CANRA and UC policy. Employment is contingent on compliance with applicable policies, procedures, and training requirements.
• As a condition of employment, the final candidate must disclose any final administrative or judicial decisions determining misconduct within the last seven years, or any pending allegations or investigations involving misconduct.