Employee Relation Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Director, People Services – Employee Relations

• Location: LLAC [901] - Lancaster, CA 93535
• Type: Regular Full-Time
• Salary: $123,768.75 - $172,200.00
• Shift: Day
• Category: Classified

This position offers a hybrid work arrangement, with occasional on‑site responsibilities and quarterly "return to office" work days.

The Director, People Services – Employee Relations, will provide direction, leadership, and foster collaboration between People Services Leadership, Payroll, School, and Organizational Leadership in aligning the strategic efforts of the Employee Relations (ER) function. The ER function may include, but not limited to ER Projects, ER policies and procedures, and ER compliance. This position will identify, evaluate, and resolve work‑related problems, and confer with management to determine appropriate action to maintain a productive work environment, and achieve optimal performance, while improving programs related to employee morale, employee satisfaction, and minimizing legal risk. This position reports to the Vice President, People Services or designee.

• Strategy & Accountability: In collaboration with People Services Executive Leadership, develop and implement a strategic Employee Relations plan to promote behaviors, culture, and competencies needed in alignment with organizational mission, values, and goals. Identify and analyze employee relations matters and recommend appropriate employment action to maintain a productive work environment, achieve optimal performance, and minimize risk. Develop, implement, maintain standardized processes and procedures, evaluate, and recommend new approaches for handling employee relation issues and recommend process improvements. Respond to internal and external complaints, federal, state, and local agency charges and attorney demands, and handling other complex, high‑risk, or sensitive employee relations cases. Prepare, review and oversee investigation summaries and reports. Develop, build capacity, and provide strategic guidance to People Services staff.
• Coaching and Relationship Management: Facilitate conflict resolution between employees and supervisors working with all levels of the organization. Provide coaching and guidance to managers, supervisors and other leaders regarding personnel practices, policies, and employment laws. Collaborate with school leadership on employee performance issues, support corrective action process, and provide guidance where necessary. Communicate with employees regarding employee relations concerns; provide guidance and recommendations for resolution of issues.
• Data Literacy and Analytics: Compile and analyze data and information related to employee relations trends, develop and maintain a metrics analysis, oversee employee relations KPIs and recommend proactive strategies. Identify and leverage relevant data when making decisions, providing recommendations, preparing training and/or analyzing organizational issues and opportunities. Instruct others on proper interpretation of metrics and KPIs.
• Problem Solving and Decision Making: Evaluate effective solutions and implement them to remedy problems. Effectively navigate challenges and areas of need using multiple data points to analyze issues and identify trends. Counsel supervisors and employees on concerns related to applicable Equal Employment Opportunity laws including TitleVII, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and other similar federal, state, and local laws. Conduct investigations of employee grievances and related disciplinary matters; utilize independent judgment and best practices in conducting investigations and recommending resolutions for People Services Management approval. Perform administrative duties, responsibilities, and activities as assigned.
• Supervisory Responsibilities: Lead, manage, coordinate, supervise, coach and direct the hiring, training, timely performance evaluations of team members, and oversee effective workflow of the department.

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
  • Knowledge of laws, regulations, policies, and procedures relevant to the area of employment.
  • Knowledge of principles and procedures for human resources recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, employer, and employee relations.
  • Strong problem‑solving, conflict resolution skills and uses logic and reason to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
  • Strong documentation, records management, effective oral and written communication skills.
  • Ability to interpret and apply laws, regulations, policies and procedures.
  • Ability to exercise critical thinking, use logic and reason to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
  • Ability to analyze business data or information: identify the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data.
  • Ability to make decisions and solve systems and process problems, analyze information and evaluate results to choose the best solution.
  • Ability to work under tight deadlines and handle multiple requests or interruptions while still completing projects or work assignments in a timely manner.
• Minimum Qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s degree in human resources management, Business, or related field or 2 years equivalent work experience demonstrating applicable skills. Equivalent experience is included in and not separate from total years of professional experience.
  • 5 years’ experience in one or more of the following: designing, developing, and supporting organization‑wide programs and project management in Human Resources, HR, Employee Relations and Payroll Technology is required.
  • 3 years’ experience in management and leadership roles is required.
  • Human Resources industry certification (PHR, SPHR, SHRM‑SCP or CP) is preferred.
  • Demonstrable experience leveraging human resources metrics for strategic planning and impactful outcomes.
  • Strong experience managing and supporting dynamic HR teams for effective collaboration and outcomes.
  • Advance level of skills in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and other technology applications.
  • Ability to travel in performance of job duties.

• Vision: Ability to read small print and view a computer screen for prolonged periods, prepare, or inspect documents and operate office equipment.
• Hearing: Ability to hear average or typical conversations and receive ordinary information.
• Speech: Ability to be understood in face‑to‑face communication, in person or remote, to speak with a level of proficiency and volume to be understood over a telephone or computer.
• Mental Demands: Ability to read, write, understand, interpret, and apply information at a moderately complex level essential for successful job performance; math skills at a high school proficiency level; judgement and the ability to process information quickly; learn quickly and follow verbal procedures and standards; give verbal instruction; rank tasks in order of importance; copy, compare, compile and coordinate information and records. Frequent multi‑tasking, changing of task priorities, repetitious exacting work. Understand how to manage stress. High workflow management, high project coordination, and high people engagement.
• Upper Body Mobility: Ability to use fingers to make small movements such as typing, picking up small objects, or pinching fingers together, use hands to grasp, and manipulate small objects; twist and bend at wrist and elbow; extend arms to reach outward and upward; use hands and arms to lift objects; turn, raise, and lower head.
• Strength: Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull objects weighing up to 10 pounds.
• Environmental Requirements: Ability to encounter constant work interruptions; work cooperatively with others; work independently; work indoors. Prolonged period sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Work in a moderate to high noise environment with frequent deadline pressures.