Employee Relations Officer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $105,456.00 - $134,596.80 Annually
Location : Tenth Street Place - 1010 10th Street Modesto, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 04687
Department: Human Resources
Opening Date: 07/15/2026
Closing Date: 7/31/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit: UNREP
The Position
Join a dynamic organization and progressive human resources department. We are looking for an individual who can conduct investigations, oversee outside investigators, guide supervisors through the progressive discipline process, assist with managing labor relations, and build strong working relationships with all stakeholders.
The Employee Relations Officer plans, organizes, coordinates and implements the employee relations functions and activities within the Human Resources Department in partnership with a peer Employee Relations Officer and under the direction of the Director of Human Resources. The ideal candidate will provide expertise in program elements for the organization and to perform a variety of professional and technical level tasks related to employee and labor relations.
Salary Incentives:
2.5% Education Incentive - Bachelor's Degree
5% Education Incentive - Master's Degree
Application Process
Applicants will be assessed on the application submitted. Due to the volume of applications received, resumes will not be screened for the purpose of determining who is the most qualified to compete in the testing process. It is the applicant's responsibility to fill out the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of the application with complete information and adequate detail. Do not substitute any part of the application with the words "SEE RESUME."
Applicants considered to be the most qualified will be invited to continue in the testing process. The Human Resources Department reserves the right to revise the testing process to best meet the needs of the City.
Tentative Interview Schedule
August 21, 2026
The City of Modesto is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion. A City application is required, including Supplemental Questionnaire. The City of Modesto does not sponsor H-1B Visas. Salary offered depends on candidate's experience.
Essential and Marginal Function Statements
Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Essential Functions:
Manage the progressive discipline process acting with a high degree of independence. Provide information, advice, guidance, recommendations, resources, and training on the preventative and corrective action phases of progressive discipline.
Recommend and assist in the implementation of goals and objectives; establish schedules and methods regarding employee related issues, including discipline, grievances, performance management, leaves, MOUs, policies, procedures, and interpretation, and administrative investigations; implement policies and procedures.
Develop, implement, and evaluate employee relations activities and functions by advising departments on performance management and disciplinary matters, managing and conducting administrative investigations, reviewing or drafting counseling memoranda, reprimands, notices of intent, and final notices of discipline; represent the City in appeal hearings.
Work in collaboration with the City Attorney's Office, facilitate formal appeal processes, coordinate grievance investigation and resolution.
Evaluate operations and activities of assigned responsibilities; recommend improvements and modifications; prepare various reports on operations and activities.
Participate in budget preparation and administration; prepare cost estimates for budget recommendations; submit justifications for equipment, materials, and supplies; monitor and control expenditures.
Research, compile, and prepare reports and documentation on program activities; analyze program elements and recommend changes; maintain records of findings and corrective actions; prepare periodic status reports.
Develop, interpret, and enforce consistent workplace policies that comply with local, state and federal labor laws.
Mediate and resolve disputes between employees, teams, and management. Advise departments and recommend corrective actions.
Guide and advise departments, supervisors, and managers on interpretation of rules, policies, procedures, memoranda of understanding, and laws related to employee protected rights.
May assist with or conduct salary and benefit surveys; gather information from other agencies regarding terms, conditions, and benefits; meet with department managers to identify concerns; recommend labor strategy and management objectives consistent with the strategic plan.
Participate in the meet and confer process; analyze and cost contract proposals; research issues raised during bargaining; obtain management input on issues; draft tentative agreements and contract language; maintain accurate records of proceedings.
Prepare the City's equal opportunity plan and ensure timely completion of EEO-4 and annual status reports; maintain the annual plan; oversee implementation of equal opportunity plan.
Plan, coordinate, and deliver City-wide training, including harassment prevention, performance management, and supervisory; assess appropriate training needs related to legislation and regulations.
Maintain accurate, confidential records of disciplinary actions, investigations, grievances and all other employee relations concerns.
Represent the department on committees, outside organizations, and at staff subcommittees as necessary, coordinate employee relations program activities with other divisions and outside agencies.
Answer questions and provide information to the public; investigate complaints and recommend corrective action as necessary to resolve complaints.
May plan, prioritize, assign, supervise, and review the work of staff related to program activities.
Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees, and the public using principles of good customer service.
Travel to and work from various City Department work locations.
Observe and maintain a safe working environment in compliance with established safety programs and procedures.
Minimum Qualifications
Knowledge of:
Principles and practices of public personnel administration, including methods and techniques used in labor relations, training and equal opportunity.
Principles and practices of budget development, implementation, and monitoring.
Pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations.
Technical report writing procedures.
Applications of statistical methods to management analysis.
Administrative Investigation report writing procedures.
Advanced methods of report preparation and presentation.
Administrative research techniques, sources and availability of information.
Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment.
Ability to:
Interpret, explain, and apply federal, state, and local laws and regulations. and department policies, procedures, laws, rules, and regulations.
Assist in the development and monitoring of assigned program budget.
Develop and recommend policies and procedures related to assigned operations.
Research, analyze, and make recommendations on administrative, management, and procedural practices.
Conduct and oversee administrative, harassment, discrimination, disciplinary, and fact-finding investigations, deal constructively with conflict.
Perform advanced professional level labor relations and employee relations work.
Prepare, review, and approve comprehensive analyses and reports; make effective presentations of conclusions and recommendations orally and in writing.
Work with and control sensitive, confidential information.
May supervise, train and evaluate assigned personnel.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.
Travel to and work from other City facilities regularly.
Experience and Training Guidelines
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Experience:
Five years of increasingly responsible professional-level experience involving human resources management and employee relations, including conducting administrative investigations, and labor relations in a unionized environment. Experience in a public agency is desirable.
Training:
Equivalent to a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in public or business administration, management, human resources, psychology, or a related field.
License or Certificate:
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Certification desirable.
Association of Workplace Investigations (AWI) preferred.
Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate and valid California driver's license.
Physical and Mental Requirements
Mobility: frequent use of keyboard; frequent sitting for long periods of time; occasional bending or squatting. Lifting: frequently up to 10 pounds; occasionally up to 25 pounds. Vision: constant use of overall vision; frequent reading and close-up work; occasional color and depth vision. Dexterity: frequent repetitive motion; frequent writing; frequent grasping, holding, and reaching. Hearing/Talking: frequent hearing and talking, in person and on the phone. Emotional/Psychological: frequent decision-making and concentration; frequent public and/or coworker contact; occasional working alone. Environmental: frequent exposure to noise.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is performed in a typical temperature controlled office environment subject to typical office noise and environment. Some positions may be assigned to remote locations. Positions may require occasional overtime or weekend work and travel is rare.
Unrepresented Management
PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM: CalPERS enrollment in either the 2% @ 60 or the 2% @ 62 formula is dependent on eligibility, as per AB 340. Employee pays the full member contribution. Retirement benefit is based on the employees three year final compensation average. The City does not participate in Social Security except for the required 1.45% Medicare contribution by both the City and the employee (applies to employees hired after 4-1-86).
HOLIDAYS: 12 paid holidays per year plus 8 hours of holiday credit.
MANAGEMENT LEAVE: Eighty hours of Management Leave is provided annually.
VACATION: Accrual normally begins at a rate of two weeks per year, with incremental increases to five weeks at 21 years of service. Employees may accumulate up to two times their annual accrual.
SICK LEAVE: Accumulated at 8 hours per month, 96 hours per year. Employees may accumulate up to 2,200 hours.
MEDICAL INSURANCE:Health, dental and vision coverage is provided. The City's monthly contribution to health, dental and vision benefits is based on a three-tier system as follows:
$ 2,028.00 Employee + Family
$ 1,436.00 Employee + 1 Dependent
$ 718.00 Employee Only
$ 450.00 Opt Out
The employee pays the balance. An employee who opts out of health coverage receives the amount noted above minus dental and vision premium on their paycheck and treated as taxable income. Dental and vision coverage continuation is available upon retirement.
LIFE INSURANCE: Provided in the amount of $120,000 by the City. Supplemental coverage is available at employee cost.
LONG TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE: Coverage is provided by the City, at City cost. This benefit pays 66 2/3% of the first $12,000 per month in salary.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION: With matching contributions by the employee, the City will contribute 1.5% of salary, (increasing to 2.5% at 9 years of service) to a voluntary 457 Plan. The City also contributes 2-5% to a mandatory 401(a) Money Purchase Plan, based on role within the City.
RETIREE HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT (RHS): $2,880 initial deposit provided upon completion of a two (2) year vesting period. After initial contribution, the City shall contribute $120 per month.
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Available to employees and dependents. Plan provides up to 3 counseling visits per incident, at City expense.
EDUCATION INCENTIVE: Master's Degree Pay in the amount of 5% of salary. Bachelor's Degree Pay in the amount of 2.5% of salary.
LONGEVITY PAY: 2.5% of salary at 10 years of service.
CITY CAR/CAR ALLOWANCE: Up to $400 monthly is provided for some positions.
SECTION 125 PLAN: Providing for pre-tax deductions for employee-paid health premium and dependent care costs.
01
How many years of professional human resource management and employee relations experience?

• None
• 1-2 years
• 2-3 year
• 3-4 years
• 5 or more years

02
How many years of experience do you have in a management or supervisory role?

• None
• 1-2 years
• 2-3 years
• 3-4 years
• 4 or more years

03
Do you possess a Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, Management, or related field?

• Yes
• No