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Employee Relations Officer in Modesto, California at City of Modesto

NewSalary: $105456 - $134597Employment Type: Full-Time
City of Modesto
Modesto, California, 95354, United States
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Job Description

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 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.


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.

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.

Job Location

Modesto, California, 95354, United States

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