Employee Relations Consultant

Employee Relations Consultant

Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering research and education institution where extraordinary faculty, students and staff seek answers to complex questions, discover new knowledge, lead innovation, and transform our future. Human Resources supports the Institute mission by providing support, education, programs, and services that help Caltech employees continue to make significant contributions to world-class science.

As an Employee Relations Consultant at Caltech, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on one of the world's most innovative academic communities. Reporting to the Director of Employee and Organizational Development, you will serve as a trusted advisor to employees and managers regarding work and organization-related issues.

In this role, you will also partner with Human Resources colleagues to shape programs and initiatives that elevate the employee experience across the Institute. If you thrive in environments that value strong relationships, creative problem-solving, and high-touch service, you will feel right at home here. Caltech is a place where your expertise is not only welcomed but essential to supporting a culture of excellence.

Essential Job Duties

• Serves as an employee relations advisor while establishing and maintaining professional work relationships with employees, management, and faculty which encourages them to seek advice from, and work with, Employee & Organizational Development in resolving workplace issues.
• Provides strategic guidance to all levels of management, faculty, and employees on a variety of HR-related topics including, but not limited to, performance management, employment law issues, policy interpretation, communication, problem resolution, employee engagement, ethics, codes of conduct, and disability related issues.
• Interacts effectively with members of the Institute's General Counsel's office, seeking advice and counsel on matters that will or may result in legal action.
• Conducts complex investigations and recommends resolution to employee complaints and charges, guides management in implementation of recommended solutions.
• Conducts organizational analysis and reviews to identify possible problems, solutions, and recommendations for operational improvement to meet strategic goals.
• Actively participates in the development and implementation of Institute and human resource policies and procedures and communicates, interprets, and applies Institute policies and procedures as required.
• Conducts exit interviews and in collaboration with other HR staff, makes recommendations regarding turnover reduction and retention strategies.
• Works with management to develop and create succession plans.
• Works closely with outside agencies and represents the Institute at hearings as required: Employment Development Department (EDD), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and the Civil Rights Department (CRD).
• Works collaboratively with faculty and management on reorganization strategies, the implementation of the strategies, and workforce planning; partners with management in developing, planning, and implementing organizational changes, including reorganizations which may result in work force reductions.
• Actively partners with Human Resources and Payroll team members in support of key initiatives including communicating HR/Payroll goals and objectives with assigned divisions/departments; may advise regarding process, procedures, and compliance as requested by HR and/or Payroll leadership.
• In concert with other Employee and Organizational Development team members, creates and conducts training programs on various topics that foster positive employee relations, including, but not limited to, workshops on performance management, wage and hour compliance, supervisory/management skills, and leadership development.
• As needed, will collaborate with the Labor Relations team on labor relations matters.
• Other duties as required.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in human resources, business, organizational psychology, or related field.
• 5 years related work experience including employee relations and investigatory experience.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience conducting investigations, including complex investigations of employee complaints and reports of policy violations.
• Working knowledge of mediation, team building, and communication techniques for a diverse community.
• A high level of interpersonal and customer service skills; individual will be required to interact regularly and effectively with all levels of the Institute.
• Working knowledge of current legal issues, federal and state laws, and policies and procedures as they apply to human resources.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with little direction and to make appropriate decisions based upon policy, accepted practices and/or procedures, and federal and state laws.
• Expert problem-solving skills and ability to develop creative approaches and solutions that result in effective resolution of differences.
• Ability to be collaborative while working in a complex and fast-paced organization.
• A working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in a human resource related field and 6 years of directly related work experience.
• An understanding of an academic environment.
• Labor relations experience.
• Bilingual (Spanish/English), both spoken and written.

Required Documents

• Resume.
• Cover Letter.