Sr. Employee & Labor Relations Advisor (Onsite)

Sr. Employee & Labor Relations Advisor

Adventist Health Bakersfield is seeking a Sr. Employee & Labor Relations Advisor for a full-time position with 8-hour day shifts. We are looking for a qualified and dedicated individual who can work onsite and support our Bakersfield, CA locations. This role may be assigned to one of the markets in the Bakersfield area, depending on operational needs.

Provides guidance, support and expertise in employee & labor relations matters to include discipline, coaching, performance management, human resources policy interpretation. Key objectives include ensuring legal compliance and adherence to system policies and procedures are met in a consistent, objective and fair fashion. Provides guidance to managers and employees on employee & labor relation issues, investigate formal complaints, make recommendations, and ensure legal requirements are met. Collaborates with other HR team members throughout the Adventist Health system to address organizational needs and contributes to a range of projects to implement HR strategies (i.e., change management, policy implementation, etc). Participates in the administration of labor relations programs for the system, including contract interpretation, investigation and processing of employee grievances and discipline. Handles traditional labor questions/issues, union organizing, interpretation of complex contract terms, policies or rules, discipline/employment related issues. Advises and provides direction to market human resource teams with direct interaction with local unions and local business units. Serves as a liaison between leadership and the local unions regarding all aspects of our business, including technological advances, new business initiatives, changes in the law, efforts to make our business stronger and more viable as well as changes and/or modifications to terms and conditions of employment for our unionized associates.

Education and Work Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in human resources, labor relations, business, or related field: Preferred
• Master's Degree: Preferred
• Five years of employee & labor relations experience: Required

Licenses/Certifications:

• Labor Relations certification course completion: Required or completed within one year of hire
• Professional in Human Resources (PHR) or SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) or SHRM Sr. Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP): Preferred

Essential Functions:

• Oversees, manages and resolves system wide employee & labor relations matters. Proposes resolutions to complex and highly sensitive employee & labor relations issues. Conducts escalated investigations regarding potential violations of applicable federal or state employment laws and/or Adventist Health policies. Composes comprehensive fact-finding summary reports on completed investigations. Advises and influences all levels of management regarding employee & labor relations decisions.
• Leads complex projects in a variety of employee & labor relations-related areas. Provides direction and guidance to market human resource teams for the successful outcome of projects. Provides mentoring to market human resource teams and leaders on all aspects of employee & labor relations. Partners with and serves as a resource to employees and leaders to promote and maintain positive employee relations. Maintains positive relationships with managers to proactively identify, manage and resolve employee relations concerns.
• Assists in the oversight of the system labor relations program through proper administration and implementation of labor contracts. Resolves labor complaints, disputes, and grievances; participates in labor contract training, and provides technical advice and interpretation to management and employees. Works closely with payroll and other administrative departments to ensure proper interpretation and enforcement of collective bargaining agreements. Provides interpretation of human resources policy and procedures to market human resource teams, employees and leaders. Makes recommendations for changes to policies and procedures and opportunities for process improvement.
• Recommends appropriate policies for the mediation and documentation of grievances, discipline and termination concerns. Facilitates discussion and resolution of grievances, referring complex or legally sensitive issues to system human resources leadership and/or legal counsel. Provides consultative services to system-wide market leadership teams on labor relations and employee-related issues. Administers training to educate managers in the requirements and procedures for maintaining positive employee relations, corrective actions and other employment & labor related topics.
• Manages and assists in the administration of system wide compliance programs such as affirmative action planning (AAP's), veteran's & disability reporting, driver safety, anti-harassment training as well as other federally and state required compliance.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Organizational Requirements:

Adventist Health is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our associates and patients. Therefore, we require that all associates receive all required vaccinations as a condition of employment and annually thereafter, where applicable. Medical and religious exemptions may apply. Adventist Health participates in E-Verify. Visit for more information about E-Verify. By choosing to apply, you acknowledge that you have accessed and read the E-Verify Participation and Right to Work notices and understand the contents therein.