Employee Relations Specialist

At the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, we deliver reliable water to a region with 19 million people—and to accomplish this, we rely on a team of talented employees: innovators, problem-solvers, and collaborators who make it all possible.  

There is currently 1 position open for an Employee Relations Specialist located at our Union Station Headquarters in Los Angeles, California.

This recruitment may result in an eligibility list*.

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is looking to hire an Employee Relations Specialist. This position will support the District in all aspects of Employee Relations, including handling grievances and disciplinary actions; conducting investigations; representing the District in negotiation meetings with bargaining units; advising managers and supervisors on employee relations matters; and providing training to managers as needed.

The ideal candidate will have a record of demonstrating the highest level of ethics and integrity.

What You’ll Do 

• Provide daily consultation and guidance to managers and supervisors on employee relations matters, including grievance handling, performance management, corrective action, and MOU interpretation.
• Support the District in all aspects of Employee Relations, including grievances, disciplinary actions, and workplace investigations.
• Interpret and apply Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), personnel policies, and labor agreements to support consistent and compliant workplace practices.
• Represent District management in grievance, disciplinary, and other employee relations meetings, facilitating effective communication and issue resolution.
• Participate in labor negotiations with bargaining units by representing the District, preparing supporting documentation, and assisting with contract administration activities.
• Assist with providing Employee Relations training to managers.

Schedule: 9/80, Monday through Friday with every other Friday off.

Hybrid: Metropolitan’s current practice in this position is a hybrid work schedule. This typically includes two days a week in person and the other days remote. This is subject to change dependent on organizational needs. In addition, a telework policy is scheduled for negotiations and once completed and implemented, will provide final direction on the hybrid schedule.

This job announcement has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work being performed by employees in this classification / job.

To view the full job description, click here: Employee Relations Specialist

This classification performs work that requires maintaining confidentiality and is routinely privy to matters that either involves confidential information, sensitive personnel issues, or exposure to confidential and sensitive strategic corporate information.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONSEducation and Experience:  Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a related field AND 4 years relevant experience.

Relevant Experience is defined as combination of experience which must include the following:  Experience in Employee Relations and /or Labor Relations conducting investigation, grievance and disciplinary actions.

Desirable Qualifications: 

Experience working in a Public Agency. Experience working with unions on discipline and grievances. Experience with reviewing, recommending, and / or modifying proposed contract language.

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTSValid California Class C Driver’s License or equivalent (required at time of application) that allows you to drive during your employment.

BENEFITS

• Competitive compensation • Excellent medical, dental, life, vision plans. • Deferred compensation in the form of a 401(k) plan (with matching contribution) and a 457 plan. • Retirement benefits under the California Public Employees' Retirement System • Tuition reimbursement • Training and advancement opportunities • Excellent working environment 

• On-site fitness center

• Hub of public transportation: rail, subway, buses, and taxis• Public transportation reimbursements 

For more information on MWD benefits, please use the following link: Benefits Regular FT PT Employees (Represented)

ABOUT MWD

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is a state-established cooperative that, along with its 26 cities and retail suppliers, provides water for 19 million people in six counties. The district imports water from the Colorado River and Northern California to supplement local supplies, and helps its members to develop increased water conservation, recycling, storage and other resource-management programs.

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Qualified individuals with disabilities, who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process, please call (213) 217-7738 or email: jobs@mwdh2o.com.

Metropolitan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected characteristic(s).

Application Filing Period: Closes at 4:30 pm PT on the date stated in the job announcement. However, it may close prior to the filing end date if sufficient applications have been received. If sufficient applications have not been received, then the filing period end date may be extended.

Eligibility List*: An eligibility list is a list of qualified candidates created when a job posting states that one will be established.

Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications listed in the original posting and successfully pass all stages of the recruitment process—but are not selected for the initial vacancy—may be placed on this list for future openings.

The list may be used to invite candidates to participate in a selection interview for a future vacancy in the same classification / title (if there is one). The duration of the list depends on the applicable bargaining unit.

Qualifying Experience: Your resume must at a minimum include the month and year you began and ended employment, name of the organization, your title, and a brief description of your experience. If your employment was part-time, make sure you identify it on your resume next to the month/year.

Sponsorship: Applicants for employment with The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California must have work authorization that does not now or in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the United States (i.e., H1-B or other employment-based immigration case).

#LI-Hybrid

Salary : $128,814 - $169,250