Job Details

California State University, Bakersfield

Job No. 544779 Director of Academic Personnel and Labor Relations
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Position Number: 5879640
Location: Bakersfield, CA
Position Type: Human Resources

CLASSIFICATION TITLE: Administrator II

UNION CODE: M80

FT/PT: Full-time

PAY PLAN: 12-month

WORKPLACE TYPE: On-site (work in-person at business location)

ANTICIPATED HIRING RANGE: $112,000 - $125,000

However, the offer amount will be commensurate with candidate's experience, education, skills, and training.

CSU CLASSIFICATION SALARY RANGE: $60,636 - $194,652

PAY BASIS: Monthly

BENEFITS: CSUB offers a best-in-class benefit package for eligible employees that includes an array of medical plans, choice of dental plans, vision coverage, retirement participation in CalPERS, CSU tuition waiver, up to 24 vacation days per year, sick leave with unlimited accrual, 14 paid holidays per year and more! See our benefits website for additional information.

CANDIDATES ELIGIBLE TO APPLY: Open to all qualified applicants

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANT: FOR PRIORITY CONSIDERATION, applications must be received by 12/30/2024; however, the position will remain open until filled.

POSITION PURPOSE: The Director of Academic Personnel & Labor Relations plays a strategic and critical role in fostering a positive working environment at the University. Under the administrative direction of the Associate VP for Faculty Affairs, the Director is responsible for overseeing equitable recruitment and hiring processes, implementing faculty retention programs, promoting resolution of workplace conflicts, processing grievances, and investigating possible performance and conduct issues. The Director refers possible violations of the CSU Non-Discrimination Policy to the Office of Equity, Inclusion, and Compliance, and directly addresses other conduct of concern that falls outside of that policy's scope.

The Director ensures compliance with Unit 3 and Unit 11 collective bargaining agreements, relevant labor laws, and systemwide and campus policies, while providing expert guidance on a full range of complex personnel matters.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Labor Relations & Collective Bargaining

Serve as the university's representative in matters related to labor relations for Units 3 and 11, ensuring a collaborative relationship while complying with CBA provisions, providing guidance, and upholding university and systemwide policies.
Facilitate effective communication with union representatives on issues such as grievances and contract interpretation.
Lead efforts to resolve disputes at the lowest possible level, mediation and conflict resolution strategies.
Oversee the grievance process for academic personnel, from initial filing to final resolution, ensuring fairness and timely response.
Lead investigations of grievances, working with union representatives and legal counsel. Hold Level I meetings and issue written responses, ensuring compliance with campus procedures and collective bargaining agreements.
Prepare comprehensive and detailed reports of investigations, disciplinary actions, and conflict resolutions for internal and legal purposes.
Advise management on resolving faculty disputes and workplace conflicts in accordance with university policies and CBAs.
Refer possible violations of the CSU Non-Discrimination Policy to the Office of Equity, Inclusion, and Compliance, and directly address other conduct of concern that falls outside of that policy's scope.

Leadership & Management of Academic Personnel Services

Manage recruitment and separation processes for faculty and academic staff, ensuring compliance with CSU system policies and university guidelines.
Collaborate with department chairs and deans to develop effective recruitment plans.
Collaborate with Deans regarding offer letters, position classifications, and rank determinations for new faculty.
Ensure compliance with Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) regulations and other relevant laws.
Provide guidance on RTP criteria and ensure alignment with campus standards and Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA).
Collaborate with colleges to ensure accurate reporting and tracking of faculty workload and teaching assignments.

Compliance & Policy Development

Collaborate with university leadership, stakeholders, and CSU system offices to develop and revise academic personnel policies to reflect changes in CBAs, labor laws, and university needs. Ensure policy implementation and adherence.
Communicate requirements, changes, and updates directly to individuals and groups.
Design and deliver training programs for academic administrators on compliance with personnel policies, labor relations, and best practices in faculty management.
Conduct workshops on faculty evaluations, workload assignments, and dispute resolution.
Develop resources to assist department chairs in managing faculty performance and workload concerns.
Ensure proper documentation and retention of records, including Personnel Action Files (PAFs), RTP evaluations, and compensation agreements.
Maintain Faculty Affairs records and website content.

Strategic Planning & Collaboration

Serve as a key advisor to the Associate Vice President of Faculty Affairs on all matters related to academic personnel management and labor relations.
Contribute to long-term strategic planning for faculty affairs, including workforce planning, talent retention, and succession planning.
Analyze trends in faculty employment and labor relations to inform university decision-making.
Collaborate with Academic Senate to promote effective shared governance and California Faculty Association (CFA) to promote effective labor/management relationships and problem-solving.
Collaborate with other departments, including Human Resources, Office of Equity, Inclusion & Compliance, Legal, and the Provost's Office, to ensure consistency in personnel management practices across the campus.
Evaluate and improve academic personnel procedures to increase efficiency, transparency, and responsiveness to faculty needs.
Develop performance metrics and reporting tools to track the effectiveness of personnel processes.
Implement process improvements based on feedback from faculty and academic administrators.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE - Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree in human resources management, labor relations, public administration, business administration, counseling, organizational planning/policy law, or related and at least four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in academic personnel administration, labor relations, or human resources.

LICENSES - Possession of a valid driver's license or the ability to obtain by date of hire.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES (SKA's) -

Regular and reliable attendance is required.
Strong leadership skills with the ability to advise University executives on labor-related issues.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to prepare comprehensive reports, concise updates, and professional presentations.
Knowledge of Unit 3 and 11 CBAs and the principles, laws, and regulations related to personnel management in a collective bargaining environment.
Familiarity with equal employment opportunity (EEO) principles and non-discrimination policies.
Ability to draft, revise, interpret, communicate, and apply policies and procedures.
Ability to develop and facilitate training activities.
Proficiency in conflict resolution, with a demonstrated ability to mediate and resolve disputes in a fair and impartial manner.
Ability to prioritize and manage multiple investigations, grievances, and projects proactively, with little supervision, and under tight deadlines.
Ability to respond to sudden changes in priorities, to work effectively on complex tasks in the midst of frequent interruptions, and to work effectively both as a member of a team and individually.
Ability to effectively advise, counsel, negotiate and resolve sensitive, unprecedented, broad, difficult, and complex problems.
Ability to respect multiple perspectives, model and promote advanced listening skills, and facilitate difficult conversations.
Demonstrated commitment to faculty governance, consultative processes, and consensus building.
Demonstrated customer service experience requiring a very high level of diplomacy and professionalism.
Ability to use tact and diplomacy to effectively handle a broad range of high level and sensitive interpersonal situations with diverse personalities, and to respond appropriately to conflicts and problems.
Ability to initiate, establish, and foster communication and teamwork by maintaining a positive, cooperative, productive work atmosphere in the University with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within a diverse population and with those from various cultural backgrounds.
Excellent communication skills; ability to effectively communicate information in a clear and understandable manner.
Thorough knowledge of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
Ability to interpret, communicate and apply policies and procedures.
Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality.
Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to set own priorities to coordinate multiple assignments with fluctuating and time-sensitive deadlines.
Excellent computer skills and competence with a variety of computer applications including word-processing, spreadsheets, databases, on-line systems, Internet as well as online calendaring and email.
Working knowledge of or ability to quickly learn University infrastructure.
Must be willing to travel and attend training programs off-site for occasional professional development.
Must be able to work occasional holidays and adjust working hours to meet special jobs. May be called back periodically to perform work as needed on an emergency basis.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Master's degree in a relevant discipline.
Three (3) years of directly related experience in labor relations, personnel management, or similar role in higher education.
Certification in mediation or conflict resolution.
Advanced knowledge of collective bargaining practices, especially within higher education.
Experience within the California State University (CSU) system or other public university systems.
Familiarity with CSU-specific policies, including the CSU Non-Discrimination Policy.
Demonstrated skills in an institutional/educational environment possessing a customer-oriented and service-centered attitude.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: LIGHT WORK - involves mainly sitting, up to 25% standing or walking; lifting medium weight objects limited to 25 pounds.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS:

SCREENING: Only those applicants possessing experience most directly related to the immediate needs of the office will be invited to appear before a Qualifications Appraisal Board for the purpose of appraising training, experience, and interest in the position.

BACKGROUND CHECK: Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. CSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

SENSITIVE POSITION: Sensitive positions are designated by the CSU as requiring heightened scrutiny of individuals holding the position, based on potential for harm to children, concerns for the safety and security of the people, animals, or property, or heightened risk of financial loss to the CSU or individuals in the university community.

MANDATED REPORTER: Limited: The person holding this position is considered a limited mandated reporter under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083, revised July 21, 2017.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST: A "designated position" in the CSU's Conflict of Interest Code. The successful candidate accepting this position is required to file Conflict of Interest forms subject to the regulations of the Fair Political Practices Commission.

GENERAL INFORMATION: It is the policy of California State University, Bakersfield to hire only United States citizens and aliens lawfully authorized to work in the United States. All new employees will be required to present documentation verifying their right to accept employment. You will also be requested to present a social security card at the time of initial appointment in compliance with state payroll regulations. State regulations require that every state employee sign the Oath of Allegiance prior to commencing the duties of his/her State employment, except legally employed non-citizens. These individuals are required to sign the Declaration of Permission to Work.

EEO STATEMENT: California State University, Bakersfield is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity. Applicants will be considered without regard to gender, race, age, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, disability or covered veteran status.