The Human Resources Department is seeking well qualified candidates for the position of Employee and Labor Relations Analyst.
Under general direction from the Employee Relations Division Manager, the Employee and Labor Relations Analyst (ELR Analyst) will conduct highly complex analytical, consultative, and administrative work in employee and labor relations in a centralized human resources environment.
The Ideal Candidate will possess the following qualities:
- Collaborator and consensus builder who maintains and cultivates successful working relationships utilizing expert consultation skills.
- Analytical and strategic thinker with sound judgment, who brings innovative yet practical problem-solving skills when making decisions and designing solutions that are proactive and collaborative.
- Politically astute professional, possessing the skills necessary for identifying, navigating, and successfully interacting within the dynamics of the organization while maintaining sensitivity to the competing needs of a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders.
- Values the relationship between management and labor.
- Well-organized with the ability to prioritize tasks, manage a variety of complex projects, and multi-task.
- A team player with exceptional interpersonal, verbal, and written communication and facilitation skills.
Examples Of Duties
Duties may include, but are not limited to:
- Act as County management representative in contacts with union representatives and/or departments on meet and confer processes, grievances, disciplinary actions, and other employee and labor relations activities.
- Develop and participate in employee relations activities; provide advice and counsel to department directors, managers, supervisors, and employees in the interpretation of human resources policies, procedures, contracts application, and the administering of grievances; review performance evaluations for consistency and makes recommendations; work closely with management on issues that require resolution or contract clarification.
- Conduct and coordinate investigations of allegations of misconduct, harassment, or unlawful discrimination; write or edit various notices and related correspondence for labor attorney review and approval, including notices of due process, notices of findings, letters of discipline, and separation agreements; make recommendations to department directors, Employee Relations Manager, and County Counsel; coach managers and directors regarding the conduct of termination meetings and serve as witness to terminations.
- Facilitate and participate in grievances and arbitration proceedings with department management, the Employee Relations Manager, and County Counsel; research and determine facts, confer with legal counsel, brief witnesses for Adjustment Board, appear as a witness for formal appeals, arbitrations and/or litigation as called, prepare formal documentation, and implement resolutions.
- Serve as a primary County representative at negotiations; identify and analyze issues involved; develop negotiating proposals; represent management positions; write and revise contract language; assist with analyzing costs of contract proposals.
- Implement negotiated agreements including memoranda of understanding, separation agreements, grievances, arbitrations, and formal and informal appeals through the Civil Service Commission.
- Develop and implement training programs to department supervisors and managers including customized training on all aspects of employee and labor relations.
- Provide advice and solutions regarding employee performance, attendance, and/or conduct including drafting letters, reviewing/editing evaluations, and providing role playing experiences to assist supervisors and managers in dealing with employee issues with confidence.
- Develop and implement goals, objectives, policies, procedures, work standards, and administrative control systems for the Employee and Labor Relations division of the Human Resources Department.
- Coordinate, oversee, and perform professional-level administrative, research, and analytical work in area of assignment.
- Develop and standardize procedures and methods to improve and continuously monitor the efficiency and effectiveness of operations and service delivery.
- Serve as a liaison with employees, public, and other organizations; provide information and assistance related to assignment; receive and respond to complaints and questions related to assigned area of responsibility; review problems and recommend corrective actions.
- Conduct a variety of analytical and operational studies regarding departmental and program activities; evaluate alternatives, make recommendations, and assist with the implementation of procedural, administrative, and/or operational changes after approval.
- Conduct research and analysis requiring inter-departmental coordination; effectively recommend study parameters and determine appropriate methodology and sources of information for assigned studies/projects.
- May participate in selecting, training, motivating, and evaluating assigned staff; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies.
- Perform related duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
- Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in business or public administration, economics, planning, finance, or a related field, and
- Five (5) years increasingly responsible professional administrative and analytical experience in municipal government, including experience in budget, strategic planning, policy analysis, and organizational development.
Knowledge of:
- Principles and practices of employer-employee relations, organizational analysis, and human resources administration.
- Principles and practices of collective bargaining and dispute resolution, including mediation, arbitration, and fact finding.
- Disciplinary principles, practices, and procedures.
- Principles and practices of county government management.
- Organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis, evaluation, development, and implementation of programs, policies, and procedures.
- Principles and practices of public administration and program administration.
- Research and reporting methods, techniques, and procedures.
- Sources of information related to a broad range of municipal programs, services, and administration.
- Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
- Public relations techniques.
- Basic principles and practices of County-wide operations and their administration policies, procedures, and organization.
- Principles and practices of public agency budget development and/or administration and sound management policies and procedures.
- Principles and practices of contract administration and evaluation.
- Recent and on-going developments, current literature, and sources of information related to employee and labor relations.
- Record keeping principles and procedures.
- Modern office practices and methods and computer equipment.
- English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
- Techniques for dealing effectively with the public, vendors, contractors, and County staff in person and over the telephone.
- Techniques for effectively representing the County in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, educational, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
Skill /Ability to:
- Assist in the development of goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards for assigned area of responsibility.
- Plan and conduct effective management, administrative, and operational review and analysis.
- Train assigned staff.
- Conduct complex research, including evaluation of alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing effective and related reports and presentation.
- Conduct investigative interviews.
- Analyze, interpret, summarize, and present administrative and technical information and data in an effective manner.
- Evaluate and develop improvements in operations, procedures, policies, or methods.
- Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
- Interpret, explain, and ensure compliance with County policies and procedures, complex laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances.
- Effectively represent the department and the County in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, and various businesses, professional, and regulatory organizations, and in meetings with individuals.
- Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.
- Exercise good judgment, flexibility, creativity, and sensitivity in response to changing situations and needs.
- Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
- Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
- Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Licenses and Certifications:
- Some positions may require a valid California's driver's license or its equivalent.
Application/Examination
Anyone may apply. Current San Mateo County employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in classified regular, probationary, extra-help, or limited term positions prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score on this examination.
The examination process will consist of an application screening (weight: pass/fail) based on the candidate's application and responses to the supplemental questions. Candidates who pass the application screening will be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%), which may include the evaluation of a brief written and/or performance exercise given immediately preceding the interview.
Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations, or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be given in San Mateo County, California, and applicants must participate at their own expense.
IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the 'Apply' button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org/ to apply.
Responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire.
~Recruitment Timeline~
Final Filing Date: June 5, 2026, at 11:59 PM
Application Screening: June 10-11, 2026
Panel Interview (tentative): June 23 and/or 24, 2026
San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities.
The County of San Mateo, as an employer, is committed to advancing equity to ensure all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.
The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels.
Analyst: Chet Overstreet (05162026) (Employee and Labor Relations Analyst – D118)
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