Workforce Relations Consultant

🇺🇸 Orange, California 🕑 Full-Time 💰 $123K - $209K 💻 Human Resources 🗓️ November 4th, 2026

HR Dispute Compliance

Edtech.com's Summary

University of California - Irvine is hiring a Workforce Relations Consultant. The role provides employee and labor relations support to managers, supervisors, and Human Resources teams, with the goal of resolving workplace disputes informally and reducing employment liability claims. The consultant reports to the Senior Director for Workforce Relations and serves as the university's expert on its staff collective bargaining agreements.

Highlights

Advise managers, supervisors, and Human Resources staff on complex labor and employee relations issues, and facilitate meetings among union representatives, employees, and management to settle disputes informally where possible.
Serve as the subject matter expert on UCI's staff collective bargaining agreements, represent the university in systemwide bargaining, and potentially lead local negotiations such as successor agreements and meet-and-confer sessions.
Represent the university in grievances, arbitrations, unfair labor practice charges, and wage claims, including preparing written analyses and presenting its position at hearings under the direction of the Senior Director.
Document disciplinary actions up to and including dismissal, and refer employees to resources such as the Life Resources Program, the HR Mediation Program for Staff, Disability and Management, and Workers' Compensation.
Coordinate with the Office of Equal Opportunity and Compliance, Campus Counsel, Risk Management, and outside counsel on pending litigation and information requests from union organizations, and support strike contingency planning.
Bachelor's degree in a related area or equivalent experience, plus 7 to 10 years of experience in labor and employee relations; a Juris Doctorate is preferred.
Expert knowledge of dispute resolution, grievance procedures, and labor contract administration, with demonstrated skill in bargaining complex issues and handling difficult or volatile situations.
Pay range of $123,000 to $209,100 per year.
Work sites may include Irvine, Orange, and other locations, with the employee providing their own transportation between them.