This is not a timed examination. If you request a Reasonable Accommodation, your account will be locked and you will not be able to proceed with the examination until the request is processed.

The information below will help you determine which classification(s) is(are) appropriate for you. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as stated on this bulletin to compete in this examination.

Open and Open, Non-Promotional Examination(s):

• LABOR RELATIONS SPECIALIST - Open

For all Classifications, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 6 months:

Exam Code(s):

1821

For LABOR RELATIONS SPECIALIST, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 6 months:

Exam Code(s):

• EX-01821

Submit an Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) to apply for this examination.

Electronic applications can be submitted through your account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov.

If you require assistance or alternative testing arrangements due to a disability, indicate on your application that you need reasonable accommodation. You will be contacted by a representative of the testing department to make the necessary arrangements. If you have not been contacted by the time you receive notification of testing, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

If you are unable to submit your application or complete the test due to a disability, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

All applicants must meet the education and/or experience requirements as stated on this exam bulletin to be accepted to the examination.

Unless otherwise stated in the Minimum Qualifications, qualifying experience may be combined on a proportionate basis if the requirements stated below include more than one pattern and are distinguished as "Either" 1, "or" 2, "or" 3, etc. For example, applicants possessing qualifying experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 1 and additional experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 2 may be accepted to an examination as meeting 100% of the overall experience requirement.

We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, or Edge for optimal performance when accessing the examination.

This examination consists of the following component(s):

A final score of 70% must be attained to be placed on the eligible list.

In addition to evaluating the applicant's relative knowledge, skill and ability as demonstrated by quality and breadth of education/experience, emphasis in each test component will be on measuring competitively, relative to job demands, each applicant's:

1. General principles, practices, and trends of labor-management relations, public administration, human resources, or business administration
2. Research and data collection techniques
3. Communication techniques for gathering, evaluating, and transmitting information
4. English language such as proper punctuation, grammar, the meaning and spelling of words, pronunciation of words, and rules of composition in order to effectively communicate in writing and verbally to others
5. The collective bargaining process in the private or public sectors
6. Principles of management rights, representation rights, and unfair practices
7. State and Federal labor law applicable to the public sector
8. The principles and scope of collective bargaining
9. Standard negotiating strategies, tactics, and impasse procedures
10. Grievance handling procedures
11. Data sources pertaining to public sector employer-employee relations
12. The personnel management system of the State

1. Work effectively with all levels of management
2. Interpret and apply labor law and labor agreement provisions
3. Develop training programs in employer-employee relations for management
4. Obtain, analyze, evaluate, and apply data such as labor statistics and cost figures
5. Research and write reports
6. Communicate effectively
7. Use good judgment and make sound decisions in critical situations
8. Handle stressful or sensitive situations with tact and labor-management diplomacy

A Servicewide Open eligible list for the LABOR RELATIONS SPECIALIST Classification will be established for:

• State of California

The names of successful competitors will be merged onto the eligible list(s) in order of final score regardless of test date. Eligibility expires 12 months after it is established. Applicants must then retake the examination to reestablish eligibility.

Veterans' Preference will be granted for this examination. Veterans' Preference is an assistance program for veterans, veteran widows and widowers, and spouses of 100% disabled veterans who seek employment with the state. Veterans' Preference is also extended to currently serving military members nearing their retirement or separation date.

You are not eligible for Veteran's Preference if you are:

• A veteran who has been dishonorably discharged or released.
• A veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran who currently has permanent civil service status. (Permanent civil service status is the status of an employee who is lawfully retained in his/her position after completion of the applicable probationary period. This does not include limited term).

Veterans' Preference is codified in Government Code Sections 18973 – 18979.

Veteran status is verified by the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR). Directions to apply for Veterans' Preference are on the Veterans' Preference Application (Std. Form 1093), which is available at www.CalCareers.ca.gov, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Career Credits are not granted for examination(s) administered on an Open basis or a Promotional basis.

SECTION 1:  Tasks

Instructions:

Using the rating scale(s) provided, you will self-rate your experience performing specific job-related tasks.

Respond to each of the following statements by indicating how the statement applies to you.  You are required to respond to every statement by marking one option from the scale provided.

In responding to each statement, you may refer to your FORMAL EDUCATION, FORMAL TRAINING COURSES, and/or WORK EXPERIENCE whether paid or not paid.

1. Serving as a liaison between two parties in the resolution of issues.
2. Advising and informing decision makers regarding the interpretation of provisions of contractual agreements.
3. Determining compliance with policies, procedures, contractual agreements, rules and laws.
4. Preparing responses to complaints and/or grievances.
5. Making recommendations in response to complaints and/or grievances.
6. Analyzing case law or administrative regulations relating to employment.
7. Conducting research on assignments and projects relating to various aspects of labor relations (e.g., grievances, legislative analysis, special projects, public inquiries, union information requests) by referring to collective bargaining agreements, policies, procedures, laws and rules, past practice information, and other resources to obtain and/or provide information to others.
8. Preparing written correspondences regarding labor relations, human resources, and/or employment.
9. Participating in groups or committees to develop or change policies and procedures.
10. Investigating grievances and/or complaints including interviewing witnesses.
11. Providing consultation and advice to management on responses to grievances and/or complaints regarding labor relations matters.
12. Ensuring compliance and responding to complaints regarding alleged violations of State and/or Federal labor laws and regulations.
13. Participating in the development of management’s positions on matters within the scope of bargaining.
14. Meeting with employee organizations to discuss and/or resolve issues.
15. Developing training lesson plans and conducting training for management on labor relations matters (e.g. contract administration, grievance handling).
16. Interviewing employees, witnesses, etc. in preparation for administrative hearings in various arenas to represent management’s interests.
17. Preparing settlement agreements for management’s approval and ensuring compliance with its provisions.
18. Writing proposals in preparation for contract negotiations, impact bargaining, meet and discuss meetings, etc.
19. Preparing notices to employee organizations regarding program changes on wages, hours and other terms and conditions of employment.
20. Researching and developing positions on recommended policies and procedures for implementing management’s position related to proposed legislation, case law, and/or administrative rule changes.
21. Developing and applying the appropriate communication style to a wide range of situations.

SECTION 2:  Knowledge and Abilities

Instructions:

Using the rating scale(s) provided, you will self-rate your experience in accordance to specific job-related knowledge and abilities.

Respond to each of the following statements by indicating how the statement applies to you.  You are required to respond to every statement by marking one option from the scale(s) provided.

In responding to each statement, you may refer to your FORMAL EDUCATION, FORMAL TRAIING COURSES, and/or WORK EXPERIENCE whether paid or not paid.

22. Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar in order to effectively communicate in writing and verbally to others.
23. Knowledge of problem-solving techniques and processes to facilitate the identification and resolution of issues.
24. Knowledge of Internet, electronic mail software, or other basic personal computer functions and software applications to complete projects or assignments.
25. Knowledge of negotiation strategies, tactics, and impasse procedures in order to effectively represent management in the bargaining process.
26. Knowledge of grievance and complaint procedures in order to effectively analyze and respond timely to grievances and complaints.
27. Knowledge of the principles of management’s rights (e.g. hiring, discipline, promotion, assignments), employee representation rights, and unfair labor practices.
28. Knowledge of investigative techniques to prepare and resolve grievances, complaints, etc.
29. Knowledge of the principles and scope of bargaining and the bargaining process in the private or public sector.
30. Ability to handle stressful or sensitive situations with professionalism, tact, and diplomacy in order to achieve a resolution.
31. Ability to work with all levels in an organization to provide information and ensure employer is in compliance with labor/management relations laws, policies, procedures, and labor agreements.
32. Ability to analyze various forms of data accurately to provide statistical and/or informational reports to management or others.
33. Ability to analyze and apply appropriate laws, rules, regulations, and collective bargaining agreements.
34. Ability to conduct research from various sources, compiles information and data, analyze, develop, evaluate alternatives and take effective action.
35. Ability to use good judgment and make sound recommendations in critical situations.
36. Ability to maintain confidentiality to preserve the integrity of labor relations issues or human resources-related matters.
37. Ability to support and advocate an employer’s position to others.
38. Ability to communicate and promote a cooperative working environment during stressful situations in the resolutions of issues.
39. Ability to communicate with all levels in an organization to provide and/or summarize information related to labor/management relations laws, policies, procedures, and labor agreements.
40. Ability to be flexible in adapting to changes in priorities, assignments, and/or other interruptions, which may impact pre-established timelines and courses of action for completing projects or assignments.
41. Ability to evaluate written materials and make recommendations for actions based upon documented data and information.
42. Ability to write clear and concise reports, correspondence, or policies and procedures using proper English, grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure.
43. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships and credibility with others.
44. Ability to facilitate meetings.

• State of California

Questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice). TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Examination and/or Employment Application (STD 678) forms are available at the California Department of Human Resources, local offices of the Employment Development Department, and through your CalCareer Account (www.CalCareers.ca.gov).

If you meet the requirements stated on this examination bulletin, you may take this examination, which is competitive. Possession of the entrance requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination described in this bulletin will be rated against a predetermined job-related rating, and all applicants who pass will be ranked according to their scores.

State of California reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service, if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service laws and rules and all applicants will be notified.

General Qualifications: Applicants must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and a state of health consistent with the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class. A medical examination may be required. In open examinations, investigation may be made of employment records and personal history and fingerprinting may be required.

Eligible Lists: Eligible lists established by competitive examination, regardless of date, must be used in the following order: 1) sub-divisional promotional, 2) departmental promotional, 3) multi-departmental promotional, 4) service-wide promotional, 5) departmental open, 6) open. When there are two lists of the same kind, the older must be used first. Eligible lists will expire in one to four years unless otherwise stated on the bulletin.

High School Equivalence: Equivalence to completion of the 12th grade may be demonstrated in any one of the following ways: 1) passing the General Education Development (GED) Test; 2) completion of 12 semester units of college-level work; 3) certification from the State Department of Education, a local school board, or high school authorities that the competitor is considered to have education equivalent to graduation from high school; or 4) for clerical and accounting classes, substitution of business college work in place of high school on a year-for-year basis.

Accepted applicants must provide proof of identification at each in-person test session. Acceptable identification consists of a photo identification card or two forms of signed identification.