Employee Relations Specialist Jobs in California
Employee Relations Specialist jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in technology, healthcare, entertainment, and large-scale retail and logistics operations, with openings at every level from entry-level coordinator to senior director. The heaviest hiring runs through Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, where employers like Kaiser Permanente, Apple, and Walt Disney Company maintain large HR and workforce relations teams year-round. The most in-demand specialties include workplace investigations, labor relations and union contract administration, and ADA and FEHA compliance. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 56+ Employee Relations Specialist jobs
Vivmark Residential exists to set the mark for what home can be. Formed through the merger of AvalonBay Communities and Equity Residential, Vivmark brings together two industry leaders with a shared commitment to excellence, innovation, and delivering exceptional living experiences. Our vision is to be the most trusted and best-performing rental housing company in America - one that continues to get better as it grows. And we're looking for people who want to help us do it.
As an owner, developer, and manager of more than 180,000 apartment homes in major markets across the US, we have the scale to offer something most companies can't. At Vivmark, team members move up and across functions, markets, and disciplines, building lasting careers. We invest in team members' growth, development, and capabilities that make them and us better, and we hold ourselves to the highest standard as an employer.
The best people want to work here. We hope you're one of them.
Position Overview:
As an Employee Relations Specialist, you will play a critical role in fostering a fair, consistent, and proactive workplace environment. You will serve as a subject matter expert, handling complex employee relations investigations, providing guidance on performance management and disciplinary processes, and utilizing data to identify systemic risks and trends. This role requires a balance of investigative rigor, compassionate coaching, and strategic partnership with HR Business Partners (HRBPs).
Salary: $104,000 - $126,500 per year ; in addition to base salary, a discretionary 10% annual bonus is provided. The successful candidate's starting pay will be determined based on job-related skills, experience, and qualifications.
Work Schedule: The current work schedule requires employees to be onsite Monday through Thursday, with the option to work remotely on Fridays.
Core Responsibilities
- Case Management & Investigations: Serve as contact for complex employee relations matters. Conduct thorough, impartial and timely investigations into allegations of misconduct, policy violations, and harassment/discrimination. Manage the full investigation life cycle, from intake to documentation and resolution. Ensures a consistent and proactively communicated employee experience throughout the investigation process
- Performance & Conflict Management: Coach leaders on performance documentation, accountability, and the application of our disciplinary framework. Guide managers through difficult conversations to ensure consistency and minimize legal risk.
- Strategic Partnership: Collaborate with stakeholders to align employee relations interventions with business unit goals and talent strategies and to proactively address team climate issues
- Data & Insights: Leverage case management data to identify patterns and emerging risks. Present findings to HR leadership to inform proactive training, policy adjustments, and organizational interventions.
- Policy & Compliance: Maintain up-to-date knowledge of local, state, and federal labor laws. Ensure all ER practices, documentation, and investigation plans adhere to company standards and regulatory requirements.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field; equivalent practical experience may be considered.
- 4-7 years of specialized experience in Employee Relations, with a demonstrated track record of managing complex workplace investigations from intake to resolution.
- Bilingual proficiency (Spanish) is highly desirable to support a diverse workforce.
- Proven ability to analyze HR case management data to identify trends, derive actionable insights, and implement proactive solutions.
- Deep knowledge of federal, state, and local labor and employment laws, with specific proficiency in California employment regulations.
- Demonstrated ability to influence, coach, and partner with leadership and HR stakeholders to achieve consistent, compliant, and positive outcomes.
- Proficiency in utilizing HRIS and case management systems to maintain accurate documentation and audit trails.
- Prior experience operating within a multi-state/multi-site environment.
How Vivmark Supports You:
We know that our teams are the beating heart of our success and we’re committed to showing our appreciation.
We offer:
- A competitive benefits package that supports your health, financial well-being, and work-life balance, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 401(k) with company match, paid vacation and company holidays, and exclusive team member housing discounts.
Additional Info:
Vivmark Residential is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an inclusive and diverse work environment free of discrimination and harassment. We believe that in order to achieve our purpose of creating a better way to live, we must recruit, develop and retain associates with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives and create an environment that encourages all voices to be heard, understood and appreciated. With this we know we can do great things.
Vivmark Residential makes employment decisions without regard to a person’s race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation or related medical conditions), age, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including characteristics or testing), citizenship status, military or veteran status, or any other status protected by the law.
Qualified Applicants with arrest or Conviction records will be considered for Employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.
Applications are being accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.
Vivmark Residential exists to set the mark for what home can be. Formed through the merger of AvalonBay Communities and Equity Residential, Vivmark brings together two industry leaders with a shared commitment to excellence, innovation, and delivering exceptional living experiences. Our vision is to be the most trusted and best-performing rental housing company in America - one that continues to get better as it grows. And we're looking for people who want to help us do it.
As an owner, developer, and manager of more than 180,000 apartment homes in major markets across the US, we have the scale to offer something most companies can't. At Vivmark, team members move up and across functions, markets, and disciplines, building lasting careers. We invest in team members' growth, development, and capabilities that make them and us better, and we hold ourselves to the highest standard as an employer.
The best people want to work here. We hope you're one of them.
Position Overview:
As an Employee Relations Specialist, you will play a critical role in fostering a fair, consistent, and proactive workplace environment. You will serve as a subject matter expert, handling complex employee relations investigations, providing guidance on performance management and disciplinary processes, and utilizing data to identify systemic risks and trends. This role requires a balance of investigative rigor, compassionate coaching, and strategic partnership with HR Business Partners (HRBPs).
Salary: $104,000 - $126,500 per year ; in addition to base salary, a discretionary 10% annual bonus is provided. The successful candidate's starting pay will be determined based on job-related skills, experience, and qualifications.
Work Schedule: The current work schedule requires employees to be onsite Monday through Thursday, with the option to work remotely on Fridays.
Core Responsibilities
- Case Management & Investigations: Serve as contact for complex employee relations matters. Conduct thorough, impartial and timely investigations into allegations of misconduct, policy violations, and harassment/discrimination. Manage the full investigation life cycle, from intake to documentation and resolution. Ensures a consistent and proactively communicated employee experience throughout the investigation process
- Performance & Conflict Management: Coach leaders on performance documentation, accountability, and the application of our disciplinary framework. Guide managers through difficult conversations to ensure consistency and minimize legal risk.
- Strategic Partnership: Collaborate with stakeholders to align employee relations interventions with business unit goals and talent strategies and to proactively address team climate issues
- Data & Insights: Leverage case management data to identify patterns and emerging risks. Present findings to HR leadership to inform proactive training, policy adjustments, and organizational interventions.
- Policy & Compliance: Maintain up-to-date knowledge of local, state, and federal labor laws. Ensure all ER practices, documentation, and investigation plans adhere to company standards and regulatory requirements.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field; equivalent practical experience may be considered.
- 4-7 years of specialized experience in Employee Relations, with a demonstrated track record of managing complex workplace investigations from intake to resolution.
- Bilingual proficiency (Spanish) is highly desirable to support a diverse workforce.
- Proven ability to analyze HR case management data to identify trends, derive actionable insights, and implement proactive solutions.
- Deep knowledge of federal, state, and local labor and employment laws, with specific proficiency in California employment regulations.
- Demonstrated ability to influence, coach, and partner with leadership and HR stakeholders to achieve consistent, compliant, and positive outcomes.
- Proficiency in utilizing HRIS and case management systems to maintain accurate documentation and audit trails.
- Prior experience operating within a multi-state/multi-site environment.
How Vivmark Supports You:
We know that our teams are the beating heart of our success and we’re committed to showing our appreciation.
We offer:
- A competitive benefits package that supports your health, financial well-being, and work-life balance, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 401(k) with company match, paid vacation and company holidays, and exclusive team member housing discounts.
Additional Info:
Vivmark Residential is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an inclusive and diverse work environment free of discrimination and harassment. We believe that in order to achieve our purpose of creating a better way to live, we must recruit, develop and retain associates with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives and create an environment that encourages all voices to be heard, understood and appreciated. With this we know we can do great things.
Vivmark Residential makes employment decisions without regard to a person’s race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation or related medical conditions), age, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including characteristics or testing), citizenship status, military or veteran status, or any other status protected by the law.
Qualified Applicants with arrest or Conviction records will be considered for Employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.
Applications are being accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.
See All 56 Employee Relations Specialist Jobs in California
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Find JobsEmployee Relations Specialist Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Employee Relations Specialist Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Education
- Construction & Real Estate
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in employee relations specialist jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in human resources, labor relations, industrial relations, or a related field
- Working knowledge of California Fair Employment and Housing Act and California Labor Code
- Experience conducting workplace investigations and preparing written findings reports
- Professional HR certification such as PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP preferred
- Demonstrated experience advising managers on employee discipline and termination processes
- Familiarity with California meal and rest period rules and leave law compliance
Employee Relations Specialist Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a employee relations specialist in California?
Most California employers require a bachelor's degree in human resources, labor relations, industrial relations, or a closely related field as the baseline qualification. California does not issue a state-specific license for this role, but earning a PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP credential significantly strengthens candidacy. Because California has some of the most complex employment laws in the country, hiring managers place particular weight on demonstrated knowledge of the California Labor Code and the Fair Employment and Housing Act.
How much do employee relations specialists make in California?
Employee relations specialists in California earn a median of about $83,500 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $52,770 for the lowest 10% to over $151,410 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire employee relations specialists in California?
Employers hiring employee relations specialists in California right now include Kaiser Permanente, Amazon, and CHAOS Industries, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's density of large tech firms, major healthcare systems, and entertainment studios means consistent year-round demand for employee relations professionals.
Which California cities have the most employee relations specialist jobs?
Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego have the most employee relations specialist openings in California. Los Angeles leads due to its concentration of entertainment studios, large healthcare networks, and retail and hospitality employers, while San Francisco draws heavily from the technology sector, and San Diego's volume reflects its major defense contractors, biotech companies, and hospital systems.
Are there remote employee relations specialist jobs in California?
Yes, and more than many HR specialties, because much of the work involves documentation review, investigation writing, policy advising, and manager coaching that can be done from anywhere. About 59% of employee relations specialist openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with hybrid arrangements most common at large tech and financial services employers. Roles that involve on-site workplace investigations or union floor presence tend to require in-person attendance.
How can I get hired as a employee relations specialist in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through an HR generalist, HR coordinator, or HR assistant role at a mid-size or large California employer, where direct exposure to employee complaints and manager coaching builds the core skill set. Large California healthcare systems and technology companies such as Kaiser Permanente and Salesforce run HR rotational programs and associate HR business partner tracks that are open to candidates with limited direct experience. A SHRM-CP credential or a completed coursework concentration in California employment law signals seriousness to hiring managers reviewing entry-level applications.
Where can I find and apply to employee relations specialist jobs in California?
You can find and apply to employee relations specialist jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated regularly. Find the roles that fit your experience and location and apply directly to each one.
See All 56 Employee Relations Specialist Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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