Employee & Labor Relations Specialist

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POSITION DESCRIPTION

Job Title:Employee & Labor Relations Specialist

Reports To:Employee & Labor Relations Administrator

Department:Human Resources

FLSA Status:Exempt

Job Grade:S10

Written/Revised:December 10, 2009

Job Summary

Provides employee and labor relations expertise and/or represents the District’s interests on issues referenced by the District’s policies, procedures, guidelines and practices, the collective bargaining agreements, and relevant labor and employment laws/regulations. Maintains a high degree of confidentiality with regard to all job-related aspects and interactions. Prepares and conducts coaching and training sessions using employee and labor relations educational materials. Researches, investigates and drafts responses to a variety of issues brought to the Employee & Labor Relations section. Assists in the development and application of labor relations strategies, policies, and practices. Ensures that grievances and other personnel matters are investigated and resolved appropriately. May serve as grievance hearing officer. Researches and prepares background information for collective bargaining negotiations. Works with colleagues to identify and create innovative solutions to solve and prevent problems. Develops and maintains departmental databases, generating reports and utilizing data to make recommendations. Administers and supports the processing of unemployment claims by outside vendors. Performs various investigations including EEO, harassments, ADA, etc. Performs other duties of a similar nature as may be required.

Essential Functions

  • Investigates and leads the resolution of open door concerns, such as working conditions, disciplinary actions, employee and applicant appeals and grievances, employee complaints, harassment allegations, terminations, discrimination, situations involving interpersonal conflict in the workplace, and ensuring adherence to the District’s policies, procedures and guidelines.
  • Provides guidance and recommendations for problem resolution to department representatives, or individual employees. Maintains and develops tracking tools and reports that identify employee relations trends and issues to be addressed. Develops and trains management in a broad variety of employee relations areas. Develops and conducts management and compliance training.
  • Assists with the coordination and organization of labor relations activities, which may include grievance administration, discipline administration, contract administration and contract negotiations.
  • Arranges grievance hearings and meetings with the unions. Investigates disputes and grievances and recommends corrective action. Researches grievance facts, past practice, contract provisions and critical issues. Implements grievance resolutions, including preparing side letters, memoranda of understanding, etc. Monitors grievance activities to ensure timeliness and compliance with bargaining contracts. Ensures the on-going tracking of grievance activities and prepares reports. Works with union representatives to resolve issues and enhance the working relationship of the parties. Analyzes and/or implements arbitration award decisions and coordinates a variety of activities associated with award implementation. Compiles and presents information and may represent management at union grievance hearings.
  • Works with union representatives to solve problems related to the administration of collective bargaining agreements including discipline, job assignments, contract interpretation, etc.
  • Interprets union contractual agreements, departmental policies and procedures to managers and employees.
  • Coordinates contract interpretation with the District’s Law Department.
  • Assists with the assurance that the District is in compliance with applicable bargaining unit agreements regarding wages, hours, and conditions of employment.
  • Prepares and conducts training sessions covering labor and employee relations practices and issues, such as coaching skills, grievance and arbitration procedures, and orientation to new or revised labor agreement provisions following collective bargaining. Conducts formal and informal orientation programs regarding a variety of issues affecting labor and management relations.
  • Performs other related duties as may be required. Gathers all related historical and current data surrounding an issue. Analyzes data, prepares and submits responses to requests for information on contractual issues, employment related complaints, litigation, and unemployment compensation claims. Conducts surveys on a variety of issues, both within and with outside entities; summarizes the information for review in appropriate format, including written reports and/or oral presentations. Develops and maintains quarterly, bi-annual and annual labor relations reports. Drafts formal written responses. Researches and prepares background information for collective bargaining negotiations. Conducts research regarding the District and Union proposals, evaluates alternatives. Solicits input from department managers on which issues they would like addressed in the contract. Performs preliminary analysis of the effects of labor proposals being considered by the District, including cost implications. Coordinates the revision, verification and distribution of agreements, wage rate charts and other contractual information relative to jobs in bargaining units. May assist with EEO investigations.