Labor Relations Specialist

Labor Relations Specialist

The Labor Relations Specialist, under direction of the Chief Human Resources Officer, is responsible for maintaining positive relationships with the unions that represent county employees, and their membership, while representing the county's interests in collective bargaining and labor-related disputes. Labor Relations Specialist coordinates, administers, and, under the guidance of the Chief Human Resources Officer and with legal support from the Office of the Solicitor, serves as the lead negotiator for the County's collective bargaining agreements (currently eleven (11). The Labor Relations Specialist advises the Chief Human Resources Officer, the Executive Director, and department heads within the County on collective bargaining matters. The Labor Specialist is responsible for building, maintaining, and promoting positive relationships with the various union representatives and County management.

Essential Duties

• Coordinate all collective bargaining activities, including contract negotiation, contract administration, and outreach to unionized employees and their representatives.
• Recommend and implement labor management and negotiation strategies to ensure a fair and fiscally sound approach to employee compensation.
• Administer calendars for collective bargaining, track milestones and deliverables, and shepherd negotiated contracts into finalization.
• Lead communications with department heads to prepare for negotiations.
• In coordination with the Department of Budget Management and Department of Human Resources employees, develop cost models for use during contract negotiations.
• Develop and maintain collaborative working relationships with bargaining unit representatives.
• Under the direction of the Chief Human Resources Officer and the guidance of the County Solicitor, represent the County of Delaware's interests in union-related grievance matters; meetings regarding compensation, benefits, working conditions, and other conditions of employment; and in front of the Personnel Board, Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board (PLRB), and other decision-making bodies.
• Review legislation impacting collective bargaining and formulate appropriate recommendations.
• Under the direction of the Chief Human Resources Officer and the guidance of the County Solicitor, implement appropriate application of state, local and federal laws and regulations as well as County policies, including (but not necessarily limited to) EEO, AA, and ADA, as these laws/regulations/policies relate to labor-related human resource functions.
• Advise and train managers and supervisors in best employee relations practices and strategies for managing supervisor problems and employee grievances. Develop further training as needed.
• Monitor implementation of policies concerning wages, hours and working conditions to ensure compliance to labor contract terms.
• Perform all other duties, tasks and special projects as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree, preferred in Labor/Industrial Relations, Human Resources Management, Public Administration, or related field.
• Advanced degree, such as a master's degree or Juris Doctorate, preferred.
• Minimum of eight (8) years of labor/employee relations experience.
• Designation as a Certified Labor Relations Professional (CLRP) from the National Public Employer Labor Relations Association (NPELRA) strongly preferred but not required.
• Experience in a multi-contract, multi-union environment preferred.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Human Resources laws and regulations.
• Experience with EEO/harassment investigations and general workplace complaint resolution.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with employees at all levels of the organization.
• Hands-on commitment to getting the job done.