Labor Relations Specialist

Description

As the Labor Relations Specialist at Utah Transit Authority, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact by helping build strong working relationships between leadership, employees, and union representatives across one of the regions largest public transportation systems. In this role, you will be involved in a wide variety of labor relations work, including investigations, grievance processes, collective bargaining support, conflict resolution, and organizational problem solving.

You will work in a collaborative and fast-paced environment where communication, fairness, critical thinking, and relationship building are highly valued. This is an exciting opportunity to expand your experience, develop your expertise in labor and employee relations, and build a long-term career supporting an organization that serves communities throughout Utah. If you have a background in union relations, employee relations, or human resources, this could be an excellent next step in your career.

As the Labor Relations Specialist, you will:

• The Labor Relations Specialist ensures compliance with the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and supports leadership in managing employee/labor relations.

• The role involves identifying and helping implement process improvements, delivering ideas for conflict resolution, and fostering effective communication between the labor department, management, employees & Union.

• Key responsibilities include conducting investigations and writing summaries of findings relevant to labor issues following the CBA and UTA policies.

• From time to time, this position will help facilitate discussions with business unit management to foster strong relationships and alignment of CBA & UTA policies between management, employees, and union representatives.

• This position will help offer ideas & developing labor relations strategies, advising on collective bargaining, handling grievances process such as (investigations, coordinating calendars, management reviews, grievance & issue logs, etc.); and ensuring compliance with labor laws and company policies.

• The Labor Relations Specialist will act as an assistant to the Labor Relations Program Manager with duties related to the labor department and unions in an effort to for the labor department to successfully collaborate, negotiate effectively implement UTAs labor relations programs & training to UTA management, employees and ensures just-cause standards are followed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION/TRAINING:

• Three years progressively responsible experience in human resources, public administration and/or labor relations.

• Preferred Bachelors Degree in Labor Relations, Public Administration, Business Administration, Human Resources Management/Administration or related field.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES

As the Labor Relations Specialist, you must:

• Demonstrate a general knowledge of labor agreements, labor laws, federal and state employment laws and regulations, and UTA CBA.

• Communicate an understanding of CBA provisions throughout the organization.

• Demonstrate strong critical thinking skills.

• Analyze situations by gathering facts and conducting root cause analysis prior to identifying solutions and providing written summaries in alignment with the CBA and policies.

• Work effectively in the Grey, including managing conflict and delivering difficult messages.

• Manage time and workload efficiently, including planning, prioritizing, organizing, and following through on tasks, assignments, projects, and reports.

• Utilize PC-based software operating in a Windows environment, with at least intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

• Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, including understanding and responding effectively to the emotions of others, practicing empathy and active listening, and maintaining a collaborative mindset focused on mutual respect and shared success.

• Demonstrate emotional intelligence competencies, including resilience under pressure, emotional self-regulation, the ability to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics, and apply conflict resolution skills with tact, diplomacy, and fairness.

UTA Competencies

• Embraces Outward Mindset Exhibiting strong E.I. skills (self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship management). Relating comfortably with people across levels, functions, culture, and geography. Partnering with others to get work done. Managing conflict. Seeking feedback without being defensive.

• Develops Self & Others Taking action to continuously improve. Accepting assignments that broaden capabilities. Placing high priority on developing others. Developing others through coaching, feedback, exposure, and stretch assignments.

• Ensures Fairness Concerned with the welfare of others and expressing that concern on a personal level. Distributing resources fairly. Giving others a voice prior to reaching decisions that affect them. Reaching decisions through a fair process. Explaining to others why and how decisions were made that impact them.

• Puts Safety First Acting as a Safety Ambassador by working safely, complying with requirements and serving as an example to others. Wearing required personal protective equipment. Supporting safety activities. Promptly reporting hazards, unsafe work practices, near misses, and accidents.

• Instills Trust Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.

• Values Differences Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization.

• Builds Effective Teams Building strong-identity teams that apply their diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goals.

• Drives Engagement Creating a climate where people are motivated to do their best to help the organization achieve its objectives.

• Ensures Accountability Holding self and others accountable to meet commitments.

This job requires regular and predictable attendance.

- OR -

An equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.

[UTA reserves the right to determine the equivalencies of education and experience.]

_____________________

Pay Range: $57,900.00 or more, depending on experience

If interested, apply before: Monday, June 1st, 2026 @ 11:59 PM MST

As a full-time Administrative Employee, your Total Rewards Benefits Package will include:

• Health, dental, vision, life/AD&D, short-term and long-term disability insurance, with Flexible Spending and Dependent Care accounts. Choice between Traditional Co-Pay or High Deductible Health Plans for medical coverage. HSA with company match available to employees enrolled in the HDHP. Benefit plans include coverage for domestic partners (eligibility affidavit required for coverage).

• Onsite Health and Wellness Clinics for medical care at no cost to employees, spouses, domestic partners, and dependent children.

• 22 days of accrued paid time off (13 vacation days and 9 sick days), which increases with tenure at UTA.

• 10 paid holidays and two paid (2) floating holidays per year.

• Retirement options - Pension Plan with 5-year vesting schedule and 457 Contribution Plan, available for immediate contributions and company matching.

• Generous tuition reimbursement for higher education, available for any higher education degree (bachelor, master, or PHD). Course of study must be approved prior to enrollment.

• Training, development, and career advancement opportunities.

• Paid parental leave for birth, adoption, and child placement (after 12 months of employment).

• Free transit passes for employees, their spouses, and their dependent children.

• Employee assistance program includes counseling, legal services, financial planning, etc.

• UTA Well a comprehensive wellness program designed to support employees and dependents in their health and wellness goals.

• Free on-site fitness facilities and discounted membership to VASA Fitness and EoS Fitness.

• Discounted cell phone plans with T-Mobile and AT&T.

• Pet insurance plan options (tailored plan coverage based on pets health and needs).

PM21

Utah Transit Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer of all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, covered veterans, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Women, minorities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Applicants needing an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act for any part of the application process should contact UTA Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io. A minimum of two work days' notice prior to the need for the accommodation is required.

Utah Transit Authority is a drug-free workplace, subject to federal drug and alcohol testing regulations under 49 CFR Part 40, 655, and 219. All offers for employment are contingent upon a successful pre-employment drug test. If a pre-employment test returns a non-negative result, an application for employment may be rejected. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion and post-accident testing for drug and alcohol use. All safety sensitive employees are subject to random testing for drug and alcohol use.

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