Employee and Labor Relations Representative

Employee & Labor Relations Representative Come make a difference and join team Metro! This recruitment is ONLY open to current King County employees. Position Overview Are you driven by public service and interested in the way labor relations operate in the transit industry? King County Metro's Employee Services Division is hiring an Employee & Labor Relations Representative to serve as a trusted advisor on day-to-day employee and labor relations matters. As an Employee and Labor Relations Representative, you’ll be a part of a team that supports a department with over 5,000 employees, 97% of whom are covered by collective bargaining agreements. Your work will be responsible for advising on complex employee performance management, union contract interpretation, workplace investigations, disciplinary decisions, and employee workplace complaints. This role offers a high degree of autonomy and influence. You’ll help shape decisions, policies and bargaining strategies at some of the highest levels of the department, making a direct impact on Metro’s culture, workforce experience and service to our community. Position Information This recruitment will be used to fill one (1) Special Duty Assignment (SDA)/Term Limited Temporary (TLT) Employee Labor Relations Representative classification vacancy. The SDA/TLT is anticipated to last for 12 months and may be extended. In addition, this selection process may be used to generate an eligibility list for future Special Duty Assignment (SDA), and Term Limited Temporary (TLT), vacancies that may occur in this classification within this workgroup. The eligibility list will be retained for 12 months from the date of posting and may be used at the discretion of the hiring authority. Who May Apply This recruitment is ONLY open to current King County employees. We are not accepting external applications. Job Duties Routinely consult on and/or facilitate the resolution of employee and labor relations issues by working with managers, supervisors, employees, and union representatives. Work to resolve grievances/issues at the lowest possible level by working collaboratively within Transit Employee Services and other Metro Divisions, and externally with the Department of Human Resources (DHR) and Office of Labor Relations (OLR) to ensure overall program support and success. Ensure compliance with collective bargaining agreements through training and consultation with managers and unions. Consult with the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office as necessary. Conduct workplace investigations to determine the validity of complaints and grievances. Draft investigative reports, present investigative findings, and recommendations to decision-makers, and recommend appropriate disciplinary and corrective action. Prepare written responses to the EEOC and other similar state and local regulatory agencies regarding allegations of discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. Participate in grievance hearings, either as a hearing examiner or as a management representative in support of other Department staff. Provide support in arbitration and mediation proceedings by researching relevant cases, gathering supporting documents, and providing professional labor relations advice; may serve as a partisan member of arbitration panels. Provide training, guidance, advice, and coaching to supervisory staff on employee and labor relations matters including performance management, workplace policy application, investigative techniques, contract compliance, and appropriate corrective actions. Provide recommendations to Employee Services Management and/or King County Office of Labor Relations regarding labor strategies and management bargaining proposals. Draft memorandums of understanding to address labor relations issues. Work collaboratively with other human resource professionals and leaders in the department to deliver outcomes that further Metro’s organizational health commitments, and are equitable, defensible, and provide the best outcome for the agency. Other related duties as assigned. Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills We are looking for candidates who have: Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Public Administration or a relevant field, or any equivalent combination of education, experience, and skills that enables successful performance of the job. Progressively responsible experience in the following areas: Experience managing employee and labor relations matters, including advising leaders, interpreting policies and supporting resolutions strategies. Conducting employment workplace investigations. Must include experience: Interviewing complainants, respondents, and witnesses. Evaluating evidence and credibility. Applying relevant policies and legal standards. Investigation report writing. Preparing clear, well-structured written reports that document findings, analysis, and recommendations. Advising on performance management issues. Coaching managers on performance issues, corrective action, documentation standards, and progressive discipline Interpreting and applying federal, state, and local employment rules and regulations, as well as human resources policies and procedures. Experience working in a highly unionized environment, public sector experience, and/or experience in large, complex organizations. Experience providing recommendations to management on labor negotiations and strategy. In-depth knowledge of grievance, arbitration, and mediation proceedings. Comprehensive knowledge of labor law and collective bargaining principles and labor contract interpretation and practices. Thorough understanding of the principles of labor contract interpretation and administration. Thorough knowledge of employment-related laws and regulations. Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively at all organizational levels and establish trust with employees, managers, and union representatives. Strong presentation, facilitation, and consensus-building skills. Demonstrated ability to resolve conflict, mediate disputes, build consensus, and navigate sensitive or potentially litigious situations with discretion. Proven ability to handle highly confidential, sensitive, and potentially litigious issues. A strong and proven commitment to the principles of equity and social justice. Strong analytical, planning, and problem-solving skills. Strong written and verbal communication, including the ability to explain complex concepts to diverse audiences. Ability to work daily in a fast-paced environment, with multiple competing priorities while maintaining accuracy and sound judgment. Proficiency in commonly used MS Office applications. Highly Competitive Candidates Will Have (desired, But Not Required) Knowledge of King County Metro’s operations, mission, and policies. Familiarity with government or transit agency operations. Knowledge of and experience with Equal Opportunity Employment laws and the ability to analyze and evaluate employment discrimination cases. Advanced skills in developing strategic recommendations for collective bargaining and advising senior management on labor strategy and negotiation proposals. Supplemental Information Who may apply: This recruitment is ONLY open to current King County employees. We are not accepting external applications. Selection Process Applications that do not include all of the required materials listed above will not be considered. Only the materials explicitly requested will be reviewed—additional documents or information will not be evaluated. Application materials will be screened for completeness and competitiveness. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more interviews and possibly other selection process elements. Final offers are contingent on successful completion of reference checks and/or a record review. Other Position Information Work Schedule Our regular business hours are 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday. However, work outside of these hours may occasionally be required. This position is classified as exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not eligible for overtime pay. Work Location This position follows a hybrid work schedule requiring a minimum of 2 days per week onsite at King Street Center, 201 S. Jackson, Seattle, Washington 98104, consistent with King County Metro's hybrid work policy. Remote workdays may be adjusted based on operational or business needs. The primary onsite location is King Street Center but this role may require working onsite at additional sites based on business needs. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements. King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment. Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. Union Representation The position is not represented by a union. Class Code 2308100, EMPLOYEE and LABOR RELATIONS REPRESENTATIVE King County's Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values King County serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency, delivering on commitments with transparency and accountability. We are action-oriented, creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles, engage directly with communities, and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact. As a unified team, we uphold high ethical and stewardship standards, embrace change, stay curious, and continuously improve. Across all interactions, we listen first, act quickly, and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust. Learn more about our Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values here and visit our Why work at King County page here . King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on sex, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religious affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age except by minimum age and retirement provisions, pregnancy, status as a family caregiver, parental status, marital status, military status or status as a veteran who was honorably discharged or who was discharged solely as a result of the person's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, citizenship or immigration status, genetic information, or other protected class. However, to the extent that distinction or differential treatment on the basis of citizenship or immigration status is authorized by either federal or state law, regulation, or government contract, it is not an unfair practice. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation. Benefits Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what’s best for themselves and their eligible dependents Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan Transportation program and ORCA transit pass 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays Generous vacation and paid sick leave Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves Flexible Spending Account Wellness programs Onsite activity centers Employee Giving Program Employee assistance programs Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position Training and career development programs For additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page. This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails. NOTE Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass. For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting. #J-18808-Ljbffr King County