Labor Relations Specialist

Overview The City of Wichita is NOT an E-Verify Employer. Distinguishing Features of Work: Strong labor relations create stronger organizations. As the Senior Human Resource Specialist – Labor Relations Specialist, you will serve as a trusted advisor to City leadership by fostering productive partnerships between management and represented employees. This strategic role leads collective bargaining, contract administration, grievance resolution, and labor relations initiatives for the City’s labor agreements with the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), Teamsters Transit, Teamsters Airport, and Service Employees International Union (SEIU). You will interpret collective bargaining agreements, develop negotiation strategies, provide guidance on complex employment matters, and ensure compliance with contractual obligations and employment laws. Your expertise in negotiations, conflict resolution, and relationship building will directly strengthen the City’s workforce, support organizational effectiveness, and help deliver high-quality public services to the Wichita community. Workdays and Hours Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm. Salary Anticipated starting salary: $82,558 - $116,169 (based on experience and qualifications) Bargaining Unit Employee Council Posting Posting may close at any time. Responsibilities Provides human resource information as requested both inside and outside the organization. Researches and analyzes alternative program options for area of responsibility and/or as assigned. Develops and/or modifies programs and policies in response to legal requirements, organizational change, and labor market trends. Assists other divisions and departments in interpreting personnel policies and procedures; develops or revises personnel policies and procedures. Drafts proposal language as part of the collective bargaining process. Provides interpretation and guidance to ensure compliance with contract provisions, wage laws, and standard regulations. Builds positive, long‑term relationships with labor and management. Manages the administration process for labor contracts including, but not limited to, negotiating key issues such as compensation rates, contract provisions, healthcare, wages, pensions, union requirements, and management guidelines. Manages the grievance process for investigation of claims and provides mediation to resolve conflicts and communication difficulties. Works with collective bargaining and negotiates with large groups to address worker complaints and apply policy appropriately. May supervise other professional or support staff. Completion of work assignments may require the operation of a vehicle. Other related duties may be assigned as needed. Requirements Considerable knowledge of principles of human resources management. Knowledge of federal, state and local regulations affecting human resources practices. Ability to use a computer to access, interpret, and record information. Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with associates, employees of other Departments, representatives of outside agencies, and the public. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, orally, in writing, and by other creative means necessary to cross communication barriers. Researching skills are required to retrieve relevant data and analyze alternatives, offer recommendations, and impact outcomes. Tactical communication skills are required to provide advice and counsel in difficult conflicts and disputes. Management of grievance HRIS systems and process is critical to maintain efficient, ongoing administration. May require ability to plan, organize and supervise the work of others. May require a valid Kansas driver’s license. An employee shall not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace. Experience and Training – Required Bachelor’s degree in human resource management, Industrial Relations, Business Administration, Public Administration, Employment Law, or Labor Relations. Three years of professional experience administering labor relations programs, including collective bargaining, contract administration, grievance investigation, and interpretation of collective bargaining agreements. Three years of experience preparing professional written documents and organizing multiple labor relations activities, including collective bargaining proposals, grievance responses, arbitration documentation, contract negotiations, policy implementation, and maintaining confidential records while meeting established deadlines. Three years of experience using a Human Resources Information System (HRIS) or employee database system to maintain employee records, process personnel actions, track grievances, manage labor agreement information, or generate reports. A valid driver’s license. Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need of a sponsorship. Experience and Training – Preferred Three years of experience administering multiple collective bargaining agreements simultaneously. Three years of experience conducting workplace investigations involving alleged violations of collective bargaining agreements or workplace policies. Starting pay for current City employees will be determined by City of Wichita policy or applicable bargaining unit agreement. Offers of employment are contingent upon passing a pre‑employment physical, which includes drug screening, and upon satisfactory evaluation of the results of a criminal record check. EEO Statement Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws. Please find more information under the following links: flmen.pdf Benefits VACATION – Most employees with less than five years employment earn 10 days of vacation per year. After five years, accrual rates increase at varying rates to varying maximums, depending on work schedule and/or union representation. Employees can accumulate and carry forward up to 240 hours each year. HOLIDAYS – There are eleven paid holidays. Employees also receive one Personal Holiday that is granted after the first six months of employment. SICK LEAVE – Sick leave accrual begins at one‑half day per month. After five years, sick leave accruals are one work day per month. Employees can accumulate and carry forward all unused sick leave each year. Employees who use 24 hours (3 days) or less of sick leave in a calendar year earn a Well Day. An additional Well Day can be earned following a year of perfect attendance. HEALTH INSURANCE – UMR / United Healthcare provides two levels of medical and prescription drug plans. Both medical plans are PPOs and do not require selecting a physician or referrals for specialty care. Both medical plans include Teladoc virtual care (primary care/mental health benefits at no charge), Dario healthy living programs, and VSP Vision benefits. Pre‑tax premium deductions are offered. The City contributes 80% of the premium cost towards medical, prescription drug and vision insurance. DENTAL INSURANCE – Two Delta Dental plans are offered – Preferred and Traditional. The Delta Preferred plan requires using a dentist from a smaller network for a lower premium. The Delta Traditional plan allows use of any dentist, although benefits are higher when using a dentist from the large Delta network. Benefits under both plans are the same (with the exception of some Orthodontic benefits). Pre‑tax premium deductions are offered. LIFE INSURANCE – Low‑cost voluntary term life insurance is available. Employees pay one‑third of the cost. The amount of Basic Life coverage is two times annual pay up to a determined maximum amount. Dependent coverage is available at $20,000 spouse / $10,000 child(ren) for an additional $0.14 per pay period. Accidental death and dismemberment coverage is included. The plan is through MetLife. SUPPLEMENTAL LIFE – Additional voluntary employee‑paid term life insurance is available from MetLife at low group rates. Participation in Basic Life is required. The Life Insurance plans are portable. LONG‑TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE – The voluntary employee‑paid group disability plan from MetLife provides 60% of pre‑disability income for injury or health‑related disabilities. Premiums are determined by income and age. VOLUNTARY ACCIDENTAL DEATH & DISMEMBERMENT – Voluntary employee‑paid AD&D from MetLife offers coverage for accidental death and dismemberment. RETIREMENT – The City offers two retirement plans – Wichita Employees (WER) Plan 3, and Commissioned Police & Fire Plan C‑79. The WER plan is a defined contribution plan; Police & Fire is a defined benefit plan. Both are contributory – employees and the City share the cost. FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS – Employees may elect to make FSA pre‑tax deductions for dependent care and/or unreimbursed medical expenses, reducing the cost of these expenses by eliminating taxes on the amount deducted. LONG‑TERM CARE INSURANCE – This plan from UNUM offers facility and home care benefits for employees, spouses, and some other family members. Several options for benefit amount and duration, and specific plan features, are available. #J-18808-Ljbffr