Negotiations and Research Specialist

POSITION TITLE: Negotiations and Research Specialist
POSITION JOB#:
DEPARTMENT: Policy & Programs
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: Director of Policy & Programs
LOCATION: St Paul Office
HOURS/STATUS: Full Time
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
EMPLOYEE GROUP: TEMPO
PROBATIONARY PERIOD: 12 Months

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the Director of Policy and Programs direction, the Negotiations and Research Specialist provides statewide strategy support to field staff, intermediate organizations and local unions engaged in bargaining campaigns. Develop, create, and disseminate training and resources in support of a full range of bargaining and organizing work based on an assessment of state and local needs conducted within the Policy and Field departments. Serve as a resource and consultant to locals, staff and leaders on negotiations strategies and goals, settlement organizing contract organizing strategies, and legislative initiatives. Demonstrate a commitment to creating an inclusive space for members and staff, extending this culture of equity and inclusion into the work.

Education Minnesota is a member-led labor union that has identified racial equity and social justice as primary organizational goals. All staff are expected to participate, individually and collectively, in ongoing training, discussions, and activities to advance these goals.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

* Work interdepartmentally with staff and serve as resource for local unions on employment and labor relations topics affecting collective bargaining agreements including but not limited to retirement security, insurance, compensation, evaluation and professional development, equity and anti-racism policies, and education policies affecting employment and collective bargaining agreements.

* Coordinate the development and implementation of Education Minnesota's support for local unions with respect to health insurance and pensions.

* Serve as a staff lead on legislative efforts related to educator pensions, healthcare, and compensation, including member-lead campaigns.

* Experience and knowledge about pensions including, but not limited to, plan design, plan funding elements and decision-making structures.

* Experience and knowledge about health insurance including, but not limited to, premium rates, plan design, HRAs and HSAs.

* Experience with school finance, aid and levy distributions and policy issues to provide information and guidance for staff and locals.

* Advise on a wide variety of labor and school finance issues to achieve bargaining and policy objectives.

* Develop and coordinate training on relevant bargaining topics for audiences including members and staff.

* Serve as staff liaison to various internal and external committees, outside agencies, and national affiliates (NEA and AFT) as assigned.

* Negotiate contracts and assist with mediation and interest arbitrations when assigned.

* Advise staff and locals on laws and rules regulating school district management so that the locals understand the impact of resources of educational and support programs.

* Serve as member of the coordinating team for the biennial Collective Bargaining and Organizing Conference.

* Participate in union-wide teams and committees of staff and members in support of union goals around equity and anti-racism and provide direct support to locals engaged in bargaining on these topics.

* Participate in internal and external anti-racist, equity trainings to support growth and individual equity goals, including assessments of intercultural competence.

* Demonstrate a commitment to creating an inclusive space for members and staff, extending this culture of equity and inclusion into the work.

* Other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

* Experience with negotiations in public sector collective bargaining environments. Experience with private sector negotiations beneficial but not essential

* Strong background knowledge of the importance of labor unions in improving public education.

* Strong presentation and communication skills.

* Ability to work independently and on a team, plan, and meet deadlines.

* Knowledge of and background in anti-racist or cultural competence curricula or tools such as Beyond Diversity, Center for Culturally Responsive Teaching, Intercultural Development Index, etc.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

* B.A. in education or related field; or

o Leadership of a collective bargaining team for two contract cycles

o Five years' experience in an education setting

* Collective bargaining experience and familiarity with the collective bargaining practices of school employees.

* Creative thinker who anticipates and is committed to long-term planning.

* Settlement organizing experience including coalition building, communications, and community relations.

* Successful presentation and training experience.

* Valid Minnesota driver's license.

* Proof of COVID-19 vaccination (vaccination card). If you have a medical exemption, you will be asked to provide a written waiver from your medical provider. If you have a religious objection, you will be asked to provide documentation stating your religious objection.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

* Experience with negotiations in public sector collective bargaining environments.

* Experience with private sector negotiations beneficial but not essential.

* Experience and knowledge about pensions including, but not limited to, plan design, plan funding elements and decision-making structures.

* Collective bargaining experience and familiarity with the collective bargaining practices of school.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

* Willingness to work nights and weekends as needed.

* Able to successfully pass a post offer pre-employment background check.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Works in a general office environment. This position will interact with employees, vendors, members, and the general public on a somewhat regular basis. These interactions require judgment and discretion that can involve confidential information, private information and some disagreeable human interactions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Employee is required to: CONTINUOUSLY sit, talk, and hear; FREQUENTLY stand, walk, and repetitively use hands dexterously (use fingers to handle, feel), reach with hands and arms, bend and physically lift and carry up to 10 pounds; occasionally lift up to 25 pounds and infrequently travel by various conveyances, typically via personal vehicle.

CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION:

Maintain confidential information related to the organization, members and potential members, and staff.

EDUCATION MINNESOTA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Education Minnesota is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing an inclusive environment of mutual respect where diversity is valued, supported, and celebrated to benefit applicants, employees, members, and students. Discrimination of any kind is prohibited. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, job requirements and business needs. Education Minnesota strongly encourages women, BIPOC individuals, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, immigrants, and veterans to apply.

POSTING DEADLINE: For best consideration, apply online and include a resume. Posting will close at 11:59pm on Tuesday, July 23, 2024.