Senior Employee and Labor Relations Specialist

Definition

Plans, organizes, and supervises the day-to-day activities of a small unit engaged in employee and labor relations activities involving disciplinary actions, grievances, appeals, complaints, contract negotiations, and other related areas; personally performs the more complex work of the unit.

Typical Duties

Plans, assigns, supervises the work of and provides training to assigned staff engaged in employee and labor relation activities concerning disciplinary actions, grievances, appeals, complaints, contract negotiations, and other related areas.

Conducts the more complex investigations of the unit requiring fact-finding and the verification and resolution of facts and issues in matters affecting disciplinary actions, grievances, appeals, and complaints.

Analyzes and evaluates evidence in cases of disciplinary action; develops additional supportive evidence, background information, and documentation; and when appropriate prepares statements of charges for Board of Trustees’ approval and recommends appropriate disciplinary action.

Interprets negotiated bargaining agreements for management and supervisory staff.

Confers with administrators and supervisors on the effective resolution of employee relations problems by providing information on progressive discipline, evaluation procedures, due process requirements and complaint and grievance procedures and recommending courses of action.

Represents the District at classified disciplinary and grievance hearings and researches and prepares information in defense of the District’s position.

Advises employees on the rights, privileges, and burdens of employees and supervisors in filing grievances, appeals, and complaints, and counsels individuals on minor problems of employee conduct or dissatisfaction, poor work habits, leave problems, indebtedness, and provisions related to various employee benefits and services.

Recommends procedures and standards to assure equitable and impartial treatment of employees in such matters as supervisor employee relations, employee conduct, employee rights, and grievance and appeal procedures.

Mediates discussions between supervisors, employees, and employee representatives regarding problems adversely affecting an employee’s performance.

Coordinates and participates in the research of information used in the collective bargaining process on matters such as salaries, employment practices, employee benefits, and related areas; prepares reports on findings; and makes recommendations.

Develops and conducts training sessions for administrators and supervisors on disciplinary processes and procedures, grievance resolution, and related areas.

Reviews and evaluates medical reports, reports of arrest, criminal investigations, and related data; interprets health and arrest/conviction standards; and makes disposition on the eligibility of individuals for employment and retention.

Effectively utilizes the capabilities and functions of standard office software applications such as data management, spreadsheet, presentation, and word processing in completing assigned projects.

Effectively utilizes the capabilities and functions of specialized software programs in the production of management information and reports.

Establishes and maintains working relationships with Federal, State, and local governmental agencies whose functions are related to employee and labor relations.

Advises the director of activity statuses and issues needing attention, evaluation, resolution, and decisions.

Attends and participates committees to provide subject matter advice and guidance related to assigned responsibilities.

Analyses the possible effects of and makes recommendation on proposed legislation and regulations related to employee and labor relations.

Participates in consultation sessions with bargaining unit representatives, as designated.

Assists in the development of negotiation strategies for collective bargaining and interprets negotiated agreements for management.

Assists in preparation of proposals and counter proposals for discussion at the collective bargaining table.

Prepares a variety of descriptive and evaluative reports and correspondences.

Oversees the maintenance of records related to assigned employee and labor relations area.

Performs related duties as assigned.

Distinguishing Characteristics

A Senior Employee and Labor Relations Specialist plans, organizes, and supervises the day-to-day activities of a small unit engaged in employee and labor relations activities involving disciplinary actions, grievances, appeals, complaints, contract negotiations, and other related areas; personally performs the more complex work of the unit.

An Employee and Labor Relations Specialist performs a variety of journey-level professional staff work related to an employee and labor relations activities including investigation, analysis, and adjudication of disciplinary actions, grievances, appeals, and complaints, and participating in the collective bargaining process. Employees in this class apply a detailed knowledge of specialized federal, state, and District laws, rules, and administrative policies related to employee and labor relations.

An Assistant Director of Employee and Labor Relations assists the Director of Employee and Labor Relations in planning, organizing, and directing the day-to-day operations of the District’s employee and labor relations unit, which includes the areas of collective bargaining, disciplinary actions, appeals, complaints, grievances, HR policy development and reporting, and other related areas.

A Director of Employee and Labor Relations plans, organizes, and directs the day-to-day operations of the District’s employee and labor relations unit which encompasses the functions of collective bargaining, contract administration, disciplinary actions, appeals, complaints, grievances, HR policy development and reporting, and other related areas.

Supervision

General supervision is received from the Director of Employer and Labor Relations. Immediate supervision is exercised over assigned professional, technical, and clerical employees.

Class Qualifications

Knowledge of:

Public sector labor relations laws and precedents

Sections of the Education and Penal Codes and rules, regulations, and policies of the District related to the employment and retention of personnel

Principles and techniques of arbitration advocacy

Principles and techniques of bargaining contract negotiations

Policies of the District related to the employment and retention of personnel

Collective bargaining agreements covering District employees

District Board of Trustee rules and administrative policies related to employee and labor relations

Personnel Commission laws and rules

Trends in employee and labor relations

Principles and techniques of counseling and guidance

Fact-finding methods and investigative methods and procedures

Research and data collection techniques used in assigned area

Organization, functions, and key staff of the District

Principles of management and organization

Principles of supervision and training

Organization and management of records

Capabilities of computer systems, software, and hardware used in the employee and labor relations field

Ability to:

Plan and coordinate various employee and labor relations activities

Compile data and analyze complex facts and situations, translate findings into clear, concise reports and recommendations

Develop methods and procedures that improve efficiency of assigned functions

Develop innovative, workable solutions to complex and sensitive employee relations problems

Interpret, apply, and explain applicable laws, policies, and precedents to employee and labor relations matters

Effectively present and argue management’s position in cases involving arbitration

Effectively counsel employees with problems which are adversely affecting work performance

Prepare effective and comprehensive oral and written communications and presentations

Effectively utilize computer equipment, software, and management information systems in the performance of duties

Analyze training needs and develop training programs pertinent to assigned area

Adapt to changing priorities and work demands

Perform complex assignments independently

Work on many simultaneous assignments with close attention to detail and with attention to schedules and deadlines

Evaluate work methods and performance

Deal with novel and difficult problems

Maintain and exercise sound judgment in stressful and/or sensitive situations

Maintain high levels of ethical and professional conduct and confidentiality

Maintain a fair and impartial attitude

Select, motivate, train, and supervise assigned staff

Establish effective working relationships with all levels of District administrators, employees, employee organization representatives, representatives of private and public agencies, and individuals of a variety of ethnic, social, and economic background

Travel to off-site locations to conduct investigations

Entrance Qualifications

Education and Experience:

A.A master’s degree from a recognized college or university with a major in labor and industrial relations, human resource management, industrial or organizational psychology, public administration, or a related field AND two years of recent, full-time, paid, professional-level human resources experience in investigating, analyzing, and resolving employee disciplinary matters, grievances, appeals, and complaints. Collective bargaining and supervisory experience are desirable.

OR

B.A bachelor’s degree from a recognized college or university, preferably with a major in labor and industrial relations, human resource management, industrial or organizational psychology, public administration, or a related field AND four years of recent, full-time, paid, professional-level human resources experience in investigating, analyzing, and resolving employee disciplinary matters, grievances, appeals, and complaints. Collective bargaining and supervisory experience are desirable.

Special:

A valid Class “C” California driver's license

Travel to locations throughout the District is required.