Assoc Labor Relations Cnslt

Consumers Energy; Jackson (MI); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation packages

Medical, Dental and Vision

401k with company match

Paid parental leave

Up to 13 paid Holidays

Paid time off

Educational Assistance Program

Job summary

Consumers Energy, Michigan's largest energy provider, seeks an Associate Labor Relations Consultant to serve as the initial HR/LR contact for internal clients. You will interpret working agreements, manage grievances, and support leaders with contract guidance and employee relations in a hybrid Lansing-area role.

The role emphasizes collaboration with People & Culture Centers of Excellence, data reporting, and handling investigations with LR leadership guidance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) with experience in HR/LR in a unionized setting.
• Ability to interpret working agreements and advise on contract provisions.
• Experience providing HR/LR services and data reporting to leadership.

Responsibilities

• Provide training on basic labor relations and contract provisions to supervisors.
• Offer guidance on contract interpretation to mitigate risk and costs.
• Collaborate with Centers of Excellence to resolve employee inquiries.
• Administer the grievance process and participate in arbitrations/hearings as needed.
• Assist investigations of misconduct and determine disciplinary actions with guidance.
• Support staffing, hiring, and organizational management in operations.
• Handle posting, promotions, transfers, and analogous HR tasks.
• Participate in cross-functional People & Culture initiatives.

Skills

Labor relations knowledge

Independent decision making

Data analysis

Verbal communication

Dispute resolution

Labor/employment law knowledge

Contract interpretation

Relationship building

Written communications

Microsoft Office proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Labor Relations or related field

0-2 years HR generalist or labor relations in unionized environment

Associate's degree in HR/Labor Relations or related field + 2+ years

High School diploma + 4+ years HR/LR experience

Job description

Consumers Energy is Michigan's largest energy provider, providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. Consumers Energy knows job number one is to keep the lights on for customers. We are committed to delivering reliable, clean, and affordable energy to our customers 24/7.

This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship, e.g., H-1B, TN, etc. Please do not apply if you will need immigration sponsorship for a work visa now or in the future, including sponsorship for H-1B, TN, etc., now or in the future. We are unable to hire individuals with CPT, OPT, or STEM OPT for this position as the position is not eligible for participation in the H-1B lottery program and is not eligible for current or future immigration sponsorship for a work visa.

Location: This is a hybrid (virtual/onsite) position with required onsite days on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday assigned to the Lansing Service Center,located in Lansing, MI. The selected candidate must be within a commutable distance or willing to relocate (relocation package is available for those that qualify).

General Summary of Job Responsibilities

The Associate Labor Relations Consultant serves as an initial point of contact to internal clients for the purpose of providing tailored, labor relations recommendations in areas such as benefits, employee relations, regulatory compliance, and other People & Culture administrative responsibilities. Provides first level interpretation of the working agreements, grievance administration, performance management, Field Leader development, promoting and developing positive union and management relationships, and coordinating with Centers of Excellence to provide basic human resources services based on the client's and employees' needs. Performs tasks in a semi-independent manner with instructions as to the general results expected. Exhibit the ability to design, develop, deliver and evaluate labor relations and human resources services based on the clients/employees' needs. Entry level position in Labor Relations and will work on assignments of limited complexity.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide training to first line supervision on basic labor relations, working agreement provisions, policies, grievance administration, labor laws, arbitrations, presidential hearings, performance management, and on building relationships with local union leadership
• Provide business leaders with basic contract interpretation guidance on a variety of Articles and Sections (including arbitrations), in order to comply with the contract, mitigate risk, and avoid grievances or unnecessary costs to the business
• Partner with People & Culture Centers of Excellence to answer employee inquiries, problem solve, and to bring resolution to the employees' concerns in a timely manner
• Administer the grievance process under the provisions of the working agreement, which includes scheduling, preparation and research prior to attending the Step 1 and Step 2 grievance meetings. Participate in arbitrations and presidential hearings
• Assist in the Investigations of misconduct and performance of union employee behaviors to determine if any disciplinary action should be administered, makes recommendation to management based on past disciplinary actions and relevant arbitrations, and issues necessary discipline. This work is done with guidance from the LR leadership
• Support the implementation of organization-wide initiatives, communication with front line leaders, local union leaders, and employees. Provide data and reporting on staffing/headcount, retirements, transfers, grievances, and other information as requested. Support leadership on staffing and hiring of positions within their operations, including the contractual bidding process
• Perform administrative and transactional functions related to the OM&C job postings, promotions, transfers, organizational management, and other like or related duties
• Participate in cross-functional P&C initiatives and projects
• Other duties as assigned or may be necessary

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Knowledge of human resource services requirements and labor relations
• Ability to make decisions independently on HR/LR problems or identify subject matter experts, information sources, policies, and procedures to inform decision making
• Data Analysis skills
• Demonstrate verbal communication skills for interaction with all department levels within the Company
• Ability to utilize dispute resolution and conflict management techniques to settle disagreements and disputes in a fair and equitable manner
• Knowledge and understanding of labor and employment laws (both state and federal)
• Ability to master and interpret contractual language and apply interpretations to operations
• Ability to effectively build relationship, establishes rapport and maintains mutually productive relationships and relates well to people from varied backgrounds and in different situations
• Demonstrate the ability to craft solid written communications skills that can be applied to disciplinary letters, investigative reports, contract interpretation guidance, and other communications with stakeholders
• Microsoft Office Proficiency

Education/Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources/Labor Relations or related field and0 - 2 years of experience working as a human resources generalist or in labor relations supporting an organization with a unionized workforce.
• [OR] Associate's degreein Human Resources/Labor Relations or related field and 2+ years of experience working as a human resources generalist or in labor relations supporting an organization with a unionized workforce.
• [OR] High School diploma and 4+ years of experience working as a human resources generalist or in labor relations supporting an organization with a unionized workforce.

Why should you join our team?

At Consumers Energy, we offer more than just a place to work. We foster a culture that supports career development, growth, and stability, and we take pride in offering our co-workers excellent benefits and compensation packages. We are deliberately creating an inclusive culture that makes our diverse team of co-workers feel valued, supported, and empowered every day. We're a company made up of thousands of people, all with different stories to share and work to do, but we stand united in our company purpose: world class performance delivering hometown service.

What we offer:

• Competitive compensation packages
• Medical, Dental and Vision
• 401k with company match
• Paid parental leave
• Up to 13 paid Holidays
• Paid time off
• Educational Assistance Program

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:

We, at CMS Energy, value Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion. It is part of our DNA. We treat our employees with respect, we treat each other fairly and we value the opinions of others. We are passionate about building and nurturing an environment where everyone feels included. We don't discriminate. We seek to learn about each other and better understand our unique differences. Our uniqueness makes us authentic. We create safe spaces where everyone can be who they truly are. We invite difficult conversations and uncomfortable topics. We value diverse perspectives; this is what makes us great together. We harbor an inclusive environment where employees feel empowered to share their backgrounds, experiences, and ideas. Our Employee Resource Groups, Women in Energy (WE), Minority Advisory Panel (MAP), Pride Alliance of Consumers Energy (PACE), GENERGY (Different Generations), capable (Different Abilities), Interfaith, People Planet Partners, and Veterans Advisory Panel (VAP) are key enablers to living the values of our company culture: Caring, Empowered, Deliberate, Agility, and Ownership.

All qualified applicants will not be discriminated against and will receive consideration for employment without regard to protected veteran status, disability, race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.