ASSOCIATE LABOR RELATIONS SPECIALIST - LABOR RELATIONS DEPARTMENT

Cook County Government; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 77,000 - 87,000; Full time

Job summary

Cook County Government seeks an Associate Labor Relations Specialist to support labor relations efforts during negotiations. This role involves liaising with union representatives, documenting proceedings, and maintaining essential records. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree and knowledge of labor laws, along with strong communication and negotiation skills.

Benefits

Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage

Basic Term Life Insurance

Pension Plan

Employee Assistance Program

Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time

Qualifications

• One year of experience in business administration, public administration, labor relations, or human resources.
• Knowledge of collective bargaining agreements.

Responsibilities

• Serves as a liaison between union representatives and management.
• Assists with collective bargaining issues and documentation.
• Maintains accurate records of databases and past grievance files.

Skills

Knowledge of labor laws

Skilled in negotiation strategies

Verbal and written communication

Ability to maintain relationships

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher

Job description

Job Description - ASSOCIATE LABOR RELATIONS SPECIALIST - LABOR RELATIONS DEPARTMENT (00137140)

Job Description

ASSOCIATE LABOR RELATIONS SPECIALIST - LABOR RELATIONS DEPARTMENT

Requisition ID

: 00137140

Job Posting

Closing Date

Job Posting

: Jun 20, 2025, 2:49:41 PM

Closing Date

: Jul 5, 2025, 4:59:00 AM Full-time Shift Start Time : 8:30 A.M. Shift End Time : 4:30 P.M.

Posting Salary : $77,861-$86,001/annually

Organization

Organization

: Offices Under the President

Work Locations

Work Locations

: County Building: 118 N. Clark

Cook County Offices

Under The President

Administrative Hearings

Auditor

Bureau of Administration

Bureau of Economic Development

Bureau of Finance

Bureau of Human Resources

Bureau of Technology

Facilities

Office of the President

Job Summary

Serves as a liaison between union representatives and management. Supports labor relations efforts during contract negotiations, impact bargaining sessions, and documents proceedings. Assists with collective bargaining issues and helps determine negotiation positions, policies and strategy. Coordinates and attends strategy meetings, negotiation sessions, and assists in the compilation of negotiation proposals. Documents all management proposals and assists in documentation of union negotiation proposals and maintains control of all tentative agreements in negotiations. Provides assistance to Labor Counsel, the Assistant State's Attorneys outside counsel, union representatives and other entities regarding various labor related issues. Maintains accurate record keeping of databases, records, and information from past grievance files, personnel records, salary grades of specific union job classifications, and previous union labor agreement files. Consults with senior leadership in matters of highest confidentiality and may assist in policy changes and courses of action .

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree or higher and
• One (1) year of business administration, public administration, labor relations, human resources or directly related experience or
• An equivalent combination of education and/or experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of labor laws, government regulations, and labor relations functions, including collective bargaining agreements and applicable legal frameworks.
• Skilled in basic negotiation strategies with unions, government officials, managers, and legal teams to resolve disputes, manage grievances, and reach mutually beneficial agreements on labor matters.
• Ability to effectively maintain positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain standard policies, negotiate with various parties, and handle sensitive matters with confidentiality and professionalism.
• Ability to provide basic insight, advice and expertise to other professionals, management, and external contacts in an assigned functional area.
• Ability to operate as a team player and communicate specialized knowledge team members, managers, and external stakeholders.
• Ability to analyze and interpret CBAs, in public administration and healthcare operations, ensuring compliance with labor laws.
• Ability to travel throughout Cook County.

Physical Requirements:
Sedentary Work involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time.

The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee's normal line of work.

VETERAN’S PREFERENCE

When applying for employment with Cook County Government, preference is given in the application process to honorably discharged Veterans who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States for more than 180consecutive days, or during War Time. To take advantage of this preference a Veteran must:

• IDENTIFY THEMSELVES AS A VETERAN ON THEIR EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION BY ANSWERING YES TO THE QUESTION “Are you a military veteran?”
• ATTACH A COPY OF THEIR DD 214, DD 215 or NGB 22 (NOTICE OF SEPARATION) AT TIME OF APPLICATION FILING. IF YOU HAVE MULTIPLE DD 214S, 215S, OR NGB 22S, PLEASE SUBMIT THE ONE WITH THE LATEST DATE. COAST GUARD MUST SUBMIT A CERTIFIED COPY OF THE MILITARY SEPARATION FROM EITHER THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (BEFORE 911) OR THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (AFTER 911).

The Cook County Department of Veterans Affairs can assist you with obtaining a certified DD214 and having it recorded for you at no charge. Please contact [e-mail]

VETERAN MUST PROVIDE ORIGINAL APPLICABLE DISCHARGE PAPERS AT TIME OF INTERVIEW.

Benefits Package

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Basic Term Life Insurance
• Pension Plan and Deferred Compensation Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time
• You May Qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

For further information on our excellent benefits package, please click on the following link:

The County has a hybrid work environment which allows employees telecommuting and flexible scheduling options.

*This position requiressuccessful completion of post-offer tests, which may include a background check, drug screen and medical examination.

Falsification of any information in the application process will result in disqualification, dismissal after hire, and/or placement on the County’s Ineligible for Rehire List for a period of two (2) or five (5) years. For current County employees, such falsification may result in discipline, up to and including termination, and placement on the County’s Ineligible for Rehire List for a period of two (2) or five (5) years. See Cook County Code of Ordinances, Article II, Sections 44-54 Unlawful Practices Relating to Employees and Employment - Penalty , 44-56 Political Discrimination ; Cook County Employment Plan, Section V.N. Pre-Interview License and Certification Verification ; Supplemental Policy No. 2014-2.13 Ineligible for Rehire List ; and Cook County Personnel Rules 3.3(b) (7) (d)

EEO Statement

Cook County Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity (“EEO”) employer. Cook County prohibits illegal discrimination and harassment and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, source of income, housing status, military service or discharge status, gender identity, genetic information, or any other protected category established by law, statute or ordinance as further defined in Chapter 44. Human Resources, Article II. Personnel Polices, Section 44-53 of the Cook County Code of Ordinances and Chapter 42. Human Relations, Article II. Human Rights, Section 42-35 of the Cook County Code of Ordinances.

NOTE: As an internal candidate, should you be offered the position, salary allocations shall abide by the Cook County Personnel Rules.

*Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Social Media Disclaimer

The County’s hiring process is governed by the Cook County Employment Plan which prohibits employment actions from being influenced by any Political Reasons or Factors for Non-Exempt Positions. The advertisement of this position by any individual does not constitute an offer or promise of employment, promotion, or any other employment action and shall not influence the County’s hiring decision. Cook County officials and employees who become aware of or receive a complaint that involves an allegation of Political Reasons or Factors being considered in the hiring process of Non-Exempt positions are obligated to refer the complaint to the Cook County - Office of the Inspector General. If the Cook County Inspector General sustains allegations of Political Reasons or Factors being considered, Cook County will disqualify the Applicant or Candidate from consideration for employment and disciplinary action will be imposed on any involved Cook County employees, if applicable.