Labor and Employee Relations Specialist

Agupdate; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 81,000 - 122,000; Full time

Job summary

Penn State is seeking a Labor and Employee Relations Senior Specialist to advance positive labor and employee relations across University locations. The role acts as a SME in union relations, supporting management and university leadership in a unionized environment, including faculty and graduate assistant issues.

Responsibilities include advising on disputes, interpreting policies, drafting contract language, coordinating investigations, and assisting with post‑agreements implementation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and relevant experience in labor relations or HR.
• Experience with unionized environments and academic settings is preferred.
• Strong communication, analytical and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Advise on union relations, contract administration, and policy development.
• Lead investigations, grievance handling, and disciplinary matters.
• Counsel leaders on workplace concerns, risk mitigation, and resolution pathways.
• Draft contract language and provide guidance on labor documents.
• Coordinate investigations and support bargaining strategies.
• Train managers and HR staff on new contracts and administration.

Skills

Labor relations expertise

Union relations

Policy interpretation

Communication skills

Risk mitigation

Project management

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Job description

Labor and Employee Relations Specialist

Penn State is seeking a skilled Labor and Employee Relations Senior Specialist. This position plays a key role in advancing positive labor and employee relations across all University locations. Reporting to the Senior Director of Labor and Employee Relations, the successful candidate will serve as a subject matter expert in union relations and will be actively involved in matters related to faculty and graduate assistant unionization at Penn State. This role serves as a primary point of contact for Human Resource Strategic Partners, managers, and employees on employee relations and labor relations matters and provides consultative guidance in support of the University's labor strategy.

The duties will include:

• With a focus on faculty and graduate assistants, serving as a subject matter expert on union relations, including day-to-day administration of labor agreements and proactive engagement with union representatives on a variety of issues, with an emphasis on higher education academic environments.
• Advising on the resolution of employment and disciplinary issues.
• Counseling employees and advising leaders on sensitive workplace concerns, risk mitigation, and appropriate resolution pathways.
• Interpreting, applying, and assisting in the development of policy and contract language, and advising various audiences on appropriate application; assisting in drafting contract language and related labor documents as needed.
• Coordinating and/or assisting with investigations that arise from grievances, University hotlines, direct complaints, as well as those escalated from colleges and work units; synthesizing findings and recommending outcomes consistent with policy, law, and applicable agreements.
• Representing the University at informal problem-solving meetings and at formal grievance hearings, serving as liaison among management, employees, and union representatives; participating at the bargaining table and supporting bargaining strategy, proposals, and documentation.
• Assisting with implementation and administration of newly negotiated agreements, including developing guidance, templates, and tools to support consistent application across colleges and units.
• Training management and HR colleagues on new contracts, interpretation, and administration expectations; serving as a resource for ongoing questions and complex cases.

This position offers a flexible work arrangement. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.

Previous labor relations experience in a unionized workforce is preferred; higher education experience supporting management and University leadership in an environment with unionized faculty and/or graduate assistants is strongly preferred.

The successful candidate must possess:

• Knowledge and understanding of applicable federal and state laws.
• A solutions-oriented mind set with a proven track record of thoughtful and collaborative problem solving.
• Ability to manage multiple projects.
• Ability to work both independently and cooperatively with various levels of faculty, staff, administrators, and outside agencies.
• Excellent judgment and organizational skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; an outstanding customer service orientation.
• A commitment to fostering an inclusive and respectful environment; and a vision to assess and respond to rapidly changing issues.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's Degree
• 6+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted
• Required Certifications: None

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.

SALARY & BENEFITS

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $81,312.00 - $122,016.00.

Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being.

• comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• robust retirement plans
• substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time
• generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children

For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university's teaching, research, and service mission.