Labor Relations & Employment Practices Specialist

State of Delaware; Delaware; On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Job summary

State of Delaware is seeking an experienced labor relations professional to provide strategic leadership and exclusive judgment in labor contracts, employment practices, and related policies. This role serves as chief spokesperson in labor negotiations and directs development of contract proposals for all branches of government.

The position requires interpretation of Merit Rules, applicable laws, and arbitration procedures, with duties extending to coordination of research, stance on

Qualifications

• Possession of a Bachelors degree or higher in Labor Relations, Industrial Relations, Human Resource Management, Public Administration, Business Administration, Legal Studies, or related field OR a Human Resource Certification such as NPELRA, SHRM, or IPMA, OR for current State employees, the Statewide Human Resources Certification.
• At least one year experience performing professional labor relations, employee relations, employment practices, or human resource management activities.
• Six months experience in interpreting labor relations or employment practices laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of strategic planning as it relates to developing key objectives, strategies and activities for accomplishing those objectives.
• Knowledge of developing labor relations or employment practices, policies, or procedures.

Responsibilities

• Interprets, applies and provides day-to-day leadership, guidance and training on all labor relations and employment practices and issues from the perspective of the State of Delaware as an employer to include collective bargaining agreements, Merit Rules, applicable state and federal laws, court decisions, rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Serves as chief spokesperson for employer in negotiation of labor contracts for all branches of government.
• Facilitates harmonious working relationships among all parties in labor relations and employment practices related cases.
• Leads and coordinates development of labor contract proposals.
• Reviews and analyzes existing contracts and those of other public employers as well as pertinent grievance and arbitration awards.
• Conducts and coordinates research concerning comparative contract negotiation settlements, assists in recommending economic guidelines for settlement, conducts research into pertinent labor relations issues to develop negotiating positions and strategies, reviews cost and impact analyses of union proposals and analyzes impact of non-economic proposals.
• Drafts and negotiates precise technical contract language to effectuate agreements; facilitates mediation process; prepares and presents State's case at binding rights and interest arbitration; prepares exhibits and witnesses; advises and counsels agency officials in labor relations.
• Conducts Merit Rule grievance hearings as Director’s designee.
• Conducts pre-arbitration grievance meetings as designee of Human Resource Management Director.
• Responds to unfair labor practice complaints, ensures consistency of policies and procedures and uniform interpretation and administration of agreements.
• Represents State in administrative proceedings before PERB, EEOC, Delaware DOL, U.S. DOL.
• Conducts projects and studies.

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in Labor Relations, Industrial Relations, Human Resource Management, Public Administration, Business Administration, Legal Studies, or related field OR HR Certification (NPELRA, SHRM, or IPMA)

Job description

Summary Statement

This is labor relations and employment practices work at the full performance level having responsibility for strategic leadership and exercising independent judgment and discretion.

Summary Statement

This is labor relations and employment practices work at the full performance level having responsibility for strategic leadership and exercising independent judgment and discretion.

Preferred Qualification

Applicants who do not possess the preferred qualification will still be eligible to compete for this position if job requirements are met.

• Possession of a Juris Doctor

Essential Functions

Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class. Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents can complete job duties of similar kind not specifically listed here.

• Interprets, applies and provides day-to-day leadership, guidance and training on all labor relations and employment practices and issues from the perspective of the State of Delaware as an employer to include collective bargaining agreements, Merit Rules, applicable state and federal laws, court decisions, rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Serves as chief spokesperson for employer in negotiation of labor contracts for all branches of government.
• Facilitates harmonious working relationships among all parties in labor relations and employment practices related cases.
• Leads and coordinates development of labor contract proposals.
• Reviews and analyzes existing contracts and those of other public employers as well as pertinent grievance and arbitration awards.
• Conducts and coordinates research concerning comparative contract negotiation settlements, assists in recommending economic guidelines for settlement, conducts research into pertinent labor relations issues to develop negotiating positions and strategies, reviews cost and impact analyses of union proposals and analyzes impact of non-economic proposals.
• Drafts and negotiates precise technical contract language to effectuate agreements; facilitates mediation process; prepares and presents State's case at binding rights and interest arbitration; prepares exhibits and witnesses; advises and counsels agency officials in labor relations.
• Conducts Merit Rule grievance hearings as Director’s designee.
• Conducts pre-arbitration grievance meetings as designee of Human Resource Management Director.
• Responds to unfair labor practice complaints, ensures consistency of policies and procedures and uniform interpretation and administration of agreements.
• Represents State in administrative proceedings before PERB, EEOC, Delaware DOL, U.S. DOL.
• Conducts projects and studies.

Job Requirements

Applicants must have education, training, and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:

• Possession of a Bachelors degree or higher in Labor Relations, Industrial Relations, Human Resource Management, Public Administration, Business Administration, Legal Studies, or related field OR a Human Resource Certification such as NPELRA, SHRM, or IPMA, OR for current State employees, the Statewide Human Resources Certification.
• At least one year experience performing professional labor relations, employee relations, employment practices, or human resource management activities.
• Six months experience in interpreting labor relations or employment practices laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of strategic planning as it relates to developing key objectives, strategies and activities for accomplishing those objectives.
• Knowledge of developing labor relations or employment practices, policies, or procedures.

Additional Posting Information

Writing Exercise: A writing exercise will be given at the time of interview.

Conditions of Hire

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. The State of Delaware Executive Branch participates in the Federal E-Verify system where the State will provide the federal government with each new hires Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. For more information refer to our job seeker resources.

All new hires are required to report to the Statewide New Employee Orientation (SNEO) on their first day of employment. Sessions are held at designated locations in Kent or New Castle County.

Benefits

To learn more about the comprehensive benefit package please visit our website at https://dhr.delaware.gov/benefits/

Selection Process

The application and supplemental questionnaire are evaluated based upon a rating of your education, training and experience as they relate to the job requirements of the position. It is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application and the supplemental questionnaire to include dates of employment, job title and job duties. For education and training, list name of educational provider, training course titles and summary of course content. Narrative information supplied in response to the questions must be supported by the information supplied on the application including your employment, education and training history as it relates to the job requirements.

Once you have submitted your application on-line, all future correspondence related to your application will be sent via email. Please keep your contact information current. You may also view all correspondence sent to you by the State of Delaware in the “My Applications” tab at StateJobs.Delaware.gov .

Accommodations

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities in all phases of the application and employment process.

Individuals who use TDD may request auxiliary aid or service by calling [phone] or by visiting delawarerelay.com .

If you need assistance with an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or general applicant support, you may call [phone] or email [e-mail] .

The State of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity employer and values a diverse workforce. We strongly encourage and seek out a workforce representative of Delaware including race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.