Labor Relations Manager

Gulfshoresal; Oregon City (OR); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Clackamas County's Department of Human Resources seeks a Labor Relations Manager with extensive labor relations expertise to oversee the ELR Division and advise leadership.

The role includes administering collective bargaining agreements, mediating disputes, advising on investigations, and guiding contract negotiations. The ideal candidate has 7+ years in labor relations, union experience, and supervises staff, with PECBA knowledge and a JD preferred.

Qualifications

• Minimum seven years of related experience in labor relations with at least four years in a unionized environment.
• Experience conducting HR investigations and administering collective bargaining agreements.
• Ability to negotiate and lead labor negotiations, and provide guidance on grievance handling and disciplinary actions.

Responsibilities

• Oversee ELR Division activities and operations, providing consultation on employee relations and policy guidance.
• Administer and interpret collective bargaining agreements, mediate disputes, and advise management on investigations and corrective actions.
• Lead and support successor contract negotiations and interim bargaining during active agreements.

Skills

Labor relations

Investigations

Negotiations

Leadership

Policy development

Microsoft Office

Employee relations

Education

Juris Doctorate (JD)

CLRP certification

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Clackamas County’s Department of Human Resources (HR) is seeking a dynamic, solutions-driven human resources leader with an extensive background in labor relations to serve as the County’s next Labor Relations Manager.

Reporting to the HR Director, the Labor Relations Manager will oversee and manage all Employee and Labor Relations (ELR) Division activities and operations. The ELR team includes two Analysts. The ELR Division provides employee relations consultation, corrective action guidance, and labor contract administration services to support effective workforce management and positive labor relations across the County.

This position is responsible for administering and interpreting collective bargaining agreements, mediating disputes, assisting in conflict resolution, and advising management in grievance or compliant investigations, corrective action, and performance management. Provide complex advice and counsel to the Human Resources Director, Human Resources Deputy Director, County Administrator and Board of County Commissioners on labor matters. The Labor Relations Manager develops and implements collective bargaining strategies in partnership with Legal Counsel and supports successor contract negotiations. The County contracts with external Labor relations subject-matter-experts to serve as lead negotiator for successor collective bargaining. The Labor Relations Manager is responsible for leading the interim bargaining process during the active term of existing labor agreements, which includes contract amendments, demand to bargain labor matters and other labor-related changes as needed.

The Labor Relations Manager will facilitate and build relationships with employees, union leadership, and other stakeholders to foster a work environment that is responsive and supportive. The Labor Relations Manager will deliver high-quality support to Clackamas County employees as well as create systems of support that foster strong employee and labor relation practices.

The Ideal Candidate

With around 2,700 employees, 4 unions, and 8 collective bargaining agreements, Clackamas County has a highly unionized workforce. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in labor relations, experience working with multiple unions, conducting investigations, grievance handling, negotiating labor agreements, and policy development and implementation while having a strong leadership background to provide guidance, support, and oversight to a team of ELR professionals.

Required Minimum Qualifications/ Transferrable Skills:*

• A minimum of seven (7) years ofrelated experience that would provide the required knowledge and skills to perform the responsibilities of this position. At least four (4) years progressively responsible labor relations experience working in a unionized environment to include:
• Conducting HR related investigations
• Preparing and processing disciplinary actions
• Administering and implementing collective bargaining agreements and working with unions
• Resolving union grievances and unfair labor practices
• Negotiating collective bargaining agreements, including serving as a lead or chief negotiator during labor negotiations
• At least two (2) years of experience directly supervising and managing professional level staff.
• Experience and knowledge of Oregon employment law, in particular the Public Employee Collective Bargaining Act (PECBA) and the Oregon Employment Relations Board.
• Experience working with multiple union collective bargaining agreements within a single organization.
• Experience using Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Preferred Special Qualifications/ Transferrable Skills:*

• Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited institution.
• Certified Labor Relations Professional (CLRP) certification.
• Experience working in the public sector.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

Driving is required for County business on a regular basis or to accomplish work. Incumbents must possess a valid driver's license, and possess and maintain an acceptable driving record throughout the course of employment.