Labor Relations Negotiator

King County; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

King County is seeking a senior Labor Relations professional to serve as the chief spokesperson in complex labor negotiations and to help administer the County's labor agreements with unions representing County employees.

The successful candidate will advise departments and Executive Leadership on contract interpretation, draft memoranda of agreement, and coordinate strategy across mediation, grievances and arbitration, while ensuring compliance with labor and employment laws.

Qualifications

• Lead spokesperson for complex labor contracts and negotiations.
• Advise management on contract interpretation and administration.
• Experience with mediation, arbitration, grievances, and labor law.

Responsibilities

• Serve as chief spokesperson on complex labor contracts.
• Determine strategy and coordinate resources for negotiations.
• Draft labor contracts and memoranda of agreement with unions.
• Provide strategic input on mediation, grievances, arbitration, and related processes.
• Prepare briefing materials for the Executive, County Council, and staff.

Skills

Labor negotiations

Policy interpretation

Communication skills

Job description

ABOUT THE OFFICE OFTHE EXECUTIVELABOR RELATIONS TEAM

This team is within the Office of the Executive, with approximately 16 employees, the majority are Labor Negotiators who negotiate and help administer the County's 80 Labor Agreements covering approximately14,400 http://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/executive/labor- relations.aspx

Successful candidates for this position will, at a minimum, be able to clearly demonstrate skill and ability to:

Serve as the chief spokesperson on complex labor contracts by:

• Determining strategy and coordinating resources to present the County's interest in labor negotiations, advising departments and Executive Leadership on contract interpretation and application.
• Formulating proposals and drafting labor contracts and memoranda of agreement with unions that represent County employees.
• Complex decision-making including seeking input and authority from labor relations leaders and other county leaders.Involving and informing managers on proposals and decisions that will impact areas where approval is required.

Serve as a strategic advisor to King County departments by:

• Consulting with management and HR professionals on labor and employment law and contract administration concerning a wide range of personnel matters, including but not limited to, performance management issues and employee disciplines.
• Formulating strategy and coordinating resources to present the County's interest in mediation, interest arbitration, grievances and grievance arbitration, unfair labor practice claims, representation petitions, and state and federal agency proceedings.

Provide strategic and tactical input on:

• Preparation and presentation of briefing materials to the Executive, Executive Committees, County Council and Council Committees and staff.

• Demonstrated experience with labor contract administration and labor/management committees. Desired experience in contract negotiation, mediation, and other forms of pre-litigation conflict resolution, as well as grievance and discipline analysis.
• Experience applying labor and employment law and consulting with clients and stakeholders on labor and employment issues.
• Desired experience conducting research, assistance with preparing exhibits and preparing cases for arbitration.
• Desired experience drafting language in legal documents such as; memoranda of agreement, settlement agreements, collective bargaining agreements, and grievance responses.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to use organizational systems to identify priorities and manage a complicated work environment with multi-faceted needs.
• An interest in and commitment to continuous improvement.

The most qualified applicants will be able to demonstrate experience as the lead spokesperson negotiating and administering complex labor agreements for organizations with multiple stakeholders (public officials, department directors, employees, and labor unions). The most qualified applicants will also have public sector experience in the representation of clients in labor law hearings.

Who May Apply

This position is open to all qualified candidates.

This selection process will be used for six months to fill additional career service, term-limited temporary and special duty positions.

Work Schedule

The normal work schedule for this position is Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week. This position is not subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not overtime eligible, and the incumbent will be required to work the hours necessary to meet position responsibilities. This position will work onsite at least three (3) days per week.

This position is not represented by a labor union.

For questions regarding this selection process, please contact Brittany Hagen Crosser, [e-mail] or 206-477-4035