Labor Relations Officer

City of Cleveland - City Hall; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Cleveland seeks an experienced Labor Relations Officer to address labor activities and related employment issues. The role supports contract administration, grievances, policy development, and training in a municipal environment.

Responsibilities include hearings representation, coordinating labor contract enforcement, and assisting with EEO investigations while ensuring timely, compliant outcomes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in Business Administration, HR, or related field.
• Two years of labor relations experience required; government experience preferred.
• Familiarity with grievance processes and contract administration.

Responsibilities

• Assist in resolution of labor problems and interpret contracts as needed.
• Represent the department at grievance hearings and meetings; monitor contract administration.
• Assist in policy development, training, and EEO investigations.
• Participate in labor contract negotiations and ensure compliance with labor agreements.

Skills

Labor relations

Contract interpretations

Grievance hearings

Policy development

Training

EEO investigations

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or related field

Two years of labor relations experience

Job description

Incumbent is responsible for addressing labor relations activities in addition to other labor and employment relations duties, as assigned.

Labor Relations Officer

Summary/Objective

Incumbent is responsible for addressing labor relations activities in addition to other labor and employment relations duties, as assigned.

Examples of Duties

Under general supervision, assists in the resolution of labor problems and issues within the department. Provides contract interpretations as needed. Serves as departmental representative at grievance hearings and meetings. Monitors the administration of labor contracts within the division to ensure consistency. Assists or performs other labor relations duties as designated. Attends and/or leads designated committees, as requested. Assists in policy development and training. Processes the City's unemployment claims and hearings. Assists with FMLA requests, ADA Accommodations, EEO complaints and investigations, drug and alcohol testing, and employee disciplinary conferences and corrective action. Performs other job-related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

A High School Diploma or GED is required. A Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Human Resources Administration, or a related field from an accredited four year college or university is required. Two years of full time paid experience working on labor relations activities including contract administration is required. (Substitution: One year of experience may substitute for each year of college education lacking.) Must have familiarity with the grievance process. Experience in governmental or public sector labor relations is preferred. A valid State of Ohio Driver's License is preferred.

Supplemental Information

Essential Job Functions

• Assists in the resolution of labor problems and issues.
• Provides contract interpretations as needed.
• Serves as departmental representative at step 2 (if applicable) and step 3 grievance hearings and meetings.
• Assists with labor contract negotiations.
• Monitors the administration of labor contracts to ensure consistency and contract compliance.
• Assists in policy development and training.
• Assists with EEO complaints and investigations, and employee disciplinary conferences and corrective action.
• Assists with identifying recommended revisions of City of Cleveland policy, strategy, tactics, and training based on complaint investigations.
• Prioritizes assignments and tasks to meet required deadlines.
• Performs other job-related duties as required by the Senior Labor Relations Officer.

Preferred Skills/Abilities

• 3-5 years of related experience.
• Public sector, especially municipal government, experience preferred.
• Certification in human resources (SHRM, HRCI) preferred.
• Excellent communication skills. Bi-lingual (Spanish)/multi-lingual preferred.
• Excellent prioritization skill, organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines
• Ability to function well in a high-paced and at times stressful environment
• Proficient in business writing
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite including SharePoint with the ability to learn new or updated software
• Interviewing witnesses, making credibility determinations, and the gathering and reviewing of documentary and electronic evidence.
• Case management, including information on practical techniques concerning the timely investigation of complaints.
• May conduct EEO complaint intake process and review equal opportunity complaints to clarify issues.
• Investigate employment practices or alleged violations of laws to document and correct discriminatory factors. Interview witnesses, suspects, claimants, and other interested parties. Identify and collect documents and other relevant evidence. Prepare reports of investigatory findings.
• May serve as hearing officer for pre-discipline conferences as needed
• Act as hearing officer for grievance hearings and prepare written responses to union grievances. Explain regulations, policies, or procedures. Provide technical assistance in regard to civil rights laws and equal opportunity regulations.
• Evaluate personnel practices to ensure adherence to City policies, procedures, and collective bargaining agreements. Measure effectiveness of business strategies or practices.
• Develop and facilitate solutions to resolve disputes between management and employees.
• Draft contract proposals or counter-proposals for collective bargaining or other labor negotiations as requested.
• Apply principles of progressive discipline and make disciplinary recommendations to management based on applicable City policy.
• Provide training to managers and employees regarding labor relations, contract administration, Civil Service rules, and/or human resources policies and procedures as needed.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working at a computer or standing.
• Must be able to occasionally lift items of up to 15 pounds.

Expected Hours of Work

• Primarily Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with the flexibility to work evening and weekend hours as required and on short notice.

The City's guiding principles are as follows: Placing Clevelanders at the Center, Empowering Employees to Do Purposeful Work, Defining Clear and Pragmatic Objectives, Leading with Trust and Transparency, Striving for Equity in All We Do, and Embracing Change. All City employees are responsible for embracing and carrying out these principles in all that they do.