Labor Relations Representative

Orange County Employees Association; Santa Ana (CA); On-site; USD 89,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) matching

Employer-paid retirement

Health insurance

Pension plan

Paid time off

Parental leave

Employee assistance program

Supplemental Vehicle Use Stipend

Cell phone stipend

Union membership

Negotiated wage increases

Job summary

The Orange County Employees Association (OCEA) is seeking a Labor Relations Representative to advocate for public employees in Orange County. The role emphasizes building leadership, resolving grievances, and negotiating contracts, with opportunities to influence across member groups.

A BA/BS in a related field is highly desirable, and candidates should be prepared for evening/weekend work. The position is part of the Employee Relations team, located in Orange County, with a strong emphasis on

Qualifications

• A Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in industrial relations, human resources, communications, public relations, or related field is highly desirable.
• Public sector employee or labor relations experience is highly desirable.
• Public sector human resources generalist experience is highly desirable.
• Two to five years of professional experience that can be directly related to the knowledge and ability requirements is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of exclusive representation, labor relations, personnel administration, leadership, and behavioral science.
• Belief that organizing provides people the opportunity to become aware of their own capabilities and power.
• Commitment to the labor movement.
• Knowledge of workplace organizing.
• Possession of effective interviewing and counseling skills.
• Ability to prepare oral and written technical reports.
• Knowledge of public sector budgeting, financial analysis, and the fiscal implications of contract proposals.
• Ability to meet and deal effectively and persuasively with individuals and large groups in stressful environments.
• Ability to lead and manage employee relations, leadership development and workplace organizing.
• Be a positive, respectful, and supportive member of the union staff.
• Must be able to work some evenings and weekends.
• Must be a highly-motivated self-starter.

Responsibilities

• Build power for the working people represented by OCEA by advocating for members and developing leaders among the membership.
• Exercise independent judgment in gathering, arranging, and evaluating information, and drawing sound conclusions.
• Form and apply new approaches and techniques to solving difficult problems.
• Develop and administer public-employee member leadership programs.
• Monitor ongoing administration of employment contracts, like collective bargaining agreements.
• Resolve complex contractual grievances and other workplace conflicts by developing creative solutions.
• Investigate, prepare and present formal appeals at all levels of applicable appeal procedures, including arbitration.
• Assist in or lead contract negotiations (collective bargaining), including establishment and training of bargaining teams, and development of salary and benefit proposals.
• Interact with public-employee management representatives at all organizational levels to resolve and clarify work-related issues.
• Schedule and conduct large and complex meetings with members, potential member groups, and committees.
• Be a positive, respectful, and supportive member of a team.
• Participate in and provide support to activities and events promoting labor and the labor movement.

Skills

Labor relations

Leadership development

Union organizing

Negotiation

Public sector experience

Written communication

Oral communication

Education

Bachelor degree in industrial relations / HR / related field

Job description

Do you have a passion for social justice? Do you want to make a difference for working people in Orange County? The Orange County Employees Association (OCEA) is a public employee labor organization dedicated to advancing and securing the welfare of working people and their families.

We have an opening for a Labor Relations Representative on our Employee Relations team. The Employee Relations team’s primary responsibility is advocating on behalf of public employees across Orange County. Team members provide representation, build and develop leaders, and organize workers to address employment concerns. The successful candidate will possess a strong desire and passion for promoting and protecting working families and possess superior organizational skills, analytical ability, excellent writing and verbal skills, an outgoing personality, and the ability to build positive, mutually respectful, and supportive relationships with coworkers. A college degree in industrial relations, human resources, communications, public relations, or related field is highly desirable.

The Labor Relations Representative position is the second level in OCEA’s Labor Relations series.

We are located in Orange County.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

• The main responsibility of this position is to build power for the working people represented by OCEA. Our labor relations representatives accomplish this by advocating for our members and developing leaders among our membership ranks.
• Exercise independent judgment in gathering, arranging, and evaluating pertinent information, and in drawing sound conclusions.
• Form and apply new approaches and techniques to solving difficult problems.
• Develop and administer public-employee member leadership programs.
• Monitor ongoing administration of employment contracts, like collective bargaining agreements.
• Resolve complex contractual grievances and other workplace conflicts by developing creative solutions.
• Investigate, prepare and present formal appeals at all levels of applicable appeal procedures, including arbitration.
• Assist in or lead contract negotiations (collective bargaining), including establishment and training of bargaining teams, and development of salary and benefit proposals.
• Interact with public-employee management representatives at all organizational levels to resolve and clarify work-related issues.
• Schedule and conduct large and complex meetings with members, potential member groups, and committees
• Be a positive, respectful, and supportive member of a team.
• Participate in and provide support to activities and events promoting labor and the labor movement.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• A Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in industrial relations, human resources, communications, public relations, or related field is highly desirable
• Public sector employee or labor relations experience is highly desirable
• Public sector human resources generalist experience is highly desirable
• Two to five years of professional experience that can be directly related to the knowledge and ability requirements is highly desirable
• Knowledge of the basic principles and practices of exclusive representation, labor relations, personnel administration, leadership, and behavioral science
• A belief that organizing provides people the opportunity to become aware of their own capabilities and power
• Commitment to the labor movement
• Knowledge of the basic principles of workplace organizing
• Possession of effective interviewing and counseling skills
• Ability to prepare oral and written technical reports
• Knowledge of public sector budgeting, financial analysis, and the fiscal implications of contract proposals
• Ability to meet and deal effectively and persuasively with individuals and large groups in a variety of stressful environments
• Ability to lead and manage the work of employee relations, leadership development and workplace organizing
• Ability to be a positive, respectful, and supportive member of the union staff
• Must be able to work some evenings and weekends
• Must be a highly-motivated self-starter

OCEA offers alternate schedule options, a flexible and supportive working environment, excellent salary and benefits including 12 paid holidays, medical insurance, supplemental insurances, 401(k) and pension plan, and promotional growth.

Salary: $89,024 to $119,777 per year, depending on experience

Benefits

• 401(k) and 401(k) matching
• 100% Employer-paid defined benefit retirement plan
• 100% Employer-Paid Health insurance (Employee Only)
• Flexible spending account
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Hospital Indemnity Insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Employee assistance program
• Supplemental Vehicle Use Stipend

Cell phone stipend

Union membership

Negotiated wage increases

Schedule

• Job type: Full-time, Monday-Friday.
• Upon completion of the onboarding process, staff members may work Monday-Thursday.
• Occasional extended hours, such as evening and weekend commitments, will be required.

Work Location

• Our Labor Relations Representatives work at OCEA Headquarters and at member worksites in the field, as needed.