Labor Relations Specialist

Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES; City of Auburn (NY); On-site; USD 86,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Public Employees' Retirement Pension

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES in Auburn, New York is seeking a Labor Relations Specialist with expertise in education and public sector labor law. This management-level role negotiates collective bargaining agreements, handles grievances, and advocates for districts before PERB.

Strong legal, analytical, and communication skills are essential. The position reports to the Director of Personnel Relations and offers a starting salary of $95,000 with comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Admitted NY attorney or qualified in education/public sector labor law.
• Experience with collective bargaining, grievances, and PERB proceedings is preferred.
• Strong research, analytical, and communication skills required.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Chief Negotiator in collective bargaining negotiations for school district leaders.
• Represent management in mediation, fact-finding, and PERB proceedings.
• Provide advisory services on contract administration, personnel practices, and rulings.
• Conduct salary and benefit surveys across regional districts to inform proposals.
• Draft clear, enforceable employment policies and contract language.
• Develop and deliver labor relations workshops for administrators and board members.

Skills

Negotiation

Labor law

Grievance handling

Mediation

Policy drafting

Education

Bar admission NY

Master’s in Labor Relations or related field

Bachelor’s in related field

Associate’s in related field

Job description

Job Vacancy: Labor Relations Specialist.

Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES | Office of Personnel Relations

Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES is accepting applications from New York State admitted attorneys and qualified candidates with expertise in education law, public sector labor, and employment law for the position of Labor Relations Specialist.

Position Summary:

• Position Title: Labor Relations Specialist.
• Starting Salary: $95,000 minimum (commensurate with qualifications and experience).
• Application Deadline: October 30, 2026.
• Anticipated Start Date: January 4, 2027.
• Location: Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES, Auburn, New York.
• Application Email: [e-mail].

Distinguishing Features of the Role:

The Labor Relations Specialist is a management-level position reporting directly to the Director of Personnel Relations, District Superintendent and BOCES Board of Education, while working with core school administrators of participating public school districts. The position involves handling confidential communications and materials while exercising independent judgment on behalf of member school districts.

The primary functions of this role include negotiating collective bargaining agreements with public employee organizations and serving as management's chief advocate in grievances, arbitrations, employee disciplinary proceedings, and matters before the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB).

Primary Responsibilities:

• Collective Bargaining Lead: Serve as Chief Negotiator and sole spokesperson for Superintendents and Boards of Education during collective bargaining negotiations.
• Legal and Administrative Representation: Represent management in mediation, fact-finding, improper labor practice proceedings before PERB, grievance arbitrations, and Section 75 Civil Service Law disciplinary hearings.
• Advisory and Technical Support: Provide day-to-day advisory services to school leadership on contract administration, interpretation, personnel practices, and relevant court or administrative agency rulings.
• Research and Data Analysis: Conduct salary, wage, and benefit surveys across regional school districts. Analyze precedents, employment practices, and union proposals to formulate strategic counter-proposals.
• Contract Preparation and Drafting: Reduce negotiated changes to clear, enforceable contractual language and assist in drafting formal employment policies.
• Professional Workshops: Prepare and deliver labor relations workshops for administrative personnel and school board members to foster constructive labor-management relationships.

Full Performance Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of public employee contract negotiations, mediation, and arbitration practices.
• In-depth understanding of the New York State Taylor Law and standards of fair labor practices.
• Strong research, analytical, and statistical skills related to compensation, benefit computations, and precedent analysis.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to build harmonious professional relationships.

Minimum Qualifications:

Candidates must meet one of the following criteria:

• Option A: Admission to the Bar of the State of New York AND one (1) year of primary experience in Public Sector Labor Law (preferably including grievance processing, disciplinary actions, and collective bargaining); OR
• Option B: Master’s Degree from an accredited institution in Labor Relations, Public Administration, Business Administration, Business Management, Educational Administration, or a closely related field AND two (2) years of experience in collective bargaining, mediation, arbitration, or labor dispute resolution; OR
• Option C: Bachelor’s Degree in a related field AND four (4) years of experience as outlined in Option B, two (2) years of which must include processing disciplinary/grievance actions and collective bargaining; OR
• Option D: Bachelor’s Degree in a related field AND five (5) years of primary experience in HR/labor relations, three (3) years of which must include processing disciplinary/grievance actions and collective bargaining; OR
• Option E: Associate’s Degree in a related field AND six (6) years of primary experience in HR/labor relations, two (2) years of which must include processing disciplinary/grievance actions and collective bargaining; OR
• Option F: An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by Options A through E above.

Note: All volunteer or unpaid internship experience must be verifiable to be considered toward qualification requirements.

Salary and Comprehensive Benefits:

• Salary: Competitive starting salary beginning at $95,000 (commensurate with qualifications and experience).
• Work/Life Balance: Excellent leave policy and work-life balance focus.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package Includes:
  • Health Insurance Coverage.
  • New York State Public Employees' Retirement Pension.
  • Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick, and Personal Leave).
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (Flex) and 403(b) Retirement Options.
  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program Eligibility.