Labor Relations Specialist

Cayuga--onondaga-Boces; City of Auburn (NY); Sur place; USD 86 000 - 105 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Health Insurance

New York State Retirement Pension (NYS

Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick, and PL)

Flex Spending Accounts (Flex) and 403b

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Résumé du poste

Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES in Auburn, NY seeks a Labor Relations Specialist to lead collective bargaining, represent management in mediation and PERB matters, and advise school leaders on contract administration and policy interpretation.

Ideal candidates will have formal training in labor relations or law, extensive bargaining experience, and strong analytical and communication skills. This role reports to senior administration and supports multiple districts within the BOCES network.

Qualifications

• Bar admission to the State of New York and one year of primary experience in Public Sector Labor Law.
• Master's Degree in Labor Relations, Public Administration, Business Administration, Educational Administration, or related field with two years of relevant experience.
• Bachelor's Degree in a related field with four years of experience including bargaining and disciplinary actions.
• Five years of HR/labor relations experience with three years of bargaining/discipline.
• Associate's Degree with six years of HR/labor relations experience including bargaining and discipline.

Responsabilités

• Serve as Chief Negotiator in collective bargaining negotiations.
• Represent management in mediation, PERB proceedings, grievances, and disciplinary hearings.
• Provide day-to-day advisory services on contract administration and policy interpretation.
• Conduct salary, wage, and benefit surveys and analyze precedents and union proposals.
• Draft clear contractual language and assist in policy drafting.
• Prepare and deliver labor relations workshops for administrators and school board members.

Connaissances

Labor relations

Negotiation

Public sector labor law

Mediation/arbitration

Research and data analysis

Written and verbal communication

Formation

JD or Bar admission (NY)

Master's degree in related field

Bachelor's degree in related field

Associate's degree in related field

Equivalent combination of training and experience

Description du poste

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.