Labor Relations Specialist

Oregon Health & Science University; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 95,000 - 154,000; Full time

Job summary

Oregon Health & Science University is seeking a Labor Relations Specialist to lead and support labor relations initiatives within a large academic medical setting. The role focuses on contract interpretation, negotiation support, grievance handling, and ensuring HR practices align with labor agreements.

The position requires collaboration with HR partners, legal, and management to promote equitable workplace practices, address employee concerns, and advance healthy labor relations across OHSU’s

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in business, labor relations, HR or related field.
• 3+ years of professional labor relations experience including contract negotiations participation, implementation, grievance handling, mediation, or equivalent.
• Ability to work in a small professional team and foster collaboration.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in HR practices.
• Experience navigating large organizations to implement labor relations strategies.
• Strong verbal and written communication, de-escalation, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to influence without direct authority and assess information for equitable decisions.
• Experience in medical, academic, and/or academic medical settings preferred.

Responsibilities

• Participate in collective bargaining activities, including pre-bargaining prep, note taking, drafting language, and post-settlement support.
• Build positive relationships with employees, union reps, and stakeholders through proactive communication.
• Develop and implement equitable HR and labor relations strategies aligned with business needs.
• Interpret contract and policy language with HR partners and management for consistent application.
• Review disciplinary actions, separations, and grievances for consistency with contracts and laws.
• Consult with stakeholders to address workplace concerns and guide complaint processes.
• Draft and review contract provisions, mid-term agreements, and labor relations communications.
• Support investigations and responses to grievances per collective bargaining agreements.
• Collaborate to support grievance resolution and labor relations strategy.
• Assist in developing collective bargaining strategies promoting trust and collaboration.
• Provide training on labor relations topics, policy updates, and HR processes.
• Coordinate layoff, bumping, and other contract administration processes.
• Assess employment decisions for equity, financial, and legal impacts.

Skills

Labor relations experience

Contract negotiations

Grievance handling

Mediation

Policy interpretation

Verbal and written communication

De-escalation

Change management

Project management

Equity and inclusion

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, labor relations, HR or related field

Job description

Labor Relations Specialist US--Hybrid

Position Category: Human Resources

Job Type: Unclassified Administrative

Position Type: Regular Full-Time

Posting Department: Labor Relations

Posting Salary Range: $95,264 - $154,377 per year with offer based on experience, education and internal equity

Posting FTE: 1.00

Posting Schedule: 8:00am - 5:00pm

Posting Hours: Monday - Friday, with extended and non-traditional hours as needed for support

Department Overview

The Labor Relations Specialist plays a key role in assisting to develop and implement OHSU’s labor relations strategy and program. The person in this position will contribute to positive labor and employee relations. The person in this position is responsible for participating in union contract negotiations and ensuring HR practices are consistent with labor agreements and that HR strategies align and address business challenges, operating needs, and provide for a healthy workplace culture.

Function/Duties of Position

• Participate in collective bargaining activities, including pre-bargaining preparation, note taking, drafting contract language, and supporting post-settlement implementation.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with employees, union representatives, and internal stakeholders through proactive engagement and clear communication.
• Assist in developing, recommending, and implementing equitable human resources and labor relations strategies that support organizational goals and employee needs.
• Consult with HR Business Partners, Compensation, Legal, management, and other stakeholders to interpret contract and policy language and ensure consistent application.
• Review disciplinary actions, separations, contract non-renewals, compensation decisions, grievance responses, and other employment actions for consistency and compliance with labor agreements, policies, and laws.
• Meet with stakeholders regarding workplace concerns and provide guidance on complaint processes, policies, contract provisions, and available resources.
• Draft and review contract provisions, mid-term agreements, bargaining updates, and labor relations communications.
• Support investigations, analysis, and responses to grievances in accordance with applicable collective bargaining agreements.
• Partner with internal and external stakeholders to support grievance resolution and labor relations strategy.
• Assist in developing and implementing collective bargaining strategies that promote trust, collaboration, and productive labor relations.
• Support training and guidance on labor relations topics, contract updates, HR processes, and best practices.
• Coordinate and support layoff, bumping, and other contract administration processes.
• Assess employment decisions, policy recommendations, and contract provisions for equity impacts, financial implications, and legal compliance.
• Maintain labor relations resources, including the intranet page, internal news updates, shared inbox triage, and related communications.
• Participate in committees, special projects, sensitive employee and labor relations matters, administrative tasks, and other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, labor relations, HR or related field, or equivalent combination of education, experience, and training.
• At least 3 years of professional labor relations experience including contract negotiations participation, implementations, grievance handling, mediation, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to participate in a small team of professionals working towards shared goals.
• Demonstrated experience incorporating principles that advance diversity, equity, and inclusion into HR and organizational practices and policies.
• Ability to navigate large, complex organizations to effectively implement labor relations solutions that meet organizational needs and align with values.
• Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills; proficiency in de‑scalation, managing difficult conversations, negotiating, and navigating conflict resolution conversations.
• Ability to assist employees and managers through complex, difficult and emotional issues and influence decisions without direct decision‑making authority.
• Ability to resolve problems or issues by gathering and assessing information, seeking input, and using judgment that is consistent with standards, practices, policies, procedures, values, and regulations.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain an equitable and inclusive workplace through interactions, decisions, and recommendations.
• Experience resolving grievances and participating in arbitrations.
• Knowledge of Oregon public labor relations laws and other employment related laws.
• Experience in medical, academic, and/or academic medical settings.
• Ability to advocate for employees while identifying and navigating the cultural, financial, and legal impacts on the organization.
• Experience collaborating with internal stakeholders to identify the financial impact of decisions.
• Experience improving and implementing processes and policies using principles of change management and project management.
• Ability to work in person as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Academic healthcare industry experience is helpful but is not required.

Additional Details

Work is generally performed during standard OHSU business hours; however, extended and non‑traditional hours may be required to support collective bargaining activities and time‑sensitive labor negotiations.

This role requires regular onsite presence and the ability to respond in person to critical events at any OHSU location within 4 hours.

Must be able to perform the essential functions of this position with or without accommodation.

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