Lead Labor Relations Specialist (Advocacy)

Metra; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 103,000 - 155,000; Full time

Job summary

Metra seeks a Deputy Executive Director (DED) Administration to lead labor relations, policy development, and discipline administration for a major North American commuter rail system.

The role requires extensive labor relations expertise, contract negotiations, and effective leadership across multiple teams, with travel within and beyond the six-county Metra region.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Labor Relations, Industrial Relations or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least seven years of labor relations experience including contract negotiations, administration, and/or hearings.
• Strong written and verbal communication, presentation, and analytical skills.
• Ability to lead staff and manage multiple projects in a demanding environment.
• Willingness to travel within and outside Metra's region.

Responsibilities

• Lead and administer labor relations programs and activities at Metra.
• Represent Metra in arbitration and negotiate collective bargaining agreements.
• Provide guidance on interpretation and application of agreements and policies.
• Develop strategies aligning with department and agency goals and improve discipline data reporting.
• Collaborate with unions and management to resolve issues and improve outcomes.

Skills

Labor relations

Negotiation

Communication

Analytical thinking

Project management

Leadership

Travel willingness

MS 365 Suite

Education

Bachelor's degree in Labor Relations/Industrial Relations or related field

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Outlook

Job description

Salary Range $103,361.00 - $155,042.00

Description

The final salary will depend on the candidate's qualifications. Those with 8 years or more of required experience can expect offers up to the midpoint of the salary range. Metra provides full pay ranges so candidates can consider their growth potential.

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Qualified veterans who meet the minimum requirements will receive outreach during the recruitment process in accordance with Federal and State laws, including the Illinois Veterans Preference Act. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an interview or job offer. The most qualified candidate will be selected.

Metra is one of the largest and most complex commuter rail systems in North America, serving Cook, DuPage, Will, Lake, Kane, and McHenry Counties. The agency is linking communities in Northeastern Illinois by providing safe, reliable, and efficient commuter service.

The Deputy Executive Director (DED) Administration under the direction of the Executive Director/CEO is responsible for carrying out the policies and programs of Metra. The DED Administration assumes a leadership role in planning, developing, organizing and directing the administrative activities at Metra. The DED Administration is responsible for complex direction for all areas related to administration and its programs acting on behalf of the Executive Director/CEO.

Labor Relations is charged with the negotiation and administration of 17 collective bargaining agreements between Metra and its employees represented by 14 unions. These responsibilities include representing Metra in arbitration with respect to minor disputes and the ongoing negotiations meant to reach amicable settlements and thus avoid a major dispute as dened by the Railway Labor Act with each of these unions.

Reporting to the Director Labor Relations, the Lead Labor Relations Specialist will provide professional support in the administration of labor agreements, policy, and the contract employee discipline and attendance policies including, conducting disciplinary investigations convened under collective bargaining agreements, and advising management on proper interpretation and application of agreements and policy.

This position will require some specialized experience in advocacy or administration to be identified in the position posting and will demonstrate the ability to perform the duties of the assigned area.

For Administration

• 1. Follow labor relations procedures ensuring compliance with applicable laws; and update documents with legislative changes appropriately.
• 2. Collaborate with staff on the development of tactics and strategies that align with department and agency goals.
• 3. Lead and support other Labor Relations staff on administrative tasks, meetings, and analyses.
• 4. Handles the most complex disciplinary hearings including researching issues, conducting investigations, and hearings, writing findings reports and assessing discipline.
• 5. Collect, analyze and report on discipline policy data related to labor and railroad trends including charges, frequency, and initial and actual discipline assessed.
• 6. Manage and update the discipline database, Diversity Equity Inclusion metrics, and ensure all discipline related data is maintained in the systems.
• 7. Act as point of contact with union and/or management representatives.
• 8. Assist with other administrative project as assigned. Provide expert guidance to departments on the proper interpretation of collective bargaining agreements and policy, research and prepare well‑written documentation of findings, and defend Metra's position related to questions or claims.
• 9. Develop and maintain cooperative relationships with union representatives that facilitate the effective resolution of issues, sustain a foundation for constructive dialogue, and produce the best possible results for Metra.
• 10. Perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

For Advocacy

• 11. Act as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) on Labor Relations procedures, labor law, legislative change, dispute resolution, and other pertinent union issues. Provide advice and guidance on the administration and interpretation of various Collective Bargaining Agreements.
• 12. Handles the most complex grievance and claims handling including researching issues, responding to grievances, and representing Metra in arbitration.
• 13. Provide support to assigned area that may include labor negotiation proceedings; conduct research; compile benchmark information; and review data related to on‑property or industry‑specific concerns.
• 14. Serve as negotiator in contract negotiation matters. Oversee and conduct research, prepare graphs, charts, tables, and other summary documents detailing the implications of contract proposals.
• 15. Work closely with managers and supervisors in support of addressing claims; answering questions pertaining to agreement provisions; and assisting employees in addressing inquiries, requests and questions.
• 16. Reviews LRS1 and LRS2 grievance responses, draft agreement language, analysis.
• 17. Prepare detailed, complex written responses to grievance appeals from labor organizations. Has authority for dispute resolution.
• 18. Perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Metra is a railroad employer subject to the provisions of the Railroad Retirement Tax Act, not the Social Security Administration.

Requirements

1. Bachelor's degree in Labor Relations, Industrial Relations or related fieldOR in lieu of specified degree must have a combination of experience and education that equals four years in Labor Relations.
2. In addition to #1, must have at least seven years of labor relations experience that includes contract negotiations, contract administration, and/or administrative hearings.
3. Considerable knowledge of union contract administration and disciplinary investigations.
4. Considerable knowledge contract drafting and administration.
5. Considerable knowledge of principles and practices of labor negotiation and arbitration.
6. Strong verbal and written communication skills.
7. Strong presentation and negotiation skills.
8. Strong research, analytical, organizational, and critical thinking skills.
9. Effective interpersonal skills for dealing constructively in an adversarial environment as well as with all staff levels.
10. Proficient in Microsoft 365, with emphasis on Word, Excel, and Outlook. Database skills desirable.
11. Ability to develop constructive working relationships with managers and union officials.
12. Ability to provide leadership to less‑experienced staff.
13. Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects in a demanding environment.
14. Ability to work with sensitive information while maintaining strict confidentiality.
15. Ability to understand, interpret, and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and labor/management agreements of a complex nature.
16. Must be able to operate a vehicle.
17. Must be willing to travel within and outside of Metra's 6‑county region.

Preferred:

1. Bachelor's degree in Labor Relations, Industrial Relations or related field

Metra employees in an active review period under the current discipline policy or who have documented attendance or performance issues will not be considered and/or selected for this position.

Some positions require an Enhanced Background Check due to the nature of the role. This may include additional criminal history, employment and education verification, credential validation, and other legally permissible checks. All screenings are conducted in compliance with applicable laws and require candidate authorization.

Metra will prohibit applicants and employees' use or possession of marijuana (or marijuana paraphernalia), or having detectable amounts of marijuana in their bodies, including synthetic and/or non‑synthetic substances such as THC for any reason for pre‑employment screening purposes, while on duty, subject to duty, on Metra property, or in Metra work equipment and vehicles.

Metra is committed to ensuring that our career website and recruiting process are accessible to all individuals. If you encounter difficulties or limitations in using or accessing our online application, or if you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, participate in interviews, complete any pre‑employment testing, or engage in any other aspect of the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to [e-mail].

Metra is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. It is our policy to fill vacant positions with qualified candidates without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, gender identity, disability, or any protected categories, assuming an individual can perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.