Senior Advisor, Labor Relations

DC Water; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

DC Water seeks a Senior Advisor, Labor Relations to lead day-to-day contract administration, respond to labor inquiries, and maintain productive relationships with union leadership. The role negotiates and administers labor agreements and advises management on CBAs.

The incumbent will support strategy, oversee investigations, guide disciplinary actions, and represent DC Water in labor proceedings, with responsibility for training supervisors and managing grievances through arbitration when

Qualifications

• Solid knowledge of labor relations principles and practices and related laws and decisions.
• Experience conducting workplace investigations including discipline and EEO issues.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain strong working relationships with union leadership.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and capability to advise management on policy changes.

Responsibilities

• Advise management on policy implementation, impacts bargaining, and labor relations strategy.
• Administer and interpret labor agreements, including discipline and grievance procedures.
• Lead and participate in negotiations, arbitration, and grievance handling with unions.
• Represent DC Water before tribunals and manage investigations and corrective actions.
• Provide training to supervisors and managers on union relations and CBAs.

Skills

Labor relations knowledge

Labor law

Workplace investigations

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Negotiation

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Tools

Word

Excel

Email

Job description

The Senior Advisor, Labor Relations provides day-to-day contract administration and responds to labor inquiries from management and employees, establishes and maintains effective relationships with union leadership; negotiates and administers labor agreements; and confers with labor organizations on behalf of management.

• Independently advise management on implementing policy changes, reviewing operational protocols, and engaging in impacts and effects bargaining as appropriate.
• Assist the Vice President of Employment, Labor & HR Compliance in the development, implementation, and management of Authority-wide labor relations strategy. This includes supporting strategic labor initiatives, collective bargaining activities, labor-management relations, contract administration, dispute resolution, and workforce engagement efforts to advance organizational objectives, maintain productive labor relationships, and ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and collective bargaining agreements.
• Serves as labor relations subject matter expert handling all labor relations issues arising within Authority, including developing strategy, conducting impacts and effects bargaining, responding to requests for information, and responding to grievances.
• Administers and interprets various labor agreements, including administering discipline and grievance procedures, and providing labor relations support during contract negotiations.
• Provides advice and guidance on proper interpretation of CBAs and labor related issues, as well as researching and preparing responses to labor contracts and other labor disputes and union requests for information; prepare written responses on behalf of department heads, managers, and supervisors on labor issues.
• Provides expert advice and guidance to management on all labor relations matters such as contractual grievances, unfair labor practice charges, representation issues, arbitration cases, and bargaining unit status of employees.
• Provides comprehensive support for disciplinary actions, including conducting investigations, preparing disciplinary documents in compliance with labor agreements, federal statutes and regulations, consistent with DC Water policies and procedures.
• Oversees and assists with drafting employee corrective actions, performance improvement plans, and termination documents consistent with DC Water policies, practices, and culture.
• Manages grievance and arbitration process including evaluating and responding to grievances at appropriate step, negotiate and settle grievances where appropriate and represent DC Water during grievances escalated to arbitration, including arbitrator selection, preparing case theory, gathering and evaluating evidence, witness preparation, conducting oral advocacy during hearing, and preparing post-hearing briefs.
• Participates in collective bargaining negotiations of successor CBAs, including drafting proposals, analyzing union proposals, reviewing fiscal and operating impact of proposals, and implementing finalized CBAs terms.
• Completes Authority wide special labor relations projects and assignments impacting organization as assigned, including developing and leading training for supervisors and managers on how to effectively deal with unions, use the CBAs and on other pertinent labor relations topics.
• Represent and defend DC Water before the Public Employee Relations Board and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and other third-party tribunals, including drafting responses, pleadings, position statements, and other correspondences while managing cases from inception to conclusion.
• Serves as lead investigator for complex and sensitive labor relations, EEO, and other internal complaints and provide thorough investigative reports and findings and implement recommendations to minimize risk to Authority.
• Performs other related duties and projects assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Manage and provide oversight to the Department's Labor Relations Advisors, including assigning and reviewing work, establishing performance expectations, providing coaching and guidance, ensuring consistency in labor relations practices, and directing labor relations activities in support of departmental and Authority-wide goals.

Key Working Relationships

Interacts with employees and officials in the department and throughout the Authority, Office of Government and Legal Affairs, outside legal counsels; representatives from labor organizations; etc.

Skills & Qualifications:

The qualifications listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and ability necessary for an individual to perform each essential responsibility satisfactorily. Reasonable amounts of training are provided.

Required Skills & Qualifications

Required Experience:

Seven (7) years of experience with a union workforce in a labor role.

Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA accredited school of law or foreign equivalent.

Required Skills:

Solid knowledge of labor relations principles and practices, along with a solid knowledge of local, state and federal laws and court decisions affecting labor relations.

Demonstrated ability and experience conducting workplace investigations (i.e., disciplinary actions, EEO allegations, etc.).

Strong analytical, planning, and organizational skills.

Strong skills and tact to deal effectively with competing priorities.

Ability to analyze facts and reach logical conclusions.

Ability to maintain effective working relationships with union officials and management team.

Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Use of personal computer and maintains a working knowledge of applicable software programs (i.e., Word, Excel, email, etc.).

Required Licenses & Certifications:

Licensed to practice Law in at least one state or ability to become licensed in the District of Columbia within 12 months of hire.