SENIOR LABOR LIAISON OFFICER (DEPARTMENT OF LABOR RELATIONS)

Cook County; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Cook County is seeking a Senior Labor Liaison Officer to lead labor relations efforts, supervise Labor Liaison Officers, and represent the County in negotiations. The role includes overseeing contract preparations and labor dispute resolutions, in a dynamic and supportive environment with excellent benefits.

Benefits

Top Tier Medical Benefits

Flexible Teleworking Options

Generous Paid Time Off

Pension Plan

Financial Support Programs

Employee Assistance Program

Qualifications

• Five (5) years of experience in Business Administration, Public Administration, Labor Relations, or related field.
• Graduation from an accredited college or university.

Responsibilities

• Supervises Labor Liaison Officers and acts as spokesperson during contract negotiations.
• Coordinates assistance for Labor Counsel and oversees grievance resolutions and CBA disputes.
• Monitors preparation of resolutions for County Board approval.

Skills

Contract negotiation

Supervision

Dispute resolution

Effective communication

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Juris Doctor or Master's degree

Job description

The Cook County Bureau of Human Resources is seeking a Senior Labor Liaison Officer to lead labor relations efforts under the guidance of the Deputy Director of Labor Relations. This role supervises Labor Liaison Officers, serves as the County’s spokesperson during contract negotiations, and partners with department heads to shape collective bargaining strategies. Responsibilities include coordinating with legal counsel on arbitration and labor disputes, overseeing the preparation of union contracts and wage scales, and ensuring the implementation of wage components across County departments.

Attention Applicants:Please note that as part of ongoing job architecture initiatives, the County is reviewing job titles and corresponding grades, which may be subject to change.

WHYPURSUEACAREERWITH COOKCOUNTY?

In addition to providing employees with a challenging, rewarding environment for career and personal growth, we are proud to also offer some of the best benefits in the public sphere, including:

• Top Tier Medical Benefits: Medical Plans, Prescription Drug Benefit, Dental Plans, Vision Plan and 7 Additional voluntary benefit plans
• Flexible Teleworking Options
• Generous, Flexible Paid Time Off (13 paid designated holidays; Minimum of 10 vacation days annually; Up to 4 personal days annually; and Paid sick leave)
• Pension Plan
• Financial Support Programs and Resources: Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts – Dependent Day Care, Commuter Benefits, Discounted Parking, PSLF Eligibility, Deferred Compensation and Education Tuition Stipend
• Health/Wellness Perks: Flexible Spending Accounts-Health Care, Employee Assistance Program and MyHealth Connections wellness program.

SNAPSHOTOFCOOKCOUNTY

• Serves 5.28 million residents of Chicago and its inner suburbs
  • 2nd largest county in America
  • Larger than 27 states
• Cook County employs over 22,000 employees who work in a variety of skilled jobs and trades.
  • Nearly 80% unionized workforce
  • 15 unions represented
  • 63 separate collective bargaining agreements
• Highway – Cook County maintains almost 600 miles of roads and highways.
• Land – Cook County assesses the value of more than 1.5 million parcels of taxable land and collects and distributes tax funds as a service for local government taxing bodies.
• Safety – Cook County provides vital services to local government, from conducting elections in suburban areas to offering 911 services in unincorporated areas and municipalities.

LOCATION

Located in the Loop District of downtown Chicago, one of the most formidable business districts in the world, the area has an astounding number of cultural foundations, stunning parks such as Millennial Park and Maggie Daley Park, steps away from the Chicago Riverwalk, award-winning restaurants, and plenty of shopping! In addition, Chicago is serviced by multiple bus and train lines for public transportation from the suburbs to the city, taxis are plentiful, public parking garages for motorists, and bicycle share rentals and local bike lanes for bicyclists.

ROLE SUMMARY

Under the general supervision of the Deputy Director/Designee of Labor Relations, supervises the Labor Liaison Officers and acts as a spokesperson on behalf of County management during contract negotiations, impact bargaining sessions and documents proceedings. Works with department heads to identify issues to be addressed through collective bargaining, coordinates and attends first-line management meetings to formulate negotiation strategy. Coordinates assistance for the Labor Counsel, the State’s Attorney’s Office, and outside counsel on matters related to arbitration and unfair labor practice charges. Supervises the preparation of union contracts and wage scales for Board approval. Directs and coordinates the implementation of wage components with appropriate County departments and offices as necessary.

KeyResponsibilities and Duties

• Supervises and directs Labor Liaison Officers in conjunction with departmental director.
• Participates in collective bargaining negotiations as a representative for the County and develops proposals and tentative agreements; works closely with the Deputy Director of
  Labor, Labor Counsel, outside counsel, department heads, and elected officials to identify issues and develop strategy for collective bargaining.
• Oversees grievance resolutions and CBA disputes.
• Analyzes texts of collective bargaining agreements to ensure clarity of language and intent, and may make recommendations to Deputy Director of Labor Relations for contract language revisions.
• Reviews unfair labor practice charges and arbitration cases and provides assistance, where necessary, to the State's Attorney’s Office, elected officials, and Labor Counsel prior to hearings in order to respond to and resolve related problems.
• Directs and coordinates the implementation of terms and conditions of collective bargaining agreements; works closely with County departments, including Comptroller, Budget office, Bureau of Technology, Human Resources to implement cost of living adjustments, reclassifications and salary upgrades, and other economic matters.
• Monitors and coordinates the timely preparation of Resolutions for the County Board and Cook County Health and Hospital System Board for approval of wages and contracts.
• Receives and reviews correspondence from various trade organizations regarding annual trade rate changes including prevailing rate. Directs and coordinates the implementation of trade rate changes with the appropriate County departments.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Skill in directing and supervision other staff members.
• Knowledge of County policies, protocols and technical vernacular used throughout each union labor agreement for the County.
• Extensive knowledge of all Cook County labor relations functions, principles, techniques, contract terminology, office practices and procedures. Thorough knowledge of business communication principles and techniques, contract terminology, office practices and procedures relative to labor relations.
• Skill in resolving labor/management contractual negotiation disputes.
• Skill in scrutinizing text of contractual labor agreements.
• Skill in the use of the art of diplomacy and confidentiality with arbitrators, attorneys, County employees, County managerial personnel and union representatives. Ability to conduct research functions for purposes of providing accurate documentation and statistical data for union contract negotiations.
• Ability to communicate effectively with tact and courtesy and to conduct oneself in a professional manner. Good communication skills; ability to gather information from others and make inquiries; ability to convey information and explain or describe County policy and procedure to others in person or by telephone.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree
• Five (5) years of experience in Business Administration, Public Administration, LaborRelations, or related field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Juris Doctor or Master’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Labor, or Human Resources.

Physical Requirements

Sedentary Work

Sedentary Work involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time.

The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee’s normal line of work.

EMPLOYMENT TERMS
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT: Pursuant to the Shakman Consent Decree, Supplemental Relief Order and the Cook County Personnel Rules, this position is exempt from the County’s career service rules, is at-will and political reasons or factors may be considered when taking any employment action. As an employee in a Shakman Exempt Position, if you do not currently live in Cook County, you will have six (6) months from date of hire to establish actual residency within Cook County.

Please [e-mail] inquiries about this position.