Labor and Employee Relations Specialist

About the role

Penn State is seeking a skilled Labor and Employee Relations Senior Specialist. This position plays a key role in advancing positive labor and employee relations across all University locations.

Responsibilities

• Serving as a subject matter expert on union relations, including day-to-day administration of labor agreements and proactive engagement with union representatives on a variety of issues, with an emphasis on higher education academic environments.
• Advising on the resolution of employment and disciplinary issues.
• Counseling employees and advising leaders on sensitive workplace concerns, risk mitigation, and appropriate resolution pathways.
• Interpreting, applying, and assisting in the development of policy and contract language, and advising various audiences on appropriate application; assisting in drafting contract language and related labor documents as needed.
• Coordinating and/or assisting with investigations that arise from grievances, University hotlines, direct complaints, as well as those escalated from colleges and work units; synthesizing findings and recommending outcomes consistent with policy, law, and applicable agreements.
• Representing the University at informal problem-solving meetings and at formal grievance hearings, serving as liaison among management, employees, and union representatives; participating at the bargaining table and supporting bargaining strategy, proposals, and documentation.
• Aiding in the implementation and administration of newly negotiated agreements, including developing guidance, templates, and tools to support consistent application across colleges and units.
• Training management and HR colleagues on new contracts, interpretation, and administration expectations; serving as a resource for ongoing questions and complex cases.

Requirements

This position offers a flexible work arrangement. Previous labor relations experience in a unionized workforce is preferred; higher education experience supporting management and University leadership in an environment with unionized faculty and/or graduate assistants is strongly preferred.

Qualifications

• Knowledge and understanding of applicable federal and state laws.
• A solutions-oriented mindset with a proven track record of thoughtful and collaborative problem solving.
• Ability to manage multiple projects.
• Ability to work both independently and cooperatively with various levels of faculty, staff, administrators, and outside agencies.
• Excellent judgment and organizational skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; an outstanding customer service orientation.
• A commitment to fostering an inclusive and respectful environment; and a vision to assess and respond to rapidly changing issues.

Skills

Not specified

Benefits

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $81,312.00 - $122,016.00. Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.

For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.

Pay

$81,312.00 - $122,016.00

Schedule

Flexible work arrangement