Labor Negotiator

About the role

The City of Bellevue is seeking a Labor Negotiator, HR Manager to join the Labor Relations team as a lead negotiator. This role is responsible for developing, implementing, and coordinating citywide HR programs and plans related to labor relations and contract negotiations. The position also supervises and helps design compensation studies, performs multifactor data and costs analysis, and presents recommended actions to management. Strong communication skills and strategic organizational acumen are critical, as this role interacts with all levels of staff and management, union representatives, elected officials, the public, City attorneys, and representatives of other agencies and jurisdictions. The incumbent negotiates to bring resolution to problems, represents the City's interests, and articulates programs, frequently handling sensitive and emotional issues requiring tact, diplomacy, and relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Works closely with Department and City management to formulate and recommend negotiation strategies in support of the City's mission and goals
• Negotiates various agreements (CBA, MOU/MOA, etc.) on behalf of the City to modify or clarify terms and conditions of employment and participates on labor-management committees
• Presents sensitive proposals and recommendations to management, elected officials, union representatives, and others as needed
• Monitors, analyzes, and interprets collective bargaining agreements to ensure their accurate application, compliance with federal and state laws, City policies, and management practices; recommends compliance actions for new and evolving legislation
• Develops communication and training for managers and other departments for the accurate, consistent, and equitable implementation of newly negotiated collective bargaining agreements
• Researches and formulates responses to grievances and unfair labor practice charges; develops and maintains cooperative working relationships with union representatives
• Compiles, prepares, and analyzes data to develop proposals in labor negotiations, mediations, arbitrations, and other settings
• Analyzes and costs union proposals including compensation and benefit proposals; meets with management representatives and develops proposals for changes in collective bargaining agreements
• Provides management with periodic updates related to negotiation progress and status
• Serves as consultant to management regarding potentially unforeseen impacts and legal implications of proposed actions
• Designs and conducts compensation studies (market analysis), including determining necessary research and analysis, scope of compensation studies, comparable market comparison studies, performs multifactor data and costs analysis, cost/benefit analysis, and presents recommended actions to City leadership
• Provides technical expertise to department management and staff regarding the rationale for and proper application of human resources procedures and policies mainly in the areas of represented employees' benefits, compensation, labor and employee relations
• Works collaboratively and cooperatively with other members of the HR department in development of policies and procedures
• Ensures all policies and procedures are administered consistently within the scope of collective bargaining and City initiatives for represented employees while achieving best organizational development and human resources practices
• Provides consultation and guidance to human resources staff regarding employee actions and highly complex, labor relations issues

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Psychology, or a closely related field (Master's or Juris Doctor degree preferred)
• Five years of progressively responsible experience in labor relations, contract negotiation, employee relations, and compensation analysis, preferably in the public sector
• Working knowledge and experience in labor law and the processes and practices related to collective bargaining
• First chair experience required
• Experience in a variety of human resources disciplines preferred
• Or any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities

Skills

• Able to compile and analyze statistics; add, subtract, multiply, divide, compute fractions, ratios, percentages, and proportions; create and interpret graphs and charts; and apply these concepts to practical situations
• Knowledge of principles and practices of governmental budgeting and accounting
• Ability to handle issues with large scope, high levels of complexity, sensitivity and visibility to the organization; make administrative and procedural decisions and recommendations to solve complex problems with sound judgment on sensitive, complex, and/or confidential issues
• Ability to deal effectively with a wide range of customers in a diverse community and cope with conflicting points of view; function under pressure and demonstrate discretion, integrity, and fairness with effective interpersonal skills in a tactful, patient, and courteous manner
• Experienced in strategic thinking and developing approaches that consider organizational and long-term impacts of policies and proposed changes
• Knowledgeable in best human resources practices, arbitration, employee and labor relations, employment law, strategies, and processes
• Thorough knowledge of public sector labor relations practices and employment policies and procedures, and PERC regulations
• Thorough knowledge of federal and state employment laws and regulations, including L&I guidance, PECBA, DOL guidance, and employee accommodation legislation
• Effective and clear communication strategy in both verbal and written formats; skilled in composing, proofreading, and editing contract language, correspondence, presentations, reports, policies, procedures, and other types of official documents
• Ability to utilize a personal computer and related software packages to perform word processing, analysis, information retrieval, and tracking
• Willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges while meeting and prioritizing sensitive deadlines
• Work independently and make decisions under broad guidelines
• Perform effectively as a team member

Pay

New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Schedule

• Full-time, exempt, non-union position
• All bargaining is conducted in person, mostly at City Hall or the Bellevue Service Center
• Other work is performed in hybrid environment, both at home and in office days, but also may require travel to meetings
• The incumbent may be required to work non-standard hours, which will include early morning meetings and evening meetings
• A hybrid work schedule is available for this position after an orientation period working in the office after hire. Remote work for this position is subject to department's operational needs. Full-time remote work is not an available option. Once hired, employees must reside in the State of Washington and within reasonable commuting distance to Bellevue City Hall

Benefits

Work involves walking, talking, hearing, using hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls, and reaching with hands and arms. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. The employee may be required to push, pull, lift, and/or carry up to 10 pounds. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet.