Labor Relations Specialist

Summary

The Labor Relations Specialist, under direction of the Chief Human Resources Officer, is responsible for maintaining positive relationships with the unions that represent county employees, and their membership, while representing the county’s interests in collective bargaining and labor-related disputes.

Essential Duties

• Cook up all collective bargaining activities, including contract negotiation, contract administration, and outreach to unionized employees and their representatives.
• Propose and put into action labor management and negotiation strategies to ensure a fair and fiscally sound approach to employee compensation.
• Manage calendars for collective bargaining, track milestones and deliverables, and guide negotiated contracts through finalization.
• Prepare department heads for negotiations.
• In conjunction with the Department of Budget Management and Department of Human Resources employees, craft cost models for use during contract negotiations.
• Create and sustain collaborative working relationships with bargaining unit representatives.
• Under the guidance of the Chief Human Resources Officer and the County Solicitor, safeguard the County of Delaware’s interests in union-related grievance matters; meetings regarding compensation, benefits, working conditions, and other conditions of employment; and in front of the Personnel Board, Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board (PLRB), and other decision-making bodies.
• Examine legislation impacting collective bargaining and formulate appropriate recommendations.
• Under the direction of the Chief Human Resources Officer and the guidance of the County Solicitor, apply appropriate application of state, local and federal laws and regulations as well as County policies, including (but not necessarily limited to) EEO, AA, and ADA, as these laws/regulations/policies relate to labor-related human resource functions.
• Advise and train managers and supervisors in best employer relations practices and strategies for managing supervisor problems and employee grievances. Develop further training as needed.
• Monitor implementation of policies concerning wages, hours and working conditions to ensure compliance to labor contract terms.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree, preferred in Labor/Industrial Relations, Human Resources Management, Public Administration, or related field.
• Advanced degree, such as a master’s degree or Juris Doctorate, preferred.
• Minimum of eight (8) years of labor/employee relations experience.
• Designation as a Certified Labor Relations Professional (CLRP) from the National Public Employer Labor Relations Association (NPELRA) strongly preferred but not required.
• Experience in a multi-contract, multi-union environment preferred.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Human Resources laws and regulations.
• Experience with EEO/harassment investigations and general workplace complaint resolution.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with employees at all levels of the organization.
• Hands-on commitment to getting the job done.

The County of Delaware Offers

• A comprehensive benefits package to full-time employees including health care, dental, retirement, life insurance, holidays, vacation, and sick leave.

Employer

County of Delaware

Contact Information

Address: 201 W. Front Street
Media, Pennsylvania, 19063

Phone: 610-891-4852

Website: https://www.delcopa.gov