Manager, Trials & Investigations

About the role

This position is responsible for leading and carrying out disciplinary investigations, drafting disciplinary charges, negotiating settlement/pre-trial waiver agreements, preparing witnesses for trial/hearings, conducting official trials/hearings, and providing efficient and timely direction to departmental management with respect to progressive discipline and/or agency-wide standards.

Responsibilities

• Aid department managers in thorough and complete investigations of incidents or rule violations.
• Aid departments with complex investigations by taking employee and witness statements.
• Make pre-trial assessments of necessity for disciplinary action.
• Draft concise and accurate disciplinary charges based upon the investigation and facts.
• Issue charges in the time frame outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement.
• Hold trials/hearings to develop a complete and thorough disciplinary case record to ensure management’s rights and an employee’s due process rights are fully protected.
• Authorize postponements.
• Make recommendations to departments as to the credibility of witnesses and the appropriateness of discipline.
• Ensure that cases are settled and/or decided at the departmental level in accordance with progressive discipline and are consistent with agency standards across the various departments at the Long Island Rail Road.
• Ensure fair, equitable, and consistent treatment of employees across all departments.
• Ensure all cases are tracked and entered into the disciplinary tracking system.
• Hold pre-trials and settlement conferences on behalf of departmental management and coordinate the settlement of cases with union officials and management.
• Negotiate and approve all waivers of discipline.
• Ensure witnesses are prepared and that all relevant documents and evidence are available and produced at the trial/investigation.
• Ensure compliance with all contractual procedures and time limits.
• Train managers on the consistent application of policies, how to handle complex investigations, and the disciplinary process at LIRR.
• Support the Director and Senior Manager, Trials & Investigations regarding all aspects related to investigations and disciplinary actions of represented employees.
• Responsible for all special assignments as designated by Senior Deputy Chief - Labor Relations, Railroad Operations, such as ad hoc reports on discipline, investigatory analysis, and recommendations.
• Assist with the maintenance of the disciplinary database(s) and the analysis of data.

Requirements

• Knowledge of administering labor contracts and/or conducting trials and investigations.
• Detail knowledge of labor agreements and negotiations.
• In-depth working knowledge of investigations and hearing/trial procedures and have the ability to run trials for Long Island Railroad operating departments.
• Excellent investigative and interviewing skills with the ability to handle conflicts.
• Excellent analytical, oral, and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work with all internal levels within a given organization; build and maintain effective relationships with union and management.
• Strong judgment skills and the ability to objectively assess all personnel and labor issues.
• Strong self-starter and ability to make decisions and work with integrity.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a high-profile, high-pressure environment effectively.
• Ability to effectively influence decision-making to ensure fair and consistent application of labor agreements and company policies and procedures.
• Strong analytical, research, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite or comparable applications, i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Arts/Sciences (BA/BS) in Business, Labor Relations, Public Administration, Criminal Justice, Law, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years related experience performing labor-management functions in a large, multi-faceted, fast-paced organization to include trial work and investigations.

Skills

• Knowledge of LIRR corporate policies and procedures.
• Prior experience working in a large, multi-faceted, fast-paced organization or governmental body.
• Familiarity with the MTA’s policies and procedures.
• Familiarity with the MTA’s collective bargaining procedures.
• Basic knowledge of FRA (Federal Railroad Administration), OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) & LIRR Safety Regulations.