Director of Staff and Labor Relations

Harford County Public Schools•Bel Air, MD

3d•$188,193 - $215,178•Onsite

About The Position

Responsible for the coordination, supervision, and management of all facets of staff and labor relations, including collective bargaining, contract administration, legal compliance, employee appeals, grievances, investigations, and other employment-related matters.

Requirements

Master's degree from an accredited college or university.
Eight years of successful experience in a related field including supervisory experience.
Thorough knowledge of collective bargaining principles, labor relations practices, contract administration, grievance and arbitration processes, and labor-management relations.
Comprehensive knowledge of federal and Maryland employment laws and regulations, including the Public Employee Relations Act (PERA), public-sector labor relations requirements, equal employment opportunity laws, wage and hour requirements, disability and accommodation laws, and employee rights and protections.
Demonstrated knowledge of employee relations practices, including investigations, progressive discipline, performance management, employee appeals, dispute resolution, and legally compliant employment decision-making.
Knowledge of Human Resources policies, personnel administration, compensation practices, benefits, salary schedules, workforce planning, and the interpretation and application of collective bargaining agreements and Board policies.
Knowledge of data analysis, risk assessment, and employment-related documentation and records management sufficient to identify trends, support strategic decision-making, ensure regulatory compliance, and mitigate organizational and legal risk.
Proficient with integrated business software applications and information management systems.
Able to compile, analyze, and interpret data to align with system goals and initiatives.
Excellent oral and written communication skills with diverse populations.
Excellent customer service and human relations skills.

Nice To Haves

Pre-K – 12 experience is preferred.
Professional Human Resources certification preferred (e.g., SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, HRCI, or equivalent)

Responsibilities

Serves as a member of the Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) Executive Leadership Council and provides strategic leadership and advice regarding employee relations, labor relations, and employment matters.
Serves as the chief negotiator for the Harford County Board of Education and coordinates and leads negotiations of collective bargaining agreements with recognized employee organizations.
Assists the Superintendent and the Board of Education in developing collective bargaining strategies, establishing bargaining parameters, evaluating proposals, and assessing the fiscal and operational impact of proposed changes to terms and conditions of employment.
Establishes and maintains effective labor-management relationships with recognized employee organizations and serves as the primary contact for their leadership.
Coordinates HCPS compliance with the Maryland Public Employee Relations Act (PERA), Public Employee Relations Board (PERB) requirements, and other applicable federal and state labor laws and regulations.
Assists in the development of and implements human resources policies, procedures, and position statements.
Directs and coordinates compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, Board policies, administrative procedures, and negotiated agreements, in consultation with legal counsel as appropriate.
Works collaboratively with the Office of General Counsel on employment discrimination complaints, including charges filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Maryland Commission on Civil Rights (MCCR), and other applicable agencies as required.
Directs, reviews, and administers internal employee investigations, managerial inquiries, and other employee relations matters, ensuring appropriate, timely, and consistent processes.
Directs, reviews, and administers employee grievances, arbitrations, appeals, and other dispute-resolution processes and supports the Superintendent and designees in taking timely action on appeals.
Coordinates employment-related litigation, administrative proceedings, and legal matters with the Office of General Counsel and/or external legal counsel and identifies and recommends strategies to mitigate employment-related risk.
Provides advice and counsel to the Superintendent, Executive Leadership, administrators, supervisors, and managers regarding employee relations, labor relations, performance management, discipline, investigations, and employment law.
Interprets and administers personnel policies, administrative regulations, procedures, employment contracts, and negotiated agreements and recommends revisions as appropriate.
Provides oversight and direction for employee performance appraisal and evaluation processes and promotes consistent and legally compliant implementation across the school system.
Advises administrators regarding employee performance matters, including Plans of Assistance, Plans of Professional Growth, Second Class Certification, non-renewals, disciplinary actions, and other employment decisions.
Develops and provides training and professional development for administrators, supervisors, managers, and Human Resources staff regarding employee relations, investigations, progressive discipline, performance management, labor laws, collective bargaining agreements, and personnel policies and procedures.
Provides oversight and direction for pre-employment processes, including criminal background checks, employment eligibility and Form I-9 verification, required screenings, and other applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
Provides oversight and direction for medical case management and employment-related disability matters, including fitness-for-duty processes, reasonable accommodations, return-to-work matters, and coordination with appropriate medical and legal resources.
Provides oversight and direction for the processing and administration of unemployment claims and represents, or coordinates representation of HCPS in related proceedings as appropriate.
Analyzes workforce, compensation, salary schedule, staffing, turnover, recruitment, retention, and other human resources data to support collective bargaining, workforce planning, organizational decision-making, and strategic human resources initiatives.
Monitors and analyzes grievances, arbitrations, appeals, investigations, disciplinary matters, and other employee relations cases to identify trends, systemic issues, and opportunities for policy, practice, or organizational improvement.
Supports the evaluation and development of employee compensation structures, salary schedules, benefits, stipends, differentials, and other terms and conditions of employment and evaluates the fiscal and operational implications of proposed changes.
Coordinates preparation for and participation in mediation, arbitration, impasse resolution, administrative hearings, and other labor and employee relations proceedings, including serving as the Superintendent's representative when appropriate and in conjunction with legal counsel.
Ensures the appropriate maintenance, confidentiality, security, and retention of employee relations, labor relations, investigation, grievance, arbitration, and other personnel records in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, Board policies, and records-retention requirements.
Communicates human resources and labor relations information to appropriate staff through electronic media, meetings, presentations, training, and other communication methods, including communications regarding negotiated agreements and changes to terms and conditions of employment.
Performs other work-related duties as assigned.