Labor and Employee Relations Specialist

Penn State University • University Park, IL

5d • $81,312 - $122,016 • Hybrid

About The Position

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. Reporting to the Senior Director of Labor and Employee Relations, the successful candidate will serve as a subject matter expert in union relations and will be actively involved in matters related to faculty and graduate assistant unionization at Penn State. This role serves as a primary point of contact for Human Resource Strategic Partners, managers, and employees on employee relations and labor relations matters and provides consultative guidance in support of the University’s labor strategy. This position offers a flexible work arrangement. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.

Requirements

• Knowledge and understanding of applicable federal and state laws.
• A solutions-oriented mind set 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.
• Bachelor's Degree
• 6+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.

Nice To Haves

• 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.

Responsibilities

• With a focus on faculty and graduate assistants, 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.
• Assisting with 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.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Robust retirement plans
• Substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time
• 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior