Labor Negotiator

City of Bellevue•Bellevue, WA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The City of Bellevue is seeking an experienced Labor Negotiator, HR Manager to join their Labor Relations team. This role will serve as a lead negotiator responsible for developing, implementing, and coordinating citywide HR programs and plans related to labor relations and contract negotiations. The position requires strong communication skills, strategic organizational acumen, and the ability to handle sensitive issues with tact and diplomacy. The Labor Negotiator will work collaboratively with management, union representatives, elected officials, and other stakeholders to represent the City's interests and resolve complex issues. The City of Bellevue offers a supportive and engaging work environment that values innovation, collaboration, and a future-focused approach.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Psychology, or a closely related field.
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.
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/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.
All new hires will be required to establish employment authorization and identity at the time of hire.
The City is not able to sponsor work visas.
All positions require the completion of references checks, including at least one prior supervisor.
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.

Nice To Haves

Master's or Juris Doctor degree preferred.
Experience in a variety of human resources disciplines preferred.

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.