Labor Relations Specialist II/III Grade, N23/N26

Montgomery County • 101 Monroe St Rockville MD 20850 USA, MD

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Office of Labor Relations (OLR) is committed to fostering integrity to improve relationships and outcomes for the County, its union partners, and its employees. OLR guides the County through complex labor and employment matters in accordance with our core values: be credible, put people first/forward, take ownership, and earn trust. In our daily work as labor and employee relations professionals, our team negotiates and administers collective bargaining agreements, manages joint labor-management initiatives and programs, oversees processes that address workplace disputes, coordinates disputes and appeal procedures involving bargaining unit and non-bargaining unit employees, manages the County’s relationships with labor organizations and the general workforce, offers training and guidance to supervisors, managers, and administrative professionals, provides early-intervention strategies in workplace disputes, implements changes to personnel policy and personnel regulations, and utilizes databases and software platforms to enter and track information and assignments. The Office of Labor Relations is currently recruiting mid-level and experienced Labor Relations Specialists who are interested in working for our local government and serving our workforce. The ideal candidate must have a proactive approach to their work and have a willingness to effectuate solutions and improvements. This candidate will be able to draw on their analytical abilities, communication skills, and professional experience (ideally from prior collective bargaining and labor relations roles) to assist the Office of Labor Relations to build, improve, and maintain a model labor relations program. In their day-to-day engagements, this candidate takes an interest-based and collaborative approach to their interactions, work, and ideas.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in Business or Public Administration or related field.
• If filled at Labor Relations Specialist III: Three (3) years of professional experience related to labor/employee relations or a directly related field.
• If filled at Labor Relations Specialist II: Two (2) years of professional experience related to labor/employee relations or a directly related field.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in labor-management negotiations/collective bargaining activities, ideally with Police, Firefighter, and/or Public Employee unions.
• Experience administering conflict facilitation or alternative dispute resolution programs.
• Experience providing guidance and training to employees and/or managers on a full range of labor relations issues.
• Experience in developing, interpreting, and implementing labor policies, labor contract provisions, and personnel regulations.
• Experience in labor and employee relations with a government agency.
• Experience writing labor contract provisions, grievance decisions, or similar types of documents.
• Experience in drafting documents necessary for disciplinary actions and in the administration of progressive discipline.

Responsibilities

• Perform extensive research and analysis of Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) provisions, the Montgomery County Personnel Regulations, County/State/Federal Labor laws, and past practices.
• Produce complex arguments, positions, proposals and action plans based on sound judgement, risk assessment, and defendable positions.
• Represent the County in collective bargaining activities with unions.
• Independently plan and complete high-quality work assignments within deadlines.
• Create amicable professional relationships with colleagues, clients, negotiating teams, and stakeholders.
• Participate in the development and implementation of the collective bargaining strategy in the negotiation of labor agreements, sometimes within highly stressful circumstances and timeframes.
• Administer the County’s grievance processes, ensuring the County and collectively bargained procedures are met and documented.
• Advise management on adverse actions and conduct meetings with the union and legal representatives to negotiate resolutions.
• Facilitate Labor Management Relations Committee (LMRC) meetings, create and implement training, and determine bargaining unit designations for positions.
• Interpret collective bargaining agreements and regulations.
• Conduct reviews of adverse actions proposed by departments for conformance with union contracts, Personnel Regulations, Administrative Procedures, and departmental policies.
• Meet with employees, department representatives, and union representatives to resolve complaints and grievances.
• Conduct grievance hearings and mediations; prepare final grievance decisions for the Chief Labor Relations Officer's review and signature.
• Lead department-level bargaining and support collective bargaining, including research, taking notes, drafting contract language, coordinating bargaining logistics, and coordinating post-negotiations review and implementation.
• Conduct research on labor and employer relations issues; develop and deliver labor relations training.
• Coordinate, administer, and support labor programs and activities; coordinate and lead joint labor -management committees and initiatives.

Benefits

• The salary range above represents the earning potential of these positions. The anticipated hiring ranges for these positions will be based on the candidate’s qualifications and experience.
• Montgomery County Government(MCG) is an equal opportunity employer, committed to workforce diversity.
• The County will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, in accordance with the law.
• MCG also provides hiring preference to certain categories of veterans and veterans/persons with a disability.

What This Job Offers

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