Labor Relations Specialist

Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES•Auburn, NY

13h•Onsite

About The Position

Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES is seeking a Labor Relations Specialist, a management-level position reporting to the Director of Personnel Relations, District Superintendent, and BOCES Board of Education. This role involves working with core school administrators of participating public school districts, handling confidential communications, and exercising independent judgment. The primary functions include negotiating collective bargaining agreements, serving as management's chief advocate in grievances, arbitrations, employee disciplinary proceedings, and matters before the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB).

Requirements

Admission to the Bar of the State of New York AND one (1) year of primary experience in Public Sector Labor Law (preferably including grievance processing, disciplinary actions, and collective bargaining); OR
Master’s Degree from an accredited institution in Labor Relations, Public Administration, Business Administration, Business Management, Educational Administration, or a closely related field AND two (2) years of experience in collective bargaining, mediation, arbitration, or labor dispute resolution; OR
Bachelor’s Degree in a related field AND four (4) years of experience as outlined in Option B, two (2) years of which must include processing disciplinary/grievance actions and collective bargaining; OR
Bachelor’s Degree in a related field AND five (5) years of primary experience in HR/labor relations, three (3) years of which must include processing disciplinary/grievance actions and collective bargaining; OR
Associate’s Degree in a related field AND six (6) years of primary experience in HR/labor relations, two (2) years of which must include processing disciplinary/grievance actions and collective bargaining; OR
An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by Options A through E above.
Thorough knowledge of public employee contract negotiations, mediation, and arbitration practices.
In-depth understanding of the New York State Taylor Law and standards of fair labor practices.
Strong research, analytical, and statistical skills related to compensation, benefit computations, and precedent analysis.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to build harmonious professional relationships.

Responsibilities

Serve as Chief Negotiator and sole spokesperson for Superintendents and Boards of Education during collective bargaining negotiations.
Represent management in mediation, fact-finding, improper labor practice proceedings before PERB, grievance arbitrations, and Section 75 Civil Service Law disciplinary hearings.
Provide day-to-day advisory services to school leadership on contract administration, interpretation, personnel practices, and relevant court or administrative agency rulings.
Conduct salary, wage, and benefit surveys across regional school districts.
Analyze precedents, employment practices, and union proposals to formulate strategic counter-proposals.
Reduce negotiated changes to clear, enforceable contractual language and assist in drafting formal employment policies.
Prepare and deliver labor relations workshops for administrative personnel and school board members to foster constructive labor-management relationships.