Labor Relations Supervisor

Chicago Park District•Chicago, IL

About The Position

Under the General Direction of the Director of Human Resources, functions as the Human Resources labor/employee relations administrator for the Chicago Park District and performs related duties as required. Supervises labor/employee staff in executing labor/employee relations functions as described below. Performs the full range of employee and labor relations functions including administering bargaining unit contracts and the employee grievance and disciplinary processes. Provides guidance and advises management staff on the provisions of collective bargaining agreements to ensure proper and effective contract administration. Coordinates and provides training for departmental supervisory personnel in the areas of progressive discipline, grievance processing and contract administration. Advises management and Human Resources Managers on requests for disciplinary action to ensure timely, applicable, consistent, and sound responses. Supports management in the effective delivery of employee counseling. Investigates and prepares findings for alleged violations of the code of conduct, and/or violations of agency policy, labor contract and/or employment law. Attends grievance and disciplinary meetings with managers or supervisors. Prepares and reviews a variety of written reports and correspondence. Provides innovative options to resolve complex employee performance problems and facilitates conclusion/resolution, including facilitating meetings with supervisors, employees and unions. Administers the employee grievance and disciplinary process at the departmental level. Monitors and assists in the investigation of grievances at the pre-arbitration level. Establishes working relationships and meets with union representatives to communicate information regarding city work rules, practices and operations impacting on the administration of collective bargaining agreements. Attends collective bargaining negotiations and researches issues arising out of the collective bargaining process for use by the Park District’s negotiating team. Collaborates with legal counsel in vetting recommendations for discipline. Makes recommendations and oversees the process for terminations and reductions in force to ensure compliance with collective bargaining agreements and District personnel rules. Prepares management reports on labor/employee relations activities. Reviews applicants’ criminal backgrounds and failure of drug and alcohol screens. Monitors developments in the employee and labor relations field, evaluates their impact on Park District activities and recommends policy and procedural improvements. Conducts research and ensure compliance with policies, labor contracts and employment law. NOTE: The list of essential duties is not intended to be inclusive; there may be other duties that are essential to particular positions within the class.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree, plus four years of employee relations, industrial relations or professional personnel experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience, provided that the minimum degree requirement is met
Valid State of Illinois Driver’s License
Knowledge of rules and practices governing labor relations agreements
Understanding of collective bargaining concepts and contract administration
Ability to investigate and analyze information and recommend resolutions
Well-developed communication and writing skills
Proficiency in MS Suite
Ability to interpret and apply provisions of collective bargaining agreements, basic labor laws, statutes, ordinances and precedents
Exceptional analytical skills, negotiation skills, judgement and decision making

Nice To Haves

Law degree conferred by the American Bar Association in the areas of labor law, including employee discipline, personnel, administrative or municipal law is preferred

Responsibilities

Supervises labor/employee staff in executing labor/employee relations functions
Administers bargaining unit contracts and the employee grievance and disciplinary processes
Provides guidance and advises management staff on the provisions of collective bargaining agreements to ensure proper and effective contract administration
Coordinates and provides training for departmental supervisory personnel in the areas of progressive discipline, grievance processing and contract administration
Advises management and Human Resources Managers on requests for disciplinary action
Supports management in the effective delivery of employee counseling
Investigates and prepares findings for alleged violations of the code of conduct, and/or violations of agency policy, labor contract and/or employment law
Attends grievance and disciplinary meetings with managers or supervisors
Prepares and reviews a variety of written reports and correspondence
Provides innovative options to resolve complex employee performance problems and facilitates conclusion/resolution, including facilitating meetings with supervisors, employees and unions
Administers the employee grievance and disciplinary process at the departmental level
Monitors and assists in the investigation of grievances at the pre-arbitration level
Establishes working relationships and meets with union representatives to communicate information regarding city work rules, practices and operations impacting on the administration of collective bargaining agreements
Attends collective bargaining negotiations and researches issues arising out of the collective bargaining process for use by the Park District’s negotiating team
Collaborates with legal counsel in vetting recommendations for discipline
Makes recommendations and oversees the process for terminations and reductions in force to ensure compliance with collective bargaining agreements and District personnel rules
Prepares management reports on labor/employee relations activities
Reviews applicants’ criminal backgrounds and failure of drug and alcohol screens
Monitors developments in the employee and labor relations field, evaluates their impact on Park District activities and recommends policy and procedural improvements
Conducts research and ensure compliance with policies, labor contracts and employment law