Senior Advisor, Labor Relations - (26-P&T-500006-150)

District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority•Washington, DC

52d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Advisor, Labor Relations provides day-to-day contract administration and responds to labor inquiries from management and employees, establishes and maintains effective relationships with union leadership; negotiates and administers labor agreements; and confers with labor organizations on behalf of management. This role involves advising management on policy changes, reviewing operational protocols, and engaging in impacts and effects bargaining. The position supports the Vice President of Employment, Labor & HR Compliance in developing and managing the Authority-wide labor relations strategy, including strategic initiatives, collective bargaining, labor-management relations, contract administration, dispute resolution, and workforce engagement. The Senior Advisor acts as a subject matter expert for all labor relations issues, handling strategy development, bargaining, responding to information requests, and grievances. They administer and interpret labor agreements, including discipline and grievance procedures, and provide support during contract negotiations. The role also involves providing guidance on CBA interpretation, researching and preparing responses to labor disputes and union requests, and supporting disciplinary actions through investigations and drafting corrective documents. Additionally, the Senior Advisor manages the grievance and arbitration process, participates in collective bargaining negotiations, leads special labor relations projects and training, and represents DC Water before various tribunals like the Public Employee Relations Board and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. They also serve as a lead investigator for sensitive internal complaints.

Requirements

Seven (7) years of experience with a union workforce in a labor role.
Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA accredited school of law or foreign equivalent.
Solid knowledge of labor relations principles and practices, along with a solid knowledge of local, state and federal laws and court decisions affecting labor relations.
Demonstrated ability and experience conducting workplace investigations (i.e., disciplinary actions, EEO allegations, etc.).
Strong analytical, planning, and organizational skills.
Strong skills and tact to deal effectively with competing priorities.
Ability to analyze facts and reach logical conclusions.
Ability to maintain effective working relationships with union officials and management team.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Use of personal computer and maintains a working knowledge of applicable software programs (i.e., Word, Excel, email, etc.).
Licensed to practice Law in at least one state or ability to become licensed in the District of Columbia within 12 months of hire.

Nice To Haves

Responsibilities

Independently advise management on implementing policy changes, reviewing operational protocols, and engaging in impacts and effects bargaining as appropriate.
Assist the Vice President of Employment, Labor & HR Compliance in the development, implementation, and management of Authority-wide labor relations strategy.
Serves as labor relations subject matter expert handling all labor relations issues arising within Authority, including developing strategy, conducting impacts and effects bargaining, responding to requests for information, and responding to grievances.
Administers and interprets various labor agreements, including administering discipline and grievance procedures, and providing labor relations support during contract negotiations.
Provides advice and guidance on proper interpretation of CBAs and labor related issues, as well as researching and preparing responses to labor contracts and other labor disputes and union requests for information; prepare written responses on behalf of department heads, managers, and supervisors on labor issues.
Provides expert advice and guidance to management on all labor relations matters such as contractual grievances, unfair labor practice charges, representation issues, arbitration cases, and bargaining unit status of employees.
Provides comprehensive support for disciplinary actions, including conducting investigations, preparing disciplinary documents in compliance with labor agreements, federal statutes and regulations, consistent with DC Water policies and procedures.
Oversees and assists with drafting employee corrective actions, performance improvement plans, and termination documents consistent with DC Water policies, practices, and culture.
Manages grievance and arbitration process including evaluating and responding to grievances at appropriate step, negotiate and settle grievances where appropriate and represent DC Water during grievances escalated to arbitration, including arbitrator selection, preparing case theory, gathering and evaluating evidence, witness preparation, conducting oral advocacy during hearing, and preparing post-hearing briefs.
Participates in collective bargaining negotiations of successor CBAs, including drafting proposals, analyzing union proposals, reviewing fiscal and operating impact of proposals, and implementing finalized CBAs terms.
Completes Authority wide special labor relations projects and assignments impacting organization as assigned, including developing and leading training for supervisors and managers on how to effectively deal with unions, use the CBAs and on other pertinent labor relations topics.
Represent and defend DC Water before the Public Employee Relations Board and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and other third-party tribunals, including drafting responses, pleadings, position statements, and other correspondences while managing cases from inception to conclusion.
Serves as lead investigator for complex and sensitive labor relations, EEO, and other internal complaints and provide thorough investigative reports and findings and implement recommendations to minimize risk to Authority.
Performs other related duties and projects assigned.
Manage and provide oversight to the Department's Labor Relations Advisors, including assigning and reviewing work, establishing performance expectations, providing coaching and guidance, ensuring consistency in labor relations practices, and directing labor relations activities in support of departmental and Authority-wide goals.