Staff and Labor Relations Specialist

HCPS•Harford, PA

7d•$96,196 - $126,929

About The Position

The Staff and Labor Relations Specialist assists in managing all facets of staff relations, including collective bargaining, labor relations, contract administration, legal compliance, and employee appeals and grievances. The position advises school personnel and administrators, particularly on matters involving support personnel, under the direction of the Director of Staff and Labor Relations. This is a twelve-month, exempt position.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a related field.
Three years of professional-level experience.
Experience interpreting and implementing federal, state, county, Human Resources, and educational policies and procedures, including negotiated agreements.
Proficiency with business software applications, including Microsoft Office.
Ability to compile, analyze, and interpret data to align with system goals and initiatives.
Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Human Resources or labor relations experience is preferred.
Public school sector PK-12 education experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Assist in administering and interpreting employee contracts and negotiated agreements, including processing and resolving employee appeals, grievances, and arbitrations.
Advise and counsel school personnel and administrators on staff and labor relations matters under the direction of the Director of Staff and Labor Relations.
Serve on the Board of Education's collective bargaining teams and assist with preparing, researching, analyzing, and implementing proposals and negotiated agreements.
Coordinate unemployment claims, prepare supporting documentation, and participate in hearings as appropriate to ensure compliance with Maryland laws and regulations.
Coordinate and monitor personnel evaluation processes for timely completion and compliance with policies, procedures, and negotiated agreements.
Present, interpret, and assist in implementing applicable federal, state, and county laws, regulations, policies, and procedures, including Human Resources policies and negotiated agreements.
Assist in investigating, analyzing, and resolving employee complaints, grievances, and misconduct allegations in accordance with applicable requirements.
Guide and provide technical assistance to administrators and supervisors on employee discipline, corrective action, performance concerns, and consistent application of personnel policies and negotiated agreements.
Monitor compliance with negotiated agreements and help identify, interpret, and resolve issues concerning contract provisions, working conditions, and employment practices.
Prepare for and participate in grievance meetings, administrative conferences, mediation, arbitration, and other employee relations proceedings.
Research and analyze employment laws, regulations, negotiated agreements, and relevant decisions to support resolution of staff and labor relations matters and legal compliance.
Coordinate the annual review and updating of the HCPS Employee Handbook and monitor implementation and compliance with established policies and procedures.
Participate on the medical case management team and collaborate with appropriate personnel on employee-related matters within the position's scope.
Coordinate employee personnel file reviews to promote accuracy, completeness, confidentiality, and compliance with records management requirements and procedures.
Collaborate with Human Resources personnel, school administrators, legal counsel, and other departments on complex employee relations matters and consistent application of policies, procedures, and negotiated agreements.
Assist in developing and delivering training and guidance for administrators and supervisors on employee relations, contract administration, grievance procedures, employee discipline, and personnel policies.
Maintain documentation and prepare reports on grievances, employee complaints, disciplinary matters, unemployment claims, and other staff and labor relations activities.
Analyze employee relations data, identify trends, and recommend strategies to address recurring issues and improve organizational practices.
Assist in coordinating labor-management meetings and follow-up activities to promote communication and constructive relationships between the school system and employee representatives.
Assist the Director of Staff and Labor Relations with special projects, policy and procedure development, and initiatives to improve staff and labor relations practices.
Perform other work-related duties as assigned.