Labor Relations Specialist

POSITION: Labor Relations Specialist

DIVISION: Administration

DEPARTMENT: Human Resources

UNION/GRADE: Confidential Unit 6/Grade 9

TO VIEW OUR BENEFITS PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK! - https://www.mwra.com/02org/html/benefits.htm

BASIC PURPOSE:

Assists in Labor Relations activities including grievance hearings, collective bargaining negotiations, arbitration hearings and other related proceedings. Drafts responses to union requests for information. Serves as a liaison to unions, employees, and managers on routine labor relations inquiries.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Works under the general supervision of the Manager, Labor Relations. May receive guidance from Assistant Manager, Labor Relations on certain assignments.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

May direct administrative staff and interns on specific assignments.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assists with processing grievances, including but not limited to scheduling grievance hearings, participation in grievance hearings, researching grievance allegations, assembling relevant records to respond to grievances, maintaining grievance tracking logs, and responding to requests for information.
• Provides assistance in collective bargaining negotiations, including but not limited to proposal development, responses to requests for information, maintaining bargaining records, serving as note-taker during bargaining sessions and general meeting organization such as scheduling of bargaining sessions.
• Answers questions from managers and supervisors on implementation of collective bargaining agreements.
• Provides assistance in preparing materials for and co-facilitating supervisory training sessions on contract administration and interpretation.
• Represents the Labor Relations Unit at internal and external Labor/Management committee meetings as designated by the Manager of Labor Relations. Schedules meetings with union representatives, facilitates WebEx meetings and reserves meeting space and serves as note-taker during meetings.
• Obtains personnel file and labor relations documents upon request of legal counsel in support of arbitration cases and other external matters.
• Provides information to management as needed relative to grievances, collective bargaining and employee discipline.
• Assists with special projects/programs such as leave management, recruitment and retention programs, employee licensing requirements, internal audit information requests, service awards and workforce development planning.
• Serves as backup coordinator for VISTE school volunteer program.

SECONDARY DUTIES:

• Performs other related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:

• Completion of a Bachelor's degree in labor relations, human resources, business, public administration or related field; and
• A general understanding of labor relations, human resources, and grievance administration and resolution as acquired through at least two (2) years of professional experience preferably in the public sector; or
• Any equivalent combination of education or experience.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated analytical skills and ability to build working relationships across the organization.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access.
• Experience using web conferencing and collaboration tools such as WebEx.
• Ability to exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

A valid Class D Motor Vehicle Operators License for travel between MWRA work sites.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:

Office machines as normally associated with a professional office environment, including the use of telephones, personal computers, word processing and other software, email, videoconference applications, copiers, scanners and fax machines.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to feel, finger, handle or operate objects, including office equipment or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee is regularly required to sit, and talk or hear.

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in an office environment.

The noise level in the normal work environment is quiet.

Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sex or gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or veteran status.