Risk and Labor Relations Manager

Salary : $106,200.00 - $154,200.00 Annually
Location : Bellingham, WA 98225
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 202500258
Department: Human Resources
Opening Date: 02/26/2025

Summary
Whatcom County is seeking an experienced Risk and Labor Relations Manager to join a dedicated team of Human Resources professionals to contribute to a respectful, inclusive, and innovative workplace culture. This is a full-time Temporary position with benefits where funding is guaranteed for one year with further review for additional funding anticipated.

The Risk and Labor Relations Manager position oversees and serves as a strategic partner for County-wide risk management, labor and employee relations, workplace safety, and compliance with employment laws. Serves as a liaison between employees, management, and labor unions, ensuring open communication and addressing concerns before they escalate.

Key Responsibilities
Risk Assessment and Mitigation:

• Serves as the County's Risk Manager and Safety Officer with the WA Counties Risk Pool (WCRP). Participates in coverage renewals, WCRP membership requirements and meets certification requirements. Facilitates the County's Risk Management Working group and supports the County's Safety Committee.
• Assists with providing financial oversight and fund administration of the County's Tort fund in collaboration with the Prosecuting Attorney and County Executive.
• Provides training on a variety of topics including public disclosure, employment liability, progressive discipline, conflict resolution and coaching techniques, and proper documentation techniques.
• Responds to complex public records requests in coordination with the Public Records Officer and Deputy Prosecuting Attorney.

Labor Relations:

• Participates in collective bargaining and labor relations. Recommends bargaining themes and strategies and provides data to support request for funding from the County Council.
• Promotes and monitors labor contract and policy compliance by department heads and managers. Interprets contract and policy language and resolves grievances.
• Receives and investigates employee complaints and employee misconduct allegations, ensuring due process, fairness and confidentiality.
• Consults and strategizes with the Executive's Office and other members of management to effectively resolve human resource issues and issues requiring policy direction.

Workplace Safety:

• Manages the County's self-insured workers' compensation program, including claims monitoring, loss control, data analysis, setting rates, reviewing reserves, and securing excess insurance coverage annually.
• Focuses on minimizing County liability in public interactions, fleet operations, facility management, and employee conduct.

Human Resources:

• Assists the HR Director in providing leadership and direction.
• Mentors and works collaboratively with other HR staff to promote teamwork and provide for smooth workflow, equitable work distribution and high productivity.
• Acts as County's representative as spokesperson and represents Human Resources before the County Council, County Executive, in public meetings and with outside agencies, as directed.

For more information, please review the

Supervisor: Human Resources Director

Hours of Work: Monday - Friday 8 AM - 5 PM.
Salary:

We are required by State law to post the full salary ranges. Hiring rate depends on qualifications and consideration of internal equity. This position receives annual pay increases to the next step in the associated salary range (apx. 3.8%) subject to satisfactory performance, in addition to any approved Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA).
This position will remain open until filled with first review of applications: March 6, 2025

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources Management, Business, Public Administration, Risk Management, Pre-Law (employment/labor focus) or a related field.
• Five years of progressively responsible related risk management experience in a unionized government agency.

Desired:

• Experience in the legal profession, particularly employment law.
• Risk and/or claims certifications from the WA Counties Risk Pool.

Preferred:

• Certified Labor Relations Professional (CLRP).

At its sole discretion, Whatcom County may consider combinations of education, experience, certifications,
and training in lieu of specifically required qualifications contained herein.
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Whatcom County offers excellent benefits at no cost to employees, including:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage for employees AND their family
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and 12 paid holidays annually. Prior related public service considered for setting accrual rate. Accrue up to 330 hours of PTO annually. Cash-out up to 40 hours over 330 maximum annually.

Employment Year Accrual - Month Accrual - Year 1st - 4th year 18.00 hours 5.4 Weeks 5th - 9th year 21.33 hours 6.4 Weeks 10th + year 24.67 hours 7.4 Weeks

• Lifetime pension through the Washington State Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS), with joint contributions required from the employee and the County
• Voluntary Deferred Compensation Retirement with County match
• $50,000 Life Insurance coverage for employees
• Voluntary Term Life Insurance and Personal Accident Insurance
• Long-term Disability Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) available for health care and/or dependent care expenses
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Additional

Subject to satisfactory performance this position receives annual pay increases to the next step in the associated (apx. 3.8%), in addition to any approved Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA).