Sr. Manager, Employee & Labor Relations

Position Information

Functional TitleSr. Manager, Employee & Labor RelationsRecruitment Category TypeStandardFunctional CategoryHR/EEOGradeGS.18FLSA StatusExemptRequisition Number25-0214Number of Vacancies1Job LevelDivision ManagerJob CodeN/AJob Description SummaryOrganization NameHuman Resources OfficeReports toChief Human Resources OfficerFull or Part TimeFull TimeIf Part Time how many hours per weekRegular or TemporaryRegularPosition End Date (if temporary)Work ScheduleMonday Friday 8 hours per day

This role is eligible for remote work up to 2 days per week.Position LocationLaurel

Position Summary Information

• General SummaryUnder the direction of the Chief Human Resources Officer, theSr. Manager, Employee & Labor Relations provides strategic direction, leadership, and administration for the delivery ofWSSCWaters labor relations function. The Employee & Labor Relations Manager is responsible for the design, implementation and management of all labor relations activities including acting as chief negotiator in collective bargaining activities; administering and interpreting collective bargaining agreements; participating in and/or providing advice on grievance or disciplinary matters; serving as aWSSCWater representative at grievance, interest arbitration hearings and mediation. The Employee & Labor Relations Manager also supports the Chief Human Resources Officer in the planning and organizing of a variety of complex administrative, professional and technical work of the human resources function.Essential FunctionsRepresentsWSSCWater in the achievement of good-faith negotiation processes; serves as chief negotiator and primary representative forWSSCWater in all aspects of labor relations; advocates on behalf ofWSSCWaters interests and protects managerial rights.
• In conjunction with the Chief Human Resources Officer, General Counsels Office, department heads, and other management representatives of affected departments, develops and leads an overall negotiation strategy including proactively gathering and identifying collective bargaining issues and interests.
• Tracks and complies with statutory and contractual timelines relative to contract negotiations. Provides necessary oversight of assigned work to other HR professionals required to ensure timely and accurate completion.
• RepresentsWSSCWater in administering agreements reached with employee organizations.
• Works with the General Counsel to prepare memorandums of understanding (MOUs) and supplemental agreements.
• Facilitates meet and confer sessions or labor management meetings, researches issues brought forward and preparesWSSCWater response to such; fosters positive labor/management relations and provides advice in resolving issues.
• Provides labor relations consultations to employees, supervisors, department heads and union leadership.
• Works with employees and union leadership to interpret and implement various labor contract provisions.
• Oversees and provides management of grievances through complete process to resolution.
• Develops positions, proposals and strategies in collective with management.
• In collaboration with human resources, finance, and/or other leadership, reviews and analyzes counter proposals and contractual agreements for their impact onWSSCWater.
• Provides the General Managers Office and Commissioners with updates and analysis of collective bargaining agreement negotiations.
• Develops and administers training and continuing education materials for managers to facilitate the correct and consistent implementation of and adherence to collective bargaining agreement terms or other labor relations topics.
• Analyzes and interprets language in collective bargaining agreements for compliance with federal, state and local laws, policies, and management practices; recommends modifications and changes as appropriate.
• Ensures all relevant records and documents are properly maintained for historical purposes.
• Confers with employee organizations and departmental management to clarify the labor relations regulations or policies ofWSSCWater and to provide information regarding the rights and obligations of the parties concerned and the recourse available to them.
• In coordination with human resources staff and/ or department leadership, may conduct fact finding interviews and investigations in response to grievances or complaints, and determine if violations of the collective bargaining agreement occurred.
• Collaborates withHROWorkforce Partnerships team, department heads, managers, and to develop and implement policies, procedures, rules, and regulations governing the labor relations program ofWSSCWater.
• Consults with the Chief Human Resources Officer to ensureWSSCWaters labor relations program conforms to the policies governing employee-management relations.
• Develops and maintains cooperative working relationships with union representatives,WSSCWater leadership and department managers.
• Consults with the General Counsels Office on serious, complex legal issues.

Other Functions Participates in special projects as assigned by the Chief Human Resources Officer.

Performs all tasks and job functions in compliance with regulatory requirements.

Serves as a member of Human Resources Leadership Team (HRLT).

Performs related duties as assigned.

Work Environment And Physical DemandsBusiness casual office settingRequired Knowledge, Skills, And AbilitiesKnowledge of:

• Principles and practices of human resource management.
• Principles of management and supervision.
• Principles of management rights, representation rights, collective bargaining and labor practices.
• Labor and employment laws relating to collective bargaining with an emphasis on the public sector including federal and state labor legislation applicable to local government.
• Techniques of dispute resolutions.
• Standard principles of collective bargaining including representation rights, management rights and scope of bargaining.
• Administrative practices and procedures for processing grievances and disciplinary appeals, including arbitration.
• Standard negotiating practices, including preparation of negotiation strategy, tactics and impasse procedures.
• Current labor relations practice trends in the public sector.
• Principles of organization and management, administrative and management analysis, fringe benefit cost analysis, and labor statistical analysis.
• Investigative and interview techniques.

Skill to:

• Negotiate contracts with labor unions and resolve employee grievances.
• Interpret laws, regulations, policies, and labor agreements, and apply interpretations to the resolution of complex personnel problems.
• Develop, recommend, implement, and evaluate the effectiveness of labor and employee relations policies, programs, and agreements.
• Represent management at mediation, fact-finding, and arbitration hearings.
• Research, develop, and administer personnel policies.
• Organize and effectively present both orally and in writing concepts, proposals and recommendations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, managers, elected officials, union representatives, employees, other public and private representatives, and the public.
• Work under deadlines and short time frames.

Ability to:

• Plan, organize and prioritize work to meet deadlines and multiple demands.
• Analyze and problem-solve from both detailed and strategic perspectives.
• Provide effective, efficient and innovative leadership.
• Compile, analyze and evaluate statistical data.
• Analyze and calculate cost impact of proposals.
• Make decisions.
• Delegate duties while retaining accountability.
• Direct, evaluate, train, develop provide leadership and mentor staff.
• Reason logically and creatively.
• Resolve complex disputes.
• Negotiate complex labor contracts demonstrating proficiency and command of all aspects of the process.
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Work cooperatively with subordinates, peers and supervisors in a team-based environment; ability to make independent decisions, solve problems and implement those decisions;
• Exercise sound judgment;
• Use standard office automation software.
• Minimum Education, Experience RequirementsBachelors degree
• 8+ years professional work experience in human resources
• 3+ years management experience that includes employee supervision
• Additional RequirementsCompletion of and adherence toWSSCWaters written confidentiality agreement
• Completion of theWSSCWater Financial Disclosure statement within 30 days of employment and annually thereafter
• PreferencesPHR/SPHRorSHRM-CP/SHRM-SCPor related certification(s)
• Advanced degree

Salary$135,714- $231,081

Posting Detail Information

EEO StatementANEQUALEMPLOYMENTOPPORTUNITYEMPLOYER

It is the policy of the Commission to select new employees and to promote current employees without regard to race, sexual orientation, sex, religion, national origin, marital status, or handicap. The Commission does not discriminate against qualified individuals with a disability and will make reasonable accommodation for any disability that does not result in undue hardship for the Commission.Close Date04/18/2025Open Until FilledNoSpecial Instructions to ApplicantsAdditional InformationAll applicants selected will be subject to drug screening and a background check/verification.