Labor and Employee Relations Specialist, Correctional Health Services

Summary of position:

Purpose of Position: Under supervision of Senior Director of Employee and Labor Relations, with latitude for independent initiative and judgment, participates in the administration of Labor Relations programs of the Health and Hospitals Corporation, including contract interpretation, investigation and processing of employee grievances and discipline. Conducts hearings at the facility level, participates in appeals and maintains liaison with employee union representatives and personnel labor relations administrators of local hospitals. Performs related work in public employee labor relations and union-management activities.

Department Preferences:

Examples of Typical Tasks:

1. Prepares analysis of impact of union demands on prison operations and prepares rebuttals and strategies to deal with such, including recommendations for management's counter demands
2. prior to and during negotiations.
3. Interprets contracts and agreements and Labor Relations Orders dealing with wages, hours, working conditions and all other matters within the purview of the agreement affecting labor relations, employee relations and personnel management activities.
4. Investigates and processes employees' grievances to be handled at the facility level, prepares reports and provides recommendations for their resolution.
5. Serves as Hearing Officer for grievances handled at the facility level and represents CHS when appealed to City Office of Labor Relations and at arbitration hearings.
6. Meets with Union representatives in Labor-Management meetings to discuss and seek resolution of local issues. Maintains on going liaison with Union and Union Representatives.
7. Discusses local issues and their resolution with labor relations management staff.
8. Reviews existing personnel procedures and makes recommendations for modifications. Performs studies regarding application for electronic data processing.
9. Counsels supervisors and/or employees regarding personnel problems, job difficulties, and training and development opportunities.
10. Coordinates in-house training activities including employee orientation programs and managerial training.
11. Participates in implementation of employee performance review programs and recommends proper use and application to assure optimum results.
12. Assists Senior Director as needed with employee interviews. Assist Officers, Executive Directors, Executives, Personnel Directors and Administrators in interpretation and administration of contracts.
13. Analyzes employee environment and morale to assess status. Makes recommendations for improvements to minimize sources of employee grievances.
14. Studies existing and proposed titles in classification system. Performs classification studies, analyzing the nature and difficulty of work, the degree of supervision and responsibility involved, and the education and experience required for proper performance.
15. Conducts out of title investigations, analyzes positions of complex and highly confidential nature, and makes recommendations on allocation to classes or recommendation for new class.
16. Reviews requests and assists with administration of accommodations as related to Equal Opportunity.
17. May represent Labor Relations Department on in-house committees such as risk management, fire and safety training, and may represent the Senior Director at conferences, meetings and committees.
18. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Preferred Skills

1. A Baccalaureate Degree from an accredited college with a major in Labor Relations, Personnel Administration, Public Administration, Management, Economics, Law or related field; two years of experience working with a unionized workforce, preferably in a health care or correctional facility setting or, an equivalent combination of education, training and experience, knowledge and skills sufficient to indicate ability to perform satisfactorily.
2. Advanced oral, listening, administrative and written communication skills required.
3. Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to maintain effective working relationships with employees, management and union officials.
4. Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to lead investigations from initial complaint to resolution.
5. Ability to prioritize and multitask effectively.

Qualification Requirements:

1. A Baccalaureate Degree from an accredited college with a major in Labor Relations, Personnel Administration, Public Administration, Management, Economics, Law or related field; and,
2. Three years of progressively responsible experience in the field of labor relations including negotiation and administration of agreements of labor relations matters; or,
3. An equivalent combination of education, training and experience, knowledge and skills sufficient to indicate ability to perform satisfactorily.