COMCOR 01A.104.24 Chief Labor Relations Officer, Office of the County Executive

This is an appointed, non-merit full-time time position in the County Government reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). Under the general direction of the County Executive’s Office, an incumbent of this position is responsible for both the formulation of the County’s labor relations policy and its implementation. In fulfilling this function, the incumbent is responsible for representing management in labor relations including contract negotiations, interpretation and administration of collective bargaining agreements (CBA), and the maintenance of positive and effective labor-management relations.

The Chief Labor Relations Officer counsels and advises managers and supervisors of all departments on labor relations matters and maintains contact with state and local labor relations groups and individuals. Supervision is exercised over a labor relations team of employees to include office/and clerical support functions.

Collective Bargaining and Contract Administration: responsible for negotiating collective bargaining agreements, the process by which wages, benefits and other terms and conditions of employment for organized employees is established; training management representatives on the provisions of each collective bargaining agreement applicable to their department; and responding to requests from management for advice and counsel on planned management action, prior to decision making and implementation.

CBA Approvals: Once both labor and management have ratified the agreements, and the Council has approved any provisions subject to Council review, the Chief Labor Relations Officer issues implementing instructions for affected department management. For non-compensation agreements the pertinent management personnel are sent the instructions which capture the changes to the contract and any salient issues that those at the department should be aware of. For compensation agreements the instructions are sent to the Department of Finance (FIN) and Office of Human Resources (OHR) to ensure that any wage increases are timely and properly implemented.

CBA Training: In addition to issuing implementing instructions Chief Labor Relations Officer then schedules training on the new contracts. The target audience for this training is managers and supervisors with responsibility for supervising employees covered by the agreement.

Administrative Proceedings: The Unit supports the Office of the County Attorney in its efforts to initiate, prosecute, defend and monitor a wide range of administrative proceedings, primarily for and on behalf of departments under the personnel authority of the County Executive. The administrative proceedings consist primarily of grievance arbitrations, conflict resolution, unfair labor practice complaints, Merit System Protection Board (MSPB) appeals, and/or Petitions for Judicial review of MSPB decisions. The Unit also supports litigation by the Office of the County Attorney in a limited number of civil complaints, filed by or on behalf of an employee, in Court and appellate matters before the Court of Appeals.

Formulates the County’s labor relations policy and directs its implementation, under general direction from the County Executive and subject to approval of the Council;

Prepares for and conducts the County’s participation in union-management contract negotiations to develop mutually agreeable compensation structures, to establish and define union/management rights and obligations and to establish and define conditions or employment;

Provides training on County-Union agreements and educates and counsels all levels of supervisors and managers in the administration of such agreements, to ensure proper and uniform interpretation and administration of collective bargaining agreements;

Maintains records and prepares reports on union activities; keeps the County management informed of potential problems;

Assembles and analyzes information on trends in labor relations to best represent County interests in labor relations;

Advises and assists management with respect to publicity on labor relations matters;

Maintains contact with Statewide labor relations groups and counterparts in local municipalities and other County governments on labor relations issues.

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field, or a Doctor of Jurisprudence (law degree) from an accredited law school.

Experience: Seven (7) years of experience in labor relations and litigation, preferably in public administration, which must have included substantial experience as the primary negotiator in management-union contracts. Experience in collective bargaining, grievance, and arbitration strongly preferred.

Advanced Knowledge of:

General principles and practices used in modem labor relations (i.e., contract negotiation, mediation, fact-finding, arbitration, contract administration and interpretation);

Labor relations laws and current trends in the labor field;

Supervisory practices and the rights and obligations of management and unions; personal and professional integrity; resourcefulness; tact; good judgement; physical condition commensurate with the duties of the position.

Ability to:

Maintain effective working relationships with all levels of management and upon representation; negotiate; and

communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements: None.