POSITION SUMMARY:
Under the general supervision of the Director of
Employee and Labor Relations, the Employee and Labor Relations Advisor
represents the department in dealing with national and local headquarters of
unions, complaints, representational problems and proposed policies.
DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
Serves
as expert advisor to management, legal staff and other personnel on union and
employee relations matters;
Advises
and assists management regarding employee grievance negotiations and union
contract administration. Provides hands
on technical assistance including the preparation of notices of proposed
adverse actions (including performance-based actions) and decisions; and
develops and leads briefings and training sessions for various management
groups;
Conducts
formal and informal hearings that accord appropriate due process, arising under
laws and regulations;
Assists
in the development of Unfair Labor Practice cases; develops and presents other
kinds of cases before third parties;
Reviews
contract proposals in light of laws, federal regulations, and Prince George’s
County School policies. Coordinates and
participates in management activities to formulate proposals and bargaining
strategy;
Identifies
the need for and leads comprehensive studies to design and plan a future labor
relations strategic program that is responsive to dynamic changes in the
department's mission and business practices;
Plans, develops,
evaluates and recommends personnel and procedures concerning adverse actions,
performance-based actions, grievances and appeals. Determines the appropriateness of the
department's policies and interpretations;
Prepares
written policies, opinions and handbooks, which confirm to statutory and/or
regulatory requirements and precedent case laws;
Researches
and prepares presentations concerning wage and benefit practices and trends;
attends and participates in negotiations with employee organizations; and acts
as management representative in contracts with union officials on matters
pertaining to the administration and interpretation of contract and arbitration
awards. Disseminates information to
departmental officials regarding changes in personnel practices and procedures
as a result of negotiation or arbitration;
Advises
departmental officials on courses of action concerning disciplinary cases and
other matters which affect the wages, hours and terms and conditions of
employment as covered by the contract;
Develops
proposals for the application of Department-wide standards and procedures in
disciplinary matters; and reviews and advises departmental officials on
legislative proposals affecting labor relations;
Reviews
existing management personnel policies, practices and processes to ensure
consistency with union agreements and decisions;
Develops
program budgets and prepares reports and correspondence;
Makes
personal presentations relative to program issues as necessary;
Keeps
abreast of current trends and developments in the labor management field
through review of literature, periodicals and administrative and judicial
decisions; and
Performs
other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
Mastery of negotiating skills;
Thorough
knowledge of Maryland Equal Opportunity Laws, Rules and Regulations;
Mastery
knowledge of labor-management relations theories, techniques, principles and
practices, laws, regulations, policies, and concepts to advise and assist in
the development and maintenance of labor-management relationships in full
consideration of the bilateral nature of labor relations;
Highly
skilled in verbal and written communication to convey a wide variety of
information to diverse audiences in an understandable and acceptable manner,
using a variety of methods as suited for the type of presentation;
Ability
to gather and analyze facts, draw conclusions, and devise practical
recommendations for action; and
Thorough
knowledge of Prince George's County Public Schools mission and organizational
structure to provide effective advisory and assistance services.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
Bachelor's Degree required (Master's Degree preferred)
from an accredited college or university, with a major in Human Resources,
Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field; Law degree a
plus, or five (5) or more years of progressively equivalent experience in a
related field. Must have a minimum of five (5) years professional level
Human Resources experience, at least four (4) years specializing in employee
and labor relations in a large unionized environment, with strong Labor
Relations background.
CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
None Required.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
No direct supervisory responsibilities.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands 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 frequently required to stand, talk, hear, walk, sit, and use fingers, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision such as to read handwritten or typed material, the ability to adjust focus, and depth perception. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally push or lift up to 25 lbs.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
None.