Labor Relations Coordinator

LABOR RELATIONS SPECIALIST

POSITION SUMMARY :

This position assists the Director of Labor Relations for contract management, grievance hearings, unemployment hearings, discipline procedure, and arbitration procedures.

This position will work frequently with other departments within the Washoe County School District including, the Office of Human Resources, Payroll Department and Office of School Performance.

This position analyzes data and makes recommendations to Director of Labor Relations, Chief General Counsel and the Chief Human Resource Officer.

• This position is directly responsible to the Director of Labor Relations. Leads, facilitates or assist supervisors in conducting investigations into employee misconduct and complaint resolution, serves as a resource to supervisors in assigned areas of human resources management, including performance evaluations and processes, wage and hour laws, and employment law, sexual harassment and related District policies and procedures;
• oversees standards and best practices for conducting research and statistical analysis; writes reports, proposals and recommendations;

partners with Professional Development and HR staff to assist with development of relevant staff development programs. Assists the Director of Labor Relations with negotiation and administers agreements reached for assignment employee groups.

This position is supervised by the Director of Labor Relations and performs work as required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES / RESPONSIBLITIES :

The list of Essential Duties and Responsibilities is not exhaustive and may be supplemented.

• Counsel staff on matters of management and employee rights, progressive discipline and appropriate courses of action, in accordance with contract provisions and good employer / employee relations practices.
• Mediate informal disputes between management and employees and provide counsel to management on appropriate course of action, in an attempt to resolve differences at the lowest possible level.
• Consult with the Office of General Counsel in the implementation of contract management and legal matters, as they pertain to staff.
• Develops and maintains a collaborative relationship with bargaining unit and other group representatives.
• Compiles and analyzes proposals, makes recommendations to Director of Labor Relations, Chief General Counsel, the Chief Human Resource Officer and the District;
• Develops bargaining strategies and prepares proposals; analyzes impact of proposals and develops alternative proposals;

analyzes impact of proposals and develops established parameters and prepares agreements for Board approval. Prepares and proofs Memorandums of Agreement and final contract documents for execution by appropriate parties.

• Provides for on-going labor contract administration; explains and interprets agreements; Ensures compliance terms and conditions of agreements
• Provides leadership on labor committees formed to address labor relations and related employee issues;
• Works with various parties to resolve misunderstandings and conflicts arising from applications of agreements; advises supervisors on preparing and responding to informal complaint meetings and on processing and responding to grievances;

oversees grievance process and ensures coordination and facilitation of all grievance work.

Conducts or assists supervisors in conducting investigations into employee misconduct; determines facts and appropriate corrective action, ensuring that the action taken is consistent, appropriate, and defensible;

drafts discipline and discharge letters.

• Negotiates employee separation and settlement agreements; facilitates the negotiation and execution of settlement agreement with the various employee organizations and private attorneys.
• Advises supervisors and administrators in Employee / Relations areas of human resources management, including wage and hour laws, disability law, District policy and procedures, contract interpretation, organization development, labor and employee law, sexual harassment and other laws that re applicable;

prepares District response to equal employment opportunity or other employ-related complaints and assist with the defense of employment litigation matters.

• Counsels employees and supervisors on a wide range of issues affecting employee performance; assists supervisors with the resolution of employees performance concerns;
• serves as directed on committees designated to improve employee performance; coordinates the distribution and collection of performance evaluations forms' advises supervisors on the drafting of employee performance improvement plans;

provides guidance during employee probationary periods, and assists with the development of new evaluation forms and instructions.

Investigates misconduct, complaints, violations of human resource-related laws and regulations; conducts employee interviews and meetings to gather or provide information;

provides written reports of transactions and makes recommendations based on analysis of the information past practices and applicable laws, regulations, contract language and District procedures.

• Provides Human Resources Department and district representation regarding human resources - related issues on various committees and before special interest groups, citizens groups, and other public meetings.
• Prepares and maintains appropriate reports and records of activities.
• Presides at grievance meetings, investigative due process meetings, and suspension / dismissal appeal meetings, as assigned.
• Assist in the enforcement of settlement agreement provisions, as they relate to employee discipline, employee pay issues, and other personnel matters.
• Facilitate the implementation of employee discipline related to licensure matters.
• Provide administrative support with seniority issues, overages, reduction in force, non-renewals, change of employee probationary status, and transfers and reassignments.
• Reviews investigations of employee applications and, in consultation with the legal office, determines the appropriate disciplinary action, if any.
• Assist with District representation at review appeals and facilitate the preparation and organization of all supporting documentation for presentation at appeal meetings.
• Represent the District in administrative hearings (grievances, suspension, licensure, dismissals, etc.).
• Assist the Director of Labor Relations in all non-dismissal arbitrations.
• Assist in the training of employee groups in supervisory, performance evaluation, disciplinary procedures, HR laws, procedures, processes and other areas, as assigned.
• Coordinates with assigned staff to assist with the administration of performance evaluation systems for employee groups;
• works as a team and / or leads research projects to respond to inquiries; counsels employees and supervisors on processes, time lines, and preparation of evaluation forms;

tracks receipt of performance improvement report forms, reviews forms for completeness and ensures that supervisors are informed.

• Receives and processes production of document requests and subpoenas received regarding employee matters.
• Assists in reviews all background returns and provides guidance for the continuing employment or ability for volunteers to work in the schools.
• Represents the District in unemployment hearings for which Labor Relations was involved.
• Perform other duties related to the position, as assigned.

POSITION EXPECTATIONS :

• Knowledge of Human Resources related laws and regulations, related principals, practices and procedures.
• Must have integrity, be accountable for confidentiality, have strategic agility & innovation, the ability to get results, work well with other staff, have decision quality & problem solving abilities, be able of managing and measuring work, and skill in conflict management.
• Knowledge of labor law, collective bargaining strategies and processes, Labor relations issues in educational or education related organizations.
• Ability to effectively interpret, apply, and articulates bargaining agreement provisions and District policies and regulations, as they related to personnel matters.
• Ability to interact effectively and diplomatically and to work in cooperation with District staff at all levels, as well as outside entities.
• Ability to work effectively under constant deadlines, time constraints, and react effectively under pressure in a fast-paced environment with constant interruptions and often-conflicting demands.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and responsibilities and to prioritize accordingly.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality regarding personnel matters.
• Ability to delegate tasks appropriately and oversee the successful completion of the delegated assignments.
• Ability to navigate through basic computer programs; Windows, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft Access and skill to operate a computer and use spreadsheets, database, word processing and electronic mail software.
• Ability to attend to numerous and often, minute details.
• Ability to oversee the tracking of incoming requests and data and establish time lines and priorities.
• Ability to work independently and as a team; Ability to research, analyze and apply data; to review examine and discuss documents and exhibits that may be offensive and disturbing;

to make recommendations, and to make effective presentations.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working conditions with District staff, association representatives, and the public in a multicultural community.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS :

Education and Training : An earned bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university or currently serving as a professional-technical employee with the Washoe County School District.

Licenses and Certifications : None Required.

Experience : Satisfactory service in corresponding or related positions, or five years of successful supervisory experience related to the administrative position.

Preferred Qualifications :

• An earned master's degree from an accredited college or university in education or related field.
• Two years successful experience in an administrative position.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Willingness to review, examine, and discuss documents and exhibits that may be offensive and disturbing.

When applying for an administrative position, candidates must meet the minimum qualifications as listed on the appropriate position vacancy announcement.

THIS JOB SPECIFICATION SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED TO IMPLY THAT THESE REQUIREMENTS ARE THE EXCLUSIVE STANDARDS OF THE POSITION.

INCUMBENTS MAY BE REQUIRED TO FOLLOW ANY OTHER INSTRUCTIONS, AND TO PERFORM ANY OTHER RELATED DUTIES AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY THEIR SUPERVISOR.