Senior Labor Relations Representative
Website TriMet
Join a team that is focused and charged with getting things done and helping the organization better accomplish its mission to move people. Our work is challenging, rewarding, fun, and interesting. We solve problems and manage projects. We learn by doing and gain a diverse and transferable set of skills along the way.
The Labor Relations Senior Representative provides technical day-to-day assistance and consultation to management regarding labor contract administration, grievance handling, discipline, contract interpretation, and related employee issues within the context of the labor contract. This position coordinates, utilizes and consistently communicates information to ensure the resolution of labor disputes are consistent, even-handed, fair, and incorporate best practices. The incumbent is responsible for researching and developing the analytics necessary to support management’s bargaining proposals. Under the supervision of the Director, Labor & Employee Relations, the incumbent assists in developing and delivering training to managers and supervisors regarding labor agreements and other developing labor relations topics.
This role requires being onsite a minimum of three (3) days per week.
Ensure a commitment to safety through consistent and professional behaviors in performance of job requirements that demonstrate safety is a fundamental value that guides all aspects of our work. Perform related duties as required.
Serve as a good steward of TriMet by regularly utilizing our transit system to maintain a strong and current understanding of customers’ experiences and of TriMet’s product and service offerings.
Essential Functions:
1. Analyze pertinent issues and information assess the impact of proposed department work rules or contract language changes on employees and/or labor relations. Analyze and develop reports, spreadsheets and charts for presentation in response to various labor relations activities, such as grievance hearings, arbitrations, and other meetings requiring statistical or trend data on employee grievances, as requested. Serve as party representative and/or a witness at grievance arbitration hearings.
2. Consult with managers and supervisors on labor relations and employee performance issues within the context of the labor contract to ensure integrity and consistency of decision making.
3. Investigate and research past practices, prior grievance decisions, arbitration and mediation decisions, and recent incidents that provide relevant precedent or guidance for resolving employee disputes and disciplinary decision-making. Provide technical assistance to managers and supervisors in preparation for fact-finding investigations to resolve grievances and employees disputes. Advise managers and supervisors on appropriate disciplinary measures, including review of employee performance history and comparable disciplinary actions. When requested, compose formal disciplinary action letters for manager signature. Coach and prepare managers for pre-discipline and discipline implementation meetings.
4. Review letters of intent and final discipline documentation. Collaborate with Directors, Legal staff, and subject matter experts, as necessary, to ensure compliance with District policy, WWA language, prior District actions, past practice, etc.
5. Interpret contract language, including responding to questions from managers and supervisors. Participate in labor/management meetings, as well as pre-meeting strategy sessions with District management, as assigned.
6. Participate in the development and delivery of training materials regarding a variety of labor relations topics, including specific training on new or changed labor contract provisions.
7. Provide technical support on the formulation of management proposals in preparation for labor negotiations.
8. Assist with training managers and supervisors on new and/or changed contract language, side letters and memorandum of agreements.
9. Responsible for day-to-day direct safeguard of District records and employee privacy entrusted in the course and scope of this position maintain records in accordance with TriMet’s Records Management Policy.
Position Requirements:
A minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree is required, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Labor Relations, Human Resources or Business Administration being preferred.
A minimum of four (4) years of experience are required. *
Four (4) years of experience in labor relations or closely related activities are required.
Four (4) years of professional experience in labor relations or related in the public sector are preferred.
Or any equivalent combination of experience and training.
*The amount of credit a candidate receives for prior years of experience is based on the relevancy of that experience to the required or preferred prerequisites of the job description. Experience is prorated based on hours worked. LRHR assigns and validates the “credited experience”.
Selection Criteria:
Type of Position / Grade / FLSA
Grade 15, Exempt, Non-Union, Full-Time.
Salary Range:
Minimum: $91,048.00
Maximum: $136,572.00
Salary offers will be determined by a candidate’s education, training and relevant experience. Any final offer of employment will fall within the range stated above. For transparency, we choose to list the full available grade range, however, TriMet’s salary administration process will ultimately determine the final salary offered.
Selection Process:
Candidates will be selected based at a minimum on the result of:
1. Application Review (please include: Cover Letter and Resume)
2. Panel Interviews
3. Reference Check
Supplemental Information:
Make sure you describe in detail how your education, training and work experience fit with this role. You are encouraged to attach a resume, cover letter, training certificates and/or letters of recommendation with your application. You are permitted five attachments of less than 5MB each.
Internal applicants: Information in your personnel file will not be used in lieu of information requested on your application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
If you are a qualified veteran and would like to apply for veterans’ preference points, you will need to reflect your status on the application and attach supporting documentation at the time of application submission.
If you need accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act for any part of the application process, contact our Human Resources staff at 503-962-7505, or the TTY line at 7-1-1. Note that we require a minimum of two workdays’ notice prior to the need for accommodation.
TriMet is an equal opportunity employer, committed to developing an organization that is reflective of and sensitive to the needs of the diverse community we serve, including veterans, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities.
ADA Statement:
As applied to the workplace, applicants and employees must be qualified to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. Essential functions may include required job functions performed infrequently as well as production standards related to the quality and quantity of work.
If a person with a disability could meet job qualifications with a reasonable accommodation, TriMet will work with the employee to accommodate the need. If TriMet’s accommodation is effective in allowing the employee to perform the essential functions of the job, it need not be the employee’s preferred accommodation.