Labor Relations Negotiator
- Summary
The King County Office of Labor Relations is seeking an experienced and collaborative Labor Negotiator to join their team. This is an excellent opportunity to join County government and play a role in Executive Constantine's goal to be "the best-run government" by supporting progressive labor and employee relations. This position will serve as the County's spokesperson in negotiating and administering complex labor contracts, including advising on the interpretation and application of the contract and conducting grievance hearings. In addition, this position may provide support in Administrative hearings involving unfair labor practices, bargaining unit clarification, union representation proceedings, classification appeals, grievance and interest arbitration hearings. This position also serves as a strategic advisor to management on labor and employment laws, personnel matters, contract administration and participates in briefing senior management and elected officials on labor policies and complex and/or county-wide labor relations issues.
This position will report directly to the Manager of Labor Relations and have extensive contact with all levels of County management, elected County Officials, interagency professionals, labor union representatives, and legal counsel.
ABOUT KING COUNTY
With 2.2 million residents in 39 cities and unincorporated areas, King County is the nation's 13th-largest county. It also has one of the most diverse populations in the United States. As the only county in the United States named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant community with residents who represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that values the artistic and social traditions of many cultures. King County is changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence.
The County continues to build on an enduring legacy of shared values of equity and social justice, employee engagement, innovative thinking, and continuous improvement. If you share King County Executive Dow Constantine's mission to cultivate and maintain collaborative working relationships with our labor partners, employing innovative and creative solutions to challenges, to achieving just and sustainable results for all this job is for you.
ABOUT THE OFFICE OF LABOR RELATIONS
The Office of Labor Relations (OLR), is an arm of the Executive Office with approximately 16 employees, the majority are Labor Negotiators who negotiate and help administer the County's 75 Labor Agreements covering approximately 12,500 of employees. To learn more about OLR, please check out our website at:http://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/executive/labor-relations.aspx
Please note: The Office of Labor Relations values diverse perspectives and life experiences. The County encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, and veterans.- Job Duties
Successful candidates for this position will, at a minimum, be able to clearly demonstrate skill and ability to:
- Provide strategic and tactical input on:
- The development of proposed labor policies for recommendation to the King County Executive and/or King County Council. Includes preparation and presentation of briefing materials to the Executive, Executive Committees, County Council and Council Committees and staff.
- Serve as the spokesperson on complex labor contracts by:
- Formulating strategy and coordinating resources to present the County's interest in labor negotiations, advising departments and Executive Leadership on contract interpretation and application.
- Negotiating labor contracts and Memorandum of Agreement with unions that represent County employees.
- Serve as a strategic advisor to King County departments by:
- Consulting with management and HR professionals on labor and employment law and contract administration concerning a wide range of personnel matters, including but not limited to, performance management issues and employee disciplines.
- Formulating strategy and coordinating resources to present the County's interest in mediation, arbitration, grievances and grievance arbitration, unfair labor practices, and state and federal agency proceedings.
- Provide strategic and tactical input on:
- Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
- Demonstrated experience with labor contract administration and labor/management committees.
- Familiarity with negotiation, mediation and other forms of pre-litigation conflict resolution.
- Experience applying labor and employment law and consulting with clients and stakeholders on labor and employment issues.
- Experience conducting research, assistance with preparing exhibits and preparing cases for arbitration.
- A track record of successful collaboration with clients and an array of stakeholders.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Can adapt as necessary, while working in a multi-faceted and continuously changing environment.
- An interest in continually improving how they approach work.
- Supplemental Information
The most qualified applicants will be able to demonstrate experience as the lead spokesperson negotiating and administering complex labor agreements for organizations with multiple stakeholders (public officials, department directors, employees and labor unions). The most qualified applicants will also have public sector experience in the representation of clients in labor law hearings.
FORMS AND MATERIALS REQUIRED:
To apply for this appointment, you must provide three application components: 1) a resume, 2) a cover letter, and 3) a fully completed King County application form which is available online at www.kingcounty.gov/jobs (NeoGov). Please note: do not leave sections of the online application incomplete with the notation "see resume". For further inquiries regarding this recruitment, please contact Seth Watson at seth.watson@kingcounty.gov or 206-477-5330.
King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage: King County pays 100% of the premiums for eligible employees and family members
- Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
- Retirement: King County employees are eligible to participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
- Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
- 10 paid holidays each year (plus 2 personal holidays)
- Generous vacation and paid sick leave
- Paid parental leave, family and medical leaves, and volunteer leave
- Flexible Spending Account
- Wellness programs
- Onsite gyms and activity centers
- Employee giving program
- Employee assistance programs
- Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
- Training and career development programs
This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails. Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.
NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.