Principal Labor Relations Representative

Job Description:

Principal Labor Relations Representative

Description

Marketing Statement

Ride BART to a satisfying career that lets you both: 1) make a difference to Bay Area residents, and 2) enjoy excellent pay, benefits, and employment stability. BART is looking for people who like to be challenged, work in a fast-paced environment, and have a passion for connecting riders to work, school and other places they need to go. BART offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits, paid time off, and the CalPERS retirement program.

Job Summary

Non-Rep Payband N07

Annual Salary: $ 132,346.00 (Minimum) - $200,505.00 (Maximum)

*Initial negotiable annual salary will be between $ 132,346.00 - $165,409.12 to commensurate with education and experience

Reports to

Manager of Labor Relations

Current Assignment

The Principal Labor Relations Representative is responsible for administering the labor relations program, including interpreting collective bargaining agreements and providing advice to management staff on contractual obligations, disciplinary actions, negotiations and impacts bargaining, dispute settlement, and grievance procedures. The positions will also be responsible for consulting with union representatives, and preparing a variety of labor relations documents and reports, including settlement agreements, memoranda of understanding, side letters, statistical reports and related documentation. The positions may be responsible for supervising staff.

The ideal candidate(s) will demonstrate the following criteria beyond the minimum qualifications:

- Interpreting and applying contract obligations contained in collective bargaining agreements.

- Principles and practices of negotiations and conflict resolution.

- Experience supporting public sector labor relations programs including disciplinary - procedures, grievance handling, and preparation of disciplinary hearings and arbitrations.

- The ability to work effectively in a diverse transportation and/or public sector labor environment.

- Impasse resolution techniques including mediation, rights and interest arbitration.

Selection Process

Applications will be screened to assure that minimum qualifications are met. Those applicants who meet minimum qualifications will then be referred to the hiring department for the completion of further selection processes. Screening of preferred skills and experiences beyond the minimum qualifications may be applied.

The selection process for this position may include a skills/performance demonstration, a written examination, and a panel and/or individual interview.

The successful candidate must have an employment history demonstrating reliability and dependability; provide copies of certificates, diplomas or other documents as required by law, including those establishing his/her right to work in the U. S; pass a pre-employment medical examination which may include a drug and alcohol screen, and which is specific to the essential job functions and requirements. Pre-employment processing will also include a background check. (Does not apply to current full-time District employees unless specific job requires additional evaluations).

Examples of Duties

Participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies and priorities; recommends and implements resulting policies and procedures.

Participates in the development of policies and procedures; monitors work activities to ensure compliance with established policies and procedures; makes recommendations for changes and improvements to existing standards and practices.

Identifies opportunities for improving service delivery methods and procedures; identifies resource needs; reviews with appropriate management staff; implements improvements.

Administers labor relations agreements; interprets contents of agreements and provides advice to management staff on contractual obligations including disciplinary actions, negotiations, dispute settlement and grievance procedures.

Prepares a variety of labor relations documents and reports including settlement agreements, memorandums of understanding, side agreements, statistical reports and related documentation.

Prepares or assists in preparation for arbitration, grievance hearings, and Skelley (pre-disciplinary due process) hearings; performs related investigations, including but not limited to witness interviews or advising managers in the performance of investigations; prepares documents or other physical evidence for use in such proceedings; coordinates the scheduling of witnesses and materials to be used or presented; questions and prepares witnesses; coordinates activities with other divisions or legal counsel as required.

Participates in and may perform functions of a District spokesperson in contract negotiations as assigned; drafts and analyzes proposals and performs or obtains related research as assigned; trains bargaining team members; reviews notes taken at bargaining sessions to ensure accuracy; may need to bring hard copies of proposal documents to offsite contract negotiations.

Provides staff assistance to the Labor Relations Manager; participates on a variety of committees; prepares and presents staff reports and other correspondence as appropriate and necessary.

Identifies training needs; develops labor relations training programs; trains supervisors or supervises others in the performance of such duties, as assigned by the Labor Relations Manager.

Evaluates unit determination issues; may respond to union or coordinate response with Legal Counsel as appropriate.

May plan, prioritize, assign, review and participate in the work of staff responsible for labor relations program operations and activities within the Labor Relations Department; ensures work quality and adherence to established policies and procedures.

Coordinates labor relations activities with those of other divisions and outside agencies and organizations.

Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of labor relations.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

A Bachelor’s degree in industrial/labor relations, public administration, business administration, human resources management or a closely related field from an accredited college or university. A graduate degree in industrial or labor relations is desirable.

Experience

Four (4) years of (full-time equivalent) verifiable professional labor relations program experience, which must have included at least two (2) years in contract negotiations on one or more assigned labor contracts.

Substitution

Additional professional experience as outlined above may be substituted for the education on a year-for-year basis. A college degree is preferred.

Other Requirements

Must be able to work long hours for extended periods.

Knowledge and Skills

Knowledge of :

• Operations, services, and activities of a labor relations program.
• Statutory law and common law rules of labor contract construction and administration.
• Rules of evidence that commonly apply in contract administration matters.
• Methods and techniques of collecting and analyzing data.
• Methods and techniques of statistical analysis.
• Principles and practices of labor relations management.
• Classic and interest based collective bargaining theory and procedures.
• Methods and techniques of developing labor relations training programs.
• Principles and practices of negotiations, grievance/arbitration procedures and conflict resolution.
• Impasse resolution techniques including mediation, rights and interest arbitration.
• Principles and practices of program development and administration.
• Government institutional design and the influence it has on public sector labor relations outcomes.
• Basic methods of organizing for and carrying out litigation in arbitration including, but not limited to, case investigation and design, calendaring and monitoring of relevant deadlines, identification, use of or differentiation of relevant laws and case precedents, presentation of physical, demonstrative, and testimonial evidence, preparation and presentation of oral and written argument, making motions and objections, conducting cross examination, and other related activities.
• Relevant laws and regulations as they relate to the labor contracts (e.g. FMLA and attendance management, FLSA, overtime pay, etc.) and potential litigations brought forth by employees.
• Current office software including oral presentation software, spreadsheet software, workflow software, and word processing software.
• Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• Related Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations.

Skill in:

• Performing a variety of professional level duties in support of the District’s labor relations programs.
• Organizing and writing highly technical and complex memoranda, contract language, settlement documents, reports, and proposals, while assessing the organizational operating and political context in which the written material will apply, and appropriately anticipating questions that may arise so that they are clearly answered in writing.
• Interpreting and applying contract obligations contained in bargaining agreements.
• Working effectively with labor unions.
• Researching and evaluating labor relations issues.
• Conducting labor relations training programs.
• Supervising, organizing, and reviewing the work of lower-level staff.
• Supervising and coordinating labor relations programs.
• Interpreting and explaining District labor relations policies and procedures.
• Maintaining accurate files and records.
• Communicating clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

Equal Employment Opportunity GroupBox1

The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 and above), religion, national origin (including language use restrictions), disability (mental and physical, including HIV and AIDS), ancestry, marital status, military status, veteran status, medical condition (cancer/genetic characteristics and information), or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.

The BART Human Resources Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate persons with disabilities or for religious reasons. Please advise the Human Resources Department of any special needs in advance of the examination by emailing at least 5 days before your examination date at employment@bart.gov .

Qualified veterans may be eligible to obtain additional veteran's credit in the selection process for this recruitment (effective Jan. 1, 2013). To obtain the credit, veterans must attach to the application a DD214 discharge document or proof of disability and complete/submit the Veteran's Preference Application no later than the closing date of the posting. For more information about this credit please go to the Veteran's Preference Policy and Application link at www.bart.gov/jobs .

The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) prides itself in offering best in class benefits packages to employees of the District. Currently, the following benefits may be available to employees in this job classification.

Highlights

• Medical Coverage (or $350/month if opted out)
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Insurance (Basic and Enhanced Plans Available)
• Retirement Plan through the CA Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS)
  • 2% @ 55 (Classic Members)
  • 2% @ 62 (PEPRA Members)
  • 3% at 50 (Safety Members - Classic)
  • 2.7% @ 57 (Safety Members - PEPRA)
  • Reciprocity available for existing members of many other public retirement systems (see BART website and/or CalPERS website for details)

Money Purchase Pension Plan (in-lieu of participating in Social Security tax)

• 6.65% employer contribution up to annual maximum of $1,868.65

Deferred Compensation & Roth 457 Sick Leave Accruals (12 days per year) Vacation Accruals (3-6 weeks based on time worked w/ the District) Holidays: 9 observed holidays and 5 floating holidays Life Insurance w/ ability to obtain additional coverage Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance Survivor Benefits through BART Short-Term Disability Insurance Long-Term Disability Insurance Flexible Spending Accounts: Health and Dependent Care Commuter Benefits Free BART Passes for BART employees and eligible family members.

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

Salary:

$132,346.00 - $200,505.00 Annually