Labor Negotiator

Do you have experience in Labor Relations?  Are you interested in joining a team dedicated to building collaborative relationships with represented employees and committed to the collective bargaining process? Are you detail oriented and excel in negotiations and mediation?

If so, the City of Bellevue has an exceptional opportunity for a Labor Negotiator, HR Manager who will join our Labor Relations team as a lead negotiator.  You will be responsible for developing, implementing, and coordinating citywide HR programs/plans related to labor relations and contract negotiations. In addition, you must be able to supervise and help design compensation studies, including determining necessary research and analysis and identifying the scope of compensation studies, perform multifactor data and costs analysis, and present recommended actions to management.

Communication skills and strategic organizational acumen will be critical as this position communicates with all levels of staff and management within the City, union representatives, elected officials, the public, City attorneys, and representatives of other agencies and jurisdictions. Utilize your expertise and work direction to negotiate and bring resolution to problems, represent the City’s interests, and articulate and represent programs. You will frequently be involved in sensitive and emotional issues requiring a considerable amount of tact, diplomacy, and skill in building relationships and gaining trust and confidence.

At The City of Bellevue, you’ll be part of a diverse team committed to providing exceptional customer service, upholding public interest and being a part of the community vision.  You’ll work in a supportive and engaging work environment where being innovative, collaborative, and future focused are valued.

Labor Relations and Contract Negotiation

• Works closely with Department and City management to formulate and recommend negotiation strategies in support of the City's mission and goals.  
• Negotiates various agreements (CBA, MOU/MOA, etc.) on behalf of the City to modify or clarify terms and conditions of employment and participates on labor-management committees.
• Presents sensitive proposals and recommendations to management, elected officials, union representatives, and others as needed.
• Monitors, analyzes, and interprets collective bargaining agreements to ensure their accurate application, compliance with federal and state laws, City policies, and management practices.  Recommends compliance actions for new and evolving legislation.
• Upon ratification of contracts, develops communication and training for managers and other departments for the accurate, consistent, and equitable implementation of newly negotiated collective bargaining agreements.
• Researches and formulates responses to grievances and unfair labor practice charges. Develops and maintains cooperative working relationships with union representatives.  

Compensation Studies, Market Analysis, and Union Proposals

• Compiles, prepares, and analyzes data to develop proposals in labor negotiations, mediations, arbitrations, and other settings. Analyzes and costs union proposals including compensation and benefit proposals.  
• Meets with management representatives and develops proposals for changes in collective bargaining agreements.  Provides management with periodic updates related to negotiation progress and status.
• Serves as consultant to management regarding potentially unforeseen impacts and legal implications of proposed actions.   Designs and conducts compensation studies (market analysis), including determining necessary research and analysis, scope of compensation studies, comparable market comparison studies, performs multifactor data and costs analysis, cost/benefit analysis, and presents recommended actions to City leadership. 

HR Department Team Partnership, Collaboration, and Support

• Provides technical expertise to department management and staff, regarding the rationale for and proper application of human resources procedures and policies mainly in the areas of represented employees’ benefits, compensation, labor and employee relations. 
• Works collaboratively and cooperatively with other members of the HR department in development of policies and procedures.  Ensures all policies and procedures are administered consistently within the scope of collective bargaining and City initiatives for represented employees while achieving best organizational development and human resources practices.
• Provides consultation and guidance to human resources staff regarding employee actions and highly complex, labor relations issues.  

Supervision Received and Exercised

• Works under the direction of an Assistant Director of Human Resources. 
• Work is performed independently under limited supervision with a high level of autonomy and responsibility.

Qualifications Education and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Psychology, or a closely related field. Master's or Juris Doctor degree preferred.
• Five years of progressively responsible experience in labor relations, contract negotiation, employee relations, and compensation analysis, preferably in the public sector. Working knowledge and experience in labor law and the processes and practices related to collective bargaining. First chair experience required. 
• Experience in a variety of human resources disciplines preferred.
• Or any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Requirements

• Able to compile and analyze statistics. Add, subtract, multiply, divide, compute fractions, ratios, percentages, and proportions; create and interpret graphs and charts; and apply these concepts to practical situations.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of governmental budgeting and accounting.  
• Ability to handle issues with large scope, high levels of complexity, sensitivity and visibility to the organization; make administrative and procedural decisions and recommendations to solve complex problems with sound judgment on sensitive, complex, and/or confidential issues.
• Ability to deal effectively with a wide range of customers in a diverse community and cope with conflicting points of view; function under pressure and demonstrate discretion, integrity, and fairness with effective interpersonal skills in a tactful, patient, and courteous manner.
• Experienced in strategic thinking and developing approaches that consider organizational and long-term impacts of policies and proposed changes.
• Knowledgeable in best human resources practices, arbitration, employee and labor relations, employment law, strategies, and processes.
• Thorough knowledge of public sector labor relations practices/employment policies and procedures and PERC regulations.
• Thorough knowledge of federal and state employment laws and regulations, including L&I guidance, PECBA, DOL guidance, and employee accommodation legislation.  
• Effective and clear communication strategy in both verbal and written formats.  
• Skilled in composing, proofreading, and editing contract language, correspondence, presentations, reports, policies, procedures, and other types of official documents.
• Ability to utilize a personal computer and related software packages to perform word processing, analysis, information retrieval, and tracking.
• Willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges while meeting and prioritizing sensitive deadlines
• Work independently and make decisions under broad guidelines.
• Perform effectively as a team member.
• Work Authorization: All new hires will be required to establish employment authorization and identity at the time of hire. The City is not able to sponsor work visas.

Physical Demands

• The physical demands and work environment described here 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.
• Work involves walking, talking, hearing, using hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls, and reaching with hands and arms. 
• Vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• The employee may be required to push, pull, lift, and/or carry up to 10 pounds.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet.
• This is a full-time, exempt, non-union position.  All bargaining is conducted in person, mostly at City Hall or the Bellevue Service Center. Other work is performed in hybrid environment, both at home and in office days, but also may require travel to meetings.
• The incumbent may be required to work non-standard hours, which will include early morning meetings and evening meetings.

Flexible/Hybrid Working:

A hybrid work schedule is available for this position after an orientation period working in the office after hire. Remote work for this position is subject to department's operational needs and will be discussed with candidates during the selection process. Full-time remote work is not an available option. Once hired, employees must reside in the State of Washington and within reasonable commuting distance to Bellevue City Hall.