Description

Are you passionate about fostering positive labor relations and ensuring a harmonious workplace? Do you have a knack for negotiation and policy development? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you!

We are looking for a skilled Labor Relations Administrator within the Human Resources Division (HRD) at the Department of Social and Health Services to join our team and help manage and enhance our relationships between employees and management, oversee and enforce labor laws and regulations to ensure fair and equitable treatment of the staff.

In this role, you will provide a strategic and operational framework for all personnel and workforce activities and report to the Specialty Consulting Service -Office Chief. You will ensure the agency works within the framework of state and federal laws, provide guidance, consultation, training and support to the department on employee and leadership development, successional and career management, leave and benefits issues, and retention.

This opportunity offers flexible hybrid remote work, may have to travel occasionally to the headquarters in Olympia, WA based on the business needs.

Some of what you'll do:

Lead Labor Relations Section

Supervise a team of labor relations specialists.
Provide ongoing development and support to the team of professionals.
Provide advanced-level professional coaching and consultation to executive leadership, supervisors, and the HR team.

Primary Contact & Advisory Role

Act as the primary point of contact for all labor relations matters.
Advise management on labor relations issues, strategies, mediations and arbitrations, Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC) processes, and collective bargaining agreements (CBA).

Negotiation & Strategy

Lead labor negotiations, representing the organization in discussions with labor unions.
Develop bargaining demands and strategies for discussions with labor unions and statewide management teams.
Identify and strategize modifications to CBA articles for future negotiations.
Coordinate and collaborate with other state departments on negotiating strategies and administer the CBA with unions.

Grievance Management

Oversee employee grievance procedures and administration.
Manage grievance processes and resolve disputes in a timely and effective manner.
Gather and compile information on disagreements, reconcile claims, and propose new procedures.

Training & Compliance

Develop and deliver training to department managers and supervisors on labor law compliance, interpretation of CBAs, and best practices.
Ensure compliance with and consistent interpretation of CBAs with federal, state, and local labor regulations.
Implement and ensure compliance with negotiated CBAs, state and federal employment laws, rules, policies, and procedures.

Representation

Represent the department in consultation with the Attorney General's Office as needed before the public employment relations commission on unfair labor practice charges, representation issues, and establishment/modification of bargaining units.
Represent the Secretary and Senior Human Resources Director in strategic CBA and labor relations discussions with the Office of Financial Management (OFM) and the State Human Resources Office, and Governor's Office, other Department's Labor Relations staff.

We're looking for someone with a proven track record in labor relations to join our team. The ideal applicant will be great at building trust and influence without direct authority. They should have strong collaboration, negotiation, and communication skills, along with knowledge of labor laws and conflict resolution. They need to navigate the system effectively, remove obstacles, make confident decisions, handle stress, adapt to changing business needs, and take responsibility for their work to meet goals and objectives. These are the key skills we're seeking for this role

If this is your area of expertise and passion, and you’re a results-driven professional with an interest in labor relations, we want to hear from you! Apply now!

What we’re looking for:

Experience in state, city, county government or private industry in a formal labor relations role
Experience with union processes including grievance resolution, CBA interpretation, decision writing, principles of arbitration, and mandatory subjects of bargaining
Excellent interpersonal skills, written and oral communicator who'll work effectively at all levels, in a collaborative manner, and demonstrate the ability to articulate a decision clearly and effectively
Skilled at making independent decisions based on facts, open to input, and feedback

Who should apply?

Professionals with a bachelor’s degree with major coursework in human resource management, labor relations, organizational development, business administration, or public administration, AND, five years of senior-level human resource experience in any of the following human resource disciplines: labor relations, corrective and disciplinary action, consulting and coaching on employee issues, or employee investigations
Demonstrated experience as a bargaining team member.
Demonstrated experience with labor/management and collective bargaining
Excellent communication, negotiation, and conflict-resolution skills.
Ability to handle sensitive issues with professionalism and discretion.
Demonstrated supervisory experience.
OR
Equivalent experience will substitute for education.

Interested? Please list 3 professional references’ contact information on your application and include your current resume and a cover letter explaining how your knowledge, skills, and abilities qualify you for this role.

The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring an equity, anti-racism, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to create greater access and affirming representation of the communities we serve, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.

If you have questions about the job posting number 01523, contact Anu Rao via email at

Supplemental Information

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at . Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or .

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Washington State Department of Social and Health Services

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