The Office of Labor Relations (OLR) is currently recruiting for Labor Relations Specialists to join the Labor and Employee Relations team. The positions may be filled at any of the following levels:

Labor Relations Specialist III (Grade N25) – Salary range: $75,368 - $120,947

Labor Relations Specialist II (Grade N22) – Salary range: $66,359 - $105,762

Labor Relations Specialist I (Grade N18) – Salary range: $56,220 - $88,686

About the Office of Labor Relations:

The Office of Labor Relations negotiates and administers collective bargaining agreements; manages joint labor-management initiatives and programs; oversees processes that address workplace disputes; coordinates disputes and appeal procedures involving non-bargaining unit employees; manages the County's relationships with labor organizations and the general workforces; provides early intervention strategies in workplace disputes; implements personnel policy and personnel regulation changes; maintains and analyzes demographic statistics.

About the Position:

An employee in this class is responsible for the administration of County and union grievance procedures, review of adverse actions for merit and procedural compliance, and provides guidance and assistance to County employees and managers on a full range of labor/employee relations issues.

Duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Interpreting collective bargaining agreements and regulations; conducting review of adverse actions proposed by departments for conformance with Union contracts, Personnel Regulations, Administrative Procedures and departmental regulations.
• Meeting with employees, department representatives, and union representatives to resolve complaints and grievances.
• Conducting grievance hearings and mediations; preparing final grievance decisions for County Chief Administrative Officer's review and signature.
• Leading department level bargaining and supporting collective bargaining, including research, taking notes, drafting contract language, coordinating bargaining logistics, and coordinating post-negotiations review and implementation.
• Conducting research on labor and employee relations issues; developing and delivering labor relations training.
• Coordinating, administering and supporting labor programs and activities; coordinating and leading joint labor-management committees and initiatives.

Who we are looking for:

The ideal candidate must have a willingness to effectuate change. This candidate will be able to draw on prior experience working in a labor and employee relations role to help the Office of Labor Relations build a model labor relations program from the ground up. In their day-to-day engagements, this candidate takes an interest-based and collaborative approach with the County's union partners as well as other stakeholders.

Additional information about the position:

• Work is performed with considerable independence and latitude but is subject to administrative review and approval of the Chief Labor Relations Officer, Labor Manager, or designee(s).
• This position requires the ability to attend meetings or perform work at locations outside the office.
• This position is eligible for telework.

For additional information about our exciting benefit offerings and total reward summary, please click MCG Total Rewards to Check out our competitive benefits

OHR reviews the minimum qualifications of all applicants, irrespective of whether the candidate has previously been found to have met the minimum requirements for the job or been temporarily promoted to the same position. This evaluation is based solely on the information contained in the application/resume submitted for this specific position/IRC.

Montgomery County Government is an equal opportunity employer, committed to workforce diversity. Accordingly, as it relates to employment opportunities, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, in accordance with the law. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Office of Human Resources via email to OHR@montgomerycountymd.gov. Individual determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made in accordance with all applicable laws.

Montgomery County Government also provides hiring preference to certain categories of veterans and veterans/persons with a disability. For more information and to claim employment preference, please refer to the Careers webpage on Hiring Preference.

All applicants will respond to a series of questions related to their education, relevant experience, knowledge, skills and abilities required to minimally perform the job. The applicant's responses in conjunction with their resume and all other information provided in the employment application process will be evaluated to determine the minimum qualifications and preferred criteria status. Based on the results, the highest qualified applicants will be placed on an Eligible List and may be considered for an interview. Employees meeting minimum qualifications who are the same grade will be placed on Eligible List as a "Lateral Transfer" candidate and may be considered for interview.

If selected for consideration for this position, you may be required to provide evidence that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities indicated on your resume.

Montgomery County Ethics Law: Except as provided by law or regulation, the County's "Public Employees" (which does not include employees of the Sheriff's office) are subject to the County's ethics law including the requirements to obtain advanced approval of any outside employment and the prohibitions on certain outside employment. The outside employment requirements of the ethics law can be found at 19A-12 of the County Code. Additional information about outside employment can be obtained from the Ethics Commission website.

Minimum Qualifications:

Experience:

If filled at Labor Relations Specialist III: Three (3) years applicable professional experience in labor relations and/or employee relations.

If filled at Labor Relations Specialist II Two (2) years applicable professional experience in labor relations and/or employee relations.

If filled at Labor Relations Specialist I: One (1) year of applicable professional experience in labor relations and/or employee relations.

All Levels – Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree, in Business or Public Administration or related field.

All Levels – Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.

License: None.

Preferred Criteria:

The applications of those individuals meeting the minimum qualifications will be reviewed to determine the extent, relevancy of training, and experience in the following areas:

• Experience administering conflict facilitation or alternative dispute resolution programs.
• Experience providing guidance and training to employees and/or managers on a full range of labor relations issues.
• Experience developing, interpreting, and implementing labor policies, labor contract provisions and personnel regulations.
• Experience in labor and employee relations within a municipal government agency.
• Experience writing labor contract provisions, grievance decisions, policies, personnel regulations, analytical reports, or similar types of documents.
• Experience in drafting documents necessary for disciplinary actions and in the administration of progressive discipline.

If selected for consideration for this position, you may be required to provide evidence that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities indicated on your resume.