Employee and Labor Relations Representative

Are you driven by public service and interested in the way labor relations operate in the transit industry? King County Metro's Employee Services Division is hiring an Employee & Labor Relations Representative to serve as a trusted advisor on day-to-day employee and labor relations matters. 
 
As a Employee and Labor Relations Representative, you’ll be a part of a team that supports a department with over 5,000 employees, 97% of whom are covered by collective bargaining agreements. Your work will be responsible for advising on complex employee performance management, union contract interpretation, workplace investigations, disciplinary decisions, and employee workplace complaints.

This role offers a high degree of autonomy and influence. You’ll help shape decisions, policies and bargaining strategies at some of the highest levels of the department, making a direct impact on Metro’s culture, workforce experience and service to our community. 

Position Info: This recruitment will be used to fill one (1) Career Service Employee Labor Relations Representative classification vacancy. In addition, this selection process may be used to generate an eligibility list for future Career Service (CS), Special Duty Assignment (SDA), and Term Limited Temporary (TLT), vacancies that may occur in this classification within this workgroup. The eligibility list will be retained for 12 months from the date of posting and may be used at the discretion of the hiring authority. 

Who May Apply:

We welcome applications from all interested candidates, including current King County employees and the public. Please refer to the "Supplemental Information" section of this job bulletin for the required application materials.

Applying equity and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and foundational expectation for all King County employees. In this role, you will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of this work. This position is comprised of the following duties:

• Routinely consult on and/or facilitate the resolution of employee and labor relations issues by working with managers, supervisors, employees, and union representatives.
• Work to resolve grievances/issues at the lowest possible level by working collaboratively within Transit Employee Services and other Metro Divisions, and externally with the Department of Human Resources (DHR) and Office of Labor Relations (OLR) to ensure overall program support and success.
• Ensure compliance with collective bargaining agreements through training and consultation with managers and unions.
• Consult with the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office as necessary.
• Conduct workplace investigations to determine the validity of complaints and grievances.
• Draft investigative reports, present investigative findings, and recommendations to decision-makers, and recommend appropriate disciplinary and corrective action.
• Prepare written responses to the EEOC and other similar state and local regulatory agencies regarding allegations of discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation.
• Participate in grievance hearings, either as a hearing examiner or as a management representative in support of other Department staff.
• Provide support in arbitration and mediation proceedings by researching relevant cases, gathering supporting documents, and providing professional labor relations advice; may serve as a partisan member of arbitration panels. 
• Provide training, guidance, advice, and coaching to supervisory staff on employee and labor relations matters including performance management, workplace policy application, investigative techniques, contract compliance, and appropriate corrective actions.
• Provide recommendations to Employee Services Management and/or King County Office of Labor Relations regarding labor strategies and management bargaining proposals.
• Draft memorandums of understanding to address labor relations issues.
• Work collaboratively with other human resource professionals and leaders in the department to deliver outcomes that further Metro’s organizational health commitments, and are equitable, defensible, and provide the best outcome for the agency.
• Other related duties as assigned.

We are looking for candidates who have: 

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Public Administration or a relevant field, or any equivalent combination of education, experience, and skills that enables successful performance of the job.
• Progressively responsible experience in the following areas: 
  • Experience managing employee and labor relations matters, including advising leaders, interpreting policies and supporting resolutions strategies.
  • Conducting employment workplace investigations. Must include experience: Interviewing complainants, respondents, and witnesses. Evaluating evidence and credibility. Applying relevant policies and legal standards.
  • Investigation report writing. Preparing clear, well-structured written reports that document findings, analysis, and recommendations.
  • Advising on performance management issues. Coaching managers on performance issues, corrective action, documentation standards, and progressive discipline
  • Interpreting and applying federal, state, and local employment rules and regulations, as well as human resources policies and procedures.
• Experience working in a highly unionized environment, public sector experience, and/or experience in large, complex organizations.
• Experience providing recommendations to management on labor negotiations and strategy.
• In-depth knowledge of grievance, arbitration, and mediation proceedings.
• Comprehensive knowledge of labor law and collective bargaining principles and labor contract interpretation and practices. 
• Thorough understanding of the principles of labor contract interpretation and administration.
• Thorough knowledge of employment-related laws and regulations.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively at all organizational levels and establish trust with employees, managers, and union representatives.
• Strong presentation, facilitation, and consensus-building skills.
• Demonstrated ability to resolve conflict, mediate disputes, build consensus, and navigate sensitive or potentially litigious situations with discretion.  
• Proven ability to handle highly confidential, sensitive, and potentially litigious issues.
• A strong and proven commitment to the principles of equity and social justice.
• Strong analytical, planning, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication, including the ability to explain complex concepts to diverse audiences 
• Ability to work daily in a fast-paced environment, with multiple competing priorities while maintaining accuracy and sound judgment.  
• Proficiency in commonly used MS Office applications.

Highly competitive candidates will have (desired, but not required):

• Knowledge of King County Metro’s operations, mission, and policies
• Familiarity with government or transit agency operations.
• Knowledge of and experience with Equal Opportunity Employment laws and the ability to analyze and evaluate employment discrimination cases.
• Advanced skills in developing strategic recommendations for collective bargaining and advising senior management on labor strategy and negotiation proposals.

Who may apply: We welcome applications from all interested candidates, including current King County employees and the public.

To Apply:

The following application materials are required:  

1. An online King County application updated with accurate contact information and relevant work history. 
2. Completed supplemental questions. 
3. Attach a cover letter that addresses why you are interested in this role and how your experience, skills and/or education have prepared you for this position.
4. Attach a writing sample document you have drafted (disciplinary letter, grievance response or similar document with personal identifying information redact as you see appropriate).

Selection Process:

Applications that do not include all of the required materials listed above will not be considered. Only the materials explicitly requested will be reviewed, additional documents or information will not be evaluated. Application materials will be screened for completeness and competitiveness. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more interviews and possibly other selection process elements. Final offers are contingent on successful completion of reference checks and/or a record review.  

If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application/assessment process, or have questions, contact: Sabrina Brazzle at sbrazzle@kingcounty.gov. 

Other Position Information 

Work Schedule:

Our regular business hours are 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday. However, work outside of these hours may occasionally be required. This position is classified as exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not eligible for overtime pay. We may also consider flexible hours.

  
Work Location: 

This is a hybrid position. The team works in a hybrid model, with days in the office as well as telecommuting. Currently the team is required to work 2 days in office each week. In office requirements are anticipated to increase to 3 days per week in 2026. The ratio of remote to onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change. The primary onsite location is King Street Center, 201 S. Jackson, Seattle, Washington 98104.  

Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment. Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.

Union Representation: The position is not represented by a union.

Class Code: 2308100, EMPLOYEE and LABOR RELATIONS REPRESENTATIVE

Please visit this page if you need assistance with your application, need links to Career Support Services, and for Application FAQs - Find a job with us - King County, Washington.

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Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ , people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

Salary : $118,205 - $149,832