Labor Relations Mediator

About The Role

The State Employment Relations Board (SERB) is seeking a skilled and impartial Labor Relations Mediator to support public‑sector employers and unions across Ohio. This role is ideal for a professional who thrives in dynamic environments, excels at conflict resolution, and is committed to fostering productive labor‑management relationships.

As a neutral third party, you will guide negotiations through mediation, help resolve disputes, and promote collaborative problem‑solving—ensuring that parties are empowered to reach meaningful, self‑determined agreements.

Key Responsibilities

Lead Mediation and Negotiation Efforts

• Intervene in collective bargaining negotiations to mediate disputed issues between employers and union representatives.
• Develop strategies for settlement, clarify issues, and help parties understand the implications of potential actions.
  
  

Facilitate Labor‑Management Collaboration

• Conduct training on interest‑based bargaining and labor‑management cooperation techniques.
  
  

Manage Mediation Activities Statewide

• Plan, arrange, and conduct mediation sessions, bargaining meetings, and related activities across Ohio, including significant statewide travel.
  
  

Resolve Impasses and Unfair Labor Practice Cases

• Work to resolve negotiation impasses prior to fact‑finding and promote mutually crafted settlements.
• Mediate unfair labor practice cases following probable cause determinations.
  
  

Conduct Research and Prepare Documentation

• Review and analyze negotiation and impasse data, historical cases, and contract information to prepare for mediation.
• Assist in preparing quarterly fact-finding/conciliation statistics reports.
  
  

Engage with Stakeholders

• Deliver presentations and speaking engagements to specialized audiences and the general public.
• Handle sensitive inquiries and maintain strong professional relationships with public officials, union representatives, and community stakeholders.
  
  

7 years collective bargaining experience or equivalent closely related experience (e.g., personnel or business or public administration, or employee relations or industrial relations including Ohio Revised Code 4117) AND must be able to provide own transportation

• Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications For Employment noted above.
  
  

Job Skills: Labor Relations

Agency Contact Name and Information

Morgan Turjanica: Morgan.Turjanica@obm.ohio.gov

Unposting Date

Ongoing

Primary Location

United States of America-OHIO-Franklin County-Columbus

Compensation

$43.09/hr-61.56/hr

Schedule

Full-time

Work Hours

May involve various shifts, weekends & holidays

Classified Indicator

Unclassified

Union

Exempt from Union

Professional Skills

Attention to Detail, Listening, Verbal Communication, Written Communication

Agency Overview

The State Employment Relations Board (SERB) administers the Ohio Public Employees’ Collective Bargaining Act (O.R.C. Chapter 4117). SERB adjudicates filings from employee organizations (unions), public employees, and public employers. A public employer is any state or political subdivision located entirely within the state (including counties, municipal corporations, and townships with a population of 5,000 ). We also serve school districts, state colleges, state agencies, authorities, commissions, boards, and other branches of public employment including public sector hospitals and health care facilities.

SERB’s Essential Statutory Functions Include

• Investigating unfair labor practice charges.
• Adjudicating unfair labor practice complaints after investigation.
• Processing representation petitions and requests for recognition.
• Determining appropriate bargaining units and conducting elections to establish or change union composition.
• Analyzing and reporting wage and benefit data from collective bargaining agreements.
• Providing impasse resolution services through mediation, fact-finding, and conciliation.
• Resolving disputes as to the legality of strikes.
• Collecting and monitoring registration and financial filings by employee organizations.
• Training labor and management representatives in the methods and rules of collective bargaining.
  
  

The agency consists of three board members and a staff of 24. The agency is organized into the following sections:

• Clerk’s Office
• Business and Records Office
• Representation
• Bureau of Mediation
• Unfair Labor Practices
• Hearings
• Research and Training
  
  

Learn more about the agency by visiting https://serb.ohio.gov.