What are the responsibilities and job description for the Principal Labor Relations Representative position at The County of Santa Clara?
Description
The County of Santa Clara is seeking a highly experienced and strategic Principal Labor Relations Representative. The ideal candidate will be a seasoned professional with a deep understanding of public sector collective bargaining, contract administration, and conflict resolution. This role requires a leader who can manage a diverse portfolio of complex labor issues, provide expert guidance to management, and foster strong, productive relationships with union partners. The Principal Labor Relations Representative will also be responsible for mentoring and supervising staff, ensuring the team’s continued growth and effectiveness. This position will perform professional level labor relations duties including contract negotiations and administration, grievance handling, guiding departments on disciplinary actions, dispute resolution, training and research, and advising County departments on employee performance management. The ideal candidate will have a strong working knowledge of the techniques of public sector collective bargaining under the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act (MMBA), as well as knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO) status, federal and state leave laws, and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Successful candidates will have a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across a large organization and a proven ability to build and sustain collaborative and effective relationships with labor organizations.
Typical Tasks
- Serves as the chair of a County negotiating committee, typically for complex or sensitive units/organizations;
- Coordinates, assigns and directs other negotiations chairs;
- Plans, assigns, directs and reviews the work of Labor Relations staff in the day-to-day operations of the labor relations program;
- Responsible for county-wide grievance handling, disciplinary appeals and arbitrations;
- Represents the Deputy County Executive at meetings of the Board of Supervisors, Department/Agency Heads, committees, outside groups and labor organizations;
- Effectively recommends selection/retention and discipline of subordinate staff;
- Trains, develops and evaluates staff;
- Provides technical resources to subordinate staff;
- Assists with departmental budget control and planning;
- May function as staff advocate in complex hearings or arbitrations;
- Participates in resolution of complex grievances, disciplinary issues, contract negotiations or disputes;
- Recommends improvement in delivery of labor relations services;
- Performs the tasks performed by Labor Relations Representative but at the high level consistent with the higher level of responsibility of the Principal Labor Relations Representative;
- May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker as required;
- Performs other related work as required.
Employment Standards
Training and Experience Note: The knowledge and abilities required to perform this function are acquired through training and experience equivalent to a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university,
Five (5) years of professional level analytical experience of which three (3) years are in the field of labor relations as an agency-wide (e.g. city/county) representative.
Experience in the public sector is desirable.
Possession of a valid California Driver's License prior to appointment and the ability to qualify for and maintain a County driver authorization.
Knowledge of:
- Laws relating to labor relations with an emphasis on the public sector;
- Techniques of dispute resolution;
- Grievance handling and administration;
- Current labor relations practices, trends and major problems in the public sector;
- Principles of supervision;
- Principles of budgeting;
- Principles of organization and management;
- Modern office practices, methods, and computer applications related to the work.
- Work under extreme pressure;
- Represent the County in administrative hearings and arbitrations;
- Plan, organize, direct and evaluate subordinate staff;
- Effectively advise and train County managers on matters related to Labor Relations;
- Delegate duties while retaining accountability;
- Train and develop staff;
- Reason logically and creatively;
- Resolve complex disputes;
- Negotiate complex labor contracts demonstrating proficiency and command of all aspects of the process;
- Communicate effectively through clear and concise written correspondence and oral presentations.
