Labor Relations Director jobs in Nevada

LABOR RELATIONS DIRECTOR

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Chief Human Resources Officer, the Labor Relations Director leads and directs the District's labor relations department which includes collective bargaining negotiations, including possibly chief negotiator, administration of collective bargaining agreements, dispute resolution, discipline, grievance administration, and complaints. Works collaboratively with the Board of Trustees, Executive Leadership, school site Administrators, and employee association leaders to negotiate and implement collective bargaining agreements that are aligned to support student, family, employee, and District needs. Works continuously to improve and enhance relations between the District and employee associations. Performs related work as required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serves as a subject matter expert and trusted advisor to the School Board, District Leadership, and site administrators, providing counsel and guidance on all labor relations matters including collective bargaining negotiations and agreements. Through actions and decision making, supports a culture that strives to achieve a balance between the needs of students, families, employees, and the District.
• Counsel staff on matters of management and employee rights, progressive discipline, and appropriate courses of action, in accordance with collective bargaining agreement provisions, federal and state law, and good employer/employee relations practice.
• Mediate informal disputes between management and employees and provide counsel to management on appropriate course of action, to resolve differences at the lowest possible level.
• Makes recommendations to District leadership regarding employment status (up to and including termination recommendations).
• Plan and administer the collective bargaining negotiations program including possibly serving as chief negotiator for the District and maintaining responsibility for all collective bargaining negotiations.

• Meet and collaborate with internal stakeholders to help inform, facilitate, and assist with the implementation of new changes and modifications that occur to the respective agreements through the collective bargaining process.
• Collaborate with Executive Leadership to identify bargaining priorities, plan negotiation strategies, build and train negotiation teams, solicit feedback from clients regarding the operational implications bargaining proposals and/or current contract language, work with the Office of Business and Finance to analyze and forecast labor and proposal costs, participate in and, at times represent, the District at mediations arbitrations, and EMRB proceedings as necessary. This includes researching pertinent data, arbitration awards and court decisions; preparing the position of the District; seeking potential witnesses to testify; presenting the District's position to a neutral party; and writing hearing briefs.
• Investigate and assist in responding to charges of unfair labor practices and assist Legal Counsel in representing the District before the Employee-Management Relations Board.
• Collaborates with employee associations and District leadership as necessary to negotiate and implement addenda to the collective bargaining agreements when they are not open for negotiation.
• Provides oversight and guidance in the employee grievances process, advises management on grievance trends, and works with administrators to address specific concerns to prevent those concerns from becoming grievances.
• Develops the Labor Relations division's annual training plan as well as conducting individual and group trainings.
• Facilitates communication between employee groups and District leadership as required; interprets collective bargaining agreements for management.
• Develops and maintains current Board Policies, Administrative Regulations, and Labor Relations department procedures and work instructions.
• Oversee the Labor Relations webpage on the District's website.
• Selects, assigns, supervises, schedules, and evaluates the work of assigned staff; advises, assists and trains assigned staff as necessary.

• Serves as a member of the Office of Human Resources leadership team through participation in meetings and committees, work on special projects, and cross functional collaborative efforts.
• Establishes goals and objectives for the labor relations program that are consistent with goals, objectives and parameters established by the School Board, Superintendent, and the Chief Human Resources Officer.

• Responsible for negotiation and execution of settlement agreements in collaboration with the applicable internal and external parties. Responsible for working with the Office of General Counsel for drafting the settlement agreements in employee matters where there is no employee representation or when the employee representative is private counsel. May work with outside counsel on a variety of matters. Responsible for the enforcement of settlement agreement provisions as they related to employee discipline, employee pay issues, and other employee matters.

• Research current trends and practices pertaining to labor relations; analyze legislation, arbitration decisions and labor contracts to determine the potential impact on the District and its labor relations program. Take action to address as appropriate and/or necessary.
• Maintain accurate and detailed records and files for historical reference and to ensure continuity with past practice, intent, and contract provisions.; ensure the department's adherence to document retention requirements.

• Reviews all background returns and provides guidance for the continuing employment or ability for volunteers to work in the schools.
Represents the District in unemployment hearings for which Labor Relations was involved.

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COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF RESPONSIBILITIES

• Knowledge of Human Resources related laws and regulations, related principles, practices, and procedures.
• Knowledge of labor law and collective bargaining law, strategies, and processes (Knowledge of NRS 281A and decisions from Nevada's Employee-Management Relations Board is desired).
• Leadership skills that lend themselves to effective collaboration and problem solving with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrates a high degree of personal integrity through one's actions in sensitive situations and in consistently maintaining confidentiality and professional boundaries.
• Proven experience in meeting organizational and department objectives and goals.
• Effective problem solving, conflict resolution, and mediation skills.
• Highly effective oral and written communication skills; effective presentation skills.
• Ability to effectively interpret, apply, and articulate bargaining agreement provisions and District policies and regulations, as they related to personnel matters.
• Ability to work effectively under constant deadlines, time constraints, and react effectively under pressure in a fast-paced environment with constant interruptions and often-conflicting demands.
• Detail oriented with the ability to effectively manage multiple tasks and responsibilities and to prioritize accordingly.
• Ability to delegate tasks appropriately and oversee the successful completion of the delegated assignments.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office products.
• Ability to oversee the tracking of incoming requests and data and establish timelines and priorities.
• Ability to work effectively independently and within a team.
• Ability to research, analyze and apply data; to review examine and discuss documents and exhibits that may be offensive and/or disturbing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working conditions with District staff, association representatives, and the public in a multicultural community.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Education/Experience: Any combination of education and experience that could likely provide the required knowledge and skills is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills would be:

AND

Licenses and Certifications: None

Special Requirements: May be required to attend meetings outside of normal working hours.

THIS JOB SPECIFICATION SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED TO IMPLY THAT THESE REQUIREMENTS ARE THE EXCLUSIVE STANDARDS OF THE POSITION. INCUMBENTS MAY BE REQUYIRED TO FOLLOW ANY OTHER INSTRUCTIONS, AND PERFORM ANY OTHER RELATED DUTIES, AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY THEIR SUPERVISOR.

The Washoe County School District is committed to providing a safe and respectful learning and working environment for all students, staff, and visitors. The District prohibits bullying, cyber-bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, and/or discrimination based on an individual's actual or perceived race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, veterans or military status, marital status, disability or the presence of any sensory, physical or mental handicap in any of its educational programs/activities and employment, or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The District prohibits discrimination against any youth group listed in Title 36, as a patriotic society, (i.e. Boy Scouts of America) from access to public school facilities use.