Labor Relations Specialist

Labor Relations Specialist

Human Resources

ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: 0924-54E

Kitsap Regional Library is looking for an experienced Labor Relations Specialist to join the Human Resources team at Kitsap Regional Library. The Human Resources team provides a broad range of human resource functions to support staff and the mission of the Library. Serving nine locations and about 200 employees, the incumbent will support the Library's strategic direction and its core values of equity, service, and curiosity by building strong relationships with management and labor partners and ensuring organizational alignment with the collective bargaining agreement.

The Labor Relations Specialist will join a Human Resources team composed of five professionals committed to supporting a positive and engaged workplace culture. The team currently consists of an HR Manager, HR Generalist, HR Coordinator, and Director of HR. At Kitsap Regional Library, our core values of Equity, Service and Curiosity drive our mission and inform our efforts to recruit, attract, retain and engage the diverse workforce needed to achieve our mission.

To learn more about our mission and strategic goals for the next five years, please see our strategic plan: Thrive Ahead, Kitsap Regional Library's Strategic Direction.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Under the direction of the Human Resources Director, the Labor Relations Specialist will advise and counsel managers and supervisors on effective contract administration; and strategies for dealing with performance, collective bargaining, discipline, and grievances. The incumbent performs a wide variety of labor and employee relations activities including research and analysis in support of collective bargaining, grievance, and arbitration processes. The successful candidate will have excellent analytical and people skills, as well as effective time management and attention to detail. The ability to develop and maintain mutually trusting and collaborative labor and management relationships is key to success in this role.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's degree in human resources management, labor relations, business administration, or related field and a minimum of five years of progressively responsible labor relations experience is required.

Experience working in a multi-branch library system, or a public sector organization, is desired.

We're eager to meet people that believe in our mission and can contribute to our team in a variety of ways, not just candidates who check all the boxes. Please consider applying even if you do not meet all the qualifications. All applications are reviewed.

• A resume and cover letter are required for all positions and may be uploaded or copy/pasted and submitted with your application.

BENEFITS & SALARY

Employees regularly scheduled 20 or more hours per week are eligible to participate in our medical, dental, vision, basic life, AD&D, long term disability insurance plans, health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), as well as our employee assistance program. Additionally, all employees regularly scheduled 20 or more hours per week receive 13 paid holidays throughout the calendar year. Full-time employees earn 15 days of vacation leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 1 personal day each year.

Kitsap Regional Library participates in the Washington State Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). Employees are automatically eligible for the plan if they work a minimum of 16.25 hours per week (or 70 hour per month) during five months per year for two consecutive years.

Compensation range is $73,552.31 - $101,814.44 per year. Offers are determined based on required and relevant experience and in alignment with internal equity.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Any of the following duties may be performed. These examples are representative and do not include all specific tasks an incumbent may be expected to perform:

DUTIES:

• Serve as a labor relations partner by providing strategic and tactical planning and consultation to ensure consistent compliance with bargaining agreements, policies, and best practice labor relations and human resource management activities.

• Participate in informational meetings and discussions with labor partners, building and maintaining respectful and collaborative relations with Union officials and staff.

• Manage complex and sensitive issues with broad organizational impacts while monitoring deadlines.

• Provide professional support in labor negotiations, participate in contract negotiations, serve as main point of contact responsible for labor relations consultations and assistance.

• Respond to and manage conflict, and advise on resolution of issues.

• Chair Labor Management Communication Committee (LMCC) meetings to help develop and maintain strong partnerships with our labor partners on complex and sensitive issues.

• Attend grievance and disciplinary meetings with managers and supervisors. Establish and maintain trust and positive relations with employees and labor partners.

• Advise management on matters related to the administration of contracts or employee discipline or grievance procedures.

• Prepare bargaining proposals, recommendations and grievance responses.

• Conduct fact-finding interviews and investigations of misconduct and allegations of violations of the collective bargaining agreement.

• Train supervisory staff on topics related to labor relations, such as working conditions, safety, grievance processes.

• Partner with the labor relations team and represent the organization in arbitration hearings and/or other dispute resolution processes.

• Review and approve employee disciplinary actions, such as written reprimands, suspensions, or terminations.

• Review employer practices or employee data to ensure compliance with contracts on matters such as wages, hours, or conditions of employment.

• May make recommendations on revision to job and classification descriptions through multiple methods (interviews, documentation, job analysis, and research); prepare analytical reports to support recommendations; and assist in processing appeal requests as needed.

• Conduct research, gather, and analyze highly complex data.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to maintain regular and reliable attendance.

• Knowledge of principles and practices of human resources.

• Ability to remain current with trends and developments in public sector employee and labor relations including supervisory practices and current employment laws, rules, and regulations.

• Ability to read, understand, interpret, apply, and explain applicable regulatory requirements.

• Skill to assess, develop and present training programs for library staff.

• Ability to manage changing and competing priorities under strict timelines while maintaining a high level of attention to detail.

• Ability to build and sustain professional relationships and to work effectively at all levels across the organization.

• Ability to work with and safeguard highly personal, sensitive, and confidential materials within regulated statutory requirements.

• Ability to work effectively both independently and in a team or collaborative environment.

• Ability to use strong organizational and interpersonal problem-solving skills.

• Ability to operate standard office equipment, perform required data entry proficiently and utilize computer software and specialized programs.

• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing and to demonstrate professional level public speaking and conflict resolution skills.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a staff member to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work is performed in a generally accessible, safe, office environment and requires the ability to operate office equipment including significant time spent using a computer. While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent must be able to communicate with co-workers and labor partners.

LIBRARY EXPECTATIONS

Listed below are expectations of all library employees:

• Excellent customer service for patrons and co-workers.

• Knowledge and support of Kitsap Regional Library's principles of intellectual freedom.

• Knowledge and support of Kitsap Regional Library's policies and procedures.

• Ability to work effectively within a team.

• Ability to adapt to rapidly changing information, technology, work procedures and library services.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality in dealing with patron and/or employee records.

SCHEDULE

This is a full-time position scheduled for 40 hours per week. The schedule is typical Monday through Friday office hours but may include weekends and evenings as needed. Please note that schedules are subject to change to meet the needs of the library.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

To apply for this position and future positions, please visit our website at KRL.org and select "Careers" located at the bottom of the page. This position is open to current employees, volunteers and the general public and will remain open until filled.

Kitsap Regional is committed to developing a barrier-free recruitment process and work environment. If you require any accommodation, please email us at jobs@krl.org and we'll work with you to meet your accessibility needs.