Transit Employee and Labor Relations Supervisor

Full Job Description

King County Metro Transit's Employee Services Division is seeking to hire a Special Duty Assignment(SDA) Transit Employee and Labor Relations Supervisor.

This leader develops, leads, and maintains Metro's Employee and Labor Relations practice with Senior Leadership, King County's Office of Labor Relations, union partners, employees, and other stakeholders.

Under the direction of the Employee and Labor Relations Manager, the Employee and Labor Relations Supervisor leads Metro’s Employee and Labor Relations function -- coordinating and executing on day-to-day employee and labor relations work.

This work also includes supporting the strategic direction of bargaining agreements; contract administration and interpretation, and guidance/coordination of related activities, including consultation, training, grievances, arbitrations, and supporting legal action.

The Employee and Labor Relations Manager supervises the Employee and Labor Relations team that provides service to Metro’s divisions.

Your strong leadership, labor expertise, and understanding of HR will help strengthen our operations and contribute to the overall success of the organization.

Vacancy informationIn addition, this selection process may be used to generate an eligibility list for future SDA positions that may occur in this classification and work group.

The eligibility pool is valid for up to 12 months from the time of posting for use at the discretion of the hiring authority

Who may apply
This recruitment is only open to current King County Metro Career Service (CS) employees who have completed the probationary period in their current CS position. We are not accepting external applications.

Requirements

Applying equity and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a 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 the work:

• Supervise, lead, mentor, and train assigned staff; participate in recruiting and selecting new staff, disciplinary actions, grievances, termination, and unemployment hearings.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to management on labor and employment laws, personnel matters, and contract administration. Participate in briefing senior management and elected officials on labor policies and complex county-wide labor relations issues.
• Draft, review, and approve Step 2 and Step 3 grievance responses and Pre-Disciplinary Review Committee (PDRC) documents. Ensure timely and efficient delivery of labor relations services.
• Consult and collaborate with METRO’s Transit Labor Negotiators, Prosecutor Attorney’s Office, Department of Human Resources, and Office of Labor Relations; participate in contract negotiations and implementing agreements and settlements.
• Interpret collective bargaining agreement provisions, rules, and regulations; counsel management on labor relations issues; provide recommendations, alternative solutions, and specific actions; ensure compliance with applicable policies, labor regulations, and past practices.
• Investigate grievances, reports, and disciplinary actions, offer support to resolve disputes; research facts and past practice, make recommendations, and assist with resolution.
• Recommend revisions to policies and procedures based on negotiations, labor relations, and human resources initiatives; educate management and supervisory personnel on consistent documentation across the department, new contract agreements, and policy changes.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

We are looking for candidates who have:

• Supervisor/ Lead experience: Ability to foster collaboration and advise and lead employees, while ensuring adherence to company standards
• Employee and Labor Relations Knowledge: At least 2 years of demonstrated ability to advise on performance-related issues, including coaching supervisors, supporting corrective action processes on labor-related matters, and ensuring performance management practices align with organizational policies and labor agreements

Knowledge of Labor Laws and Contract Compliance: Demonstrated understanding of federal, state, and local labor laws and regulations, labor relations understanding, and knowledge of human resources management, local, state, and federal regulations.

Experience with contract compliance, such as interpreting collective bargaining agreements, ensuring adherence to contractual provisions, and participating in grievance or dispute-resolution processes

• Conflict Resolution: Knowledge of negotiation, mediation, and other forms of pre-litigation conflict resolution
• Communication skills: Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Analytical Skills: Ability to assess complex situations and data to make informed decisions
• Organizational Skills: Ability to effectively manage competing priorities
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to align labor relations strategies with organizational goals.
• Leader: Ability to mentor, guide, and advise on labor practices and handling grievances
• Interpersonal Skills: Ability to effectively engage in and sustain relationships with people from diverse cultures and socio-economic backgrounds
• Adaptability: Ability to work independently and as a team member
• Computer Savvy: Demonstrated proficiency with business applications, such as the Microsoft Office suite

The most competitive candidates will possess the following desired qualifications:


• Experience working in a King County or other government/public-sector human resources environment.
• Experience in a large, unionized public or private organization with a multiple skilled trades and other frontline, essential workers.
• Working knowledge of HR Information Systems; PeopleSoft preferred.

Additional Information

Required Application Materials

Letter of Interest: Please address how your skills and experiences demonstrate your effectiveness in the following minimum qualifications:

• Supervisor/ Lead experience: Describe your ability to foster collaboration and advise and lead employees, while ensuring adherence to company standards.
• Employee and Labor Relations Knowledge: Highlight your experience advising on performance-related issues, including coaching supervisors, supporting corrective action processes on labor-related matters, and ensuring performance management practices align with organizational policies and labor agreements.
• Knowledge of Labor Laws and Contract Compliance: Explain your experience interpreting collective bargaining agreements, ensuring adherence to contract provisions, and participating in grievance or dispute-resolution processes.

NOTE: Applications that do not include the required materials may be considered incomplete and will not be considered.

Selection Process: Applicants will be screened for competitiveness, completeness, and written communication skills to determine the most qualified candidates.

The process may include the following: a review of the Letter of Interest and supplemental questions, and references.

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact: Aimee Higbee (ahigbee@kingcounty.gov)

Other Position Information

Work Schedule: This position is non-exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and overtime eligible. Work hours are comprised of a 40-hour work week, typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Variations may occur based on operational demands.

The work associated with this position is currently performed or conducted through a combination of teleworking, onsite work, and meetings. The role combines remote work from home with onsite reporting, typically once per week. Reporting frequency may vary based on business needs.

Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various King County facilities.

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 work space with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.

Union Membership: This position is not represented by a union

Class Code: 2308200 Transit Employee and Labor Relations Supervisor

Union Membership: This position is not represented by a union.

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

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.

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.