Labor Relations & Practices Specialist

Summary Statement

This is labor relations and employment practices work at the full performance level having responsibility for strategic leadership and exercising independent judgment and discretion.

This is labor relations and employment practices work at the full performance level having responsibility for strategic leadership and exercising independent judgment and discretion.

Applicants who do not possess the preferred qualification will still be eligible to compete for this position if job requirements are met.

• Possession of a Juris Doctor

Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class. Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents can complete job duties of similar kind not specifically listed here.

• Interprets, applies and provides day-to-day leadership, guidance and training on all labor relations and employment practices and issues from the perspective of the State of Delaware as an employer to include collective bargaining agreements, Merit Rules, applicable state and federal laws, court decisions, rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Serves as chief spokesperson for employer in negotiation of labor contracts for all branches of government.
• Facilitates harmonious working relationships among all parties in labor relations and employment practices related cases.
• Leads and coordinates development of labor contract proposals.
• Reviews and analyzes existing contracts and those of other public employers as well as pertinent grievance and arbitration awards.
• Conducts and coordinates research concerning comparative contract negotiation settlements, assists in recommending economic guidelines for settlement, conducts research into pertinent labor relations issues to develop negotiating positions and strategies, reviews cost and impact analyses of union proposals and analyzes impact of non-economic proposals.
• Drafts and negotiates precise technical contract language to effectuate agreements; facilitates mediation process; prepares and presents State's case at binding rights and interest arbitration; prepares exhibits and witnesses; advises and counsels agency officials in labor relations.
• Conducts Merit Rule grievance hearings as Director’s designee.
• Conducts pre-arbitration grievance meetings as designee of Human Resource Management Director.
• Responds to unfair labor practice complaints, ensures consistency of policies and procedures and uniform interpretation and administration of agreements.
• Represents State in administrative proceedings before PERB, EEOC, Delaware DOL, U.S. DOL.
• Conducts projects and studies.

Applicants must have education, training, and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:

• Possession of a Bachelors degree or higher in Labor Relations, Industrial Relations, Human Resource Management, Public Administration, Business Administration, Legal Studies, or related field OR a Human Resource Certification such as NPELRA, SHRM, or IPMA, OR for current State employees, the Statewide Human Resources Certification.
• At least one year experience performing professional labor relations, employee relations, employment practices, or human resource management activities.
• Six months experience in interpreting labor relations or employment practices laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of strategic planning as it relates to developing key objectives, strategies and activities for accomplishing those objectives.
• Knowledge of developing labor relations or employment practices,…