Hearing Officer

Description

JOB TITLE:

Hearing Officer

DEPT/DIV:
Labor Relations

SUPERVISOR:
Senior Director, Administrative Trials & Hearings and Labor Cost Control

WORK LOCATION:

2 Broadway, New York, NY 10004

HOURS OF WORK: 9:00 am - 5:30 pm (7.5 hours/day, or as required)

FULL/PART-TIME: FULL

SALARY RANGE: $93,000 - $103,796

DEADLINE:
Until filled

This position is eligible for telework, which is currently one day per week. New hires are eligible to apply 30 days after their effective date of hire.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is North America's largest transportation network, serving a population of 15.3 million people across a 5,000-square-mile travel area surrounding New York City, Long Island, southeastern New York State, and Connecticut. The MTA network comprises the nation’s largest bus fleet and more subway and commuter rail cars than all other U.S. transit systems combined. MTA strives to provide a safe and reliable commute, excellent customer service, and rewarding opportunities.

Under direction and with some latitude for the exercise of independent action and judgment, the successful candidate conducts and presides over pre‑arbitration Step discipline, expedited, and contract interpretation grievance hearings, as provided in collective bargaining agreements between the Authority and labor unions representing Authority employees for collective bargaining purposes, at various Authority locations, including bus depots and other remote locations. The successful candidate also investigates complaints, including interviewing employees, gathering facts, conducting research, and issuing written decisions, as well as assisting in scheduling cases for hearings.

The candidate may also act as department liaison, as well as present expedited grievances pertaining to medical disputes, differential pay cases, and money shortages, as applicable.

• Assist managers in performing thorough and complete investigations of incidents or rule violations. Assist departments with complex investigations by taking employee and witness statements. Make pre‑trial assessment of necessity for disciplinary action. Draft concise and accurate disciplinary charges based upon the investigation and facts. Issue charges in the time frame set forth in the applicable collective bargaining agreement.
• Hold pre‑trials and settlement conferences on behalf of departmental management and coordinate the settlement of cases with union officials and management. Negotiate and approve all waivers of discipline.
• Ensure witnesses are prepared and that all relevant documents and evidence are available and produced at the trial/investigation. Ensure compliance with all contractual procedures and time limits.
• Hold trials/hearings to develop a complete and thorough disciplinary case record to ensure management's rights and an employee's due process rights are fully protected. Authorize postponements. Make recommendations to departments as to credibility of witnesses and appropriateness of discipline.
• Ensure that cases are settled and/or decided at the departmental level in accordance with progressive discipline and are consistent with agency standards across the various departments within MTA. Ensure fair, equitable, and consistent treatment of employees across all departments. Ensure all cases are tracked and entered into the disciplinary tracking system.
• Train managers on the consistent application of policies, how to handle complex investigations, and the disciplinary process ponsible for the preparation of training and acting as the instructor of training courses for managers.
• Support the Senior Director regarding all aspects related to investigations and disciplinary actions of Agreement employees.
• Supervise…