LABOR Relations Adjudicator​/Mediator ; Training to LRAM - in Olympia or Kirkland

Instructions on how to apply can be found at the end of this recruitment posting.

PERC is an independent state agency created to implement Washington State’s eleven collective bargaining laws and resolve public-sector labor relations disputes. PERC has jurisdiction over collective bargaining for public employers in Washington. PERC mediates and adjudicates disputes, determines appropriate bargaining unit configurations and conducts representation elections, and provides training and other conflict prevention services. The agency has jurisdiction over certain labor-management relations matters involving employees of the State of Washington, cities, counties, school districts, community colleges, higher education institutions, ports, fire districts, public hospitals, public utility districts, and a small segment of private employees.

PERC is governed by a three-member Commission comprised of part-time Commissioners who have expertise in collective bargaining law. The Commission is charged with the authority to hire the Executive Director, adopt rules to govern the operation of the agency and resolve disputes under the relevant law. As a practical matter, the Commission serves as the appellate board for decisions issued by the Executive Director and approximately 16 mediators/adjudicators employed by the agency.

The Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC) is recruiting for up to two permanent full-time positions in the Labor Relations Adjudicator/Mediator 1 (LRAM1) classification, with in‑training to LRAM
2. This recruitment may be filled for positions in Olympia or Kirkland, Washington. These overtime exempt positions report directly to a Labor Relations Adjudicator/Mediator 4 (LRAM
4) and will serve as a presiding officer, mediator and arbitrator to implement statutory procedures for resolution of labor‑management disputes involving employers and unions throughout the state.

LRAM 1, range 71:
Salary: $7,622 – $10,257 monthly
LRAM 2, range 75:
Salary: $8,415 – $11,045 monthly

• Mediation: Conducts fair and impartial mediation of contract, grievance, settlement of unfair labor practice complaint disputes. Assists parties in resolving disagreements and conflicts. Effectively leads a rational process of highlighting issues, enhancing understanding of divergent interests, and identifying common grounds for a workable solution.
• Decision Writing: Prepares written decisions, including findings of fact, conclusions of law and orders. Researches and analyzes legal issues. Applies established legal principles and agency precedents with a commitment to making an unbiased and soundly reasoned decision.
• Hearings: Conducts fair and impartial hearings for PERC clientele under statutes regulating labor‑management relations between public employers, unions representing their employees, and/or union members. Complies with procedures under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) and the parties’ collective bargaining agreement. Determines the relevancy of testimony, rules on admissibility of evidence and maintains order in the hearing.
• Caseload Management: Appropriately prioritizes and concurrently services multiple, long‑term case assignments, integrating many factors into case processing decisions. Ensures accurate, timely and high quality service delivery.

• A Law degree and three years of experience in collective bargaining with major work assignments in negotiations, contract administration or related work as a union or management representative, mediator, arbitrator or educator in the above areas. (A Master’s degree in labor relations, personnel management, or a closely allied field will substitute for a Law degree. Additional qualifying experience may substitute, year for year, for education.)
• Demonstrated ability to preside at hearings with impartiality, ruling on questions of admissibility of evidence.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare formal written opinions by organizing the relevant facts, arguments, and conclusions of law in clear and logical sequence, including determination of credibility of witnesses, review of record, legal briefs, and case precedents.
• Demonst…