Executive Director

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC) is searching for an Executive Director. The Executive Director serves as the full‑time agency head and chief executive officer for the part‑time three‑person citizen commission appointed by the Governor. This position will offer challenge and opportunity to a seasoned executive with extensive labor relations experience.

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.

Serving as chief executive officer, the Executive Director is responsible for the impartial administration of state statutes regulating collective bargaining in the public sector. The Executive Director has the overall administrative responsibility for the day‑to‑day operation of a dual‑purpose agency that provides services approximating those of both the National Labor Relations Board and the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.

• Management of effective and efficient mediation services.
• Management of effective and efficient adjudication services.
• Management of effective and efficient representation/unit clarification matters.
• Management of effective and efficient training and conflict prevention services.
• Management and oversight of approximately 800 cases filed annually.
• Day‑to‑day oversight, leadership and management of PERC staff, including its management team.
• Preparation and administration of agency budget (currently $12 million per biennium).
• Legislative relations concerning both budget and substantive statutory issues.
• Decision‑making authority on representation and unit clarification cases.
• Decision‑making authority on preliminary rulings in unfair labor practice.
• Direction of outreach and external relations, including educating stakeholders on legal and procedural matters.
• Development of policy, including administrative rules for consideration by the Commission.
• Administration of agency and staff performance measures.
• Certification of issues for interest arbitration.
• Ensure compliance with the Public Records Act.
• Administration of compliance proceedings, ensuring that orders from agency staff and the Commission are remedied.
• Represent agency at conferences and with other entities.

• Senior‑level experience as a manager and leader. Management experience in an agency comparable to PERC is desirable.
• A commitment to impartiality, collective bargaining, and mediation of disputes.
• Outstanding communications skills both in written and oral form.
• Public sector labor relations experience, or experience under the National Labor Relations Act, or other similar federal labor law statutes.
• Candidates with a law degree and/or formal education in industrial relations or related fields may be given preference.
• Ability to deal with a dynamic environment and complex issues.
• Capacity to employ originality in conceiving and putting into operation theories of law, practice and procedure which may often be novel.
• Familiarity…