Employee Relations Performs strategic employee relations activities that are designed to strengthen the employer- employee relationship with all employees whether union represented or non-represented. Forges a productive working environment and achieves effective results that are grounded in respect for all parties, consistent with business goals and objectives. Routinely handles information that is highly sensitive and confidential. Reviews and analyzes all available information and provides routine and complex professional employee relations consultation, guidance and coaching to managers. Provides investigative advice covering all areas of the employer-employee relationship, which includes job classification, performance management, compensation, benefits, recruiting, candidate selection, promotion, drug and alcohol testing and the Employee Assistance Program, workers’ compensation, contract interpretation, discipline and discharge. Conducts workplace complaint investigations of both routine and complex situations, and represents Authority's interest in labor negotiations, grievance administration, labor contract administration, and binding arbitration

Responsibilities

Negotiates, researches, drafts and implements position statements, settlement agreements and policy changes of wide-ranging disputes arising from or related to the collective bargaining agreements, using clear, creative and effective strategies, Provides advice on operational subjects to maximize safety and works to manage associated risk to minimize WMATA’s public and internal exposure to injuries or damage, Advances safety and operational efficiency objectives, Provides advice and guidance to managers and supervisors to include investigations and the administration of disciplinary actions and contract grievances, using extensive knowledge of WMATA’s collective bargaining agreements and related policies and procedures, Conducts comprehensive investigations of varied workplace complaints and allegations, Analyzes factual information to help make determinations regarding the validity of complaints and prepares report summaries with defensible guidance and outcomes.

Provides guidance to employees and management regarding alleged acts of misconduct, workplace violence, poor performance, disclosure and disposition of arrests/convictions, etc., Prepares documents related to employee suspensions, demotions, and terminations, Supports managers and supervisors by developing and tracking Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs) for employees with performance issues, Applies knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of employee relations, workplace violence prevention, conflict management and human resources management to advise managers on how to respond to and correct unacceptable conduct and performance behavior, Partners with Occupational Health and Wellness (OHAW), the Office of General Counsel and Office of Equal Employment Opportunity (OEEO), regarding workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance, FMLA, fitness for duty, EAP/SAP and drug and alcohol testing issues, Responds to inquiries and grievances regarding policies and procedures, Develops and implement processes and best practices to effectively address WMATA-wide business goals. Ensures that the investigative and disciplinary processes are consistent and equitable for all employees, Provides labor and employee relations training to employees and management. Supports the labor-management processes to increase management’s level of awareness, improve participants’ negotiation and conflict management skills, and increase participants’ motivation to perform well, Conducts factual and legal research. Represents WMATA as advocate in arbitration, conducts full evidentiary hearings, drafts post hearing briefs and participates in executive sessions as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Labor Relations, Human Resources, Economics, Business Administration or related field, 5 years of progressively responsible experience in employee relations to include human resources counseling, dispute resolution, grievance handling and arbitration preparation and presentation, negotiation and the administration of negotiated labor agreements in a large organization with demonstrated success in dealing with varied labor and employee relations activities. Experience in a unionized environment preferred, Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite: Word, Excel and PowerPoint, Microsoft Outlook and PeopleSoft HCM, Thorough knowledge of, or ability to acquire knowledge of WMATA's infrastructure, functions and workforce to effectively execute assignments. Advanced knowledge of current human resources laws and regulations, Knowledge of, or the ability to rapidly acquire knowledge of WMATA’s policies, procedures and labor agreements, Comprehensive knowledge of federal and state and local employment legislation, Knowledge of Title VI and Title VII laws, Knowledge of or the ability to rapidly acquire a thorough knowledge of the laws, ordinances, regulations, etc. which govern human resources, employment, and labor relations, Advanced knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of employee relations, workplace violence prevention, conflict management and human resources management, Extensive knowledge of investigative processes (interviewing, fact gathering, report preparation) to reach logical defensible conclusions, Extensive knowledge of the principles, practices and strategies of labor negotiations, grievance administration, contract administration, arbitration, and mediation, Knowledge of or the ability to rapidly acquire knowledge and understanding of CBAs and labor relationships, Through knowledge of arbitration processes and procedures, including effective presentation of evidence, and witness preparation.Excellent communication skills in verbal, written and interpersonal communication to organize, structure and frame ideas, issues, and strategies in a clear, focused and persuasiveness manner to work effectively across organizational lines and at different levels of the organization Ability to communicate effectively and to make formal presentations to executive and senior staff, Skills in project management to effectively manage multiple projects under demanding time constraints while consistently delivering high quality customer service, Skills in conflict management to resolve conflicts, grievances, confrontations, or disagreements in a constructive manner and to minimize negative organizational impact, Skills in facilitating negotiations or other difficult discussions with various parties and help them reach a mutually acceptable resolution, Demonstrate solid integrity and high ethical standards with the ability to discreetly and effectively handle confidential and politically sensitive matters and relationships

Job Type: Contract

Pay: $50.00 - $60.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Alexandria, VA 22314