Chief Labor Relations Officer

Overview
 Are you an experienced professional and/or executive in the area of Labor Relations? Do you want to make an impact and lead the collective bargaining negotiations for the City of Alexandria and the implementation of the first collective bargaining agreements in the City of Alexandria? Become an essential part of our employees’ career, by contributing to the first locality in Virginia to authorize collective bargaining. If you have a passion for people, a desire to problem-solve, and eagerness to pursue and lead continuous improvement opportunities, we look forward to exploring career possibilities with you at the City of Alexandria!

The Chief Labor Relations Officer (CLRO) under direction from the City Manager’s Office performs the work of planning, organizing, directing, and negotiating a comprehensive collective bargaining program for the applicable workforce under the City’s Ordinance 5336, Chapter 5 - Officers and Employees, Article E - Collective Bargaining. The CLRO advises the City Manager and all managers within the City on collective bargaining matters. The CLRO builds, maintains, and promotes positive relationships with employees of the City, the various Unions’ representatives and City management staff.

Structure
Alexandria is an independent city (Virginia cities have no county affiliation), which derives its governing authority from a charter granted by the Virginia General Assembly. Changes in the structure and powers of the City government are made by amending the Charter. This requires action by the General Assembly, usually upon the request of the City Council, following public hearings.

The City Manager appoints all heads of departments and employees of the City, except those in elected, judicial, Alexandria City Public Schools, Alexandria Health Department, Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority, Alex Renew, DASH, and Libraries positions, City Attorney’s Office, and the Office of City Clerk/Clerk of Council. The City Manager’s Office includes four Deputy City Managers, who oversee City departments on a day-to-day basis as well as serve as liaisons to other departments and agencies that do not report to the City Manager.

The City Manager’s Office also includes the City’s Race and Social Equity Office, the Climate Action Office, and Labor Relations, public/private partnerships, and legislative functions for the City.
 
The Opportunity:

• Serves as the City's Chief Negotiator in matters relating to collective bargaining. 
• Leads the City's collective bargaining program, including negotiations with employee organizations, contract administration and training for both employees covered under the collective bargaining and the supervisory staff throughout the City.
• Coordinates and works closely with the City Attorney’s Office, and the Office of Human Resources.
• Formulates and recommends management strategies for City labor negotiations to assure a sound salary and a benefit program to recruit and retain competent employees.  
• Coordinates collective bargaining issues with department heads, legal counsel, the City Manager, and the City Council as appropriate.  
• Represents the City of Alexandria in meetings with employees and employee organization representatives regarding salaries, fringe benefits, working conditions and work hours.
• Directs preparation of Memoranda of Agreement in accordance with State law and City of Alexandria Ordinance for adoption by the City Council and provides the official management interpretation of such agreements.  
• Reviews legislation impacting collective bargaining and formulates appropriate recommendations.  
• Provides comprehensive and effective training programs for managers and supervisors on collective bargaining agreements, labor contract administration, and grievance resolution.  
• Resolves disputes, grievances, and other difficulties involving collective bargaining agreements.  
• Assures coordination with human resources programs, including retirement and employee benefits, and compliance with City Charter, City Municipal Code, Civil Service Rules, Affirmative Action objectives and Federal, State, and local regulations on collective bargaining matters. 
• Directs the preparation and analysis of reports and studies relating to collective bargaining issues and recommends/implements policy or practice improvements. Provides appropriate cost analyses of various labor and management proposals.

About the City Manager's Office
The City Manager's Office coordinates the preparation of policies and programs for City Council consideration and manages the daily operations of City government including overseeing the preparation of the annual operating and capital budgets, appointing heads of departments and employees of the City, and carries out administrative functions. The City Manager, who reports to city council, is the Chief Executive Officer for the City. If you are interested in learning more about the Alexandria City government, click here, or for a broader view of the City of Alexandria click here.

Bachelor’s degree in public administration, political science, business administration or a closely related field. Seven (7) years of progressively responsible administrative and leadership experience in municipal government or public administration or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Seven (7) years of experience in labor/employee relations and litigation, preferably in the public sector, which must have substantial experience as the primary negotiator in management-union contracts. Experience in collective bargaining is strongly preferredCity Benefits:

• Retirement– 
  • City of Alexandria Supplemental Retirement Plan
  • Virginia Retirement System (VRS)
  • Voluntary Retirement Savings Plan
• Medical, Dental, Vision – City covers 75-80%
• Administrative Leave – 13 days per year (accrued)
  • Senior Executive Group – Additional 80 hours per fiscal year
• Holidays - 13 paid holidays 
• Sick leave - 12 days per year (accrued)
• Bereavement Leave – 3 days per occurrence 
• Tuition Reimbursement - $1200 per fiscal year     
• Long-Term Disability (LTD)- City paid; Additional buy-up option available 
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)- Medical and Dependent Care available
• Transit Benefits- Receive up to $270 per month for employees who utilize public transit 
• Parking Cashout Program – Earn up to $25/week when commuting to work by any method other than driving solo.
• Access to our on-site gyms near City Hall (equipment includes treadmills, weights, Peloton bikes, elliptical etc.)
• Jet Dental – an onsite dental service offered twice per year to employees and family members
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - 6 free therapy sessions per year per employee and each covered dependent
• Access To Student Loan Wellbeing Tool - Assistance with qualification for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Incentive earning wellbeing program that qualifies employee for $600/year added to paycheck.
• Employee wellness and development programs

Salary : $130,188 - $233,143