What are the responsibilities and job description for the Employee & Labor Relations Manager position at City of Gresham?
The City of Gresham’s Human Resources team is seeking an Employee & Labor Relations (E&LR) Manager with a demonstrated passion for utilizing a strategic, solutions-oriented approach to the management of employee and labor relations for the City.
Reporting to the Director of Human Resources, this exciting position will work both independently and as part of the HR team, to understand multiple varying interests and stakeholders while developing relationships and trust along the way. In this role you will be relied upon as a labor contract manager and negotiator and a trusted subject matter expert in Employee and Labor Relations. You will work with leadership, department directors, attorneys, managers, and the Human Resources team to ensure that the City’s employee and labor relations practices are consistent, equitable, and align with our core organizational values. You will lead and direct the Human Resources Business Partners (HRBP) on employee relations and labor contract administration. You will lead and direct the Benefits and Leaves Administrator to achieve identified goals and objectives. You will work with labor representatives of the City’s three (3) bargaining groups that include: Gresham Police Officers Association (GPOA), IAFF Local 1062 and Teamsters Local 223. If you enjoy employee and labor relations and want to work with a highly collaborative team of HR professionals, this position is for you!
As Oregon's fourth-largest city, Gresham is a welcoming community of hard-working people where tradition and heritage meet innovation and opportunity. Gresham is a dynamic and rapidly growing city where families and businesses have a mutual desire and drive to thrive. City of Gresham employees care deeply about the community they serve and go 'one step beyond' to deliver services in collaborative, inventive, practical, and nimble ways. Our work is challenging, fast-paced and rewarding.
We believe that to deliver the highest level of service to all Gresham community members, it is crucial we employ a diverse workforce, foster an inclusive working environment, and ensure our policies and systems result in equitable outcomes. The City seeks candidates who will support these values by continuously incorporating equity in their daily work and actively contributing to a workplace culture that respects unique viewpoints, life experiences and cultural perspectives. Come build the future with us.
What you will get to do:
The E&LR Manager will serve as a City bargaining representative and/or be chief spokesperson in labor negotiations, grievance and dispute resolution processes; lead/consult on investigations related to complaints and allegations of policy violations; create and maintain legally compliant employment policies.
Labor Relations – Manage, plan and direct a comprehensive labor relations program and oversee a labor relations policy and strategy that advances the City’s overall objectives that includes contract negotiations; negotiate, create, manage and maintenance of MOU/LOAs, grievances, dispute resolution processes in collaboration with the City Attorney Office, and labor management meetings; develop best practice policies and procedures that are consistent with stated objectives, federal, state and local laws; provide applicable training and guidance to HRBPs, management and staff in all aspects of labor relations.
Employee Relations – Provide professional Human Resources consulting services in the management of employee relations and personnel matters that maintains confidentiality and privileged information; provide guidance and/or investigate complaints of misconduct, discrimination and harassment as appropriate for the position and situation. This position is the City’s Drug Administrator Resource (DAR) and responsible for leading and managing the program by working with the HRBPs to address related issues and ensure the City is complying.
Supervision – Lead the team of HRBPs and Benefits and Leaves Administrator to achieve identified goals and objectives. Hire, supervise and evaluate work performance; manage the day-to-day operations, provide guidance, problem solve, create and implement team processes, identify development needs; develop performance metrics and professional development goals; provide and coordinate training; maintain a safe work environment for the HR staff.
Leadership – Serve as a member of the HR management team and participate in the development of the department’s goals, objectives, policies and procedures; model respectful working relationships, support City leadership in successfully responding to the changing needs of the organization; support and promote diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging initiatives ensuring it is infused in all that the City does; set standards of excellence and create an environment for staff to focus on demonstrating excellence; demonstrate respect and integrity and be a disrupter.
Data Management and Analytics – Overseeing the collection, organization, storage and reporting of data related to employee and labor relations and leaves administration for the City ensuring data quality and collaborating with stakeholders to utilize data for informed decision-making.
Qualities we are looking for:
The Employee & Labor Relations Manager believes that people are the single most important asset to any organization and is committed to pursuing equitable, creative and thoughtful solutions for all employees and the City. We are seeking someone with the following demonstrated qualities:
Collaborative – Ability to successfully develop positive, effective relationships, cultivating an environment of respect, championing a work culture where all voices are heard and supported, works as a partner with City leadership and the three bargaining units.
Practical – Effectively applies skills and knowledge demonstrating their role as the subject matter expert, maintaining an understanding of the issues affecting the City and leveraging that knowledge to drive decisions that positively impact the City and meet the needs of employees while exhibiting critical thinking skills and the use of sound judgement and decision making.
Strategic and Inventive – Effectively balance strategy with empathy, flexibility with accountability and objectivity while being curious, seeking new ideas, consider new approaches and enjoying new challenges. Proven expertise as a policy and contract manager, negotiator and consultant in employee and labor relations matters.
Communicator – Effectively communicate to all levels with the organization and with our labor partners; is an active listener that values honesty and integrity and responds empathetically through transparent and clear communication while maintaining effective relationships.
Equitable - Work towards removing barriers. Acknowledge that historical systems and polices were designed to benefit some and burden others. Recognize that everyone does not start from an equal place. Accept, respect, value and support the diverse cultures and identities within our organization and our community. Be mindful and intentional in creating equitable outcomes and opportunities through our policies and systems.
Belonging – Effectively work towards the City’s value of leading with trust, being welcoming to all and seeking to understand others.
Supervision – Enjoys guiding, coaching and empowering individuals to facilitate positive employee relations and contribute to a welcoming and inclusive culture at the City. An ability to establish clear expectations, exhibit fairness and hold others accountable.
Integrity – Work with honesty, take accountability and be accountable to your staff, peers, the team and the organization.
Service – Effectively work with heart to not only ensure compliance with applicable state, federal and local laws but in doing the right thing.
Work schedule/environment:
The current schedule for this position is hybrid. Employees work on-site/in the office for a minimum of three (3) days per week. At this time, the City of Gresham is reviewing a return-to-office (RTO) policy which may increase in-person requirements with notice. The hiring manager for this position will have more up to date information at the time of all verbal/contingent offers.
· Extensive knowledge of Human Resources management theories, principles and practices, including employee and labor relations and labor contract negotiations
· Extensive knowledge of dispute resolution procedures and administrative hearings including laws and regulations governing labor and employment laws
· Laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and collective bargaining agreements affecting City policies and operations
· Practices, principles, procedures, regulations and techniques as they relate to employee relations, labor contract negotiation in the public sector and conflict resolution
· Demonstrated skill in problem solving, ability to be innovative in solutions, exercising considerable independent judgment and initiative
· Extensive knowledge of workplace investigation standards and best practices
· Knowledge of city government administration, organization, functions and servicesTechniques for effectively representing the City with government agencies, professional, regulatory and legislative organizations
· Communication principles, practices and techniques
· Supervisory principles and practices
· Prior experience conducting complex workplace investigations
· Modern office practices and methods, computer equipment, and software applications
Ability to:
· Exercise discretion in confidential and sensitive matters
· Interpret, apply, and ensure compliance with applicable policies, procedures, laws, collective bargaining agreements and regulations
· Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, assess consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations
· Influence and gain cooperation when there are competing or conflicting priorities; conduct effective negotiations and represent the City
· Develop and implement goals, objectives, policies, procedures, work standards, and internal controls
· Oversee a multicultural workforce, promote an equitable workplace environment, and apply equitable program practices to diverse and complex City services
· Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all internal and external contacts
· Identify inequitable barriers and propose solutions to create equitable and inclusive systems and outcomes
· Communicate effectively verbally and in writing, present information, proposals, and recommendations clearly and persuasively
· Operate office equipment and technology tools including personal computers, laptop computers and printers, and presentation equipment
Minimum Qualifications:
· Bachelor’s degree in human resources management, or related field
· Three (3) to six (6) years of related experience that includes experience in administering and bargaining union contracts and conducting complex workplace investigations in a unionized environment.
Or any combination of seven (7) to ten (10) years of related education, training, and/or experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to qualify for consideration.
Preferred Qualifications:
· Seven (7) years or more of related experience is desired
· Certified Labor Relations Professional (CLRP) certification
· Certification in the field of Human Resources from HRCI, SHRM or PSHRA
· Public sector experience
· A commitment to value diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in the workplace and in the workforce; identify barriers and cultivate work environments that further the City values of equity and belonging
To apply for this position, click 'Apply' at the top of this job posting.
Required application materials:
· Complete online application (Do not type 'see resume' in any fields or leave work experience fields blank in the application template.)
· Answers to supplemental questions
The City of Gresham offers a comprehensive and equitable base salary within the listed range based on your experience, skills, and education verified in your application. We encourage you to clearly describe how you meet the minimum and preferred qualifications and essential attributes in your application materials. Learn more about Oregon Equal Pay.
If you desire a modification of this process to accommodate a disability, please provide your request in writing to HRRecruiting@GreshamOregon.gov, or by phone to 503-618-2729, upon submitting the required application documents.
A review of application materials including your response to supplemental questions submitted will determine which candidates will be invited to an interview. Communication with candidates will be done primarily through e-mail. Sometimes these messages may land in a spam or junk mail folder. We encourage you to monitor your inbox as well as the inbox within the governmentjobs.com portal for important updates related to this process.
Veteran's Preference
The City of Gresham provides qualifying veterans and disabled veterans with preference in employment in accordance with state law. Any candidate wishing to have their qualifying veteran's preference applied to the process must submit a qualifying document (DD Form 214 or 215) at the time of application providing proof of eligibility that includes discharge status. Disabled veterans must also submit a copy of their Veteran's disability preference letter from the US Department of Veteran Affairs at the time of application, unless the information is included in the DD Form 214 or 215.
Our Commitment
The City of Gresham is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all qualified employees and applicants without unlawful regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, familial status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, Oregon, or local law.
Please direct questions about this position to 503-618-2729 or HRRecruiting@GreshamOregon.gov.
If you need assistance with the online application, please contact NEOGOV directly at 1-855-524-5627.
Any offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check.
Salary : $102,545 - $147,682