What are the responsibilities and job description for the Labor Relations Manager position at City of Olympia, WA?
The Labor Relations Manager plays a pivotal role in managing the City’s labor management relationship with nine bargaining units representing more than 400 employees. The position oversees all aspects of labor relations including lead bargainer, the administration of collective bargaining agreements, grievance management, while fostering a positive workplace environment between the City and its unionized workforce. The Labor Relations Manager will perform a broad range of traditional human resource functions, projects, participate in personnel policy development, support diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging work at the City, and directly supervise professional HR staff.
Ideal Candidate Profile
To Apply
Contact Information
If you have questions about the position and/or requirements, please contact Manny Bosser at mbosser@ci.olympia.wa.us.
Typical Qualifications
Experience/Education:
1. Master’s degree in human resource management, business, accounting or related field from an accredited institution and five (5) years of experience in human resources, with a strong understanding of traditional human resource functions.
2. OR bachelor’s degree in human resource management, labor relations, business, or closely aligned field and seven (7) years of experience in human resources, with a strong understanding of traditional human resource functions.
3. OR an associate’s degree and nine (9) years of experience in human resources, with a strong understanding of traditional human resource functions.
4. OR a combination of experience, certification, education and training that demonstrates expertise in the related areas.
Union:
Independents
The City of Olympia complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Nicole Camus, Deputy Human Resources Director, at 360.753.8213 or
Ideal Candidate Profile
- Knowledge of municipal employment settings, including working collaboratively with labor unions.
- Ability to be creative and innovative in complex problem solving.
- Experience working with interdisciplinary teams in solving problems and making-decisions related to personnel matters and responsibilities.
- Effective written and verbal communication targeted at various audiences and the ability to effectively explain complex matters to a wide range of audiences.
- Appreciate working with various staff members in a collaboration-centered environment that succeeds by helping others succeed.
- Prioritize and manage multiple and tasks simultaneously, often under tight deadlines.
- Detailed-oriented with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines simultaneously.
- Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.
To Apply
- This is a continuous recruitment. To be eligible for first review, submit your application by 5 pm April 16, 2025.
- Answer the Supplemental Questions included as part of this employment opportunity.
- Only electronic applications are accepted.
Contact Information
If you have questions about the position and/or requirements, please contact Manny Bosser at mbosser@ci.olympia.wa.us.
Essential Functions
The essential functions of this position include but are not limited to:
1. Lead negotiator for collective bargaining agreements, ensuring alignment with the City’s objectives and workforce needs, striving for fair and equitable agreements.
2. Advocate for both management and employee interests, facilitating constructive dialogue and conflict resolution.
3. Develop and implement labor relations strategies that promote a positive workplace environment and enhance employee engagement.
4. Monitor and ensure compliance with labor laws, regulations, and company policies.
5. Provide expert guidance and support to management on labor relations issues, policies, and procedures.
6. Conduct training sessions for managers and employees on labor relations and conflict resolution.
7. Analyze labor relations trends and provide strategic recommendations to senior leadership.
8. Serve as a trusted advisor to management on labor relations issues, including bargaining strategy and negotiations, grievances, and contract interpretations.
9. Conduct thorough investigations regarding employee grievances and complaints, providing recommendations for resolution.
10. Facilitate training sessions for management on labor relations policies, practices, and compliance requirements.
11. Monitor labor trends and changes to ensure the organization remains compliant with labor laws.
12. Collaborate with HR to develop strategies and initiatives that enhance employee engagement, morale and productivity.
13. Collaborate with HR and other departments to further the City’s commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where individuals of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities feel valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their best work.
14. Act as a liaison between management and labor representatives to facilitate communication and cooperation.
1. Lead negotiator for collective bargaining agreements, ensuring alignment with the City’s objectives and workforce needs, striving for fair and equitable agreements.
2. Advocate for both management and employee interests, facilitating constructive dialogue and conflict resolution.
3. Develop and implement labor relations strategies that promote a positive workplace environment and enhance employee engagement.
4. Monitor and ensure compliance with labor laws, regulations, and company policies.
5. Provide expert guidance and support to management on labor relations issues, policies, and procedures.
6. Conduct training sessions for managers and employees on labor relations and conflict resolution.
7. Analyze labor relations trends and provide strategic recommendations to senior leadership.
8. Serve as a trusted advisor to management on labor relations issues, including bargaining strategy and negotiations, grievances, and contract interpretations.
9. Conduct thorough investigations regarding employee grievances and complaints, providing recommendations for resolution.
10. Facilitate training sessions for management on labor relations policies, practices, and compliance requirements.
11. Monitor labor trends and changes to ensure the organization remains compliant with labor laws.
12. Collaborate with HR to develop strategies and initiatives that enhance employee engagement, morale and productivity.
13. Collaborate with HR and other departments to further the City’s commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where individuals of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities feel valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their best work.
14. Act as a liaison between management and labor representatives to facilitate communication and cooperation.
Typical Qualifications
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
1. Thorough knowledge of successful contract negotiations and dispute resolution.
2. Thorough knowledge of a broad application of human resource management principles and functions, including classification and compensation, leave and benefit administration, employment investigations, and other traditional human resource functions.
3. Strong skill in analysis and problem-solving.
4. Skill in research, investigation, analysis and problem-solving.
5. Skill in fostering an inclusive work environment for all employees.
6. Ability to navigate complex labor issues, data, budgets and cost estimates.
7. Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships at all levels of the organization
8. Ability to advance the mission and management goals and objectives through collaborative and professional relationships with labor union staff, shop stewards, City leadership.
9. Ability to coordinate and manage City planning for negotiations for collective bargaining agreements and represent the organization in negotiations.
10. Ability to coordinate grievances and other labor/management processes.
11. Ability to provide updates to the Director of Human Resources on potential settlements and/or who should represent the City of Olympia at Mediation/Arbitration as necessary working with outside legal counsel as appropriate.
12. Ability to represent the City at Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC) and Mediation/Arbitration with final decision following the Commissioner’s delegation order.
13. Ability to manage responses to union information requests.
14. Ability to coordinate scheduling and agendas for Union-Management Communication Committee Meetings as requested.
15. Ability to supervise (schedule, evaluate, assign work, and ensure training) Human Resource professionals ensuring employees have the tools and knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform their functions.
16. Ability to serve on City-wide work teams needed.
17. Ability to lead teams and building effective interpersonal relationships.
18. Ability to lead change, and effecting change through influence.
19. Ability to provide excellent customer services.
20. Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
21. Ability to adhere to the City of Olympia values.
22. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those interacted with during work regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, disability, political affiliation, military service, or diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
1. Thorough knowledge of successful contract negotiations and dispute resolution.
2. Thorough knowledge of a broad application of human resource management principles and functions, including classification and compensation, leave and benefit administration, employment investigations, and other traditional human resource functions.
3. Strong skill in analysis and problem-solving.
4. Skill in research, investigation, analysis and problem-solving.
5. Skill in fostering an inclusive work environment for all employees.
6. Ability to navigate complex labor issues, data, budgets and cost estimates.
7. Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships at all levels of the organization
8. Ability to advance the mission and management goals and objectives through collaborative and professional relationships with labor union staff, shop stewards, City leadership.
9. Ability to coordinate and manage City planning for negotiations for collective bargaining agreements and represent the organization in negotiations.
10. Ability to coordinate grievances and other labor/management processes.
11. Ability to provide updates to the Director of Human Resources on potential settlements and/or who should represent the City of Olympia at Mediation/Arbitration as necessary working with outside legal counsel as appropriate.
12. Ability to represent the City at Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC) and Mediation/Arbitration with final decision following the Commissioner’s delegation order.
13. Ability to manage responses to union information requests.
14. Ability to coordinate scheduling and agendas for Union-Management Communication Committee Meetings as requested.
15. Ability to supervise (schedule, evaluate, assign work, and ensure training) Human Resource professionals ensuring employees have the tools and knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform their functions.
16. Ability to serve on City-wide work teams needed.
17. Ability to lead teams and building effective interpersonal relationships.
18. Ability to lead change, and effecting change through influence.
19. Ability to provide excellent customer services.
20. Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
21. Ability to adhere to the City of Olympia values.
22. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those interacted with during work regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, disability, political affiliation, military service, or diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
Experience/Education:
1. Master’s degree in human resource management, business, accounting or related field from an accredited institution and five (5) years of experience in human resources, with a strong understanding of traditional human resource functions.
2. OR bachelor’s degree in human resource management, labor relations, business, or closely aligned field and seven (7) years of experience in human resources, with a strong understanding of traditional human resource functions.
3. OR an associate’s degree and nine (9) years of experience in human resources, with a strong understanding of traditional human resource functions.
4. OR a combination of experience, certification, education and training that demonstrates expertise in the related areas.
Union:
Compensation (minimum-maximum):
$127,674.00 - $155,189.00
Exempt:
YesThe City of Olympia complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Nicole Camus, Deputy Human Resources Director, at 360.753.8213 or
ncamus@ci.olympia.wa.us
. This contact is for ADA accommodations only. If you have questions regarding this recruitment, please contact the manager noted in the Contact section near the top of this recruitment.
For general application or position questions please contact the hiring supervisor or Human Resources at humanresources@ci.olympia.wa.us.
Join the City of Olympia team!
Olympia is a vibrant, healthy and beautiful Capital City and a great place to work, live and play.
The City of Olympia provides competitive pay, great benefits, and supports work-life balance. We are an equal opportunity employer strongly committed to honoring diversity, equity and belonging within our workforce and community. Please consider bringing your talents to the City of Olympia, where we value compassion, integrity and effectiveness in our work to make a difference every day.
Salary : $127,674 - $155,189
