Labor Relations Manager (WMS Band 2), Human Resources Division, Attorney General's Office

Description

Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact the recruitment team at HREmployment@atg.wa.gov. Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington Relay Service at 1-800-676-3777 or www.washingtonrelay.com.

Position & Salary

The Attorney General’s Office is recruiting for a full time Labor Relations Manager (WMS Band 2) in the Human Resources Division. This position is located in Olympia, Washington, and is not union-represented.

Salary range: $91,107 - $126,528 annually

The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the preferred candidate’s job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

About the Human Resources Division

The Human Resource Office (HRO) supports the mission of the AGO by providing a dynamic range of human resources-related programs and services to managers, employees, and candidates for employment. HRO is a caring team comprised of 26 employees who perform consulting, recruitment, training, HR operations, and internal communications support for the agency. We promote a diverse and inclusive workplace that values belonging and respects and serves our employees. Engaging, developing, and retaining a qualified and highly competent workforce is our primary mission. Can you see yourself as part of our team?

About the Labor Relations Manager Position & Essential Functions

In this management-level position you will work closely and independently with senior leadership to develop labor engagement strategies. You will be the primary point of contact and liaison with labor unions and other key business partners and have the opportunity to represent the AGO as part of the management bargaining team during the statewide collective bargaining. This position will also serve as a key leader in helping supervisors and leaders develop competencies to successfully lead in organized working environments.

The Labor Relations Manager serves as the AGO’s expert on labor relations. As part of this role, your responsibilities will include:

• Serving as the primary representative on behalf of AGO leadership with the exclusive bargaining representative.
• Assisting in the research, preparation, negotiation, and administration of the collective bargaining agreements covering state employees.
• Consulting with managers, senior agency leaders, HR colleagues, and the Office of Financial Management-State Human Resources on labor relations issues.
• Fostering a positive relationship with employees and labor organizations representing AGO positions.
• Collaborating with the HR team to develop and deliver labor relations training programs for supervisors and managers as necessary to ensure understanding of obligations under state law and collective bargaining agreements.
• Receiving and coordinating employee grievances filed under the CBAs, as well as unfair labor practices filed with the Public Employee Relations Commission or superior court. Assist and support the AGO and counsel through the arbitration process.
• Responding to union information requests.
• Identifying areas of opportunity and developing strategies to advance the AGO’s commitment to anti-racism in areas that include human resources and labor relations.

Required Education & Experience

A minimum of six years of labor relations experience. A bachelor’s degree may substitute for two years of experience.

Examples of labor relations experience may include:

• Demonstrated ability to research, analyze, interpret, and apply case law, arbitration, and decisions from the Washington Public Relations Commission or similar organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to train, educate, and advise leaders and supervisors on collective bargaining agreements, employer policies, state employment and labor statutes, regulations, guidelines, and related processes.

Preferred/Desired Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, labor relations, political science, organizational development, business, social or behavioral science, or related field.
• Professional Certification in training or HR certifications, such as CLRP, SPHR, or PHR.
• Washington State Experience: Senior-level management experience, including responsibilities for legislative activities, budgeting, and/or HR management.

Skills & Abilities

The most competitive applicants will possess the following experience and mindsets:

• Adaptability. Ensuring that the AGO adjusts to changing business needs and is genuinely responsive to the perspectives of our employees and labor unions. You will be called on to be open to different ideas and quickly pivot to a different approach than first anticipated.
• Analysis & Problem Solving. Examining data to grasp issues, draw conclusions, and find solutions.
• Communication Skills. Conveying clear, timely, persuasive messages using appropriate language for the knowledge and understanding of the audience or reader.
• Conflict Resolution. Initiating resolution to interpersonal and organizational conflict.
• Negotiation. Reaching sustainable agreements that satisfy identified interests.
• Relationship Building & Influence. Building constructive working relationships through mutual respect. Patiently solicit and consider ideas of others and actively support the good ideas of others.
• Valuing Others. Working effectively with individuals of diverse cultures, interpersonal styles, abilities, motivations, and backgrounds.
  • Kindness. The work of this position will require navigating challenging conversations. To succeed, you will be called on to keep a kind and generous view of others, even during challenging times.
  • Inclusivity. As a leading office representative, you must take steps to ensure the AGO’s position on issues takes a variety of perspectives into account. This will require the successful candidate to work intentionally to consider perspectives that historically may not have been provided the opportunity to be heard.

Ideal Candidate Profile

Our ideal candidate is a thoughtful, collaborative colleague with experience in public labor relations and exemplary communication skills. They will be able to lead our organization in cultivating and maintaining solid and productive relationships with labor organizations representing many of our employees.

Typical successful backgrounds for this position include:

• Labor Relations professionals
• Human Resources professionals
• Labor workforce experience
• Labor attorneys
• Union experience
• Mediation experience

About the Washington State Office of the Attorney General
Join an agency whose work impacts the lives of every resident of Washington State.

The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) touches the lives of every resident in this state. We serve more than 230 state agencies, boards, commissions, colleges and universities, as well as the Legislature and the Governor. The Office is comprised of nearly 700 attorneys and 800 professional staff, all working together to deliver the highest quality professional legal services to Washington state officials, agencies, and entities. This includes:

• Economic justice and consumer protections (safeguarding consumers, protecting youth, seniors, and other vulnerable populations)
• Social justice and civil rights (addressing discrimination, environmental protection, and veteran and military resources)
• Criminal justice and public safety (investigative and prosecutorial support, financial crimes)
• And much more!

Our agency also has national reach, representing the State of Washington before the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals and trial courts in all cases that involve the state’s interest. If you want to make a difference, we may be the perfect fit for you! Learn more about the AGO here.

Commitment to Diversity

Diversity is critical to the success of the mission of the AGO. This means recognizing, respecting, and appreciating all cultures and backgrounds- and fostering the inclusion of differences between people. Appreciating, valuing and implementing principles of diversity permits AGO employees to achieve their fullest potential in an inclusive, respectful environment. One recent measure of the AGO's commitment to diversity can be found in its nomination for Rainbow Alliance and Inclusion Network's "Outstanding Agency Award" in 2019. Our commitment to employee wellness is reflected in earning the 2024 Zo8 Washington Wellness Award.

Excellent Benefits

Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation, including Medical/Dental/Vision for employees & dependent(s); Vacation, Sick, and Other Leave; 11 Paid Holidays per year; Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) plans; and Life Insurance. Beyond these traditional benefits, we offer Dependent Care Assistance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Deferred Compensation, Employee Recognition Leave, and more. With the goal of employee health and wellness, we also offer flexible schedules and telework options for most positions, a Wellness Program, the Employee Assistance Program, and numerous affinity groups to foster community and connection.

Application Instructions

In addition to completing the online application, applicants must attach the following documents to their profile in order to be considered for this position:

• A letter of interest, describing your specific qualifications for the position;
• A current resume detailing experience and education.

Read the Following Information Completely:

• Carefully review your application for accuracy, spelling and grammar before submitting.
• You may not reapply to this posting for 30 days.
• The initial screening of applications will be solely based on the contents and completeness of the “work experience” and “education” sections of your application in www.careers.wa.gov, completeness of the application material submitted, and responses to the supplemental questionnaire.
• A resume will not substitute for completing the “work experience” section of the application.
• All information may be verified and documentation may be required.

Equal Employment Opportunity & Accommodations Requests

Honoring diversity, equity and inclusion means that as an agency, and as individuals, we are committed to ensuring that all employees and volunteers enjoy a respectful, safe and supportive working environment. Only by fostering the inclusion of people from all backgrounds, cultures and attributes, can AGO employees and volunteers achieve their fullest potential and best advance the goals and mission of the AGO.

The AGO is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation/gender identity, age, disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status, retaliation or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact the recruitment team at HREmployment@atg.wa.gov. Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington Relay Service at 1-800-676-3777 or www.washingtonrelay.com.

For questions regarding this recruitment or assistance with the application process, please contact Megan Davis at 360-709-6013 or HREmployment@atg.wa.gov. If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or support@neogov.com.