Director of Labor and Employee Relations (DOT Executive VI)

OPEN RECRUITMENT

Executive Service Position

(This position serves at the pleasure of the Appointing Authority.)

If you have ever taken a flight from BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport; renewed your Maryland driver’s license; traveled to an Orioles game on the Light Rail; embarked on a cruise from the Port of Baltimore; received roadside assistance from CHART Emergency Patrol; reduced your commute time by using one of Maryland’s toll roads, then you have experienced some of the superb services provided by the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT).
  
 MDOT has various careers for people of all experiences, backgrounds, and abilities who come together to contribute to one mission—connecting our customers to life’s opportunities. Join us in serving our Maryland residents, visitors, and businesses!

The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) is seeking a strategic and highly experienced Director of Labor and Employee Relations (DOT Executive VI) to lead labor-management relations across the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT). This position is responsible for shaping labor strategy, leading collective bargaining efforts, and fostering productive partnerships with union leadership. The Director serves as the Secretary of Transportation’s designee for Step II grievance hearings and disciplinary appeals. 

Key responsibilities include:

• Directing all labor relations activities and ensuring compliance with TSHRS statutes, regulations, and policies.
• Leading collective bargaining efforts, including participation in DBM negotiations for AFSCME and MPEC MOUs and serving as lead negotiator for IAFF Local 1732 and FOP Lodge 34.
• Serving as the primary liaison with DBM, the Governor’s Office, union leadership, and MDOT management, and leading Labor Management Committee meetings.
• Overseeing grievance and dispute resolution processes, including settlement conferences, Step II hearings, arbitrations, and mediations.
• Administering and ensuring consistent application of collective bargaining agreements and MOUs.
• Reviewing EER activities and providing guidance and training to ensure consistent and compliant labor relations practices.
• Advising executive leadership on labor relations strategy, risks, and emerging issues.

The current vacancy exists at MDOT TSO in the Office of Human Resources located in Hanover, MD. (Anne Arundel County).

This position may allow a hybrid work schedule, including telework and on-site work hours.  

MDOT offers a generous and competitive benefits package. You can learn about our amazing benefits here: MDOT Benefits

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: A bachelor’s degree in Labor Relations, Human Resources, Law, Public Administration, or related field.

Experience: Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in labor and employee relations, including extensive collective bargaining and union negotiations. Three (3) years in a supervisory or managerial role.

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Deep expertise in union negotiations, contract administration, and dispute resolution within a complex, multi-union environment.
• Strong knowledge of labor laws, grievance handling, and arbitration processes.
• Excellent communication, persuasion, and conflict resolution skills. 
• Strategic thinking and decision-making
• Juris Doctorate (preferred but not required)

Consideration for employment may be based solely on the contents of your application. Therefore, it is essential that you provide complete and accurate information. Please include all relevant experience on your application. This includes, but is not limited to, full or part time, volunteer, military, acting capacity, or any other experience that is relevant to the position for which you are applying.  

None.

TO APPLY: You must complete an MDOT employment application (DTS-1) online to be considered for this recruitment.  RESUMES CANNOT BE SUBSTITUTED FOR THE MDOT EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION. No paper applications will be accepted.
  
 Selected candidates may be subject to background and reference checks.  
  
You may apply online at: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/mdotmd. Applications must be submitted online by 11:59 pm on 5/07/2026.

Appropriate auxiliary aids and services for qualified individuals with disabilities will be provided upon request.  Please notify in advance.  MD Relay Service Number (711). Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply.
  
 The Maryland Department of Transportation is not sponsoring new employees in application of the H-1B Visa or providing an extension of an existing H-1B at this time due to budgetary constraints.  All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.  Federal regulations prohibit H-1B Visa candidates from paying sponsorship fees; all sponsorship fees must be assumed by the potential employer.
  
Applicants who have education obtained outside of the U.S. will be required to provide proof of the equivalent U.S. education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service, such as the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (http://www.naces.org) or World Education Services:  International Credential Evaluation (https://www.wes.org/).

The incumbent in this position will not be a member of a covered bargaining unit.

 WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. MDOT does not discriminate based on age, ancestry, color, creed, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, mental or physical disability, national origin, race, religious affiliation, belief or opinion, sex, or sexual orientation. 
 
 Issued Date: 4/23/2026

The purpose of the supplemental questions listed below is to evaluate your experience and education further to determine your eligibility for this job classification. Answer each question accurately and thoroughly. The experience you indicate in your responses to the supplemental questions must also be described in detail in the Work History section of this application. If you cite experience in your response that is not included in the Work History section of this application, your application may be considered incomplete, and you may not receive further consideration for this position. Questions with text answers require you to include the name of the employer/organization and dates of the specific experience.