Employee Relations Specialist

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under general direction, the Analyst is responsible for analyzing labor contract compliance, conducting labor relations research, conducting disciplinary hearings, and adjudicating grievances and disputes regarding collective bargaining agreements and City work rules. The Analyst ensures consistent interpretation and application of various labor agreements and personnel policies.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: 

• Manages all aspects of labor relations for a variety of departments and divisions and with seven different bargaining units.
• Participates in contract negotiations for several bargaining units within the City of Toledo.
• Prepares agreements and contracts in compliance with collective bargaining agreements and federal and state law.
• Processes Family and Medical Leave Act requests.
• Prepares responses to public records requests.
• Conducts grievance and disciplinary hearings.
• Conducts various workplace investigations including, but not limited to workplace violence and harassment complaint investigations.
• Answers questions of division representatives and employee’s relation to labor and employee relations.
• May prepare and present requests and responses to the Toledo Civil Service Commission items.
• Develops and implements training programs for employees in various areas including, but not limited to, payroll topics, FMLA, supervisory issues, workplace violence and discrimination.
• Participates in mediation and arbitration process with various bargaining units.
• Researches, analyzes and applies a variety of legal/human resource related regulations including, but not limited to, collective bargaining agreements, Toledo Municipal Code, Toledo City Charter and Toledo Civil Service Rules; Ohio state laws for prior service credit, bargaining, public records; and federal laws such as DOT/CDL laws, USERRA, ADA, FMLA, and the FLSA.
• Process unemployment compensation claims including representing the city in appeal hearings.
• Reviews, approves and/or negotiates accommodations requested by employees under the ADA through the interactive process and appropriate correspondence with physicians, colleagues, the employee and other key stakeholders.
• Enhances the ADA process for employees requesting accommodations under the ADA.
• Reviews medical information for ADA temporary and permanent accommodation requests from employees.
• Maintains regular contact with colleagues, supervisors, health care providers, and other key stakeholders regarding progress and status of accommodations; assists in the resolution of any challenges related to the accommodations.
• Assists in answering/resolving any follow-up questions/issues and helps identify clarifications, when needed, from key stakeholders.
• Acts as a subject matter expert and resource to supervisors, colleagues, union representatives, or physicians regarding accommodation/work restriction issues and processes. Provides advice and counsel as appropriate and acts as a liaison between all parties when necessary.

Knowledge of:

• Communication methods and procedures.
• MS Word, MS Outlook, and MS Excel.
• The technical subject matter utilized in the section.
• The rules, regulations, laws, policies, and procedures governing activities of the section.
• Investigative and research methods and techniques.
• The City’s organizational structure.
• Various collective bargaining agreements.
• The provisions of Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), including but not limited to, requests for reasonable accommodations.
• Practices and activities covered by employment nondiscrimination requirements of ADA.
• All aspects of the organization and positions within the organization.

Skill in:  

• Problem solving.
• Oral communication - Strong communication skills to unify ADA efforts among administrative staff and employees requesting an accommodation.
• Attention to detail.
• Critical thinking.
• The use of a personal computer.

Ability to: 

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Organize complex data and prepare technical and/or administrative reports.
• Solve problems proactively.
• Use facts and verifications to draw conclusions not subjective.

REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND CERTIFICATIONS:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in business administration, public administration, political science, social science, human resources management, or closely related field and two (2) years of experience in public sector administration with an emphasis in labor and employee relations and at least one (1) year of experience with reviewing and analyzing employee requests for reasonable accommodation under the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the capacity of an employer representative. A Master’s Degree in one of the aforementioned areas or Juris Doctor Degree from an accredited law school may be substituted for one (1) year of experience.
• Valid driver's license

PREFERRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND CERTIFICATIONS:

• A Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school may be substituted for one (1) year of experience.
• A Master’s Degree in business administration, public administration, political science, social science, human resources management, or closely related field.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described within this job description must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

In this position, the employee will frequently stand, walk, and sit. Occasionally lifting up to 25- pounds. Speaking and listening are constant essential functions of this position.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment described within this job description will be encountered while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee is frequently indoors. The noise level in the work environment is usually low.