City of Chicago

SR LABOR RELATIONS SPECIALIST

Chicago, IL (On-site)

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT SENIOR LABOR RELATIONS SPECIALIST, GY07 DEPARTMENT OF WATER MANAGEMENT Labor Relations Division Number of Positions: 1 (Additional Vacancies Possible Pending Budget Approval) Starting Salary: $76,020.00 Applications for this position will be accepted until 11:59pm CDT on February 27, 2026. Essential Duties Investigates Violence in the Workplace (VIW) complaints, prepares written investigation reports outlining findings, and submits sustained or unstained recommendations to the Department’s VIW Liaison for review. Administers the Department’s grievance procedure by investigating grievances, tracking cases through the pre-arbitration stage, and responding to union inquiries and related concerns. Works collaboratively with supervisors and staff across divisions (including Districts, Payroll, and Human Resources); reviews and manages paper records maintained at work sites; conducts field visits; and delivers training. Supports the Law Department in arbitration and Human Resources Board matters by assisting with case preparation and serving as a department representative during hearings. Coordinates labor relations projects to ensure their completion in a timely and efficient manner. Advises and assists managers and labor relations liaisons in resolving labor relations concerns and issues. Assists lower-level staff in the interpretation and administration of labor contracts. Advises labor relations liaisons and department managers on the proper interpretation and intent of collective bargaining agreements. Monitors labor relations activities in City departments to ensure that collective bargaining agreements are properly administered. Attends bargaining negotiations and research issues arising out of the collective bargaining process for use by the City’s negotiation team. Surveys operating departments regarding changes to union agreements for contract Negotiations. Works with other divisions of the Department of Human Resources, Budget Office, Law Department and Finance Comptroller's Office to ensure compliance with collective bargaining agreement provisions. Make presentations and conduct training seminars explaining collective bargaining agreements and contract provisions for management or new employees. Evaluates the results of surveys of wages, fringe benefits and work practices for the purpose of developing negotiation strategy alternatives. Assists in the coordination of City-wide reduction-in-force activities to ensure that contract provisions regarding personnel actions are strictly followed. Maintains files (e.g., awards, arbitrations, grievance outcomes) for future reference. Additional Duties May Be Required For This Position. Location: Department of Water Management 1000 East Ohio, Chicago IL 60611 Days: Monday through Friday Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. THIS POSITION IS IN THE CAREER SERVICE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Human Resource Management or a directly related field, plus three (3) years of employee relations, labor relations, industrial relations or professional personnel administration experience, OR Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree or higher in Business Administration, Human Resource Management or a directly related field, plus two (2) years of employee relations, labor relations, industrial relations or professional personnel administration experience. SELECTION REQUIREMENTS: This position requires applicants to complete an interview which will include a written exercise. The interviewed candidates possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position, based on the oral and written parts of the interview, will be selected. For Information on our employees benefits please visit our benefits website at: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fin/benefits-office.html For Information on our salary and title structure visit our classifications website at: https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/dhr/supp_info/JobClassification/2025_Classification_and_Pay_Plan.pdf APPLICATION EVALUATION: Initial evaluation will be based on information provided on the application and the documents submitted. The Department of Human Resource staff will review applications after the final posting date. Staff will follow all required Employment/Hiring Plan provisions, federal, state and local laws, and Collective Bargaining Agreements when applicable. Staff will apply hiring preferences as required by the municipal code. Placement on an eligibility list is not an offer or guarantee of an interview nor employment with the City of Chicago. COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY: To further our commitment to hiring applicants with diverse experience the City of Chicago has adopted the following ordinances 2-74-020 and 2-74-075. The ordinances provide a preference for applicants who meet minimum qualifications and who are veterans of the Armed Forces, and/or residents of Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Areas (SEDA) and/or Chicago Public School (CPS) high school graduates to be referred to departments for consideration. These hiring preferences do not apply to bidders, as Collective Bargaining Agreements define the hiring process for bidders. For positions covered by a collective bargaining agreement, bidders will be considered before external candidates. To learn more about our hiring practices click here. ALL REFERENCES TO POLITICAL SPONSORSHIP OR RECOMMENDATION MUST BE OMITTED FROM ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR CITY EMPLOYMENT. The City of Chicago is an Equal Employment Opportunity, Military Friendly, and Fair Chance Employer. City of Chicago Brandon Johnson, Mayor Job Posting Feb 11, 2026, 12:00:00 AM