King County, WA

Transit Employee and Labor Relations Supervisor

Seattle, WA (Hybrid)

Summary Learn How Metro Connects You with What Matters King County Metro Transit's Employee Services Division is seeking to hire a Special Duty Assignment(SDA) Transit Employee and Labor Relations Supervisor. This leader develops, leads, and maintains Metro's Employee and Labor Relations practice with Senior Leadership, King County's Office of Labor Relations, union partners, employees, and other stakeholders. Under the direction of the Employee and Labor Relations Manager, the Employee and Labor Relations Supervisor leads Metro’s Employee and Labor Relations function -- coordinating and executing on day-to-day employee and labor relations work. This work also includes supporting the strategic direction of bargaining agreements; contract administration and interpretation, and guidance/coordination of related activities, including consultation, training, grievances, arbitrations, and supporting legal action. The Employee and Labor Relations Manager supervises the Employee and Labor Relations team that provides service to Metro’s divisions. Your strong leadership, labor expertise, and understanding of HR will help strengthen our operations and contribute to the overall success of the organization. Vacancy information In addition, this selection process may be used to generate an eligibility list for future SDA positions that may occur in this classification and work group. The eligibility pool is valid for up to 12 months from the time of posting for use at the discretion of the hiring authority Who May Apply This recruitment is only open to current King County Metro Career Service (CS) employees who have completed the probationary period in their current CS position. We are not accepting external applications. Job Duties Applying equity and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. In this role you will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of the work: Supervise, lead, mentor, and train assigned staff; participate in recruiting and selecting new staff, disciplinary actions, grievances, termination, and unemployment hearings. Serve as a strategic advisor to management on labor and employment laws, personnel matters, and contract administration. Participate in briefing senior management and elected officials on labor policies and complex county-wide labor relations issues. Draft, review, and approve Step 2 and Step 3 grievance responses and Pre-Disciplinary Review Committee (PDRC) documents. Ensure timely and efficient delivery of labor relations services. Consult and collaborate with METRO’s Transit Labor Negotiators, Prosecutor Attorney’s Office, Department of Human Resources, and Office of Labor Relations; participate in contract negotiations and implementing agreements and settlements. Interpret collective bargaining agreement provisions, rules, and regulations; counsel management on labor relations issues; provide recommendations, alternative solutions, and specific actions; ensure compliance with applicable policies, labor regulations, and past practices. Investigate grievances, reports, and disciplinary actions, offer support to resolve disputes; research facts and past practice, make recommendations, and assist with resolution. Recommend revisions to policies and procedures based on negotiations, labor relations, and human resources initiatives; educate management and supervisory personnel on consistent documentation across the department, new contract agreements, and policy changes. Perform other duties as assigned. Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills We are looking for candidates who have: Supervisor/ Lead experience: Ability to foster collaboration and advise and lead employees, while ensuring adherence to company standards Employee and Labor Relations Knowledge: At least 2 years of demonstrated ability to advise on performance-related issues, including coaching supervisors, supporting corrective action processes on labor-related matters, and ensuring performance management practices align with organizational policies and labor agreements Knowledge of Labor Laws and Contract Compliance: Demonstrated understanding of federal, state, and local labor laws and regulations, labor relations understanding, and knowledge of human resources management, local, state, and federal regulations. Experience with contract compliance, such as interpreting collective bargaining agreements, ensuring adherence to contractual provisions, and participating in grievance or dispute-resolution processes Conflict Resolution: Knowledge of negotiation, mediation, and other forms of pre-litigation conflict resolution Communication skills: Excellent written and oral communication skills Analytical Skills: Ability to assess complex situations and data to make informed decisions Organizational Skills: Ability to effectively manage competing priorities Strategic Thinking: Ability to align labor relations strategies with organizational goals. Leader: Ability to mentor, guide, and advise on labor practices and handling grievances Interpersonal Skills: Ability to effectively engage in and sustain relationships with people from diverse cultures and socio-economic backgrounds Adaptability: Ability to work independently and as a team member Computer Savvy: Demonstrated proficiency with business applications, such as the Microsoft Office suite The most competitive candidates will possess the following desired qualifications: Experience working in a King County or other government/public-sector human resources environment. Experience in a large, unionized public or private organization with a multiple skilled trades and other frontline, essential workers. Working knowledge of HR Information Systems; PeopleSoft preferred. Supplemental Information Required Application Materials Letter of Interest: Please address how your skills and experiences demonstrate your effectiveness in the following minimum qualifications: Supervisor/ Lead experience: Describe your ability to foster collaboration and advise and lead employees, while ensuring adherence to company standards. Employee and Labor Relations Knowledge: Highlight your experience advising on performance-related issues, including coaching supervisors, supporting corrective action processes on labor-related matters, and ensuring performance management practices align with organizational policies and labor agreements. Knowledge of Labor Laws and Contract Compliance: Explain your experience interpreting collective bargaining agreements, ensuring adherence to contract provisions, and participating in grievance or dispute-resolution processes. NOTE: Applications that do not include the required materials may be considered incomplete and will not be considered. Selection Process: Applicants will be screened for competitiveness, completeness, and written communication skills to determine the most qualified candidates. The process may include the following: a review of the Letter of Interest and supplemental questions, and references. For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact: Aimee Higbee (ahigbee@kingcounty.gov) Other Position Information Work Schedule: This position is non-exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and overtime eligible. Work hours are comprised of a 40-hour work week, typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Variations may occur based on operational demands. The work associated with this position is currently performed or conducted through a combination of teleworking, onsite work, and meetings. The role combines remote work from home with onsite reporting, typically once per week. Reporting frequency may vary based on business needs. Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various King County facilities. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements. King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment. Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home work space with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. Union Membership: This position is not represented by a union Class Code: 2308200 Transit Employee and Labor Relations Supervisor Union Membership: This position is not represented by a union. Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers. Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play. Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans. King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation. If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement. Benefits King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs: Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what’s best for themselves and their eligible dependents Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan Transportation program and ORCA transit pass 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays Generous vacation and paid sick leave Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves Flexible Spending Account Wellness programs Onsite activity centers Employee Giving Program Employee assistance programs Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position Training and career development programs For additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page. This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails. NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass. For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting. 01 We are using this recruitment to fill a SDA vacancy open to Metro Employees only. To be qualified for this SDA, you must be a Career Service employee in Metro and have passed your probationary period. Do you meet this qualification? Yes No 02 How many years of experience do you have working with federal, state, and local labor laws and regulations, and labor relations? More than 2 years Less than 2 years None, but I'm willing to learn 03 How many years of experience do you have working with supervising, mentoring, and training staff? 3 or more years Less than 3 years Less than 1 year None, but I'm willing to learn 04 Do you have any relatives employed by King County that work for King County's METRO Transit Department? YES NO 05 If you answered "yes" to having a relative that works for King County Metro Transit, please provide the Division of Metro that they currently work in. Select all that apply. a. Bus Operations Division b. Capital Division c. Employee Services Division d. Facilities Division e. Finance & Administration Division f. General Manager's Office g. Marine Division h. Mobility Division i. Rail Division (including Streetcar) j. Safety, Security & Quality Assurance k. Vehicle Maintenance l. I do not know which Division my relative works in at Metro Transit m. I do not have a relative that works for King County Metro 06 If you answered "yes" to having a relative that works for King County Metro Transit, please provide the employee's name, position, and your relationship. Required Question