Employee and Labor Relations Manager (WMS3) DOH7839

JOB Full-time/Permanent WMS 3 (Learn more about the Washington Management Service.
) Join our vibrant People Services team and contribute to the health and well-being of our employees! DOH is committed to fostering an inclusive work environment that seeks to continually improve workplace relations.
As the Employee and Labor Relations Manager reporting directly to the Chief People Officer, you'll be the agency's expert on labor issues, negotiating agreements, overseeing Reasonable Accommodation and Protected Leave, and managing investigations.
Your role directly influences salary, benefits, and the overall working environment, making you a key player in shaping the agency’s goal of being an employer of choice.
In this role you will address labor and employee-related concerns and grievances, which is critical to enriching the employee experience and ensuring a positive workplace culture.
Your expertise will be crucial in navigating complex labor issues, interpreting collective bargaining agreements, and providing guidance to agency leadership.
We're seeking a highly skilled and innovative individual with proven success in labor relations management and organizational leadership.
Ideally, you’ll bring a minimum of six years of progressive experience in labor relations, showcasing expertise in state civil service laws, federal and state labor regulations, and collective bargaining agreements.
You should also possess strong negotiation skills, a proven ability to represent organizations effectively, and a commitment to ensuring policy compliance.
It’s vital that you exhibit excellent interpersonal and communication skills, coupled with a track record of impactful decision-making.
Your human-centered approach, commitment to equity, collaboration, and pursuit of excellence will contribute to the agency's mission of protecting and improving the health of all people in Washington state.
Responsibilities: Lead Labor Relations Strategy: Act as the agency's expert on labor issues, oversee negotiations, and represent the organization in various labor-related activities.
Grievance Management: Serve as the Secretary's designee in grievance processing, managing pre-arbitration review meetings, and providing guidance on dispute resolution.
Collective Bargaining: Negotiate settlement agreements, lead labor arbitrations, and represent the agency at formal and informal Demands to Bargain.
Compliance Oversight: Ensure agency compliance with federal and state laws, collective bargaining agreements, and agency policies related to Reasonable Accommodation and Protected Leave (RAPL) and investigations.
Policy and Procedure Management: Administer the agency policy and procedure system, providing oversight, advising on policy changes, and ensuring alignment with collective bargaining agreements.
Union Management Communication: Lead Union Management Communication Committee meetings, fostering productive working relationships with employee organizations.
External Liaison: Act as the principal liaison for the agency to external partners such as OFM Labor Relations Office, Attorney General's Office, and Public Employment Relations Commission on labor relations issues.
Training and Education: Train, educate, and advise managers and supervisors on contracts, agency policies, statutes, and related processes to ensure understanding of labor impacts.
Resource Management: Manage the HR Investigations unit and Reasonable Accommodation and Protected Leave (RAPL) unit, ensuring efficient and compliant operations.
Financial Impact Analysis: Analyze and influence the agency's financial landscape by managing collective bargaining agreements, influencing budgets, and making decisions with potential financial implications.
Essential Qualifications and Experience: A minimum of Six (6) years of experience in Labor Relations including advising and/or consulting on labor specific issues, grievance management, and dispute or conflict resolution.
An understanding of and experience analyzing, interpreting, applying, and communicating on the following: Washington State civil service laws and rulesFederal and state labor and employment laws Agency policies and proceduresCollective bargaining agreementsExperience researching, analyzing, interpreting, and applying the following: Labor case lawArbitration decisionsStaying informed and updated on Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC) decisions and court decisions.
Experience effectively communicating with diverse groups, both internal and external, that may have different or competing interests and objectives.
Have a background in training, educating, and advising managers and supervisors on contracts, agency policies, statutes, and related processes, including understanding how these elements relate to managerial decisions, potential precedent-setting, and the labor impacts that may be imposed by an arbitrator, court, or PERC.
Experience leading teams and building interpersonal relationships.
Core Competencies: Shows self-awareness, self-management, ethics, integrity, and a commitment to continual growth and learning.
Exhibits interpersonal awareness and embraces inclusivity.
Demonstrates organizational and political awareness, strong relationship-building skills, and effective decision-making.
Integrates performance and development management into program activities.
Provides coaching and mentoring for improved success.
Offers personalized recognition and celebrates successes.
Displays characteristics of interpersonal influence.
The Office of People Services (OPS) - Creating an exceptional workplace experience at every turn! At the heart of our organization, the Office of People Services is a dynamic force dedicated to empowering our greatest asset—our people.
We are the architects of growth, fostering an inclusive and vibrant workplace where innovation thrives.
Join us and be a catalyst for positive change as we shape a future where every individual's potential is unlocked, talents are celebrated, and collective success knows no bounds.
Together, we redefine what it means to flourish in a supportive, people-centric environment that values your unique contributions and fuels the success of our entire organization.
OPS is comprised of three distinct areas: Chief of People Office: The center of our strategic HR initiatives.
Business HR: Where HR business partners, classification and compensation experts, labor relations specialists, and reasonable accommodations and protected leave professionals collaborate to support our workforce.
Employee Experience Program (EXP): Our passionate EXP team is dedicated to crafting and delivering fulfilling, engaging, and inclusive experiences at the pivotal moments in every employee's journey with DOH.
We are the Washington State Department of Health (DOH)At DOH, we safeguard public health in an ever-evolving world.
Through collaboration with local health jurisdictions and state, federal, and private partners, our programs, and services impact every Washingtonian and visitor daily.
We're driven by Equity, Innovation, and Engagement, as outlined in our Transformational Plan for the future of Washington health.
Benefits and LifestyleWe prioritize your work-life balance and offer one of the most competitive benefits packages nationwide, tailored to support your lifestyle.
Discover more about "Why DOH" by visiting Work@Health.
Location and Flexibility Flexible/Hybrid – Our approach to work is flexible! This telework role allows you to primarily work remotely from your home, with occasional on-site requirements at the DOH offices in Tumwater and Shoreline, WA to address labor needs.
You will also attend Collective Bargaining Agreement labor negotiations every two years in the greater Olympia area.
We're extending our reach to include remote applicants from across Washington State, the Oregon/Washington border, and the Idaho/Washington border.
Review the full position description to learn more about this opportunity.
Application Process: Remember to showcase your relevant education and experience in your application materials.
DO NOT attach any documents that include photos, letters of recommendation, or private information (transcripts, social security number, year of birth, etc.
).
Click "Apply" to submit your detailed application profile along with the following: A cover letter (without personal pictures) describing how you meet the qualifications and why you are interested in this position.
A current resume (without personal pictures).
Three (3) or more professional references, to be listed in your profile under the references section, which includes at least one supervisor, peer, and (if you have supervised staff) someone you have supervised or led.
Veterans Preference: Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference must attach a copy of their DD-214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or signed verification of service letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to their application.
Please remove or cover any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers and birth year.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: We regard diversity as the foundation of our strength, recognizing that differing insights and abilities enable us to reflect the unique needs of the communities we serve.
DOH is an equal-opportunity employer.
We prohibit discrimination based on race/ethnicity/color, creed, sex, pregnancy, age, religion, national origin, marital status, the presence or perception of a disability, veteran’s status, military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender expression, or gender identity.
Questions and Accommodations: If you have questions, need accommodation in the application or selection process, or need information in an alternative format, contact Shawnelle Goalder at shawnelle.
goalder@doh.
wa.
gov.
For general DOH recruitment questions, email the Talent Acquisition Team at employment@doh.
wa.
gov.
Deaf or hard of hearing contact Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1; individuals outside of Washington State contact Washington Relay Service at 1-800-833-6874.
Technical Support: Reach out to NEOGOV directly at 1-855-524-5627 for technical support and login issues.
Conditions of Employment: I am prepared, with or without accommodations, to do the following: Commit to a full-time 40-hour work week schedule.
(Please note that flexible work schedule requests will be subject to supervisor approval.
)Adjust my work schedule occasionally to align with business needs, which may entail working evenings and weekends.
Perform my job duties either remotely from home or in-person at the designated DOH site location.
Travel periodically within the state of Washington.
Possess the legal ability to operate a state or privately-owned vehicle or arrange alternative transportation for official state business.
Engage in emergency response exercises and high-priority assignments as assigned during emergency events.
SUBSCRIBE to DOH Job Alerts SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION Only applicants who follow the directions and complete the Application Process in-full will have their responses reviewed for consideration.