JOB TITLE: DIRECTOR, BUREAU OF EMPLOYEE RELATIONS

JOB CODE: 05990

DEFINITION: This is highly responsible managerial and professional work directing the Bureau of Employee Relations in the Office of Administration (OA).

The employee in this job is responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating enterprise-wide employee relations programs and activities. Work involves directing and coordinating the activities of a professional staff engaged in the analysis of union demands, planning the course and strategy of negotiations and arbitrations, the negotiation of all labor agreements and memoranda, the investigation and resolution of fourth step grievances, and the provision of official interpretation of labor agreements. Work includes directing the representation of the commonwealth in regulatory processes before the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board, and in court litigation and related legal activities involving labor relations matters. An important aspect of the work is the development and promulgation of statewide policies, procedures, and guidelines to establish and maintain effective employer-employee relations and to provide direction and guidance in the implementation and administration of labor agreements in operating agencies. Supervision is exercised over a staff of professional, technical, and clerical employees. Work is performed with considerable independence and is subject to review by the Director, Employee Relations and Workforce Support Office for effectiveness in representing the interests of management.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.):

• Plans and directs all employee relations activities for the commonwealth, including labor negotiations, arbitration, grievance administration, contract interpretation, and litigation, as the employer under the Public Employee Relations Act of 1970 for agencies under the Governor's jurisdiction and under the Policemen's and Firemen's Collective Bargaining Act of 1968.

• Directs the negotiation of labor agreements and memoranda of understanding with representatives of certified bargaining units consistent with the Administration's management and budgetary requirements and goals.

• Directs the investigation and resolution of fourth step grievances, approving settlements and the provision of consistent advice to agency employee relations specialists and managers on precedents, policies, and implications regarding grievance and/or practices.

• Provides policy direction in the preparation and conduct of litigation cases and the performance of related legal activities involving labor relations matters for the commonwealth.

• Meets with high level management officials to resolve the more difficult and sensitive problems relating to labor contract interpretation and the development of strategies for negotiations.

• Determines and represents the commonwealth's position on the appropriateness of collective bargaining units proposed in petitions for election, certification, or clarification submitted by state employee organizations.

• Directs the preparation and issuance of interpretations, directives, and guidelines for the implementation of contract provisions and arbitration awards.

• Directs the development and presentation of the commonwealth's arguments in binding arbitration for resolving contract grievances.

• Directs the development of training programs in the area of employee relations for commonwealth managers and supervisors.

• Performs the full range of supervisory functions.

• Employees in this job may participate in the performance of subordinates’ work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of human resource management.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of labor management relations.

• Knowledge of the methods, practices, and techniques of collective bargaining, the negotiation of labor contracts, arguing arbitration cases, and resolving grievances.

• Knowledge of Federal and state labor laws.

• Knowledge of current developments in labor-management relations.

• Knowledge of the use and functionality of Microsoft Office suite software.

• Knowledge of change management and consultative principles and practices.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of supervision.

• Ability to analyze and interpret policies, procedures, and regulations.

• Ability to analyze and develop operational plans, goals, and objectives.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: (NOTE: These are expected of an employee performing the work of this job at the full performance level. These may not be evaluated by the State Civil Service Commission or used for Civil Service examination purposes and are not position-specific performance standards.):

• Knowledge of commonwealth employee relations programs and services.

• Knowledge of commonwealth programs.

• Ability to plan and direct the work of others.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities):

• Seven years of professional human resources experience that includes three years in a supervisory capacity directing an employee relations services program, and a bachelor's degree;

or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes three years of professional human resource management experience directing an employee relations program.