09/12/2008 05315

ACCELERATED GRIEVANCE PROGRAM MANAGER

DEFINITION: This is supervisory professional work in the administration of the Commonwealth's Accelerated Grievance Procedure.

The employee in this job is responsible for the administration of grievance procedures through consultation with agency human resource offices and the review of circumstances and proposed settlements. This work involves insuring the timely processing of grievances, arranging for Area and State Committee meetings, docketing cases, serving as management chairperson of Joint State Committees, selecting arbitrators for arbitration hearings, and assigning staff advocates to present the Commonwealth's case in arbitration. Work also includes evaluating, recommending and negotiating the Alternative Discipline Program; developing plans and directing the expansion of the Accelerated Grievance Program into other unions and agencies; and providing training to agency human resources
staff on the Accelerated Grievance Procedure process. A significant aspect of the work includes serving as chief negotiator for selected bargaining units, developing and overseeing the Commonwealth’s position on all bargaining unit work appeals, and managing issues related to sub-contracting. The employee in this job supervises a professional staff who provide consultation and guidance to agencies on procedural and contract interpretation issues and who are engaged in the review of cases currently in the grievance process, arbitration advocacy, and contract negotiations with various unions. The employee reports to the Director of the Bureau of Labor Relations in the Office of Administration and acts as an assistant for special projects and issues with Commonwealth-wide implications. Work is reviewed through reports, meetings and assessment of the overall program results.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Supervises a professional staff in the administration of the Accelerated Grievance Procedure.

Supervises the docketing of cases in the Accelerated Grievance Procedure and provides consultative services to agencies having grievances that are processed through the Accelerated Grievance Procedure inclusive of the Area and State Committees and the arbitration phase.

Selects Commonwealth participants for Area and State Committees and participates in the selection of arbitrators.

Serves as the management chairperson of Joint State Committees by hearing cases, voting on the disposition of cases, and ruling on objections and other issues.

Serves as chief negotiator for selected collective bargaining units; drafts contract language, researches and evaluates union proposals, and offers advice and counter-proposals.

Researches and prepares proposals as a result of special projects assigned by the Director of the Bureau of Labor Relations including issues of statewide impact and labor relations policy.

Directs the training of agency employees involved in the Accelerated Grievance Procedure through the development of formal training and refresher meetings.

Advocates cases in arbitration.

Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

Employees in this class may participate in the performance of their subordinates work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

Performs related duties as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the principles and practices of labor management relations.

Knowledge of the methods, practices, and techniques of collective bargaining, negotiating labor contracts, advocating arbitration cases, and resolving grievances.

Knowledge of Federal labor laws.

Knowledge of generally accepted grievance arbitration practices and procedures.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of supervision.

Knowledge of methods for examining and cross-examining witnesses in a formal setting.

Ability to analyze, evaluate, and interpret policies and procedures.

Ability to analyze and interpret data.

Ability to communicate effectively orally.

Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: One year as a Human Resource Analyst 5 (Labor Relations), or a Labor Relations Staff Specialist;

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Six years of professional experience in labor relations as a union or management representative, labor mediator or arbitrator, which included three years of professional experience negotiating local or unit agreements, or presenting cases in arbitration.

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An equivalent combination of professional experience and training which includes three years of professional experience negotiating local or unit agreements, or presenting cases in arbitration.