Position Description

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING
Position Number: 00050223	Description Activated On: 12/3/2025 8:56:34 AM

Position Purpose: Describe the primary purpose of this position and how it contributes to the organization’s objectives. Example: Provides clerical and office support within the Division to ensure its operations are conducted efficiently and effectively.

This position serves as a professional management level staff member in the Employee Relations Division of the Department of Corrections HR Office and performs professional employee relations work for assigned locations.

Description of Duties: Describe in detail the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Descriptions should include the major end result of the task. Example: Types correspondence, reports, and other various documents from handwritten drafts for review and signature of the supervisor.

CONSULTATIVE DUTIES:
Provides guidance and consultation to all levels of management regarding contract interpretation and administration, disciplinary actions, subcontracting and preservation of bargaining unit work issues, meet and discuss obligations and side letters and local agreements, the Governor's Code of Conduct, and all other facets of the employee relations functions. Identifies and addresses areas of need and shortcomings via the provision of training and/or other remedial measures.

Assists management in the proper application and administration of the provisions of all collective bargaining agreements and memoranda of understanding that cover the Department of Corrections Human Resource Office represented employees, as well as the associated side letters and any local agreements that may exist.

Responds to requests for approval of actions in accordance with prevailing policy, and provides guidance and direction as necessary to ensure that the tenets of just cause and due process are satisfied in carrying out a disciplinary program that is consistent with applicable policies and objectives.

GRIEVANCE ADMINISTRATION:
Reviews, investigates, analyzes, and responds to all assigned grievances at various steps of the Accelerated Grievance Procedure and Standard Grievance Procedure. Determines the method by which all required information is gathered, the necessity of hearings at the appropriate step of the applicable grievance process and conducts hearings when required. Discusses grievances and associated issues with appropriate management staff and other representatives. Negotiates settlements and generates all necessary correspondence related to the grievance process. Provides guidance to field staff for investigation and response to grievances filed at field locations. Advises field staff on grievance settlements done at the local level.

Represents the agency as a labor advocate for assigned cases at AGP Joint Area and State Committee Meetings, presenting the Employer’s case-in-chief argument, rebuttal, and summary regarding both disciplinary and contract interpretation proceedings. Alternatively, represents the Employer as a panel member at the Area and State Committee level. Serving as a witness in the Commonwealth’s case at arbitration.

DISCIPLINE:
Participate in Pre-Disciplinary Conferences (PDCs) by chairing and/or serving as the Human Resource representative on the panel and complete follow-up actions as outlined in appropriate policy. Reviews discipline requests for assigned cases to ensure consistency with past discipline for similarly situated cases and to ensure the case can be defended through the grievance procedure or Civil Service appeal process. Logs and tracks discipline through appropriate reporting mechanisms.

INVESTIGATION:
Advises and assists managers and supervisors in proper conduct of investigations/fact findings into routine and/or minor rule infractions that could lead to disciplinary action. As assigned, conducts investigations into more complex or higher profile cases. Reviews investigations completed by managers, supervisors, institution security staff, Bureau of Investigations and Intelligence, etc., and determines whether additional investigation needs to be completed in order to have sufficient evidence to support discipline. When necessary, makes recommendations to the investigatory entity any actions necessary to strengthen the investigation.

TRAINING:
Develops, coordinates, and participates in the presentation of the agency's employee relations training programs. Conducts training/briefing sessions for agency managers regarding the interpretation and application of new provisions when new collective bargaining agreements are negotiated.

LABOR MANAGEMENT/MEET AND DISCUSS SESSIONS:
Participates in labor management/meet and discuss committees mandated by the collective bargaining agreements and memoranda of understanding at both the state and local levels. Attends and, when directed, conducts local, state-wide and regional labor management/meet and discuss sessions. Prior to these sessions, reviews the union's agenda and provides guidance to appropriate management representatives in developing appropriate responses. At the conclusion of such sessions, prepares final responses to the union.

UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICE CHARGES (ULPs):
Works with assigned OA Legal Attorney to provide documentation and background information and assists in the preparation/presentation of the Commonwealth's case before the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board. Monitors the status of the ULP to ensure that effective communications are maintained between and among the involved parties. Recommends actions aimed at preventing recurrences of the instant issue and the commission of ULPs in general.

WORK PERFORMANCE:
Works with supervisors and managers in monitoring and managing employee performance. This includes, but is not limited to, developing performance standards and corrective action plans.

CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS/COLLECTIVE BARGAINING:
Serves as an agency representative on the Commonwealth’s collective bargaining team responsible for negotiating collective bargaining agreements. Participates in the development of Commonwealth proposals. Attends and participates in contract negotiations and/or interest arbitration proceedings with assigned units as a team member representing the Department of Corrections Human Resource Office. Researches as necessary and prepares agency responses and positions. Reviews and provides recommendations regarding draft language of collective bargaining agreements. After approval, prepares highlights of changes for dispersal to appropriate staff.

OTHER DUTIES:
Drafts policy revisions for review and approval.

Schedules and attends required training annually.

Conducts site visits to assigned locations as required.

Participates in miscellaneous Department meetings as a representative of the Employee Relations Division, as assigned.

Performs and coordinates various administrative functions and other related duties as assigned.

As assigned, supervises a Human Resource Management Trainee completing a three-month rotational assignment in the Employee Relations Division.

Decision Making: Describe the types of decisions made by the incumbent of this position and the types of decisions referred to others. Identify the problems or issues that can be resolved at the level of this position, versus those that must be referred to the supervisor. Example: In response to a customer inquiry, this work involves researching the status of an activity and preparing a formal response for the supervisor’s signature.

Assignments are given on a daily and standing basis. Assignments involving high impact areas are reviewed prior to final disposition. Other work is periodically reviewed after the fact.

Requirements Profile: Identify any specific experience or requirements, such as a licensure, registration, or certification, which may be necessary to perform the functions of the position. Position-specific requirements should be consistent with a Special Requirement or other criteria identified in the classification specification covering this position. Example: Experience using Java; Professional Engineer License

Experience:

Licenses, registrations, or certifications:

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Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.

1.	Effectively communicate verbally and in writing.
2.	Complete all mandatory training.
3.	Travel statewide, including overnight travel, as needed.
4.	Operate various pieces of office equipment (phone, computer, copier, printer, scanner, etc.).
5.	Read and interpret collective bargaining agreements, PERA, policies/procedures and Management Directives.
6.	Provide technical advice on employee relations issues.
7.	Conduct labor management meetings and grievance hearings.
8.	Develops recommendations for action regarding employee relations issues.
9.	Lifts items of varying weights up to 50 lbs.
10.	Maintains files/records pertaining to employee relations issues whether received orally or in writing.