Position Description

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING
Position Number: 00189081	Description Activated On: 1/21/2026 12:27:05 PM

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 is responsible for coordinating employee relations activities in assigned organizations within the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), Department of Agriculture, and Milk Board.

Serves as a point of contact and expert resource for central office, as well as staff headquartered in field 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.

Coordinates disciplinary actions in assigned organizations; advises managers and supervisors on disciplinary procedures, principles, and standards; conducts pre-disciplinary conferences; recommends appropriate action; and prepares disciplinary letters, as needed.

Interprets and applies the provisions of collective bargaining agreements (CBA) or memorandums of understanding (MOU) between the Commonwealth and AFSCME, UGSOA, FOSCEP, FOP, and PSRA unions.

Interprets and applies employment related law, regulations, management directives, policies, and work rules.

Provides guidance to managers, supervisors and selected regional staff in the implementation and administration of CBAs and MOUs, by responding to specific questions and addressing issues dealing with contract interpretations. Provides advice on the resolution of individual problems.

Meets with managers, supervisors, selected regional staff, and employees to discuss and resolve concerns and issues.

Meets with union representatives, as needed, to discuss the resolution of concerns, complaints, grievances or other issues. Participates in, and represents management, at Meet and Discuss Sessions and Labor/Management Meetings.

Conducts investigations into complaints of alleged employee policy violations, work performance concerns, time & attendance issues, inappropriate workplace conduct, etc. Prepares written reports and makes verbal briefings in regard to findings and recommendations.

Advises managers, supervisors and/or field HR staff on disciplinary issues. Drafts Pre-Disciplinary Conference (PDC) Notices. Takes the lead in the conduct of Pre-Disciplinary Conferences. Provides recommendations on appropriate disciplinary action. Prepares discipline letters for supervisor, manager, or Human Resources Director signature.

Advises managers and supervisors on grievance procedures, both Accelerated Grievance Procedure (AGP) and Standard Grievance Procedure (SGP). Investigate employee grievances and advises management on appropriate resolution to grievances and negotiates such resolutions with union representatives.

Prepares and signs settlement agreements.

In the AGP, prepares grievance packages and advocates grievances on behalf of the department at the First Step Local Meeting, Second Step Joint Area Committee and Third Step State Committee. Presents cases at AGP hearings. Participates as a decision-making panel member on both Joint Area and State Committees. Assists arbitration advocates in the preparation of cases. Serves as a witness at arbitration hearings as necessary.

In the SGP, advises and assists managers with responses. Responds to grievances at the agency level of the SGP. Provides information to the OA analyst for responses at their level of the SGP and assists with preparation of grievances to be heard at arbitration.

Attends employee relations briefings, contract negotiations, and other employee relations functions as assigned.

Participates in contract review process on preservation of bargaining unit work, including the Community Work Program (CWP). Reviews and considers written alternatives from the union and prepares timely responses. Maintains logs and records on contract review process in conjunction with support staff and ensures contractual obligations are met. Conducts meet and discuss with the union as requested.

Counsels managers and supervisors as well as certain regional staff regarding unemployment compensation procedure and assists in preparation for hearings. Reviews UC claims to ensure validity of claims and prepares appeals regarding determinations. Completes and submits all required paperwork for the UC Service Center in response to UC claims and Notices of Appeal. Serves as a witness or advocate at UC Appeal hearings.

Negotiates with unions the extension of employee CBA probationary periods; prepares and signs said agreements. Drafts letters to employees informing them of CBA and Civil Service probationary period extensions.

Provides training on labor relations, safety, and other HR topics, as assigned. Disseminates information regarding other available safety and health trainings.

Assists legal staff with the preparation for State Civil Service Commission (SCSC) hearings. Testifies at SCSC hearings as necessary. Assists legal staff in the preparation of written responses to the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Attends fact-finding meetings, mediation sessions, etc. as needed. Assists legal staff in the preparation of responses to Unfair Labor Practice charges. Testifies as ULP hearings.

Consults with Department Equal Employment Opportunity staff on various employee issues including, but not limited to, allegations of discrimination, harassment and/or hostile work environment issues.

Refers matters appropriately to, and coordinates with, the ADA Coordinator.

Consults with the SEAP Coordinator regarding fitness for duty concerns, Independent Psychological Exams, and Condition of Continued Employment situations.

Acts upon arrest notifications to comply with the Governor’s Code of Conduct by collecting information from law enforcement and judicial agencies, and taking appropriate action as necessary including disciplinary action as appropriate.

Reviews, analyzes and critiques labor relations policy, side letter or local agreement proposals presented by assigned organizations. Makes recommendations to chain-of-command on policy/side letter/local agreement modification, revision, creation and implementation.

Conducts appropriate research to complete assigned duties. This may include, but not be limited to, researching precedent setting grievance decisions, arbitration decisions, CBA/MOU language, policies, directives, regulations and laws.

Performs other duties as assigned

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.

Work is received through the supervisor and as a result of meetings and consultations with agency supervisors and managers.

Work is carried out with considerable initiative and independence. This includes WPV investigations, employee relations investigations, resolving grievances, representing the department in meetings with the union, advising managers in disciplinary matters, advocating on behalf of the department and acting as a decision-making panel member at various steps of the AGP, and advocating on behalf of the department at UC appeal hearings.

Keeps the supervisor informed of the status of work assignments and discusses with the supervisor significant decisions, issues, and initiatives on an as needed basis. Work is reviewed through individual conferences and through results obtained

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:

1.   N/A

2.   N/A

3.   N/A

4.

5.

6.

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

1.	Analyze and interpret complex situations and information.
2.	Clearly and effectively provide guidance to managers, supervisors, employees and union representatives both verbally and in writing.
3.	Prepare and present public presentations and trainings with confidence.
4.	Testify competently at employment hearings of various types including UC, WC, CS, PHRC, EEOC, ULP, arbitrations and lawsuits.
5.	Interpret CBAs/MOUs, various department/commonwealth policies and regulations, and employment-related laws.
6.	Prepare written reports, letters, memos, and other written documents.
7.	Travel to locations throughout the commonwealth for meetings and trainings.
8.	Conduct investigatory interviews, fact-finding meetings and PDCs.
9.	Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
10.	Use a writing instrument, PC, fax, scanner, copier, phone and other standard office equipment.