Human Resources Associate - Labor (Union) Relations

Human Resources Associate

At Legacy Health, our People & Culture team is redefining what it means to work in healthcare. We are evolving from a traditional HR function into a forward-thinking group focused on attracting, developing, and retaining diverse, high-performing talent. Driven by curiosity and innovation, we don't just respond to today's workforce challenges - we anticipate them. Our mission to make life better for others extends to our employees, and we are dedicated to fostering an environment where everyone can do their best and be their best. If this aligns with your approach to work as a Human Resources Associate, we encourage you to explore this opportunity with us.

This position supports our Labor Relations team. Previous labor/union relations experience strongly preferred.

This is a hybrid role that requires regular meetings at a variety of Legacy locations across the Portland Metro area. Candidates must reside in Oregon or Washington. On days when onsite activity is not required, individuals in this role may work remotely.

As the largest nonprofit health system serving the Portland-Southwest Washington and mid-Willamette Valley areas, Legacy Health provides a range of services. We have six hospitals, including Randall Children's Hospital at Legacy Emanuel, which is solely dedicated to children's care. We operate more than 70 primary care, specialty, and urgent care clinics, employ nearly 3,000 doctors and providers, and more than 13,000 employees. Legacy Health also runs labs and a research center. Our major partnerships include PacificSource Health Plans and the Unity Center for Behavioral Health - a one-of-a-kind center for people facing a mental health crisis that is collaboratively operated between four regional health systems and numerous community partners.

Responsibilities

Provides analysis, support, and project management to HR colleagues, leaders, managers, and employees across Legacy Health, delivering guidance on human resources strategies as well as employee and labor relations services.

Administrative Support

• Completes, coordinates, and/or tracks special projects.
• Manages coordination of multiple projects.
• Prioritizes daily tasks and recruits support as needed to meet deadlines.
• Networks effectively with peers across the organization to learn and leverage new technology.
• Compiles monthly and ad hoc reports as required.

Desktop Software

• Manages email communications and produces quality memos, letters, forms, and other documents using Word or other word processing software, employing basic document management, text/page formatting, editing, and spell/grammar check features.
• Updates and distributes spreadsheet documents initiated by others using Excel or similar spreadsheet programs, utilizing basic editing and document management functions.
• Utilizes help functions, tutorials, and internal support resources to troubleshoot and enhance knowledge of desktop software.

Effective Communication

• Demonstrates excellent verbal, written, one-on-one, and group communication skills at all organizational levels.
• Selects the most effective communication method based on audience, message type, and desired outcome.
• Identifies who needs specific information and delivers it concisely and promptly.
• Encourages open communication of ideas and opinions.
• Coaches staff on communication skills to foster positive and effective interactions.

HR Legal/Regulatory Compliance

• Identifies employee and labor relations situations that may develop into legal or regulatory issues.
• Consults with HR colleagues on managing work-related issues within the legal and regulatory framework.
• Provides clear explanations to HR colleagues and leaders on how HR policies and procedures protect the organization and employees.
• Implements HR policies, procedures, and programs designed to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Communicates timely information on legal and regulatory changes through effective channels.

HR Reporting

• Analyzes case tracking logs for trends.
• Writes queries for custom report generation.
• Provides training, support, and troubleshooting for end users across multiple systems.
• Supports Employee Relations consultants through data analysis.

Relationship Management Outside Organizational Development and Employee Relations

• Collaborates with colleagues to understand and meet their information needs.
• Keeps colleagues informed about system issues, fixes, and enhancements.
• Acts as the point of contact for other departments (e.g., Compliance, Identity Services) when additional information or issue resolution is needed.
• Serves as liaison between Employee and Labor Relations consultants on investigations involving alleged breaches of PHI or inappropriate use of Legacy computer systems or email.

Labor Relations Administration

• Assists consultants and directors with document gathering, note-taking, and other support during union negotiations, investigations, and inquiries.
• Reads and interprets union contracts.
• Responds to routine inquiries related to contract application.
• Researches labor relations issues, analyzes trends, and prepares reports.
• Supports preparation of training materials on labor relations, contract interpretation, grievance responses, and labor law for consultants and management.

Relationship Management HR

• Handles routine questions on benefits, payroll, attendance, and other HR matters from staff and leadership.
• Monitors timely completion of performance reviews, development plans, and salary adjustments.
• Clearly interprets HR policies and procedures during discussions with managers and employees.
• Documents and resolves employee requests and issues.
• Meets with managers and employees as needed to discuss HR services and programs.
• Assists with evaluating and improving HR processes and systems for efficiency and accuracy.

Project Management HR

• Partners in designing or evaluating multi-functional solutions to business problems.
• Defines project scope and objectives.
• Develops and delivers presentations for project approval and implementation.
• Leads project meetings and is responsible for project tracking and analysis.
• Manages vendor relationships, as appropriate, to ensure project objectives and timelines are met.
• Conducts meetings with staff at all levels to incorporate feedback and communicate project progress and results.
• Prepares and delivers training following project completion.

Employee Relations and Labor Relations Consultant Support

• Collaborates with Employee and Labor Relations consultants to resolve issues for their customer groups or system-wide.
• Under consultant direction, advises and assists management with personnel policies, legal and contract compliance, grievances, corrective actions, and terminations.

Training

• Develops and coordinates training related to assigned projects.
• Coordinates curriculum updates from the Employee and Labor Relations team.
• Presents training sessions, including New Employee Orientation and other classes related to Employee and Labor Relations or Organizational Development.

Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree.
• Relevant experience may be substituted for educational requirements.

Experience:

• Three to five years of progressively more responsible experience in the HR field.
• Previous labor/union relations experience strongly preferred.
• Health Care experience preferred.

Skills:

• Working knowledge of all HR functional areas (employment, benefits, compensation, employee relations, training and development, human resources information, workforce planning), in addition to in-depth knowledge of two to three functional areas.
• Strong presentation skills, ability to present data and information as a subject matter expert, utilizing both written form and graphical displays, where appropriate.
• Demonstrated ability to discern pertinent data from raw information, evaluate and consult around solutions.
• Ability to perform complex analytical tasks such as complex spreadsheets, comparison tools and preparing and reviewing contracts.
• Demonstrated judgment in prioritizing projects and reaching appropriate analytical conclusions and managing complex tasks.
• Ability to make decisions in a timely manner on limited but adequate information.
• Knowledge of and experience