Senior Labor Relations Representative

Senior Labor Relations Representative

Ride BART to a satisfying career that lets you both: 1) make a difference to Bay Area residents, and 2) enjoy excellent pay, benefits, and employment stability. BART is looking for people who like to be challenged, work in a fast-paced environment, and have a passion for connecting riders to work, school and other places they need to go. BART offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits, paid time off, and the CalPERS retirement program.

Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) is seeking a Senior Labor Relations Representative to join the Labor Relations team. The incumbent will perform complex and sensitive work within the Labor Relations Department.

This role exercises independent judgment and provides lead direction in collective bargaining agreement interpretation, grievances, disciplinary actions, and investigations. In addition, they will provide technical expertise in drafting clear and accurate labor relations documents, including settlement agreements, MOUs, side letters, and contract language proposals.

The incumbent will serve as a subject-matter expert and contribute to negotiations, settlement development, and arbitration. Responsibilities include analyzing grievances and disputes, advising managers on contract compliance and investigative procedures, preparing for disciplinary hearings and arbitration, evaluating past practices, reviewing policies and procedures, and coordinating with legal counsel as needed.

The most qualified candidates for this position will have highly developed competencies in the following areas, which will be reinforced with related work experience and will be clearly articulated during the selection process:

• Proven ability to communicate effectively and build strong working relationships with union representatives, management, and key stakeholders.
• Highly organized with proven capacity to manage multiple complex assignments simultaneously.
• Experience in conducting thorough investigations, including interviewing witnesses, and providing guidance to managers on investigative procedures and documentation standards.

All applicants must apply online at Applications must be completed in full and include all requested information, including dates of employment, positions held, hours worked, and a detailed description of duties performed.

Applicants who require assistance with the online application process may contact the Talent Acquisition Division at (510) 464-6112 or employment@bart.gov.

The selection process for this position may include one or more of the following: a skills or performance demonstration, a written examination, and/or panel or individual interview.

All applications will be reviewed by the Talent Acquisition Division to determine whether applicants meet the established Minimum Qualifications (MQs). Applicants who meet the MQs may be referred to the hiring department for further evaluation as part of the selection process.

The selected candidate must demonstrate a work history reflecting reliability and dependability, and may be required to provide copies of certificates, diplomas, or other documentation required by law, including proof of authorization to work in the United States.

Pre-employment processing will include a background check. This requirement does not apply to current full-time District employees unless the position requires additional evaluations or clearances.

Examples of Duties

1. Performs the more complex and difficult work of labor relations program operations and activities within the Labor Relations Department; provides lead direction or assistance in the more complex areas of the labor management program including agreement interpretation, grievances, disciplinary actions, negotiations, and settlements.
2. Leads and undertakes complex analysis of grievances, disputes and disciplinary actions; confers with employees and labor representatives; researches facts and past practices; makes recommendations for final resolution.
3. Prepares or assists in preparation for arbitration, grievance hearings and Skelley (pre-disciplinary due process) hearings; performs related investigations, including but not limited to witness interviews, advising managers in the performance of investigations; prepares documents or other physical evidence for use in such proceedings; coordinates the scheduling of witnesses; coordinates activities with other divisions or legal counsel as appropriate.
4. Acts as the District advocate in arbitrations involving lower-level disciplines and suspensions.
5. Assists in the preparation of a variety of labor relations documents and reports including settlement agreements, memorandums of understanding, side agreements and related documentation.
6. Participates in negotiations; conducts studies and performs research on positions and issues; evaluates alternatives and recommends solutions; prepares contract language.
7. Reviews and disseminates collective bargaining agreements; revises policies and procedures based on negotiations and document changes; and maintains records.
8. Advises management and supervisory personnel on new contract agreements, changes to policies and procedures and proper documentation techniques.
9. May assign and review the work of assigned staff; may assign tasks and projects; identifies and resolves problems; may provide input into formal work evaluation.
10. Trains assigned employees in their areas of work including specific methods, procedures, and techniques for assigned personnel services areas of responsibility.
11. Prepares reports, presentations, and documentation; maintains accurate records and files.
12. Evaluates trends, practices, and patterns in labor relations; analyzes data; prepares reports and documentation; recommends modifications to programs, policies, and procedures; maintains accurate information, documentation, and records.
13. Responds to and resolves employee inquiries in a courteous manner; provides information within the area of assignment.
14. Performs a variety of special projects relative to assigned responsibilities.
15. Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends, legislation, and innovations in the field of labor relations.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: A bachelor's degree in industrial/labor relations, public administration, business administration, human resources management or a closely related field from an accredited college or university. Experience: Three (3) years of (full-time equivalent) verifiable professional labor relations experience. Substitution: Additional professional experience as outlined above may be substituted for the education on a year-for-year basis. Other Requirements: Must be able to work long hours for extended periods.

Knowledge and Skills

Knowledge of: Operations, services, and activities of a labor relations program. Methods and techniques of collecting and analyzing data. Principles and practices of labor relations management. Principles and practices of program development and administration. Principles and practices of negotiations, grievance/arbitration procedures and conflict resolution. Rules of labor contract interpretation in arbitration. Basic rules of evidence that commonly apply in contract administration matters. Grievance and grievance arbitration procedures. Basic methods of organizing for and carrying out litigation in arbitration including, but not limited to, case investigation and design, calendaring and monitoring of relevant deadlines, identification, use of or differentiation of relevant laws and case precedents, presentation of physical, demonstrative, and testimonial evidence, preparation and presentation of oral and written argument, making motions and objections, conducting cross examination, and other related activities. Relevant laws and regulations as they relate to the labor contracts (e.g., FMLA and attendance management, FLSA, overtime pay, etc.) and potential litigations brought forth by employees. Basic principles of bargaining unit determination. Basic principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation. Current and complex principles and practices of labor relations contract development and administration. Current office software including oral presentation software, spreadsheet software and word processing software. Related Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations.

Skill in: Performing a variety of complex professional level duties in support of the District's labor relations programs. Planning, organizing, assigning, and reviewing the work of assigned staff. Coordinating labor relations programs. Interpreting and applying contract obligations contained in bargaining agreements. Working effectively with labor unions. Researching and evaluating labor relations issues. Organizing and writing technical memoranda, reports, settlement proposals, etc. Conducting labor relations training programs. Interpreting and explaining District labor relations policies and procedures. Preparing clear and concise reports. Maintaining accurate files and records. Communicating clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 and above), religion, national origin (including language use restrictions), disability (mental and physical, including HIV and AIDS), ancestry, marital status, military status, veteran status, medical condition (cancer/genetic characteristics and information), or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws. The BART Human Resources Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate persons with disabilities or for religious reasons. Please advise the Human Resources Department of any special needs in advance of the examination by emailing at least 5 days before your examination date at employment@bart.gov. Qualified veterans may be eligible to obtain additional veteran's credit in the selection process for this recruitment (effective Jan. 1, 2013). To obtain the credit, veterans must attach to the application a DD214 discharge document or proof of disability and complete/submit the Veteran's Preference Application no later than the closing date of the posting. For more information about this credit please go to the Veteran'