Labor Relations Specialist

Labor Relations Specialist

PacifiCorp is seeking customer-centric candidates to grow and sustain our commitment to a culture of customer service excellence, environmental sustainability and diversity, equity and inclusion. This position will be located in Portland, Oregon. The Labor Relations Specialist serves as a primary resource to foster company labor relationships both internally and externally. The Specialist is responsible for interpretating and facilitating collective bargaining agreements and works with client groups to support leaders with represented employees. This position promotes constructive and collaborative labor relations by providing advice, counsel and support to operations management, employees and human resources staff in all aspects of labor relations, including contract administration and interpretation, grievance handling and collective bargaining. This position is also responsible for leading workplace investigations as needed. The Specialist must foster and support business relationships with union and company leadership, employees, human resources staff and colleagues and works closely with the labor relations team, legal counsel and utility industry partners.

Responsibilities:

• Regularly meets with management in the field to determine and develops a collaborative labor strategy.
• Provides end-to-end management and resolution of interpretation of the collective bargaining agreement (CBA), grievances and union requests for information, escalated union concerns, targeted leadership training and general labor relations support.
• Provides advice and counsel to employees and all levels of management and client organizations regarding Labor Relations related issues (e.g., grievances, workplace incidents, employee performance management, etc.).
• Works with client groups to assist with employee performance management activities including the development of performance improvement plans, identifying comparable situations and guiding the appropriate course of disciplinary action, when necessary.
• Serves as a primary resource to leadership to assist with or lead workplace investigations.
• Responsible for leading joint company/union committees and teams to further enhance a collaborative relationship in the organization.
• Serves as liaison to the organization for union business leaders to foster a collaborative working relationship.
• Conduct research, special studies, workplace investigations, and analyses.
• Identifies, develops and administers relevant training to assigned client groups.
• Participates and may lead labor contract negotiations. Leads the grievance process participating in arbitration, as needed.
• Continuously reviews labor relations policies, programs and practices to keep company informed of current practices and new developments; ensures that the company is in compliance with all legal and contractual labor requirements and regulations.
• Leads initiatives that align with Labor Relations strategy.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resource management, Industrial Relations, or a related field; or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• A minimum of five years of experience in Labor Relations, Human Resources, or a related field or working with employees who are represented by a collective bargaining agreement.
• Project management and leadership skills, including ability to work as a team member.
• Experience with presenting and conducting training sessions.
• Knowledge of research, analysis, and consulting techniques, federal, state, and local government laws and regulations.
• Ability to use research, analysis and consulting techniques, federal, state, and local government laws and regulations.
• Demonstrated conflict resolution and problem-solving skills.
• Proficient with the use of personal computers to gather, analyze, and summarize data.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; and interpersonal skills involving the ability to establish trust, maintain confidence and understand social behavior and interactions.
• Ability to work with all organizational levels, to influence actions and negotiate outcomes.
• Ability to travel within assigned geographical area, overnight as needed.

Preferences:

• Labor Relations experience, preferably in a public utility or power industry environment.
• PHR or SPHR Certification.

Benefits:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401k with match fixed contributions, including a Roth and saving option.
• Life insurance
• Additional voluntary benefits, including pet insurance
• Tuition Assistance
• Mass Transit Pass for employees in our Portland and Salt Lake City Offices.
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) - Time off varies by employee type (Union or Non-Union)
• Paid short-term disability leave and long-term disability insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Paid Bereavement Leave
• Employee Assistance Program supporting mental and emotional wellbeing