Employee Relations Specialist jobs in Portland, OR

WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO PRINT OR SAVE THIS JOB ANNOUNCEMENT FOR YOUR REFERENCE.

IT WILL NOT BE ACCESSIBLE AFTER THE CLOSE DATE.

Clackamas County employees work to serve the public and enrich our community. In that spirit, we pledge to hold ourselves to these standards at all times in our interactions with customers and one another:

· Service · Professionalism · Integrity · Respect · Individual accountability · Trust

By incorporating these values into our daily routines, we can better serve our customers, ourselves and our projects. We’re always looking to improve. That’s the Clackamas County SPIRIT.

Clackamas County Core Values

Clackamas County is committed to building a community where people thrive, have a sense of safety, connection, and belonging, so that everyone is honored and celebrated for the richness in diversity they bring. We encourage applicants of diverse backgrounds and lived experience to apply.

CLOSE DATE

This Job Posting closes at 11:59 p.m. (Pacific Time) on Monday, April 22, 2024.

Please Note: The application deadline may be extended to expand the pool of qualified candidates. Any recruitment timeline changes will be communicated to all who have initiated an application process or have submitted an application.

Annual Pay Range: $108,835.45 - $146,927.41

Hourly Pay Range: $52.324735 - $70.638176

Salary offers will be made within the posted pay range and will be based on a candidate's experience (paid or unpaid) that is directly relevant to the position.

Clackamas County proudly offers an attractive compensation and benefits package, including competitive wages, cost-of-living adjustments, merit increases (for eligible employees), and a robust sick and vacation plan for regular status employees.

We encourage and support employee health and wellness by offering, health and wellness classes and events, and alternative care benefits, so you can customize your wellness needs to fit your lifestyle.

Employee benefits become effective the first of the month following an employee’s date of hire.

Attractive benefits package and incentives for employees in regular status positions are detailed below.

Generous paid time off package, including:

• 16 hours of vacation accrual per month
  • Eligible newly hired employees will have the one-time option to frontload their first year of vacation accruals in compliance with EPP 66 - Vacation Leave! This means you have access to vacation time at time of hire.
• 8 hours of sick accrual per month
• 10 paid holidays and 1 personal day per year

Other Benefits:

• Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP):
  • Employer-paid 6% PERS retirement contribution (The county currently pays the employee’s share of the retirement contribution.)
  • OPSRP members get vested after five years of contributions or when they reach age 65
• A Choice of Medical Plans that include chiropractic coverage, alternative care, vision, and prescription drug coverage
• A Choice of Dental Plans
• Robust EAP and wellness programs, including gym discounts and wellness education classes
• Longevity pay
• Other retirement Savings Options that allow for additional retirement funds savings, including an option to contribute a portion of employee earnings on a pre or post-tax basis to a 457b Deferred Compensation Plan
• A variety of additional optional benefits (see links below for additional information)

This is a full time non-represented group 2 County position

Non-Represented Group 2 Full Time Benefits

Learn More About Benefits

Come join a great team, the HR team at Clackamas County, and make a positive difference through the work we do!

Clackamas County’s Department of Human Resources (HR) is seeking a dynamic, solutions-driven human resources leader with an extensive background in employee and labor relations to serve as the County’s next Employee and Labor Relations (ELR) Manager.

Reporting to the Human Resources Director, the ELR Manager will serve as the manager over the Employee and Labor Relations Division which is comprised of three FTEs including the ELR Manager. The purpose of the Employee and Labor Relations Division is to provide corrective action consultation, administration of collective bargaining and labor contract services to the Board of County Commissioners, Administration, and Departments so they can manage a productive workforce and maintain effective labor relations.

This position will participate in organizing and overseeing the activities and operations of County employee and labor relations programs. The selected incumbent will be responsible for administering and interpreting collective bargaining agreements, mediating disputes, assisting in conflict resolution, and advising management in grievance or compliant investigations, corrective action, and performance management. The ELR Manager will assist the Deputy HR Director in developing strategies for collective bargaining negotiations and serve as chief negotiator on assigned collective bargaining processes.

The ELR Manager will facilitate and build relationships with employees, union leadership, and other stakeholders to foster a work environment that is responsive and supportive. The ELR Manager will deliver high-quality support to Clackamas County employees as well as create systems of support that foster strong employee and labor relation practices.

The Ideal Candidate

With around 2,400 employees, 4 unions, and 8 collective bargaining agreements, Clackamas County has a highly unionized workforce. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in employee and labor relations, experience working with multiple unions, conducting investigations, managing arbitrations, negotiating, and policy development and implementation while having a strong leadership background to provide guidance, support, and oversight to a team of ELR professionals. The ideal candidate will also possess the following attributes/characteristics:

• Thorough understanding of state and federal laws concerning employment and labor relations.
• Ability to interpret and apply laws and regulations applying to employment and labor relations.
• Demonstrated success working in a unionized environment with multiple collective bargaining agreements.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including strong oral and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills.
• Ability to set priorities with a proper sense of urgency and importance.
• Ability to cultivate relationships, rapport, credibility, and partnerships across all levels of the organization.
• Ability to lead and motivate staff by recognizing and reinforcing effective performance in accordance with county policies and business practices, and labor agreements.
• Ability to explain and present complex information to individuals with various levels of understanding.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure, managing competing priorities and initiatives.

Required Minimum Qualifications/ Transferrable Skills:*

• 7 years of employee and labor relations experience working in a unionized environment to include:
  • Conducting HR related investigations
  • Preparing and processing disciplinary actions
  • Administering and implementing collective bargaining agreements and working with unions
  • Resolving union grievances and unfair labor practices
• 3 years of experience negotiating collective bargaining agreements.
• 2 years of experience directly supervising and managing professional level staff.
• Experience and knowledge of Oregon employment law, in particular the Public Employee Collective Bargaining Act (PECBA) and the Oregon Employment Relations Board.
• Experience working with multiple union collective bargaining agreements within a single organization.
• Experience using Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Driving is required for County business on a regular basis or to accomplish work. Incumbents must possess a valid driver's license, and possess and maintain an acceptable driving record throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the County's driving policy

Preferred Special Qualifications/ Transferrable Skills:*

• Experience as an ELR Manager.
• 3 years of experience negotiating collective bargaining agreements in the public sector.
• Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited institution.
• Certified Labor Relations Professional (CLRP) certification.
• Experience working in the public sector (local, state, regional, or federal).

• For Veterans qualified for Veteran’s Preference: If you believe you have skills that would transfer well to this position and/or special qualifications that relate to this position, please list those skills and/or qualifications in the open-ended question at the end of the application and explain how those skills and/or qualifications relate to this position.

Typical tasks include but are not limited to:

Manage and organize labor relations activities, including contract negotiations, contract administration and union relations; work closely with human resources staff to ensure consistent administration of personnel policies and procedures, labor contracts and labor relations; manage and participate in the development of labor relations work plans; assist in development of strategies for collective bargaining negotiations; develop and negotiate changes to labor contracts during life of agreement; review and evaluate policies and procedures and recommends changes.

Administer labor contracts; provides interpretation of labor contract terms to managers and employees; oversees processes for the review and resolution of employee grievances; advises managers and employees on the more sensitive labor and employee relations matters, including grievances and arbitration procedures and actions, employee performance and complex leave issues; advise and assist managers and supervisors in identifying issues and determining appropriate courses of action; work with managers and labor representatives to resolve problems; consult County Counsel and/or Risk Management staff on highly complex employee issues.

Mediate disputes and assist in conflict resolution; advise management in corrective action and performance management; negotiate letters of agreement, separation agreements and last chance agreements in coordination with the Deputy HR Director, HR Director, and/or County Counsel.

Hire and supervise professional staff; provide regular feedback and prepare performance evaluations; recommend and administer progressive discipline; conduct and/or facilitate staff training and development programs; promote cooperative team efforts among staff and with other County departments.

Serve as the County’s designated bargaining representative for interim bargaining; act as County's chief negotiator for assigned collective bargaining processes.

Assist department manager in the investigation of grievances or complaints; assist department managers in the administration, review and resolution and defense of grievances and other appeal procedures; in coordination with County Counsel, acts as a witness in representing the County in interest and grievance arbitrations.

Research, develop, implement, and administer new labor and employee relations, collective bargaining and other human resources policies and procedures; delivers presentations to the County Administrator, department directors, employee groups, and union representatives on employee and labor relations issues; design and deliver supervisory training in the areas of contract administration, grievances, labor and other employee relations issues.

Participate as a member of the HR management team; participate in department budget and strategic planning processes; participate in department-wide policy and program decisions with other members of the HR management team.

The ELR Manager is classified as a Senior Human Resources Manager. The complete classification specification can be found here. Within the classification specification will be the required knowledge and skills.

This position is included in the County’s alternate workweek program, working 40 hours during a standard workweek of Monday through Thursday (Fridays off). Specific hours of work will be discussed with the candidate selected for this position at the time an offer of employment is extended.

This position is eligible for hybrid on-site/telework subject to the Clackamas County Teleworking Policy and based on the Department’s business needs. The exact amount of on-site/telework and schedule will be discussed with the hiring manager during time of offer. Telework locations cannot be located outside of Oregon or Washington. Washington residents must perform 50% of their time on-site at Clackamas County.

While this position is eligible for hybrid work, the selected incumbent will be on-site for at least the first six months.

Clackamas County is in a prime location in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area and is recognized nationally as one of the most livable areas in the United States. Located on the southern edge of the City of Portland and extending to the top of Mt. Hood, Clackamas County is part of a thriving region in the Northwest. It has a population of about 420,000 residents.

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ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

As an internal service department, the Department of Human Resources (HR) provides consultative services and the infrastructure that sustains County department customers. HR acts as a strategic partner to provide comprehensive, timely and progressive employment practices and services to support the departments' missions, which are carried out by County employees.

The Department of HR consists of eight primary program areas - Office of the Director/Administrative Services, Workforce Data Management, Recruitment and Selection, Classification and Compensation, Benefits and Wellness, Workforce Development and Planning, Risk Management and Safety, Employee and Labor Relations.

The Mission of the Department of Human Resources (HR) is to provide employment services, benefits and wellness, risk management and workforce planning to County Departments and Agencies so they can have the resources they need to provide high quality services and achieve their strategic results.

Learn more about Clackamas County Department of Human Resources

Clackamas County only accepts online applications.

Important Information for Applicants

All applicants must submit a cover letter addressing how they meet the minimum qualifications and any of the preferred qualifications. Please note, writing is a critical task of this position and as such, a cover letter will be used to represent an applicant’s writing skills and may also be used as a means of screening applicants as well.

Help With Your Application:

Application Process

Help with the Application

If you have any questions or issues you may contact the Department of Human Resources at 503-655-8459 or e-mail us. Our office hours are Monday - Thursday 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Pacific Time (closed on Fridays).

HOW TO CLAIM VETERAN'S PREFERENCE

Request Veterans' Preference

Learn more about the County's Veterans' Preference

VISA SPONSORSHIP

Clackamas County does not offer visa sponsorships. Once a job applicant has accepted a position, they will be required to complete an I-9 and confirm authorization to work in the United States prior to their first day.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Clackamas County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the Department of Human Resources prior to the recruitment close date. You may request an accommodation during the online application process.

Jared Haddock, Recruiter
JHaddock@clackamas.us