Salary:	$93,438 - $108,471
Location:	Seattle Municipal Tower, 700 5th Ave., Seattle, Washington
Job Type:	Classified Civil Service, Regular, Full-Time
Shift:	Day
Department:	Seattle City Light
Bargaining Unit:	Not represented
Closing Date	Continuous

Position Description:

Seattle City Light, a Department of the City of Seattle, is a publicly owned utility dedicated to exceeding our customers' expectations by delivering the best customer service experience of any utility in the nation. Seattle City Light is the 10th largest public utility in the nation, serving more than 780,000 residents in the City of Seattle and eight adjacent jurisdictions. Recognized as a national leader in energy efficiency and environmental stewardship, Seattle City Light provides safe, low-cost, reliable, and environmentally responsible electric power.
 
Seattle City Light has approximately 1,800 employees, with the majority represented by 15 labor unions. The Human Resources Business Unit is seeking a Labor Relations Coordinator to be responsible for the full range of internal labor relations activities for several unions belonging to the Coalition including the Joint Crafts Council, Locals 5, 8, 117, 286, 1239, Inlandboatmen's, Local 17, Local 17IT, Local 21, Local 79, Local 289, Local 32, Local 15, and Carpenters. This position supports labor strategies that advance Seattle City Light's strategic goals and reflect sound principles of human resource management.
 
Under executive direction of the Human Resources Officer, you will be responsible for working with City Personnel Labor Relations staff, management and employees, through their union's business representatives, to plan and implement labor relations programs and represent City Light in all aspects of labor relations and related human resource issues. 

Job Responsibilities:

The primary job functions of the Labor Relations Coordinator are:

• Forge partnerships and communicate with all levels of employees, management, and business partners;
• Work closely with management and human resource staff to pro-actively respond to labor issues, employee-related issues, and union concerns. Develop and maintain positive relationships with Seattle City Light employees, City Labor Relations staff, managers and union stewards and business agents; 
• Provide labor relations advice and contract administration to management on discipline, grievances, arbitrations, and resolution of confidential and sensitive human resource matters;
• Represent City Light in all aspects of labor relations and related human resource issues; 
• Advise division Directors, managers and supervisors of correct, consistent, and equitable interpretation and application of labor contracts and employment law, regulatory agency rules, and department and City rules, policies and procedures and provide proactive, solutions-oriented support to City Light;
• Provide coaching and counseling support to management on a broad range of human resource issues related to Seattle City Light union relationships and collective bargaining agreements. Support daily operations by providing interpretative guidance of collective bargaining agreements, department policies, and Personnel Rules;
• Provide support for issues to be addressed in a labor-management setting, facilitating discussions between labor and management. Staff labor-management meetings and ensure follow-through on identified action items and communication plans; 
• Formulate responses, proposals and settlements for presentation to collective bargaining agents or employee association representatives;
• Research, formulate response and represent City Light in grievances and unfair labor practice charges working with Department management and Legal department;
• Investigate and recommend the equitable resolution of grievances and disputes;
• Develop labor policies and procedures to facilitate the implementation of negotiated contracts;
• Research, compile, plan, and prepare data and materials for use in grievances, arbitrations, labor/management initiatives, and collective bargaining negotiations, and other settings. Provide analysis, reference documents, and statistical data concerning labor legislation, prevailing union and management practices, established business processes, and operational benchmarks;
• May be responsible for administering the Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and US Coast Guard (USCG) drug testing program and Fitness for Duty program;
• Administer human resource programs, protocols mandated by  law, Personnel Rules, department policy and/or collective bargaining agreements, and conduct special projects to develop best practices for labor relations at City Light; 
• Develop and implement strategies to accomplish goals outlined in the strategic plan as it relates to labor relations through increasing workforce flexibility and efficiency;
• Respond to information requests and compile documentation for various administrative proceedings;
• May be responsible for City Light's response to unemployment claims (ES), including responding to and attending appeal hearings, and may represent City Light or participate in Civil Service Appeals hearings (LAW or ER);
• Assesses labor relations training needs for City Light, identifies appropriate resources, and provides labor relations training for management;
• Act as City Light's primary representative of labor relations function with assigned represented bargaining units;
• Performs other related duties of a comparable level/type as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education:  A Bachelor's degree in Labor Relations, Business or Public Administration, Human Resources Management, Economics, or a closely related field (other combinations of education, training and experience will be evaluated on an individual basis for comparability).
 
Experience:  Three years of progressively responsible labor relations administration experience are required.
 
Certification/License:  Driver's License or equivalent mobility.
 
Desired Qualifications

• Familiarity with governmental employment practices and operative collective bargaining agreements, as well as labor contracts, regulatory agency policies and procedures, related legislation and legal advice;
• Demonstrated working knowledge in the interpretation and application of guidelines in the resolution of a variety of labor disputes, conflicts or grievances and a comprehensive knowledge of the principles, practices, concepts and laws related to the development and implementation of a labor relations program;
• Demonstrated experience responding to Step 1- 2 grievances on behalf of management;
• Excellent written communication skills;
• Superior verbal communication and relationship building skills with the demonstrated ability to work under pressure;
• Accurately foresee potential obstacles and proactively identify solutions;
• Strategically work to address challenges and effectively tackle day to day operations;
• Identify solutions and resolve issues that meet Seattle City Light's business needs while maintaining effective working relationships with the unions;
• Willingness and ability to effectively partner with City Personnel during negotiation processes;
• Must be a quick learner that is a good decision maker and skilled at negotiation.

Additional Information:

Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process including the completion of a background check which includes criminal history and driving history review.

Want to know more about Seattle City Light? Check out our web page: www.seattle.gov/light/

http://www.seattle.gov/jobs LABOR RELATIONS COORDINATOR HB APPLICATIONS MAY BE FILED ONLINE AT: Job #2016-00410
If you are unable to apply on-line you may submit a paper application by the closing date to our office. OUR OFFICE IS LOCATED AT: Seattle Municipal Tower 700 5th Avenue, Suite 5500 Seattle, WA 98104 206-684-8088 Careers@seattle.gov