Description

Pierce Transit is dedicated to fulfilling the mission of improving the quality of life in our community by providing safe, reliable, innovative, and useful transportation services that are locally based and regionally connected.
Pierce Transit is currently recruiting to fill the role of Labor Negotiator at our headquarters in Lakewood, WA. This position reports to the Executive Director of Administration and is responsible for all aspects of the Agency’s labor relations. In this position, you will serve as spokesperson for collective bargaining in support of management interests as well as provide training, advice and guidance to management staff to ensure compliance with Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) agency policies, and labor and employment laws. We are looking for candidates with proven skills in communicating with Unions, responding to grievances, conducting investigations and writing reports and disciplinary corrective actions.

BENEFITS:
At Pierce Transit, our employees’ health is important to us too! That’s why we offer two on-site gyms and an incredible Wellness Program in addition to excellent medical, dental, and vision packages.

If your career goals change while you’re employed, we are here to help. Pierce Transit offers $5,000 per year (up to a total of $18,000) in Tuition Assistance after your one-year anniversary. Certifications, and career skills must be connected to a position at Pierce Transit.
Pierce Transit offers two Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) plans to choose from, PERS2 and PERS3, as well as a matching program for 457 deferred compensation.

PAID LEAVE:
Full-time Pierce Transit employees receive 11 paid holidays, 2 personal paid holidays, 6 days of major sick leave, and 22 days of paid time off (PTO) per year. Part-time employees receive pro-rated leave, to include major sick leave, PTO, and holiday pay. PTO accrual rates increase per policy and/or collective bargaining agreement.

Essential Functions

The following functions are not intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties:

• Serve as chief negotiator or as a lead member of the management negotiating team to bargain CBAs. Under the direction of executive directors, negotiates Memoranda of Agreement (MOAs), Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), Last Chance Agreements (LCAs), and other agreements with the Agency’s labor unions as needed.
• Facilitate the Agency's Labor/Management relations with the Agency's labor unions. Serve as primary liaison between management and union leadership to communicate and negotiate operational, policy, and other changes as they relate to represented employees' wages, hours, and working conditions.
• Provide training, consultation, and advice to Agency management staff and other employees.
• Conduct personnel investigations, prepares, reviews, and edits investigative reports, and prepares, reviews, and edits disciplinary/corrective actions.
• Serve as the Executive Director of Administration’s delegate to facilitate the labor grievance and arbitration processes, ensure timeline and process adherence, conduct research, prepare for hearings, prepare grievance decisions for approval of executive directors, and respond to union information requests.
• Administer the Agency's labor agreements, provide interpretations and advice to management staff. Assist management staff with responses/resolutions to labor issues.
• Prepare cost analyses, exhibits and summaries of salary survey information in support of contract negotiations.
• Supervise the work of assigned personnel, including assigning and reviewing work, providing guidance, and conducting performance evaluations.
• Assist in development of divisional and departmental policies, procedures, work rules, and processes. Bargains the implementation and/or impacts of policies, procedures, and work rules.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Demonstrate regular and consistent attendance.
• Perform related work as required.

Qualifications

MINIMUM:

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration or a related field and
• Five (5) years of experience in labor relations including at least two years’ experience serving as a lead negotiator.
• Experience may substitute for education on a year for year basis.

DESIRED:

• Transit agency experience desired.
• Public sector experience desired.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of employee supervision
• Interviewing techniques
• Public sector labor and employment laws
• Updates in labor and employment laws
• Trends and best practices in labor and employment laws and human resources practices
• Business English
• Standard office procedures
• Microsoft Office products

Skill in:

• Performing a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature (multi-tasking)
• Negotiations
• Communications (verbal and written)
• Analysis
• Organizational/time management skills
• Attention to detail
• Computer and database skills

Ability to:

• Prepare clear and concise reports
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Meet schedules and deadlines of the work
• Follow verbal and written instructions

COMPETENCIES

• Aligns own behavior and decisions with the needs and goals of the organization to increase productivity and efficiency.
• Assertively addresses issues and problems that stand in the way of organizational progress.
• Addressing and resolving conflict constructively by facilitating agreements between two or more parties.
• Clearly assigns responsibilities for tasks and decisions; sets clear objectives and measures, monitors process, progress, and results; provides feedback to employees and management.
• Independently performs and accomplishes assignments and supports the department, customers, and/or the organization.
• Is aware of economic, political, social and demographic environments and their impact on the organization.

LICENSING, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

• Individuals must pass a background check.

Supplemental Information

Paid Leave:
Full-time Pierce Transit employees receive 11 paid holidays, 2 personal paid holidays, 6 days of major sick leave, and 22 days of paid time off (PTO) per year. Part-time employees receive pro-rated leave, to include major sick leave, PTO, and holiday pay. PTO accrual rates increase per policy.

Insurance Plans:
Pierce Transit employees and their dependents (including domestic partners) may elect a medical (includes vision) and dental plan. Medical and dental benefits begin the first day of the month following date of hire. Employees may also participate in a flexible spending account for eligible health care and dependent care expenses.

Basic life insurance as well as AD&D insurance coverage is provided by the employer at no cost to the employee. Employees may elect to purchase additional coverage. Additionally, long-term disability insurance is provided by the employer at no cost to the employee in the event an employee cannot work due to a covered illness or injury (some limitations apply).

Retirement Plan:
All employees of Pierce Transit are required to participate in the Washington State Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). Employees are not covered under the Social Security System except for a 1.45% payment for Medicare.

For those eligible employees who were previous members of the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System (TERS), continuation of participation in that system may be permitted. Those employees will be required to contribute to the Social Security System and Medicare.

Deferred Compensation Plan:
Employees are eligible to participate in a 457 savings plan with an employer match of up to 4.25% of annual compensation with increases as years of service are met.

Hours of Work:
Most Pierce Transit employees have a 40-hour workweek; however, positions may require shift work, overtime, and weekend work. Alternative work schedules and teleworking are available subject to department approval.

Probationary Period:
All regular employees are subject to successful completion of a probationary period of six months, unless the position is listed as "at-will."

Employee Wellness Program:
Pierce Transit offers a robust Employee Wellness Program to assist employees in developing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Incentives may be available for successful completion of Wellness activities. Additionally, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available at no cost to the employee.

Tuition Reimbursement:
Pierce Transit offers reimbursement of tuition costs for successful completion of pre-approved courses once the employee has completed probation.

Student debt and how working for Pierce Transit can help
Employees may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program, which forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer. See https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service for more details.