Job Description
Position Summary
The Labor and Employee Relations Specialist is a front-line member of the Labor and Employee Relations Team at MassDOT. This position plays a critical role in the successful administration and operation of the MassDOT Human Resources function through ensuring adherence to applicable labor and employment and other laws, agreements, policies, and procedures.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Investigations and Complaint Resolution - Participates in the investigation and evaluation of complaints and other workplace matters, including but not limited to issues involving potential discipline or grievances, and interpret and enforce the collective bargaining agreements and/or workplace policies and procedures to recommend and administer an appropriate resolution based on actual findings.
- Employee Discipline Administration and Union Grievance Processing - Leads and conducts pre-disciplinary, Loudermill, and Step II grievance hearings to evaluate union complaints and assess their viability and/or determine management just cause in compliance with labor and employment laws, the collective bargaining agreement and/or workplace policies and procedures. Draft recommendations for disposition of these issues.
- Research, Evidence Gathering, and Responding to Union Information Requests - Engages in research of agency past employment practices, prior arbitration cases and decisions, statutes and regulations pertaining to labor and employee relations best practices, and current requirements under Massachusetts and federal labor and employment laws. Gathers evidence related to investigations, disciplinary proceedings, and grievances.
- Management Counseling - Provides counseling to MassDOT districts business units and management in responding to labor and employment matters, including but not limited to the evaluation and preparation of responses to Step I grievances, compliance with collective bargaining agreements, past practice, and policies and procedures, and the employee progressive discipline process.
- Training & Engagement - Conducts site visits to district, branch and other MassDOT facilities, or work locations, as necessary to meet with management and employees, and provide advice and guidance on the interpretation and application of the collective bargaining agreement as well as workplace policies and procedures.
- Administrative Agency Hearings and Arbitration Representation - Represents MassDOT in defending against complaints before the Civil Service Commission and assists labor counsels in the General Counsel's office in defending the administration of just cause disciplines of employees, and against union grievances.
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Preferred Qualifications
- Knowledge of the principles and practices of labor and employee relations.
- Knowledge of state and federal labor and employment laws.
- Ability to manage a busy caseload and work under pressure to meet established deadlines.
- Strong interpersonal skills and capability to project authority in appropriate circumstances.
- Ability to work independently and take initiative as needed to accomplish department mission.
- Exceptional organizational skills and demonstrated thoroughness and follow through on all assigned tasks.
- Proficiency in all Microsoft Word applications and the ability to learn new technology.
- Ability to conduct investigations (including the ability to conduct interviews, identify, and probe discrepancies, and adapt approach to account for new information).
- Ability to set goals and exercise direction.
- Ability to delegate tasks.
- Ability to communicate effectively.
- Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.
About MassDOT
The 4,000+ employees of Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) take great pride in connecting the Commonwealth's residents and communities. MassDOT is responsible for developing, implementing, and coordinating transportation policies and projects for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and to efficiently plan, design, construct, and maintain a safe statewide transportation system which effectively meets the transportation needs of the Commonwealth. Information about MassDOT's inclusive culture and career opportunities can be found at mass.gov/massdot-careers.
MassDOT's divisions include Highway, Registry of Motor Vehicles, Aeronautics, and Rail & Transit. Headquarters (Planning & Enterprise Services) provides business and administrative support and policy leadership for each of the four (4) divisions.
Qualifications
Minimum Entrance Requirements
This requisition will remain open until filled; however, first consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.
Current MassDOT employees should use their internal MassCareers account to apply.
All job applications must be submitted online through MassCareers to be considered.
Please provide a complete, accurate and current resume / application for MassDOT to review in order to determine if your submitted materials meet the minimum entrance requirements for the position.
At least three years of full-time or equivalent part-time, professional, or paraprofessional experience in a human resources field such as classification/job analysis, staffing, Civil Rights, and diversity, test development and validation, labor relations, or benefits administration.
Substitutions:
A Bachelor's or higher degree may be substituted for two years of the required experience on the basis of two years of education for one year of experience.
One year of education equals 30 semester hours. Education toward a degree will be prorated on the basis of proportion of the requirements actually completed.
- For questions regarding the job posting, please email the MassDOT Talent Acquisition Team at talentacquisition@dot.state.ma.us.
- For general questions regarding MassDOT, call the Human Resources Service Center at 857-368-4722.
- For a disability-related reasonable accommodation or alternative application method, call the ADA Coordinator, Lucy Bayard, at 857-274-1935.
Comprehensive Benefits
When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.
Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!
An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.