LABOR RELATIONS ADMINISTRATOR (PSA, Opt. 1)

POSITION SUMMARY

Serve on the State of Illinois' negotiating team for collective bargaining agreements covering thirty-two (32) labor unions and over 40,000 employees. Serve as a representative of the employer as a Chief Negotiator or second chair for various labor negotiations. Participate in developing bargaining strategy, setting objectives, drafting, and developing contract language and conducting research in preparation for negotiation sessions. Provide guidance on contract interpretation, employee discipline and grievances to senior management at various State agencies under the jurisdiction of the Governor. Serve as a representative of the employer during pre-arbitration and expedited grievance hearings. Work collaboratively with legal staff on developing arbitration strategy and grievance settlements. Develop training modules and conduct management training on contract language interpretation, employee discipline and grievances.

POSITION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Subject to administrative approval, independently represent the State in 4th level grievance pre-arbitration negotiations for grievances that were unable to be resolved at the Agency level.
• Serves as a key member of the statewide negotiating team for the American Federations of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and several other contractual agreements.
• Plans, directs, and conducts extensive and complex research or administrative studies of specific phases of Labor Relations.
• Serves as a Labor Relations Training Specialist for statewide Labor Relations Training.
• Provides advice and counsel on disciplinary cases and recommends courses of action to the Labor Relations office for multiple agencies.
• Represents the Department's cases at expedited Labor arbitrations.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of four (4) years of college.
• Requires three (3) years of progressively responsible work experience in labor relations including conflict resolution, employer interpretation of union contracts, negotiations, and grievances.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Prefers extensive knowledge of Labor Relations, union contracts, bargaining unit agreements, agency policies, personnel rules, bargaining unit agreements, organizational policies, pay plans, personnel codes, classifications plans, and comprehensive employment plans (hiring practices). 
• Prefers three (3) years of experience serving as a negotiator for collective bargaining agreements (including Memorandums of Understanding (MOU’s) and/or supplemental agreements). 
• Prefers three (3) years of experience serving as a representative of the employer in employee grievances and disciplinary matters.
• Prefers two (2) years of professional experience drafting language such as settlement offers, union contracts, interpretations, and MOU’s. 
• Prefers two (2) years of experience reviewing and calculating the economic impact of a union contract (i.e. total cost of the proposed benefits and salary raises over the life of the union contract). 
• Prefers one (1) year of professional experience conducting, developing, and presenting training modules

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
• Overtime is a condition of employment, and you may be requested or required/mandated to work overtime including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime. This may require the ability to work evenings and weekends.
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate. Requires a valid driver’s license.
• Requires the ability to use agency technology/equipment (i.e., mobile phone, laptop, etc.) properly in accordance with information security awareness policies and confidentiality guidelines.
• Requires ability to attend seminars, conferences, and trainings to stay current on methods, tools, ideologies, or other industry related topics relevant to the job duties.
• This position has been found to meet the requirements in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.) requires certain state officials and employees to file annual Statements of Economic Interest with the Office of the Secretary of State that will be made available for examination and copying by the public. All employees required to file a Statement of Economic Interest are also required to file the Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with the Executive Ethics Commission. (See Executive Order 15-09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings.

The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description

ABOUT THE AGENCY

Central Management Services (CMS) is the operational engine working behind the scenes to enable the State's more than 60 agencies, universities, boards, and commissions to deliver efficient, reliable services to all Illinois citizens.  The Agency's mission is to support the State by delivering innovative, responsive, and effective services that provide the best value for Illinois State government and the people it serves.  Among the services CMS provides are human resources facilitation; benefits programs for employees, retirees and local governments; property and facilities management; diversity initiatives for public contracting and State employment; joint purchasing support; vehicle fleet oversight and support; surplus property programs; print and electronic communications services; and administrative hearings coordination. 

STATE OF ILLINOIS BENEFITS

As a State of Illinois employee, you receive a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Competitive Group Insurance benefits including health, life, dental and vision plans.
• Flexible work schedules (when available and dependent upon position).
• 10 -25 days of paid vacation time annually (10 days for first year of state employment).
• 12 days of paid sick time annually which carryover year to year.
• 3 paid personal business days per year.
• 13-14 paid holidays per year dependent on election years.
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave.
• Pension plan through the State Employees Retirement System.
• Deferred Compensation Program – voluntary supplemental retirement plan.
• Optional pre-tax programs -Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP) & Dependent Care Assistant Plan (DCAP).
• Tuition Reimbursement Program and Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility.

For more information regarding State of Illinois Benefits follow this link: https://www2.illinois.gov/cms/benefits/Pages/default.aspx