Principal Labor Relations Representative

• Represent the City of Minneapolis in collective bargaining and negotiation processes with employee bargaining units, acting as a primary negotiator for assigned contracts.
• Participate in the development of bargaining strategy including the analysis of salary and benefit data.
• Identify areas of the collective bargaining agreements that need to be enacted or modified to allow for changing laws, prior to administration difficulties or philosophical changes in the way the City manages its workforce.
• Communicate alternatives together with Union demands to appropriate departmental and management officials, and the City Council, and recommend policy positions.
• Participate in recommending labor agreements to the City Council.
• Assist departments in developing appropriate positions on contract demands, grievance issues and other labor relations matters affecting their particular department.
• Inform and provide support to managers/supervisors and employees of their rights and responsibilities under bargaining agreements, applicable laws, and Human Resources Rules.
• Analyze and strategize the implementation of proposed actions as they related to labor relations.
• Investigate and respond to all 3rd step grievance requests, ensuring that meetings are set in a timely manner, representing the City's interest in grievance arbitration and maintaining an accurate database and hardcopy of the grievance trail.
• Create appropriate procedures for addressing employee grievances under collective bargaining agreement provisions, or Human Resources Rules.
• Represent the City's interest at unit determination hearings, at Civil Service Commission hearings and other like forums as the need arises, preparing and presenting cases in arbitration and administrative proceedings; unit determinations; representation elections and mediation proceedings.
• Conduct research; prepare briefs and other documents as is necessary for arbitration or administrative proceedings.
• Provide accurate and timely answers and/or proposals to questions posed by department heads and/or union officials.
• Prepare the final written collective bargaining agreement incorporating the terms agreed upon to ensure dissemination of the final product in a timely manner.
• Review the City's existing policies and practices for compliance with the Public Employment Labor Relations Act as defined in Minnesota Statute 179A and ensure same when establishing new policies and procedures.
• Provide guidance to various City departments that request the opinion of the division when faced with questions regarding contract compliance.

Minimum Education
Bachelors degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Industrial Relations or equivalent.

Minimum Experience
Five years of related experience, including experience in public sector union environment, experience interpreting collective bargaining agreements, responding to grievances, and acting as a labor negotiator.

Equivalency
An equivalent combination of education and experience closely related to the duties of the position may be considered.

A resume and cover letter is strongly encouraged.

Background Check
The City has determined that a criminal background check and/or qualifications check may be necessary for certain positions with this job title. Applicants may be required to sign an informed consent form allowing the City to obtain their criminal history and/or verify their qualifications in connection with the position sought. Applicants who do not sign the informed consent form will not be further considered for the position.

Union Representation:
This position is not represented by a bargaining unit. This is an appointed position.

Interview Selection:
The hiring authority reserves the right to determine the maximum number of candidates to interview from the established eligible list.

• Highly skilled labor relations professional with considerable knowledge of labor relations laws, collective bargaining techniques, grievances administration, arbitration procedures, etc.
• Knowledge of, and the ability to, apply laws and current best practices relative to labor relations and general human resources management.
• Knowledge of departmental policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of computer systems and software relative to the work area.
• Excellent interpersonal, analytical, creative and negotiation skills.
• Excellent decision making and problem resolution skills.
• Ability to relate and work effectively with people from diverse cultural, economic, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Strong multicultural skills.
• Excellent verbal and communications skills.

As the largest and most vibrant city in the state, Minneapolis depends on purposeful, dedicated and innovative employees. Minneapolis has a large variety of careers for people of all experiences and backgrounds who come together for a singular purpose-serving the residents, businesses and visitors of Minneapolis.

The City of Minneapolis is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer.