Salary: $92,943.00 – $117,189.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County – Olympia, WA
Job Type: Exempt
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2023-07750
Department: Office of Financial Management
Division: State Human Resources
Opening Date: 06/30/2023
Closing Date: 7/16/2023 11:59 PM Pacific
Description
Please Note: The starting salary range for this position is $92,943-$117,189.00, depending on qualifications.
Hybrid: We offer flexible work schedules and locations. This is a hybrid position where most of the work allows for telework. However, the nature of the work, especially during bargaining, may require the person to be able to attend in-person meetings and events.
Who We Are:
Our work at the Office of Financial Management (OFM) serves as a crucial part of the decision-making that the governor, Legislature and state agencies do to serve the people of Washington State. OFM plays a central role in budget planning, policy development and fiscal administration for the executive branch. It also manages statewide human resource policy including classification, compensation, workforce data and policy functions within the state agency enterprise. OFM provides leadership and support to the state enterprise on collective bargaining negotiations for wages, hours, health care and working conditions for represented state employees. As an employee of OFM, you will be part of a team of dedicated professionals who work hard every day to provide the vital information and services agencies need to serve the people of Washington. If playing a key role in supporting and improving state government matters to you, you’ve found the right place.
The Opportunity:
We are looking for a Labor Relations Negotiator within our State Human Resources Division, and Labor Relations and Compensation Policy section. The Labor Relations and Compensation Policy (LR&CP) Section is responsible for statewide labor relations administration and contract negotiations of the collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) between the State of Washington and Labor Unions. The LR &CP Section is comprised of 12 labor negotiators and 4 compensation policy analysts who negotiate and help administer the State’s 34 labor agreements covering approximately 60,000 represented employees and 50,000 publicly-funded service providers.
In this role, you’ll serve as the Governor’s designee in negotiating complex labor contracts, including advising on the interpretation and application of the contract. Your strong communication, analytical and problem-solving skills will be relied upon in this role as you’ll serve as a lead negotiator. In addition, this position will provide support in administrative hearings involving unfair labor practices, bargaining unit clarification, union representation proceedings, grievance and itnerst arbitration hearings. You will advise the state enterprise on labor relations and contract administration, respond to union requests for information, public records requests and conduct bill analyses for State HR and the Labor Relations and Compensation policy team.
What we offer our employees:
- An environment of . We strive to hire, cultivate and retain a competitive workforce that reflects the communities we serve.
- A healthy life/work balance by offering flexible/alternative work schedules, wellness program, mobile arrangements and telework opportunities.
- Employees (and their families) have coverage options for medical, dental, vision and basic life insurance.
- Opportunity to enroll in state retirement programs and a deferred compensation plan.
- A minimum of 14 days of vacation leave per year and 12 paid holidays throughout the calendar year.
- A commute trip reduction program, tuition reimbursement, membership to statewide Business Resource Groups and an Infants-at-Work program.
See ourBenefits pagefor more information.
Duties
What you’ll do:
- Develop proposals, approval processes and agreements during the bargaining process.
- Research, prepare and obtain costing for proposals and agreements as part the bargaining process or settlement negotiations.
- Train and manage a team of employer bargaining team members.
- Coordinate with agency/institution stakeholders to develop bargaining proposals; respond to stakeholder interest and priorities.
- Negotiate with labor unions to reach tentative agreements during successor bargaining and mid-term bargaining, and clearly articulating the whole and entire agreement in proper written form.
- Execute and ensure that all required documentation is filed and published timely and properly and in accordance with RCW 43.88.583.
- Provide statewide guidance and interpretation for CBA assignments, often requiring historical research of intent and past bargaining activities.
- Conduct pre-arbitration review meetings and/or grievance meetings for assigned area of responsibility; conduct union outreach regarding questions of contract interpretation, implementation and processing.
- Represent the LR&CP Section in issues brought forward to the Public Employment Relations Commission, independent grievance arbitrators and interest arbitrators.
- Provide representation, assistance, consultation, documentation and records, and testimony with assigned assistant attorneys general in grievance or contract mediation, grievance arbitration, interest arbitration, unfair labor practice cases or other hearings.
Qualifications
Required:
- Three (3) years of professional labor relations experience. This should include demonstrated ability to articulate and implement labor relations principles and negotiating strategies, including the role of the union and their business interests and goals.
- Demonstrated experience effectively managing or leading teams by using influence, collaboration, developing teamwork and demonstrating effective people interaction skills (not via command & control or hierarchy).
- Demonstrated ability to build healthy working relationships with labor organizations as well as internal teams or groups.
- Demonstrated ability to research, interpret, and understand applicable laws and their implementing regulations.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the state legislative process to include bill analysis.
- Proficient in common computer applications and ability to manage collective bargaining proposal development and use of legislative track changes in MS Word.
Desired:
- Knowledge of WA State Government budget and operations and Human Resources best practices.
- Interest Arbitration Experience.
- Knowledge of personnel and practices of public employee labor organizations in WA state.
- Demonstrated knowledge of State Government budget related to collective bargaining implementation and statewide accounting principles related to employees (State Administrative Accounting Manual (SAAM), travel, pay checks, etc).
Supplemental Information
How to apply:
Interested? We would love to hear from you. Click “Apply” at the top of this page to start your application (you can save the application and come back to it, if needed).
To be considered for this position, please include the following along with your application:
- Letter of interest: describing your specific qualifications.
- Resume: that details your applicable experience and education.
- References: at least three professional references with current telephone numbers.
We will directly contact the top candidates to interview for this position. Because we base our selection on the information you provide, it is in your best interest to identify the knowledge, skills and abilities that address the required and desirable qualifications we described above.
Questions:
For questions about this recruitment or to request reasonable accommodation in the application process, please email Ashley Harris at .For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
The Office of Financial Management is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, and disabled and Vietnam-era veterans are encouraged to apply. Dial 711 to reach the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf system.
Special Note: This position is exempt from civil service rules.
For more information, please see WAC 357-19-195.
More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That’s why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.
Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.
Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.
Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems’ web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.
Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.
Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.
Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.
Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.
Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.
Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
As provided in , an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.
Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.
Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.
Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, are entitled to three (3) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.
Additional Leave
Leave Sharing
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay
Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.
Updated 12-31-2022
01
I have three years or more of professional labor relations experience. This should include demonstrated ability to articulate and implement labor relations principles and negotiating strategies, including the role of the union and their business interests and goals
- Yes
- No
02
Please briefly describe your related labor relations experience. This includes your experience with leading or managing teams and your experience with researching, interpreting, and understanding applicable laws and their implementing regulations.
03
(OFM 1 of 2) How did you hear about this job opportunity?
- Word of mouth (e.g., friends, family, neighbor, etc.)
- OFM employee
- Other State employee
- Business Resource Group (BRG’s)
- Career fair event
- Careers.wa.gov
- DeafNation
- Public job sites (e.g., Indeed, LinkedIn, Handshake, ZipRecruiter, Glassdoor, Monster, etc.)
- WorkSource Office or similar
- OFM website
- governmentjobs.com
- Other
04
(OFM 2 of 2) If you selected OFM/State employee, BRG, Career Fair event, or Other on the previous question, please specify the name of the person and/or organization in the space below. If you did not select one of these options, please type “N/A” in the textbox below.
05
(OFM Customer Feedback) OFM values customer feedback to develop and improve equitable hiring processes. Would you like to participate?
- Yes
- No
Required Question