Hearing Officer

This position is eligible for telework, which is currently one day per week. New hires are eligible to apply 30 days after their effective date of hire.

Opening:

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is North America's largest transportation network, serving a population of 15.3 million people across a 5,000-square-mile travel area surrounding New York City, Long Island, southeastern New York State, and Connecticut. The MTA network comprises the nation’s largest bus fleet and more subway and commuter rail cars than all other U.S. transit systems combined. MTA strives to provide a safe and reliable commute, excellent customer service, and rewarding opportunities.

Job Summary:

Under direction and with some latitude for the exercise of independent action and judgment, the successful candidate conducts and presides over pre-arbitration Step discipline, expedited, and contract interpretationgrievance hearings, as provided in collective bargaining agreements between the Authority and labor unionsrepresenting Authority employees for collective bargaining purposes, at various Authority locations, including busdepots and other remote locations. The successful candidate also investigates complaints, including interviewingemployees, gathering facts, conducting research, and issuing written decisions, as well as assisting in scheduling casesfor hearings. The candidate may also act as department liaison, as well as present expedited grievances pertainingto medical disputes, differential pay cases, and money shortages, as applicable.

Responsibilities:

• Assist managers in performing thorough and complete investigations of incidents or ruleviolations. Assist departments with complex investigations by taking employee and witnessstatements. Make pre-trial assessment of necessity for disciplinary action. Draft concise andaccurate disciplinary charges based upon the investigation and facts. Issue charges in the timeframe set forth in the applicable collective bargaining agreement.
• Hold pre-trials and settlement conferences on behalf of departmental management andcoordinate the settlement of cases with union officials and management. Negotiate and approveall waivers of discipline.
• Ensure witnesses are prepared and that all relevant documents and evidence are available andproduced at the trial/investigation. Ensure compliance with all contractual procedures and timelimits.
• Hold trials/hearings to develop a complete and thorough disciplinary case record to ensuremanagement's rights and an employee's due process rights are fully protected. Authorizepostponements. Make recommendations to departments as to credibility of witnesses andappropriateness of discipline.
• Ensure that cases are settled and/or decided at the departmental level in accordance withprogressive discipline and are consistent with agency standards across the various departmentswithin MTA. Ensure fair, equitable, and consistent treatment of employees across alldepartments. Ensure all cases are tracked and entered into the disciplinary tracking system.
• Train managers on the consistent application of policies, how to handle complex investigations,and the disciplinary process at MTA. Responsible for the preparation of training and acting as theinstructor of training courses for managers.
• Support the Senior Director regarding all aspects related to investigations and disciplinaryactions of Agreement employees.
• Supervise administrative staff. Select, develop, and motivate personnel within the department.Provide career development for subordinates. Provide prompt and effective coaching andcounseling.
• Responsible for discipline/ termination of employees, when necessary; review performance ofstaff. Create a professional environment that respects individual differences and enables allemployees to develop and contribute to their full potential.
• Assist with the maintenance of the disciplinary database(s) and the analysis of data.
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Complies with all policies and standards
• May be required to work hours outside regular work hours, as applicable
• Observes the work performed by contractors, as applicable
• Reviews invoices and approves them if the work has contractual standards, as applicable
• Addresses performance issues with the contractor when possible, as applicable
• Escalates issues to other parties when needed, as applicable

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Knowledge of New York City Transit labor contracts, rules, regulations, andpolicy/instructions
• Proficient computer skills including PeopleSoft/EIS and MS Office.
• In-depth working knowledge of investigations and hearing/trial procedures.
• Excellent investigative and interviewing skills with ability to handle conflicts.
• Good understanding of the arbitration process. 
• Must possess working knowledge of the administration of collective bargainingagreements.
• Excellent analytical, oral, and written communication skills.
• Excellent reasoning and negotiation skills.
• Demonstrated effective, strong interpersonal, communication, andorganizational/administrative skills and ability to effectively interact with bothmanagement and labor organizations at all levels.
• Perceptiveness to identify and solve problems, sound judgment, and stronganalytical, investigating, and research skills.
• Ability to effectively influence decision-making to ensure fair and consistentapplication of labor agreements and company policies and procedures.
• Experience in counseling and training management staff.

Required Education and Experience:

• JD Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school or Bachelor's Degree in Business/Labor Relations, Public Administration,Personnel Administration, Industrial Management, BusinessAdministration, or a closely related field.
• Minimum 5 years of full-time professional experience
• Minimum 3 years of experience in a managerial/supervisory capacity. Asatisfactory equivalent of education and experience.

The Following is/are preferred:

• Knowledge of New York City Transit labor contracts, rules, regulations, andpolicy/instructions
• Proficient computer skills including PeopleSoft/EIS and MS Office.
• In-depth working knowledge of investigations and hearing/trial procedures.
• Excellent investigative and interviewing skills with ability to handle conflicts.
• Good understanding of the arbitration process.
• Must possess working knowledge of the administration of collective bargainingagreements.
• Excellent analytical, oral, and written communication skills.
• Excellent reasoningand negotiation skills.
• Demonstrated effective, strong interpersonal, communication, andorganizational/administrative skills and ability to effectively interact with bothmanagement and labor organizations at all levels.
• Perceptiveness to identify and solve problems, sound judgment and stronganalytical, investigating and research skills.
• Ability to effectively influence decision-making to ensure fair and consistentapplication of labor agreements and company policies and procedures.
• Experience in counseling and training management staff.

Other Information

May need to work outside of normal work hours (i.e., evenings and weekends)

Travel may be required to other MTA locations or other external sites.

According to the New York State Public Officers Law & the MTA Code of Ethics, all employees who hold a policymaking position must file an Annual Statement of Financial Disclosure (FDS) with the NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (the “Commission”).

Equal Employment Opportunity

MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including those concerning veteran status and individuals with disabilities.

The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.