Director – Labor Relations

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

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.

Position Objective:

The Director, Labor Relations performs labor/management relations functions within MTA-HQ, MTA Police and the Department of Security to ensure consistent interpretation, administration and application of various collective bargaining agreements (CBAs), MTA-HQ and Departments/Divisions policies rules, regulations, and practices, including guiding proper interpretation of CBAs, labor-related issues regarding contract language, work rules, past practices, unit work, policies and on employee availability to all levels of management. The incumbent reviews and evaluates incoming grievances, Improper Practice charges, and draft disciplinary charges, and provides proper responses to grievances, including researching and interviewing appropriate personnel. The incumbent provides assistance/guidance to assigned attorneys on grievances, represents assigned Department(s)/Division(s) at informal conferences, and serves as a hearing officer, as needed, at pre-arbitration hearings and actively participates in the preparation and presentation of cases at arbitration. The incumbent also accurately tracks case load and proactively identifies bottlenecks and recommends solutions for streamlining the process. Incumbent may also assist in the negotiations of successor collective bargaining agreements.

Responsibilities:

• Directs and manages the MTA-HQ, MTA-PD and Department of Security contract interpretation and disciplinary grievance processes, including reviewing and evaluating incoming grievances, Improper Practice charges, timely drafting and/or processing disciplinary charges and proper responses to grievances, as well as conducting researching, interviewing appropriate personnel, obtaining necessary background documents, and advise Chiefs, their designees, and other department managers in assessing appropriate action; recommend and provide guidance regarding necessary investigation.
• Provide advice and guidance on proper interpretation of CBAs and labor related issues, as well as research and prepare responses to labor contract and other labor disputes and union requests for information; prepare written responses on behalf of Chiefs, Dept Heads for Security, MTAPD, their designees, and managers on labor issues.
• Represent MTA-HQ and Department(s) informal conferences, provide guidance/assistance to assigned attorney on grievances, and serve as hearing officer at pre-arbitration hearings provided for under the various CBAs and agency policy where applicable; negotiate resolution of labor disputes within contractual parameters.
• Accurately tracks individual case load and status matters; proactively identifies bottlenecks and recommends solutions to streamline process; provides advice and guidance on employee availability issues, including appropriate strategy and disciplinary charges, where appropriate.
• Participate in collective bargaining negotiations of successor CBAS, as well as their implementation; ensure overall and consistent application of labor relations agreements and policies, Authority wide.
• Prepare and conduct training sessions on various labor topics and/or emerging labor issues; select, develop, and motivate personnel within the department, as well as provide career development for subordinates, and provide prompt and effective coaching and counseling, where applicable. Create a professional environment that respects individual differences and enables all employees to develop and contribute to their full potential.
• Answers/Responds to correspondences relating to labor issues; Prepares reports and recommendations to the Deputy Chief, Grievance Arbitrations and Labor Litigation, and/or other Departmental/Unit heads concerning MTA-HQ, MTA Police, and the Department of Security Rules, Regulations, Policies, contract violation issues, and/or related matters.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Proven leadership skills with the ability to bridge and enhance cooperative working relationships.
• Advanced facilitation, mediation, advocacy, and interpersonal skills to cope with conflicting points of view, function under pressure while demonstrating integrity, fair-mindedness, and a persuasive, confident persona.
• Excellent written and oral communication, listening, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent organizational and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct thorough and factual investigations and present findings in a clear, concise, and persuasive format
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and prioritize projects in time-sensitive situations, while paying attention to details.
• Excellent analytical and complex problem solving to make quality decisions.
• Proficiency in drafting contractual language, grievance decisions & internal/external correspondences.
• Strong knowledge of public sector labor law and demonstrated ability to work effectively with unionized and non-unionized staff at all levels and with external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite or comparable applications, i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Labor Relations, or a related field.
• Minimum 10 years related experience, of which 4 years must have been in a supervisory/leadership position.

The Following is/are preferred:

• Five (5) years of labor relations experience.
• A Juris Doctorate (J.D)
• Familiarity with the MTA’s policies and procedures.
• Familiarity with the MTA’s collective bargaining agreements.
• Familiarity with law enforcement internal processes

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.