Senior Labor & Employee Relations Specialist

POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior Labor & Employee Relations Specialist provides consulting and support for labor and employee relations issues to managers and HR partners.  This role will serve as a subject matter expert and guide; promotes best practices and adherence to policies and procedures and collective bargaining agreements. Fosters positive relations with employees and labor representatives through timely resolution of concerns and grievances. Works in a professional and collaborative manner with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders; serves as an ambassador and champion of Hillsboro Medical Center (HMC)’s mission and values.

Job Duties & Responsibilities

Delivers effective and efficient labor and employee relations consulting and support to managers and HR partners. Representative duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Build and maintain positive working relationships with operations partners, union representatives, human resources colleagues and other business partners to jointly deliver strategic objectives and resolve issues.
• Support HR efforts related to investigations, governmental inquiries/charges, grievance administration and resolution, performance and absence management, complaints of unfair employment practices/discrimination, and disciplinary action.
• Investigate employee issues and grievances, including preparing reports to inform HR Business Partners of next steps.
• Act as liaison and counsel for employees and Management to assist with Human Resource related issues and to promote good working relationships, consistency and high morale.
• Provide day-to-day counsel and support to Management to ensure consistent application and interpretation of the Company’s personnel policies, the collective bargaining agreement, and state labor requirements.
• Prepare information to best represent interpretation of contractual/legal issues for bargaining, arbitration, and litigation.
• Research and assist in negotiating labor contracts.
• Participate in general negotiations supporting the negotiation team by completing information requests, document and proposal tracking, taking minutes at bargaining sessions and overall coordination of scheduling and logistics of bargaining sessions.
• Maintains in-depth knowledge of HMC policies and procedures, labor/employment laws, and regulatory requirements. Provides guidance and support to help leaders successfully navigate labor relations questions and concerns.
• Management of HMC HR policies.
• Works collaboratively with Labor Counsel and management to coordinate collective bargaining activities. Conducts research and assessments, plans and facilities meetings, participates in bargaining sessions, takes meeting notes, and keeps records in good order.
• Fosters effective employee and labor relations with internal and external stakeholders. Manages communications and interactions with union representatives. Facilitates objective, fact-based discussions and practical, equitable resolution of issues. Seeks opportunities to work collaboratively.

Design and implement strategies to address labor relations challenges. Representative duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Monitors labor relations activity. Originates and maintains accurate files and records, monitors and tracks labor relations metrics, and analyzes data to identify issues. Provides recommendations and support to address opportunities.
• Identifies labor relations-related training and development needs. Creates learning materials and delivers education and training to managers and employees.
• Conducts research, performs and/or supports interviews/investigations, appropriately documents findings, maintains confidentiality and privileged information, escalates issues as appropriate, and provides accurate and thorough briefings.

Performs other related duties and special projects, as assigned.

• Uses independent judgment to manage and prioritize work and complete projects, providing updates or reports to HR Managers and other stakeholder(s) as needed to inform and/or facilitate effective outcomes.
• Researches, collects data, and prepares professional presentations, recommendations, and reports.
• Collaborates with HR, legal, and other departments to develop and maintain policies and procedures related to labor relations.
• Works collaboratively with the HR team and other stakeholders to improve and enhance employee experiences at all points across the HMC employment lifecycle.
• Actively participates in engagement functions to role-model, build and foster employee engagement.

Organizational Duties & Responsibilities:

Supports and represents Hillsboro Medical Center’s mission, vision, and values.

• Compassion: Creates a welcoming environment of kindness, inclusivity, and responsiveness
• Collaboration: Works with others to improve the health and wellness of Hillsboro & Washington County
• Excellence: Provides the highest quality of care and service
• Integrity: Demonstrates honesty, transparency, and accountability in every task and every interaction

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Education & Experience

REQUIRED: 

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, human resources or a related field, or an equivalent combination or education and experience.
• Minimum five (5) years HR generalist experience
• Minimum of five (5) years labor relations experience, including support of bargaining and grievance process handling and resolution experience.
• Minimum three (3) years conducting investigations

PREFERRED: 

• Healthcare HR experience
• Additional specialized training and/or education in human resources.
• Experience in Workday HCM

Licenses & Certifications

REQUIRED:           

• None

PREFERRED: 

• Professional HR Certification - such as Professional in Human Resources (PHR/SPHR) or SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP/-SCP)

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Contemporary human resources program management principles, practices, methods, and procedures
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, regulations, codes, and/or statutes
• Employee relations principles and practices
• Collective bargaining processes and procedures and labor relations principles and practices
• Conflict resolution techniques

Skill in:

• Building strong Interpersonal relationships
• Conflict resolution and mediation
• Negotiation and settlement of workplace disputes
• Data collection and analysis
• Oral and written communication and active listening
• Small group facilitation and training
• Conducting internal investigations, including disciplinary, grievance, and BOLI/EEOC investigations
• Planning and organizing work to meet deadlines
• Using contemporary tools, technology, and systems for purposes of communication, collaboration, data collection, monitoring, and reporting

Ability to:

• Work effectively with people from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives
• Exercise persuasion and influence to lead others to achieve results
• Successfully navigate complex and sensitive situations
• Organize, synthesize, and analyze varied and complex data to understand issues and conceptualize and develop solutions
• Communicate complex concepts effectively to a variety of audiences
• Compose professional and technical documents using correct grammar and punctuation
• Identify training needs and design effective content
• Exercise good judgment in taking initiative and making decisions
• Tolerate a high degree of ambiguity and adapt quickly to changes in the work environment
• Learn and apply new methods, processes, technology and/or computer programs in a timely and effective manner
• Work on site as needed, travel to different work locations, and work occasional evenings or weekends.

Additional Posting Information

Hillsboro Medical Center believes in providing equal employment opportunities for all qualified individuals. Recruitment, hiring, promotions, transfers, working conditions, training, and compensation will be based on qualifications without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, creed, national origin, marital status, family relationship, veteran status, genetic information, physical or mental disability, or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable law. We further commit ourselves to continuing the practical application of this policy in our daily business conduct.