Principal Labor Relations Representative

Position Description

Open until filled

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.

Our Labor Relations Division in Human Resources is at the heart of innovation in the City, working closely with our labor partners to conceptualize and implement new ways to attract, develop, and retain a talented, diverse workforce.

We are seeking a collaborative leader with an interest-based approach to labor relations, who has mastered the art of non-adversarial, productive relationship-building. As the 16th largest city in the United States and the largest city in Minnesota, the City of Minneapolis maintains a collaborative nature of labor relations with its 22 unions. There is significant variety to the contracts - with anywhere from five employees to hundreds.

This appointed position will have autonomy in high-responsibility, challenging, collaborative work. In addition to developing effective working relationships with bargaining unit leadership and business agents, this highly visible role interfaces frequently with City leadership.

Work Location -This position may be eligible for flexible work arrangements, including hybrid work with some days working remotely and some days working in the office.
Job Duties and Responsibilities

• 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.

WORKING CONDITIONS:
Normal office environment
Required Qualifications
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.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• 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.

Benefits Summary
Our employees enjoy competitive salaries and generous benefits. We pride ourselves on a comprehensive benefits program that supports employees' health and financial well-being.

Programs, resources, and benefit eligibility varies based on position, average hours worked, location and length of service. For detailed benefits information, pleasevisit the benefits page .

New 12 weeks of paid Parental Leave.
City employees are eligible for up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in the event of a birth or placement for adoption of a child.

Insurance
Health insurance
Eligibility for benefits begins the first of the month following employment date. The City of Minneapolis offers eligible employees one plan design with a choice of six provider networks, allowing you to select the best option for you. Available plans include Medica Choice Passport, Medica Elect, VantagePlus with Medica, Park Nicollet First with Medica, Ridgeview Community Network powered by Medica, and Clear Value with Medica.

Dental insurance
The City of Minneapolis offers dental insurance through Delta Dental of Minnesota and pays 100% of the monthly premium for eligible employees.

Benefits
Paid time off
Our generous leave package includes vacation, holidays and paid sick leave, which gives employees the opportunity to enhance their quality of life outside work. Amounts and accrual rates are based on years of experience and collective bargaining agreements .

Retirement
City employees earn a pension and may choose to participate in additional retirement savings programs.

• Pension: The City of Minneapolis participates in the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA). Employees and the City both contribute a percentage of your pay to fund future benefits.
• Deferred compensation : Employees may choose to participate in pre-tax or after-tax savings plans through the Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS).

Transportation
Eligible City employees may choose to participate in the following transportation programs:

• Metropass: The Metropass program allows eligible employees to enroll in a pass for unlimited bus or light rail rides at a discounted price.
• Parking or Van Pool: The City of Minneapolis Transportation Benefits Plan gives you options to pay certain commuting costs--such as qualified parking and van pool expenses--with pre-tax dollars

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Learning and development
To engage and develop employees, the City of Minneapolis offers classes in leadership, cultural agility, change management and more. Additionally, educational discounts at Augsburg University, Hamline University and St. Mary's University of Minnesota are available to City employees.

Other perks
Employees can also take advantage of optional life insurance, flexible spending accounts, the Employee Assistance Program , technology discounts and more.

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

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Minneapolis, Minnesota United States View Map