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Holyoke Community College · 1 day ago

Labor Relations Specialist

Holyoke, MA

Full-time

Onsite

Mid Level

$77K/yr - $85K/yr

3+ years exp

Holyoke Community College is a vibrant institution serving over 9,000 students annually. The Labor Relations Specialist is responsible for leading and managing employee and labor relations functions across the college, ensuring fair application of policies and providing guidance on various employee-related issues.

AlumniEducationUniversities

No H1B

Responsibilities

Serves as the college’s primary contact for employee and labor relations matters

Interprets and administers all collective bargaining agreements (AFSCME & MCAAA, CBAs); provide guidance to management and staff on contractual obligations and rights

Assists with investigating employee complaints and workplace concerns, ensuring impartiality, consistency, and compliance with internal policies, procedures, and applicable laws and regulations

Provides coaching and counsel to supervisors and employees in concert with the Director of Restorative Practices and Mediation (DRPM) on performance management, corrective actions, and employee engagement strategies; design and conduct trainings on labor relation topics as needed

Coordinates and supports labor negotiations; prepare proposals, analyze data, and participate in bargaining sessions as needed

Works with the DRPM to monitor trends and proactively identify and resolve employee relations issues before escalating

Manages the grievance and arbitration process in partnership with college leadership and legal counsel

Works with the People & Talent team to analyze employee and labor relations data, trends, and metrics to provide insights and recommendations to management. Prepare reports and presentations as needed

Collaborates with People & Talent colleagues to ensure policy compliance, risk mitigation, and positive employee experiences

Works with the Director of Development to assess, design, develop, implement, and evaluate training to supervisors on employee and/or labor relations best practices, to include, but not limited to contract administration and conflict resolution

Maintains thorough and confidential documentation of all employee relations activities

Stays current with employment laws, regulations, and labor relations developments, ensuring the college’s practices remain compliant and effective

All other duties as assigned

Qualification

Labor Relations knowledgeCollective Bargaining AgreementsEmployee Relations experiencePerformance ManagementHRIS proficiencyMultitasking abilityBilingualCoaching skillsEffective communicationTeam collaborationConflict Resolution

Required

Bachelors Degree in Human Resources Management, Industrial Psychology, Labor Relations, Pre-Law, Business Administration, or related field

Labor Relations and Arbitration knowledge is required

3-5 years of experience in labor relations, including considerable experience in working with collective bargaining agreements, contract administration, and counseling management

3-5 years of employee relations and performance coaching or management

Proficiency with Microsoft and other Human Resources software, i.e., HRIS systems

Ability to multitask and work independently on projects

Ability to work effectively with a diverse group and population

Effective communication and people skills; must be able to work in a team-driven environment

Preferred

Masters degree in related field

Previous experience in a higher education environment is highly desired

Specialized experience in handling grievances, negotiations, employment law, and employee relations

SHRM or HRCI certification

Bilingual

Benefits

Comprehensive State benefits package

Company

Holyoke Community College

The first two-year college in Massachusetts, Holyoke Community College offers a university-caliber education and comprehensive individual support for our students.

Founded in 1946

Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA

1001-5000 employees