Labor Relations Consultant Jobs in Maryland

Position Title: CII – Senior Specialist, Employee and Labor Relations Specialist

Department: Human Resources – Employee and Labor Relations

Reports To: Employee and Labor Relations Manager

FLSA Status: Exempt

Location: 620 W. Lexington Street, Baltimore, MD (hybrid eligible per UMB Telework Policy)

The Office of Human Resources, Employee & Labor Relations (ELR) at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) develops and implements policies, practices, and procedures, and assists in ensuring that they are administered consistently and fairly throughout the campus and according to law. The department is currently recruiting candidates to join the Employee and Labor Relations Team. The successful candidate will provide guidance and resolutions to customers of all levels. This position will advise employees and supervisors on matters, such as interpretation of UMB policies and collective bargaining agreements; procedures; FMLA; leave; performance management, and applicable state and federal employment laws.

BENEFITS: Exempt Contractual II

UMB offers a comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes wellness, work/life balance, and professional development, along with additional exciting perks that employees can take advantage of. Contingent Category II staff receive a generous leave package that includes over 2 weeks of vacation each year, paid holidays, sick time, and time for community service; subsidized comprehensive health insurance and supplemental retirement options; professional learning and development programs; limited tuition remission for employees enrolled at UMB; life insurance and long-term disability; and flexible work schedules and teleworking options (if applicable per job).

UMB is a public university and constituent institution of the University System of Maryland. All employees are expected to work primarily physically within the State of Maryland.

The ideal candidate will personally connect with the Administration and Finance Guiding Principles which closely mirror UMB’s core values: Respect and Integrity, Well-Being and Sustainability, Equity and Inclusion, and Innovation and Discovery.

Essential Functions:

• Provides expert guidance to customers of all levels on compliance with local, state, and federal employment and labor laws and regulations. Collaborates with university human resources representatives, managers, union officers, and employees.

• Advises managers on performance management processes including Performance Improvement Plans, action plans, corrective and disciplinary actions, and administration of the annual Performance Management Program.

• Interprets policies, procedures, collective bargaining agreements, and state and federal regulations. Provides advanced level input on new and updated system and institution policies and procedures. Develops and implements campus wide training.

• Provides high-level conflict resolution consultation between employees and management to address workplace disputes. This includes facilitating discussions and helping parties reach a mutually acceptable solution.

• Conducts full and thorough investigations for a wide range of complex Employee and Labor Relations matters (to include fact-finding interviews, obtaining documentation and other background information) into allegations of workplace misconduct, policy violations, and other related concerns, ensuring that all cases are handled efficiently and within established timelines. Documents and reports investigation findings and provide recommendations to appropriate leadership.

• Maintains detailed and accurate records of Employee and Labor Relations activities, including grievances filed, the outcomes of dispute resolutions, and communications with unions.

• Administers the Employee and Labor Relations case management process by meticulously tracking and monitoring all Employee and Labor Relations cases within the dedicated case management system. This duty involves inputting case details, updating statuses, and ensuring accurate documentation throughout the case lifecycle.

• Generates reports and analytics from the case management system to identify trends, measure the effectiveness of Employee and Labor Relations strategies, and inform decision-making processes within the Employee and Labor Relations department.

• May provide guidance on Americans with Disabilities (ADA) accommodation and other accommodation requests and reassessments, Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and supplemental leave plans.

• Processes and approves all staff layoff requests to include assessment of department composition, compliance, and appropriateness.

• Manage the grievance process from receipt through resolution for assigned cases. This involves investigating complaints, working with both management and employees to address concerns, and ensuring a fair and objective process.

• Responds to and prepares management for unemployment claims, grievances, and administrative hearings, including assembling documentation, providing information, and presenting the University's position.

• Assists with collective bargaining negotiations with unions over wages, benefits, working conditions, and other terms of employment.

• Develops and delivers training programs for supervisors and staff on Employee and Labor Relations topics, such as performance management, conflict resolution, effective communication, and understanding collective bargaining agreements.

• Monitors overall work environment for client groups and relations between Supervisors and Staff, identifying potential issues before they escalate into serious conflicts and/ or disputes.

• Participates in various Employee and Labor Relations projects and initiatives, such as performance management, training, and employee engagement activities.

• Conduct exit interviews and related employee experience assessments and generate reports summarizing key themes and insights from exit interviews, pulse surveys, and post-hire focus groups.

• Participates as a member of committees, projects, or initiatives. Assists in development of project planning and defining scope of work.

• Stays up to date with changes in labor laws, trends in employee relations, and best practices in the field to ensure the organization's policies and practices remain current and effective.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education: Bachelor's degree in a related field.

Experience: Four (4) years of experience in human resources with at least two (2) years focusing on employee and/or labor relations, including mediation, policy development or interpretation, applicable personnel law, or other related business experience.

Except for qualifications established by law, additional related experience and formal education in which one has gained the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for full performance of the work of the job class may be substituted for the education or experience requirement on a year-for-year basis with 30 college credits being equivalent to one (1) year of experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Working knowledge of federal, sate, and employment laws. Knowledge of the Maryland State Personnel and Pensions Article and the Public Employee Relations Act (state collective bargaining framework) is preferred. Demonstrated ability to research and apply evolving requirements as needed.

• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain trust with employees and management, fostering strong and effective working relationships.

• Exercises a high level of discretion, confidentiality, and sound judgment while working independently and collaboratively across diverse stakeholders, including administrators, faculty, staff, and union leaders.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including strong public speaking and the ability to clearly convey thoughts, ideas, and facts.

• Ability to maintain accurate, organized records and produce clear, thorough written work.

• Ability to conduct thorough, objective, and impartial workplace investigations, including planning the investigation, gathering and evaluating evidence, reaching sound conclusions, and providing sound recommendations.

• Ability to remain neutral, fair, and objective when handling disputes and competing interests between employees and management.

• Demonstrated knowledge of grievance procedures, administrative hearings, and unemployment hearing processes and the ability to prepare and present information effectively within them.

• Strong negotiation and problem-solving skills, with a strong understanding of labor law and human resources practices.

• Demonstrated strong analytical, organizational, and time management skills, with the ability to identify and evaluate problems, balance and achieve multiple priorities, and devise timely and effective solutions in a fast-paced work environment.

• Demonstrated case management experience in employee and/or labor relations functions.

• Strong working knowledge of computers, applicable technology systems, and software, particularly Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.).

• Ability to demonstrate, understand, apply, and adhere policies, procedures, laws, UMB Core Values, and Administration and Finance (A&F) Guiding Principles.

Hiring Range: $97,000 - $107,662, Commensurate with education and experience

UMB is committed to cultivating a diverse and inclusive workforce and is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, ancestry or national origin, sex, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, physical or mental disability, marital status, protected veteran's status, or any other legally protected classification.

If you anticipate needing a reasonable accommodation for a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), during any part of the employment process, please submit a UMB Job Applicant Accommodation Request. You may also contact leave_and_accom@umaryland.edu Please note that only inquiries concerning an ADA request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.

The University of Maryland, Baltimore prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to the Title IX Coordinator. Read the UMB Notice of Non-Discrimination for more information.