OPT Labor Relations Representative Jobs
Labor Relations Representative jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with backgrounds in human resources, industrial relations, or labor law. Most roles qualify under the STEM-adjacent social sciences extension if your degree aligns. Your 12-month OPT window, or 24-month STEM extension, gives employers a real runway to assess fit before pursuing H-1B visa sponsorship.
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LABOR RELATIONS COORDINATOR
Under the direct supervision of Vice President of Human Resources for the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network (DWIHN), the Labor Relations Coordinator is responsible for managing labor agreements, resolving workplace disputes, ensuring compliance with labor laws and policies, and advising management on employee and labor relations strategies for DWIHN.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Complete thorough and high-quality investigations from start to finish, including conducting interviews, reviewing data and documents, preparing reports, consulting attorneys, and engaging with the business.
- Use a consistent framework to recommend action and outcomes.
- Support departmental management in implementing strategic direction for the team.
- Collaborate with other team members to refine or improve Workplace Investigations Team processes.
- Help to identify practical insights that can be shared with partners to improve processes, build business solutions, and mitigate risks.
- Promote diversity and inclusion in the department and team and encourage the sharing of diverse opinions and concerns.
- Foster a culture of trust, values, respect, and accountability within the team.
- Assists with the recruitment process by identifying candidates, conducting interviews and creating offer letters to potential employees.
- Develops recruitment announcements.
- Analyzes job application materials to determine whether candidates meet minimum qualifications.
- Schedules and administers oral and written examinations.
- Processes all employee transactions including promotions, demotions, transfers and other related employee transactions.
- Processes all administrative tasks for onboarding, new hire orientation, and exit interviews.
- Enters data into the HR information system for auditing, payroll, accuracy and compliance.
- Maintains employee’s files and records in compliance with all laws and assures completeness of said files.
- Oversees the completion of background investigations and drug screens.
- Creates job analysis and job specifications.
- Collects job analysis data, identifies classes of work and job requirements and develops class specifications.
- Administers the compensation program.
- Prepares and maintains salary and wage schedules and job evaluation systems including comparative skill analysis in the areas of classification, recruitment, and examinations.
- Completes wage surveys.
- Monitors performance evaluation and merit pay.
- Assists with the DWIHN succession plan.
- Coordinates employee development plans and DWIHN performance management plans.
- Maintains Human Resource Information System records and compiles reports from the HRIS database.
- Compiles internal management reports from the payroll system software.
- Assists with payroll administration.
- Monitors DWIHN compliance with all existing governmental and legal requirements including but not limited to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Act (OSHA) and the Worker’s Compensation program.
- Manages benefit administration.
- Consults with and advises employees on eligibility for insurance and other benefits.
- Develops and schedules orientation and training regarding DWIHN benefits.
- Coordinates absence management requests, leave expirations and the return to work process.
- Assists with labor relations and the administration of the collective bargaining agreement.
- Conducts grievance and other labor relations hearings.
- Investigates personnel problems, reports findings and makes recommendations to management.
- Investigates complaints brought forward by employees.
- Assists with DWIHN training and employee development.
- Assists with processing Tuition Reimbursement.
- Assist in the communication, interpretation, and upkeep of the employee handbook, the employee directory, and the organizational chart.
- Assists in the administration of human resources plans and procedures for all DWIHN personnel.
- Assists in the development and implementation of personnel policies and procedures.
- Participates in developing departmental goals, objectives, and systems.
- Assists in evaluation of reports, decisions, and results of the department in relation to established goals.
- Recommends new approaches, policies, and procedures to effect continual improvements in efficiency and effectiveness of the Human Resource Department.
- Performs related duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSA’S)
- Knowledge of recruiting and selection.
- Knowledge of benefits administration.
- Knowledge of training and development.
- Knowledge of payroll administration.
- Knowledge of labor and employee relations.
- Knowledge of HR Information systems.
- Knowledge of classification and compensation programs.
- Knowledge of Federal, State and local laws as it relates to employment practices.
- Knowledge of DWIHN policies, procedures and practices.
- Administration skills.
- Training skills.
- People management skills.
- Project management skills.
- Strategic thinking skills.
- Assessment and evaluation skills.
- Planning skills.
- Rational decision-making skills.
- Interviewing skills.
- Organizational skills.
- Planning skills.
- Accuracy skills.
- Analytical skills.
- Time Management skills.
- Report writing skills.
- Presentation skills.
- Interpersonal skills.
- Public Speaking skills.
- Communication skills.
- Collaboration skills.
- Active Listening skills.
- Implementation skills.
- Skill at meeting deadlines.
- Multitasking skills.
- Prioritizing skills.
- Written communication skills.
- Accuracy and detailed oriented skills.
- Computer skills (Word, Excel, Access, Power Point, Outlook, Teams).
- Teamwork Skills.
- Ability to communicate orally.
- Ability to communicate in writing.
- Ability to work effectively with others.
- Ability to act ethically and with confidentiality.
- Ability to work with an ethnically, linguistically, culturally, economically and socially diverse population.
- Judgement/Reasoning ability.
REQUIRED EDUCATION:
A Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized college or university in applicable field - such as Human Resources, Law, Compliance, Criminal Justice or a related field.
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE:
- 2+ years of experience in conducting workplace misconduct investigations (including leading interviews), such as harassment, discrimination, retaliation, workplace violence, and wage and hour issues.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to influence.
- Excellent skills in managing sensitive situations.
- Effective communication and listening skills.
- Objective problem solver with strong ethics.
- Strong time-management skills with the ability to identify and efficiently prioritize critical and/or sensitive investigations.
- Ability to be a partner and trusted advisor to key collaborators.
- Great teammate.
REQUIRED LICENSE(S):
A valid State of Michigan Driver’s License with a safe and acceptable driving record.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Work is usually performed in an office setting but requires the employee to drive to different sites throughout Wayne County and the State of Michigan.
This description is not intended to be a complete statement of job content, rather to act as the essential functions performed. Management retains the discretion to add or change the position at any time.
Please Note: DWIHN requires proof of being fully vaccinated for COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Medical or religious accommodations or other exemptions that may be required by law, will be approved when properly supported. Further information will be provided during the recruitment process.
The Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Labor Relations Representative
Target employers with unionized workforces
Large manufacturers, healthcare systems, and public utilities maintain dedicated labor relations teams and sponsor work visas far more consistently than smaller firms. These organizations plan workforce needs in advance, making OPT timelines easier to accommodate.
Align your degree field to the role description
Labor relations roles can qualify for STEM OPT extension if your degree is in industrial-organizational psychology or a qualifying social science. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO before applying, since misalignment can cost you 24 months of work authorization.
Lead with collective bargaining knowledge in interviews
Employers hiring for labor relations specifically value familiarity with the National Labor Relations Act and grievance procedures. Demonstrating this in interviews signals you can contribute immediately, which reduces the perceived risk of sponsoring an international candidate.
Apply to organizations already filing H-1B petitions
Companies with a history of H-1B visa sponsorship are far more likely to continue sponsoring. Review public labor condition application disclosures to identify which employers in labor relations and HR have filed petitions recently before investing time in an application.
Be upfront about your OPT timeline during screening
Disclosing your authorization period early avoids wasted interviews and builds credibility. Frame it positively: you're authorized to work immediately, with a clear timeline that gives the employer time to evaluate fit before any visa petition is required.
Use Migrate Mate to filter for sponsorship-friendly roles
Generic job searches surface roles with no sponsorship history. Migrate Mate filters for employers who have sponsored international workers, saving you the time of researching each company individually and keeping your focus on realistic opportunities.
Labor Relations Representative OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Labor Relations Representative roles qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree's CIP code, not the job title itself. If your degree is in industrial-organizational psychology, economics, or a qualifying social science field, your DSO may approve the extension. Human resources management degrees do not automatically qualify. Confirm with your DSO before accepting a role, since the employer must also be E-Verify enrolled to participate in STEM OPT.
How often do employers in labor relations sponsor H-1B visas?
Sponsorship rates vary significantly by industry. Unionized sectors like healthcare, manufacturing, and public transit employ the most labor relations professionals and have stronger institutional familiarity with visa sponsorship than smaller private employers. Reviewing Labor Condition Application disclosure data helps you identify which specific organizations have filed H-1B petitions for similar roles before applying. Migrate Mate surfaces these employers directly so you're not researching each one from scratch.
Can I work as a Labor Relations Representative on OPT while the H-1B lottery is pending?
Yes. If your employer files an H-1B petition with a requested start date of October 1 and you maintain valid OPT authorization through that date, you can continue working without interruption. If your OPT expires before October 1 and you're a STEM OPT holder, the cap-gap rule automatically extends your authorization through September 30, covering the gap.
What makes a Labor Relations Representative role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
The role must normally require at least a bachelor's degree in a specific field. Labor relations positions typically satisfy this when they involve interpreting collective bargaining agreements, advising on NLRA compliance, or managing arbitration processes, because these tasks require specialized knowledge in industrial relations or labor law. Roles that are more generalist HR in nature may face higher USCIS scrutiny during adjudication.
How should I handle the 60-day grace period if my labor relations job ends while I'm on OPT?
You have 60 days from your last day of employment to find new qualifying work, transfer to another visa status, or depart the United States. The grace period does not extend your OPT end date, so if you're close to expiration, your options narrow quickly. Use the time immediately to search for new roles through Migrate Mate, which focuses on employers open to OPT candidates, and notify your DSO as soon as employment ends.