Director, Labor Relations and Employment Practices

Challenging and Rewarding Career!  

The State of Delaware Department of Labor Relations Practices seeks a Director of Labor Relations and Employment Practices. The Director of Labor Relations and Employment Practices is responsible for providing oversight and direction in labor relations and employment practices. The position works in partnership with bargaining union leadership, management and staff to implement best practice initiatives for developing cooperative communications and work processes and executing positive Labor Relations and labor strategies and initiatives for the State of Delaware. The Director of Labor Relations and Employment Practices is appointed and reports to the Secretary of the Department of Human Resources. The State of Delaware has approximately 14,000 employees in the Executive Branch with approximately 6,000 employees represented by labor unions.

This position is responsible for directing and overseeing State of Delaware’s labor relations programs, policies, and procedures. This division represents management at labor-management committee meetings, negotiates and interprets the collective bargaining agreements, administers contractual grievance procedures including arbitrations, serves as Merit Step 3 hearing officer, and assists all levels of management on labor matters.

Essential functions are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties. Since class specifications are descriptive and incumbents can complete job duties of similar kind not specifically listed below: 

• Supervises division staff which may include planning, assigning, reviewing, and evaluating work and managing employee performance.

• Interprets, applies and provides day-to-day leadership, guidance and training on all labor relations and employment practices and issues from the perspective of the State of Delaware as an employer to include collective bargaining agreements, applicable state and federal laws, court decisions, rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

• Serves as chief State spokesperson, if requested, for employer in negotiation of labor contracts for Executive and Judicial branches of government.

• Facilitates harmonious working relationships among all parties in labor relations and employment practices related cases.

• Leads and coordinates development of labor contract proposals; drafts and negotiates precise technical contract language to effectuate agreements; reviews and analyzes existing contracts and those of other public employers as well as pertinent grievance and arbitration awards.

• Conducts and coordinates research concerning comparative contract negotiation settlements; assists in recommending economic guidelines for settlement; conducts research into pertinent labor relations issues to develop negotiating positions and strategies; reviews cost and impact analyses of union proposals and analyzes impact of non-economic proposals.

• Coordinates State's case at binding interest arbitration, prepares exhibits and witnesses; facilitates mediation process.

• Conducts Merit Rule Step 3 grievance hearings; reviews all Merit Step 3 decisions prior to issuance.

• Conducts pre-arbitration grievance meetings and represents agencies at contractual arbitration hearings.

• Responds to unfair labor practices complaints, applies consistent policies and procedures and uniform interpretation and administration of agreements.

• Represents State in administrative proceedings before Public Employment Relations Board, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Delaware Department of Labor, U.S. Department of Labor.  
• Advises and counsels agency officials in labor relations matters.

• Conducts projects and studies.

JOB REQUIREMENTS for Director, Labor Relations and Employment Practices 

Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:

1. Possession of a Juris Doctor OR Master's Degree in Labor Relations, Industrial Relations, Human Resource Management, Public Administration, Business Administration, Legal Studies.
2. Five years experience in managing labor relations matters, conducting collective bargaining negotiations and grievance arbitrations.
3. Five years experience in Labor Relations and Employment Practice administration such as overseeing and directing the development, implementation and evaluation of labor relations and employment practice programs and services; planning and establishing short and long range program goals and objectives. Providing advice to other agency organizational units through consultation.
4. Five years experience in labor relations or employment practice policy administration which includes planning, developing, implementing and evaluating labor relations and employment practice policies and procedures.
5. Five years experience in developing solutions and providing recommendations, guidance and direction to management/officials in accomplishing organizational and operational goals and objectives and identifying and resolving issues.
6. Five years experience in strategic planning such as planning and mapping a path between the present and future usually for three to five years by determining key objectives, strategies and activities accomplishing key objectives, and developing performance measures to gauge and report progress or success.
7. Five years experience in operations management which includes planning, directing, coordinating, controlling and evaluating operations typically through subordinate supervisors.

8. Five years experience in staff supervision which includes planning, assigning, reviewing, and evaluating the work of others.

This posting may be closed on or before 3/11/2021 upon filling the vacant position.

To learn more about the comprehensive benefit package please visit our website at https://dhr.delaware.gov/benefits/

The application and supplemental questionnaire are evaluated based upon a rating of your education, training and experience as they relate to the job requirements of the position.  It is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application and the supplemental questionnaire to include dates of employment, job title and job duties.  For education and training, list name of educational provider, training course titles and summary of course content.   Narrative information supplied in response to the questions must be supported by the information supplied on the application including your employment, education and training history as it relates to the job requirements.

Once you have submitted your application on-line, all future correspondence related to your application will be sent via email.  Please keep your contact information current.  You may also view all correspondence sent to you by the State of Delaware in the “My Applications” tab at statejobs.delaware.gov.

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities in all phases of the application and employment process.  To request an auxiliary aid or service please call (302) 739-5458. TDD users should call the Delaware Relay Service Number 1-800-232-5460 for assistance.  The State of Delaware – An Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.