Labor and Employee Relations Specialist (Human Resources Specialist II)

Position Summary

The Labor and Employee Relations Specialist is a front-line member of the Labor and Employee Relations Team at MassDOT. This position plays a critical role in the successful administration and operation of the MassDOT Human Resources function through ensuring adherence to applicable labor and employment and other laws, agreements, policies, and procedures.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Investigations and Complaint Resolution – Participates in the investigation and evaluation of complaints and other workplace matters, including but not limited to issues involving potential discipline or grievances, and interpret and enforce the collective bargaining agreements and/or workplace policies and procedures to recommend and administer an appropriate resolution based on actual findings.
• Employee Discipline Administration and Union Grievance Processing – Leads and conducts pre-disciplinary, Loudermill, and Step II grievance hearings to evaluate union complaints and assess their viability and/or determine management just cause in compliance with labor and employment laws, the collective bargaining agreement and/or workplace policies and procedures. Draft recommendations for disposition of these issues.
• Research, Evidence Gathering, and Responding to Union Information Requests – Engages in research of agency past employment practices, prior arbitration cases and decisions, statutes and regulations pertaining to labor and employee relations best practices, and current requirements under Massachusetts and federal labor and employment laws. Gathers evidence related to investigations, disciplinary proceedings, and grievances.
• Management Counseling – Provides counseling to MassDOT districts business units and management in responding to labor and employment matters, including but not limited to the evaluation and preparation of responses to Step I grievances, compliance with collective bargaining agreements, past practice, and policies and procedures, and the employee progressive discipline process.
• Training & Engagement – Conducts site visits to district, branch and other MassDOT facilities, or work locations, as necessary to meet with management and employees, and provide advice and guidance on the interpretation and application of the collective bargaining agreement as well as workplace policies and procedures.
• Administrative Agency Hearings and Arbitration Representation – Represents MassDOT in defending against complaints before the Civil Service Commission and assists labor counsels in the General Counsel’s office in defending the administration of just cause disciplines of employees, and against union grievances.  

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of labor and employee relations.
• Knowledge of state and federal labor and employment laws.
• Ability to manage a busy caseload and work under pressure to meet established deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills and capability to project authority in appropriate circumstances.
• Ability to work independently and take initiative as needed to accomplish department mission. 
• Exceptional organizational skills and demonstrated thoroughness and follow through on all assigned tasks.  
• Proficiency in all Microsoft Word applications and the ability to learn new technology.
• Ability to conduct investigations (including the ability to conduct interviews, identify, and probe discrepancies, and adapt approach to account for new information).
• Ability to set goals and exercise direction.
• Ability to delegate tasks.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.

About MassDOT

The 4,000+ employees of Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) take great pride in connecting the Commonwealth’s residents and communities. MassDOT is responsible for developing, implementing, and coordinating transportation p