Manager of Labor Relations bei Hillsborough Transit Authority (HART)

Division: Administration

Closing Date: Until Filled

Location: 1201 East 7^th Avenue, Tampa, FL 33605

Salary Range: $87,501.00 – $93,000.00

POSITION PURPOSE:

The Manager of Labor Relations is responsible for promoting and enabling a fair and inclusive workplace that safeguards HART’s employment brand by ensuring that employee and company interests are handled in a fair and consistent manner. This position serves as a consultant to employees and management on labor and human resources-related issues. The Manager of Labor Relations will act as an employee champion and change agent. This position will work with the Manager of Ethics and Compliance and broader team to collaborate with clients, HR Business Partners, Labor Relations, Legal, and other internal partners, to provide counsel and act as a proactive consultant to the business. The Manager of Labor Relations formulates partnerships across the Legal and Human Resources function to deliver value-added service to management and employees that reflect the business objectives of the organization.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Research and interpret written material and provide informed advice and counsel management on labor relations issues.
• Serve as a trusted business advisor while working to resolve disputes between workers and managers, successfully navigate collective bargaining agreements, or liaise grievance procedures to handle employee complaints.
• Collaborate with managers and supervisors to evaluate human resource practices and processes, and recommend and implement improvements that achieve efficiencies, equities and improve business outcomes.

• Respond to employee concerns and complaints of potential unlawful behavior, such as discrimination and harassment, or violation of Company policies, by conducting timely internal investigations independently or in conjunction with supervisors, HR Business Partners and other business partners.
• Investigates and provides findings and recommendations regarding EEO cases as well as complex employee relations issues including fact gathering, data analyzing, interpreting statutes & regulations, detailed written reporting, and renders appropriate findings, conclusions and recommendations of appropriate action.
• Interprets two (2) collective bargaining agreements regarding employment actions such as promotions, leaves, step increases, changes of appointment, separations, etc.
• Prepare recommendations for review and consult with internal Employee Relations leadership and Legal partners regarding appropriate disciplinary action, including termination of employment.
• Research and prepares requests for proposals (RFPs), statements of work (SOWs) and independent cost estimates (ICEs) for procurement of vendor services from outside vendors and contractors and liaises with vendors and contractors.
• Maintain expert knowledge of compliance with state and federal employment regulations and standard operating procedures
• Maintain an effective level of business literacy about the business unit’s financial position, its midrange plans, its culture and its competition.
• Work closely with management and employees to improve work relationships, build morale, and increase productivity and retention.
• Maintain in-depth knowledge of legal requirements related to day-to-day management of employees, reducing legal risks and ensuring regulatory compliance. Partners with the legal department as warranted.

• Analyzes trends and metrics in partnership with the Operations, Safety & Security and HR groups to develop solutions, programs and policies.
• Supports implementation of business unit restructurings, workforce planning and succession planning.
• Prepare and present appropriate training on a variety of labor relations topics.
• Oversees and manages company Drug and Alcohol Program.
• Prepares and liaise with Economic Opportunity Program (Unemployment Compensation) for hearings for employees. 
• Serves from time to time as Project Manager or project team member on a variety of subject matter expertise organizational projects or stretch assignments as assigned by the Portfolio Steering Committee (PSC) of the agency Project Management Office (PMO). These assignments will implement broad strategic and organizational agency goals.

MARGINAL FUNCTIONS:

• Performs other work-related duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS:

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field or two (2) years of related experience for each year of college requirement.
• Five (5) to seven (7) years’ progressively responsible experience in Human Resources, including Risk Management or Benefits Administration, to include five (5) years’ experience in a supervisory/management capacity in public sector; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proven knowledge of employment law and practices (with an emphasis on ADA, the interactive process for accommodation requests, and leave of absence requirements.

Machines, Tools and Equipment Used:

• Ability to operate small office equipment, including copy machines or multi-line telephone systems, as well as a computer for both data entry, word processing, and/or accounting purposes.

Licenses/Certifications:

• Valid Florida Driver’s License or be able to obtain one within 10 days of hire or moving to the State of Florida.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of federal, state and local laws regulating HR practices and of proper investigative practices including interviewing, documenting and tracking complaints, and testifying in court.
• Ability to conduct a thorough investigation.
• Ability to perform work which involves high level issues, processes, or organizational needs that impact the community at large, most of the staff, or both.
• Ability to work in a dynamic environment that requires the incumbent to be sensitive to change and responsive to changing goals, priorities, and needs.
• Successful experience in working in an organized workforce environment and in effectively bringing together work groups to help ensure productivity and teamwork.
• Significant and demonstrated leadership ability, including the ability to make independent decisions, analyze issues and situations, and develop innovative solutions to resolve complex issues or problems and to initiate effective actions.
• Ability to establish mutual agreements with employees that result in encouraging clear understandings about the acceptance of responsibility, taking personal action to accomplish an agreed upon result, and assuming personal accountability and responsibility for the results of behavior and actions.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively resolve conflict.
• Ability to establish performance and development plans for all direct reports that are timely and recurring to ensure that staff is performing in accordance with plan requirements.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.
• Principles of supervision, organization and administration.
• Standard methods, practices, tools and equipment used in vehicle and electronic maintenance.
• Federal and state regulations regarding the procurement, reporting and life cycle maintenance of fleet equipment.
• Ability to work in collaboration with management while implementing best HR workforce planning practices.
• Exceptional PC skills working with Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Power Point, Visio, and Publisher, and the Internet and Adobe. Excellent verbal and written skills. 
• Advanced MS Excel skills.
• Knowledge of MS Project.
• Technical /reporting experience and HRIS administration experience (Great Plains).
• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal skills; bi-lingual skills desirable but not necessary.
• Ability to organize and prioritize work and to meet deadlines.
• Strong public speaking and presentation abilities.
• Ability to interact positively with a variety of personalities internally and externally.
• Ability to work under stress and interruptions.
• Ability to be a flexible, effective team player.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Ability to work under stress and interruptions.
• Ability to follow established safety and security procedures.
• Presentation, training and public speaking techniques and skills.
• Standard office practices, procedures and equipment.
• Microsoft Office Suite 2010 including Access, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Word.
• Rules, regulations, procedures and functions of the Authority.
• Standard office practices, procedures and equipment.
• Event planning, execution and coordination.

Physical Demands/Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a standard office environment.
• Ability to hear, see, speak, and perceive color, depth and texture.
• Subject to standing, walking, bending, reaching, stooping, and lifting of objects up to 25 pounds.
• May be exposed to potentially intimidating and/or unreceptive members of the public; may occasionally be exposed to dangerous machinery, extreme weather conditions, extreme noise and physical harm.