• Develops and directs the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards for assigned program areas.
• Represents the City in administering agreements reached with employee organizations. Prepares Memorandums of Understanding and Supplemental Agreements. Facilitates Labor Management meetings, research issues brought forward and prepares City responses.
• Provides labor relations consultations to employees, supervisors, directors, and union leadership. Works with employees and union leadership to interpret and implement various City labor contract provisions. Oversees and provides management of grievances through resolution.
• Represents City administration and serves as the chief negotiator for non-uniform labor relations to include contract negotiations, grievance hearings, mediation and assisting with arbitration. Develops positions, proposals, and strategies in collective bargaining activities. In collaboration with Human Resource staff, Budget staff, and/or other City leadership, reviews and analyzes counter proposals and contractual agreements for their impact on the City. Drafts contracts by incorporating agreed-to proposals into collective bargaining agreements. Provides Mayor and senior City staff with updates and analysis of collective bargaining agreement negotiations.
• Analyzes and interprets language in collective bargaining agreements for compliance with federal, state, and local laws, City policies, and management practices; recommends modifications and changes as appropriate.
• Confers with employee organizations, and departmental management personnel to clarify the labor relations policies of the City and to provide information regarding the rights and obligations of the parties concerned and the recourse available to them.
• Collaborates with department heads, managers, and Human Resources staff to develop and implement policies, procedures, rules, and regulations governing the labor relations program of the City; consults with the Human Resources Director to ensure the City’s labor relations program conforms to the policies governing employee-management relations.
• Presents cases to a neutral hearing officer and testifies before the Public Employment Relations Commission in unfair labor practice or unit clarification hearings or before arbitrators in arbitration proceedings.
• Develops and maintains cooperative working relationships with union representatives, City leadership and departmental managers.
• Counsels employees and managers on a variety of human resources issues, including employee relations, labor contract questions, benefits, and sound workplace practices.
• Uses available administrative, personnel, and staff development resources to aid in the accomplishment of effective labor - management relationships.
• Consults with the City Attorney's Office on serious, complex legal issues.
• Performs other related work as required.

• RCW 41.56 and the rules and regulations of the Public Relations Commission.
• Federal, state, and local legislation pertaining to labor relations and personnel matters.
• Principles, practices and techniques of public sector labor relations, collective bargaining, dispute resolution and strategic planning.
• Human resources management principles, concepts, regulations, and practices.
• Trends and practices of human resources administration.
• Organizational structure, compensation, and benefits.
• Recruitment, selection and training.
• Business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, HR modeling, leadership techniques and coordination of people and resources.
• Principles of supervision, training, and performance feedback.

• Foster and maintain effective professional relationships with City officials and staff, colleagues, employees, and bargaining unit representation.
• Interpret, explain, and apply collective bargaining contract language administrative rules, processes, procedures, and federal, state, and local laws, rulings, and policies.
• Conduct fact-finding interviews and conduct internal investigations. Obtain relevant factual information, evaluate its significance, and recommend appropriate courses of action on identified issues.
• Analyze and understand complex problems; identify and implement solutions; prepare reports and recommendations.
• Exercise professional leadership in promoting good employee/management relations.
• Support and assist management personnel in developing effective labor relations skills and techniques.
• Present matters clearly and persuasively before public bodies, arbitrators, and management and employee groups.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Effectively coordinate, preform, and complete multiple duties and assignments in a timely manner; ensure deadlines are met.
• Demonstrate discretion, integrity, and fairness.
• Use a personal computer and software necessary to effectively perform the duties of the position.
• Effectively lead and manage staff by developing and directing people as they work.
• Manage multiple projects, meet deadlines and work well under pressure.
• Adapt to other duties as assigned and prioritize, organize and plan work as needed to meet objectives.

• Research, interpretation and application of municipal codes, ordinances, statutes, and other applicable rules and regulations.

• Requires baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university

• 5 years of progressively responsible, fully skilled experience, and;
• 2 years of supervisory or lead experience

• Possession of a valid driver’s license

INSURANCE BENEFITS

Eligibility: Coverage begins for new hires and their dependents on the first day of the month following 30 consecutive days of employment.

Eligible Dependents: Spouse or Domestic Partner, birth, adopted children or children placed for adoption, Domestic Partner's children, step-children who live with employee, and any child for whom employee is legal guardian or for whom coverage is required by a Qualified Medical Support Order. Adult children under age 26 are eligible.

Medical
Qualified employees may select from two health carrier options; a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) administered by Group Health Cooperative or a Preferred Provider Option (PPO) administered by Premera Blue Cross. The monthly premium, and to add coverage for eligible dependents varies depending on the medical plan selected.

Dental
Dental insurance is provided by Delta Dental of Washington. The monthly premium is minimal for employee and eligible dependents.

Vision
Vision coverage is included in the medical plan selected. Costs for eye exams and hardware; lenses, frames or contacts varies depending on the medical plan selected.

Life Insurance - Employee Only
Basic Term Life Insurance is provided at one-and-a-half times the employee's annual base salary to a maximum of $100,000. The City pays the monthly premium in full.

Life Insurance - Eligible Dependent(s)
Basic Term Life Insurance is provided at $6,000 for spouse/domestic partner and $2,000 for each child. The City pays the monthly premium in full.

AFLAC
Supplemental insurance is optional and is provided by AFLAC to help pay benefits that major medical insurance does not cover. The employee pays 100% of the monthly premium.

Flexible Spending Account
The City offers two optional Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) - Health Care FSA and Dependent Care FSA. The Health Care FSA allows an employee to use pre-tax dollars to receive reimbursement for eligible medical, dental, and vision expenses. The Dependent Care FSA allows an employee to receive reimbursement for eligible daycare expenses for dependent children up to age 13 and other eligible dependents as defined by IRS Code. Employees can elect to contribute up to $2,550 per year for the Health Care FSA and $5,000 per year for the Dependent Care FSA.

LegalShield
Prepaid legal services and/or prepaid identity theft programs are optional. These programs pay for a limited amount of documents to be reviewed, limited trial defense representation, the preparation of a standard will, identity theft consultation, restoration and monitoring according to terms of contract.

Pet Insurance
Get cash back on the everyday care your pet needs to stay healthy! Nationwide/Voluntary Pet Insurance is an optional plan in which City of Spokane Employees can enroll.

Voluntary Term Life Insurance
Voluntary Term Life Insurance is optional and is provided through The Standard Insurance Company and is subject to application review and approval. Additional coverage up to $300,000 is available for employees and their spouse/domestic partner. Dependent children can be insured for up to $10,000 each. The employee pays 100% of the monthly premium.

RETIREMENT BENEFITS

Spokane Employees' Retirement System
The Spokane Employees' Retirement System (SERS) is a defined benefit pension plan covering non-uniformed employees whose positions are classified under the Civil Service Merit System. Contributions and earnings are tax deferred.

Deferred Compensation
Enrollment in the City-sponsored 457 Deferred Compensation Plan administered by ICMA-RC allows participants, on a voluntary basis, to defer a portion of their salary on a before or after tax basis.

WORK/LIFE PROGRAMS

Employee Assistance Program
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a referral and counseling service administered by KEPRO. It provides a myriad of services to employees and their household members. Services include receiving confidential assistance for personal issues, such as managing stress, depression, parenting, alcohol/drugs, grief, etc. Each household member is eligible to receive up to eight counseling sessions per issue per year at no charge. There is also a benefit relating financial or legal concerns in addition to Worklife/Convenience services and online tools.

Employer Sponsored Bus Pass (ESBP) Program
The City of Spokane encourages employees to use alternatives to driving alone to work and participates in the ESBP Program offered by Spokane Transit Authority (STA). The program provides employees a bus pass for unlimited rides free of charge.