Job Class Specification for:
LABOR RELATIONS COORDINATOR, ASSISTANT

Class Specification Schematic Number: 2154003

Class Summary:

Positions in this class support the implementation and administration of labor and employee relations activities for a large, complex City department by advising management about the consistent application of collective bargaining agreements, the Seattle Municipal Code and the Personnel Rules; preparing a variety of written correspondence and reports; investigating and processing grievances; and developing and compiling data to support the department's and the City's labor relations philosophy.

This is the first of two levels in the Labor Relations Coordinator series. Assistant Labor Relations Coordinator is distinguished from Labor Relations Coordinator by its responsibility for a large volume of specialized support tasks associated with the implementation and administration of labor/employee relations programs and activities.

Employees in this class, under limited supervision, interpret and advise department employees, supervisors and managers about collective bargaining agreement provisions, Personnel Rules, employment law, and related policies, procedures and regulations; schedule and coordinate Step 2 grievance meetings; represent the department at labor and personnel representatives meetings; research and prepare a variety of data to support the department's concerns and positions at contract bargaining sessions; and ensure employee compliance with union membership provisions.

A working knowledge of specialized personnel and labor relations practices and program purposes, and familiarity with applicable collective bargaining agreements and organizational and job classification structures are required. Guidelines exist in the form of collective bargaining agreements, Personnel Rules, the Seattle Municipal Code and internal policies and procedures. Employees use judgement to select and apply the best of a variety of established criteria to situations and conditions.

Personal contacts are with all levels of employees, supervisors and administrators in the employing department, personnel and labor relations staff in the Personnel Department and other City departments, union representatives and staff, and representatives from other public and private agencies to exchange information, clarify issues, resolve minor conflicts, and schedule work activities.

• Assists department staff and management with the consistent and equitable application of contract provisions, the Seattle Municipal Code and the Personnel Rules by clarifying and reviewing proposed actions.
• Prepares written responses to requests for information, summarizes and reports on status of grievance investigations and resolutions, prepares a variety of correspondence, and forwards pertinent information to Personnel Department Labor Relations staff and other affected parties.
• Investigates employee grievances and complaints to determine their validity and recommend proper avenues for hearing and resolving them.
• Prepares information for and represents department at grievance meetings, arbitrations, fact-findings and other administrative hearings, and reports outcomes to management. May testify about direct knowledge of practices and actions.
• Coordinates the tracking, processing and closing of grievance files, internally and with City Personnel staff.
• Reviews personnel transaction documents, including requests to fill job vacancies, for compliance with contract provisions, the Seattle Municipal Code and Personnel Rules. Notifies employees about membership provisions of collective bargaining agreements.
• Represents department at contract negotiation sessions and recommends approval or rejection of proposals on behalf of department.
• Prepares cost analyses, exhibits and summaries of survey information in support of contract negotiations. Researches contract and negotiation history to resolve or recommend resolution of contract interpretation and application problems.
• May supervise and review the work of clerical staff.
• Performs other related duties of a comparable type/level as assigned.

Work is performed in a normal City office environment

A Bachelor's degree in labor relations, public or business administration, or human resource management and one year of experience supporting the work activities of a labor relations or personnel office are required. (Other combinations of education, training and experience will be evaluated on an individual basis for comparability.)

None.

Comments:

This description was prepared to indicate the kinds of activities and levels of work difficulty required of positions in this class. It is not intended as a complete list of specific duties and responsibilities.

Class History:

Class adopted January 2, 1991.

Date posted 4/29/1999

Return to Search Page