Zoo Labor and Employee Relations Program Manager
Group: Metro
Location: Portland, Oregon
Salary Range: $99,695.00-$133,601.00
Deadline Information: 5:00 PM day of closing
Deadline Date: 06/03/2024
Posted Date: 05/21/2024
Contact Information for Applicants
Kara Hill she/her/hers
Kara.Hill@oregonmetro.gov
5039579927
The Oregon Zoo inspires visitors to learn about protecting endangered species and restoring native habitats and is the state's most popular paid attraction. The zoo’s roughly 320 employees welcome more than 1.5 million visitors each year. Our zoo is home to more than 200 different animal species. Our mission is to create a better future for wildlife, with a focus on fighting extinction locally in the Pacific Northwest. The zoo is widely recognized for its commitment to animal welfare, conservation, and research.
Reporting to the Labor and Employee Relations Manager, the Zoo Labor and Employee Relations Program Manager is responsible for working with the Zoo’s senior leadership team, managers, supervisor and employees, and the greater Human Resources team to ensure Metro's human resources practices are consistent, equitable and align with our core organizational values and departmental objectives.
For this important work Metro is seeking a strategic partner, solutions-oriented expert on policy and contract interpretation in a union environment. The Zoo Labor and Employee Relations Program Manager will provide on-site support at the Oregon Zoo. The ideal candidate will have the ability to lead with emotional intelligence, allowing you to adeptly work to understand multiple, varying interests, clients and stakeholders while developing trust along the way.
As the Labor and Employee Relations Program Manager you will
Labor Relations:
Participate in labor contract negotiations at the bargaining table for your designated union contracts, including development and implementation of negotiation strategy; identify relevant operational issues, conduct analysis, prepare policy briefing documents, and maintain a communication strategy for obtaining input and direction.
Conduct investigations regarding possible violations of union contracts and Metro policies and procedures, including claims of harassment; assist in implementation of recommended actions.
Partner with internal employment attorneys and other internal investigative bodies as necessary.
Drive change efforts and workforce planning strategies by building collaborative, trusting and credible relationships with senior leaders and key partners. Most importantly, you will model these behaviors every day.
Represent Metro in arbitrations and mediations.
Employee & Strategic Partner Consultation:
Serve as a point of contact for Metro employees navigating HR questions and issues; connecting employees with appropriate additional HR staff or resources as needed.
Provide advisement on policy and contract interpretation, developing strategies to proactively address issues that impact team or individual performance and assisting with workplace conflict resolution.
Collaborate and coach management on investigation, grievance, and arbitration processes.
Process-Improvement and Project Management:
Develop, recommend, and implement a labor relations policy and strategy that advances Metro's overall objectives.
Develop and implement workshops and other tools and materials for executives, managers, and others.
Partner with subject-matter-experts on the HR team including those that oversee benefits, classification processes, training and develop, DEI and other associated partners on projects and process improvements to support assigned departments and portfolios.
Analyze highly complex issues related to contract or policy interpretation in situations for which there may be no precedent.
Monitor and analyze current laws and regulations and ensure policies, benefit plans and agreements comply.
General Duties:
Answer general questions from staff and direct them to resources and information.
Provide guidance and consultation to assigned departments about leave issue policy interpretation (personnel rules, labor contracts, past practices, , federal and state regulations) in consultation with HR’s leave subject-matter-experts.
Provide consultation to departments on reorganizations to ensure positions are properly classified to meet business needs while also considering the employees in positions and potential implications to them in a reorganization.
Attributes for success
Leadership in promoting an environment that supports equity, where staff of all backgrounds can come to work and thrive in a safe and welcoming workplace.
Advanced knowledge of regulations and laws applicable to human resources and labor relations.
Ability to listen and communicate clearly and persuasively with Metro leadership and managers, employees, community members and various community and business groups.
Ability to provide planning, and technical oversight in developing goals and objectives.
Strong interpersonal and influencing skills, with the ability to quickly gain trust working across organizational lines.
Expert knowledge and experience in leading contract negotiations in a public sector/governmental environment.
Systems thinker with advanced critical thinking and problem-solving ability.
Ability to navigate the needs of various stakeholders and find an equitable consensus and outcomes.
Minimum qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in human resources or a related field; AND
Six (6) years of directly related and progressively experience in Human Resources; AND
Three (3) years of which include experience in bargaining union contracts or letters of agreements and conducting complex workplace investigations in any industry, OR
Any combination of education, professional, volunteer and lived experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the classification duties and responsibilities.
Work onsite at the Oregon Zoo.
Background Check Language
The candidate selected for the position will need to pass a criminal background check prior to being hired. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude employment and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Working Conditions
Imagine having the ability to take your breaks and lunch in not only beautiful surroundings, but how about a ride on the train or carousel maybe also getting to see cute animals likes this. Based on the business needs of the Oregon Zoo, the Labor and Employee Relations Program Manage selected for this position will have the expectation of working on-site at the Zoo 400 SW Canyon RD, Portland, OR 97221.