] Office of Human Resources - Montgomery County Public Schools

OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT → CLASSIFICATION → DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR RELATIONS

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Director, Department of Labor Relations

MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS CLASS DESCRIPTION
OFFICIAL TITLE: Director of Labor Relations CODE: 0250 SQ/OQ: Not Applicable
WORKING TITLE: Director, Department of Labor Relations GRADE: NS MONTHS: 12
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF CLASSIFICATION: Under general direction of the Chief Operating Officer, coordinates all employee relations activities involving administrators, supervisors, teachers, and supporting services personnel. Conducts formal negotiations with each union on all matters relating to salaries, wages, hours, and other working conditions. Coordinates the work of the negotiators' group, collaborative work teams, and negotiating teams, remaining directly involved throughout the negotiations and the impasse and renegotiations that may result. Helps administer the agreements, requiring regular contact with the unions, overseeing the grievance and administrative complaint procedures, participation in and/or facilitation of various collaborative work groups and committees, and preparing cases for arbitration or court action. Conducts training sessions for Board of Education members and school system administrators. Acts as Board of Education's spokesperson with three unions with regard to issues related to the negotiated agreements.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION STANDARDS
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Thorough knowledge of the state laws regarding collective bargaining for Board of Education employees. Commitment to collaborative / interest-based problem solving approach. Knowledge of the operation/administration of schools and school systems is desirable. Excellent organizational ability. Excellent oral and written communication and human relations skills.
EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE: Master's degree from an accredited college or university in public administration, personnel, or labor relations. Considerable experience as chief negotiator for a large organization. Experience in grievance and arbitration handling and contract administration. Other combinations of applicable education, training, and experience which provide the knowledge, abilities, and skills necessary to perform effectively in the position may be considered.
CERTIFICATE AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: None
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: (Special requirements such as lifting heavy objects and frequent climbing.) None
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: (Frequent overtime or night work required, etc.) Frequent night and weekend work.
OVERTIME ELIGIBLE: No

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Acts as chief negotiator for Board of Education in all labor contract negotiations, coordinates the work of all management negotiations teams, and participates in or facilitates the work of any collaborative teams associated with any labor contract negotiations.

Advises the superintendent on all labor relations matters regarding the agreements with the three employee unions and on all labor relations matters that would impact the school system other than those contractually agreed upon.

Oversees the processing of all grievances filed under negotiated agreements and all administrative appeals filed under Maryland law.

Advises the superintendent on all matters in the legislature involving collective bargaining bills, prepares testimony needed for those bills, and assists the school system in any contacts needed with Maryland legislators.

Responsible for working collaboratively with all unions, including the exclusive bargaining agents.

Coordinates all designations of exclusive bargaining representatives, including requests for representation elections.

Orients and trains administrators for proper application of negotiated agreements and swift resolution of contract grievances and administrative complaints; administers agreements (requiring regular contact with employee organizations, administrators, and employees), and directs grievance and administrative complaint procedures, through arbitration.

Orients and trains Board members on current agreements and negotiation procedures for next round of negotiations. Conducts seminars for all Board members during negotiations.

Reviews wage data and conducts period wage surveys; reviews other negotiated and mediated settlements, arbitration cases, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and legislation to insure successful negotiated agreements with employee unions.

Recommends revisions to MCPS policies and procedures to insure coordination and compliance with negotiated agreements.

Maintains in readily usable form files of laws, court decisions, arbitration decisions, Maryland Board of Education bylaws and decisions, and MCPS-BOE policies, decisions, and regulations as related to contents of agreements and interpretations of disputes of provisions of agreements.

Advises MCPS Office of the General Counsel concerning court cases, State Board hearings, administrative appeal hearings, and arbitrations. Interviews witnesses, assists in preparation of witnesses for testimony at hearings, and develops all background material for cases.

Provides assistance to the Office of the General Counsel for successful outcome of court cases, State Board hearings, administrative appeal hearings, and arbitrations.

Performs related duties consistent with the scope and intent of the position.
Class Established: 6/82
Date(s) Revised: 7/90, 11/93, 11/95, 5/10, 8/2016, 1/2017
Last Reviewed: 06/09

This description may be changed at any time.