Description

Duration:  This is a two-year special duty or term-limited temporary opportunity with an anticipated end of service date at the end of 2027.

Summary:

The King County Sheriff’s Office is seeking an experienced professional to support our law enforcement operations by making an impact providing their labor relations and negotiations expertise.   This vital role as an Employee & Labor Relations Representative will serve as the agency’s primary consultant and be in the forefront of labor contract administration, workplace investigations and resolution of employee relations issues and grievances.  This position works closely with the County’s designated labor negotiator throughout the bargaining process and serves as the Sheriff’s Office central point of contact, including representing the agency’s interest during the collective bargaining process.  This role works as part of the HR team to strategically address recruitment, retention, and engagement challenges.  In addition, the incumbent will advise management and coordinate the development of department policies, interests and strategies for all employment and labor-related activities, including potentially litigious and sensitive employment issues, personnel policies and procedures and disciplinary and corrective actions.

Job Duties:

• Coordinate the development of labor strategies, interests and policies for the Sheriff’s Office.  
• Serve as the principal communicator of the Sheriff’s Office bargaining interests to the County’s labor negotiator, collaborate with the County’s labor negotiator to develop management bargaining proposals, and assist with research of labor policies and drafting of contract language.
• Serve as part of the Sheriff’s Office representatives at the bargaining table.
• Provide critical information to management on the interpretation and administration of labor contracts, personnel policies and procedures, and other applicable rules, regulations and laws.
• Represent the Sheriff’s Office at all stages of grievance hearings and develop and communicate grievance responses as designated; may conduct final step grievance hearings.
• Provide advice to managers and supervisors and recommend appropriate disciplinary and corrective actions in accordance with labor laws and contract provisions.  Support disciplinary reviews, disciplinary documents, the Loudermill process, and reporting.
• Coordinate Sheriff’s Office employment-related litigation matters by conducting research, providing professional advice and consulting with the prosecuting attorney’s office and management staff as necessary to develop strategies.
• Conduct complex employment investigations, write investigative reports, and present findings and recommendations to management and the prosecuting attorney’s office.
• Coordinate the development of settlement options in collaboration with the Human Resources Division, the prosecuting attorney’s office, and department/division management staff and negotiate settlements as authorized.
• Facilitate the resolution of employee relations issues and problems.
• Provide support in arbitration and/or mediation proceedings.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

• You must be a United States citizen, Lawful Permanent Resident, or deferred action childhood arrival (DACA) recipient.
• You must have the ability to read, speak and write in the English language fluently.
• Verify that you do not meet any of the KCSO Automatic Disqualifying Behavior requirements.
• You must be able to meet all KCSO background standards as listed in section 10.14 of the Civil Service Rules. Background requirements will be evaluated throughout the hiring process.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of collective bargaining
• Knowledge of Washington’s Public Employee Labor Relations Commission (PERC) rules, regulations and processes
• Knowledge of grievance, arbitration and mediation processes
• Knowledge of human resources principles and practices, current legal environment and trends
• Knowledge of employment practices laws and regulations
• Excellent oral and written communications skills
• Presentation, facilitation and consensus building skills
• Analytical, planning and organizational skills
• Negotiation, problem solving and conflict resolution skills
• Decision-making skills
• Skill in communicating interests and acting as a representative
• Skill in interpreting contracts, regulations and laws
• Ability to handle multiple competing priorities
• Ability to handle sensitive situations with tact and diplomacy
• Ability to build consensus among diverse individuals with varying opinions
• Ability to work with a variety of individuals from diverse backgrounds
• Ability to identify and resolve employee issues
• Ability to make decisions using appropriate methods for dealing with employees on sensitive and potentially litigious issues 

HIGHLY DESIREABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience in a unionized environment
• Experience in the public sector and/or specifically working with or for law enforcement agencies

LICENSING AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: Some licenses, certifications and other requirements determined to be necessary to meet the business needs of the employing unit may be required.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must pass thorough background investigation, including a polygraph.