LABOR RELATIONS SPECIALIST
Labor Relations Specialist is a competitive local-government title, the kind you test for: the exam result, not a hiring manager's pick, decides where you land in line.
You can qualify with a bachelor's degree or, if you do not have one, by piling up more experience instead.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
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Labor Relations Specialist is a local service title. It is filled by the counties, municipalities, authorities and other employers that have adopted civil service under Title 11A, not by State departments. Those employers set pay by ordinance or contract rather than from a State salary schedule, which is why most local titles carry no salary range here.
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Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under direction, assists management in labor contract negotiations and performs work involved in contract administration; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
Prepares management proposals and counter proposals with negotiating unions. Studies and interprets collective bargaining agreements and current labor market conditions to assist in establishing policies and operating procedures. Provides assistance to management in contract negotiations and conciliation and arbitration procedures. Reviews labor contracts to ensure that management adheres to contract specifications. May confer with department heads, labor representatives, and workers to resolve grievances. Prepares summary and statistical reports of employee grievances and settlements. Participates in informational programs to effect cooperation and coordination in union-management relations. Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
License
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of public personnel administration. Knowledge of rules, regulations, policies, and procedures and their application to specific cases after a period of training. Knowledge of problems encountered in analyzing public personnel matters and in developing a labor relations program and procedures. Knowledge of theory, practices, and procedures of personnel and public administration. Knowledge of problems encountered in establishing and maintaining effective labor-management relations, contract negotiations, and collective bargaining. Ability to apply, interpret, and read provisions of laws relating to personnel and labor-management relations matters and rules, regulations, policies, and procedures. Ability to apply laws to specific cases. Ability to apply, interpret, and read financial, personnel, and technical problems involved in developing and executing a labor relations program and procedures. Ability to work harmoniously with associates and with other groups and individuals engaged in or concerned with the work relating to public employment. Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate, and informative reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Ability to establish and maintain records and files. Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience. Seven (7) years of professional experience in labor management relations or as a union and industrial relations representative which shall have involved employer-employee relations, contract negotiations, and collective bargaining. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and three (3) years of the above-mentioned professional experience. "Professional experience" refers to work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the authority to act according to one's own judgment and make accurate and informed decisions.