DEPUTY DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF EMPLOYEE RELATIONS

Code: 65387 State Unclassified Range: M39 (FY 2027) Work week NL: FLSA exemptOvertime table (4A:3, Appx. A)

Salary: $101,137.83 - $141,594.31/year FY 2027 schedule (last updated 2026-07-27)

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.

Examples of work

• Coordinates and directs the State employee relations program.
• Requests advice from the Attorney General's Office in regard to the analysis and review of all legal questions relative to employee relations including interpretation of statutes, regulations, proposed legislation, and prepares analysis, for the Director, of employee relations policy formulation.
• Coordinates and provides direction and advice to operating departments concerning complex grievance or contract interpretation questions, or matters of compliance with the State's Employer- Employee Relations Act, after consultation with the Office of Attorney General, and supervises or coordinates other Office of Employee Relations staff on such matters.
• Organizes and schedules meetings of the Governor's Employee Relations Policy Council concerning matters of State policy.
• Reviews labor problems that develop in the State, quasi-public sector, and private sector such as, nursing homes and hospitals, and makes recommendations to the Director.
• Coordinates the subordinate departments of the State in the uniform interpretation and administration of contract negotiations.
• Reviews union demands as to economic and operational impact. Coordinates with all elements of State management, advising them with regard to alternatives, priority of needs and options to be considered in determining the appropriate posture for negotiations.
• Responsible for coordinating, developing and negotiating various fringe benefits such as the Prescription Drug Program, Dental Program, Temporary Disability Plan, Vision Care Program, Deferred Compensation Plan, etc.
• Coordinates with the Attorney General's Office in preparing the State's position, when representing the State in dispute settlement situations which may be heard before the Public Employment Relations Commission or other governmental commission or office or in court proceedings resulting therefrom.
• Administers and is responsible for training management in labor relations matters such. as: Contract interpretation, contract administration; grievance procedure, conduct of hearing, unfair practice avoidance, handling discipline, arbitration investigations, effective, even-handed management techniques and many others.
• Develops recommendations for and drafts legislation consistent with commitments made in negotiated agreements and in conformity with the socio-economic environment and objectives of the State government and maintains liaison with elements of the Legislature, as may be required.
• Acts to ensure consistency in policy and procedure and provide effective liaison, assistance and guidance to the employee relations function of county and municipal governing bodies, and bi-state and other public authorities.
• Makes a continuing study of all phases of employee relations trends and provides this information to appropriate management activities.
• Conducts Data Research on salary comparisons, benefits and other terms and conditions of employment.
• Assists in conducting the development of appropriate management training programs designed to increases the effectiveness of employee relations personnel in the State departments.
• Confers with the Division of Budget and Accounting on budgetary, fiscal and payroll processing matters, especially as they effect labor relations.
• Prepares and directs the preparation of periodic progress and special reports containing analysis, conclusions and recommendations for submission to the Director and/or Governor.
• Interprets the purpose, policy and procedures of the Governor's Employee Relations Policy Council to State employees and others.
• Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting and/or disciplining of employees.
• Directs the establishment and maintenance of the essential records, reports and files.
• <b>REQUIREMENTS
• EDUCATION</b>
• Prefer a Master's degree in business administration, labor management relations, or related field.

Experience

Seven (7) years' experience in supervising or managing a large and complex labor relations program. Two (2) years of which shall have been as a chief labor relations negotiator.

License

Appointee 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

• Thorough knowledge of the organization and activity of all departments of the State including agencies such as welfare boards, New Jersey Transit, and including Rutgers, NJIT and CMDNJ, with particular emphasis on personnel and fiscal policy.
• Thorough knowledge of the New Jersey Employer-Employee Relations Act, Public Employees Relations Commission rules and regulations, New Jersey Civil Service Law, Rules and Regulations, the National Labor Relations Act, and a multitude of other New Jersey statutes relating to labor relations, public administration, education, higher education, administrative procedure, contracts and evidence.
• Thorough knowledge of the rules and regulations and procedures concerning arbitrations, mediations, and fact-finding and knowledge of all precedent setting decisions from PERC, and/or courts having some bearing on those forums.
• Thorough knowledge in negotiations, strategy and technique.
• Thorough knowledge of legal precedents concerning labor relations set by Commission and by court decisions in neighboring states.
• Thorough knowledge of EEOC, Affirmative Action and OSHA rules, regulations and precedents, as they relate to labor relations and contract negotiations.
• Thorough knowledge of the State's budget procedure.
• Thorough knowledge of acceptable personnel practices, training programs, etc. that are the current, state of the art in the private and public sectors.
• Wide knowledge of all economic and non-economic settlements resulting from collective negotiations in New Jersey and neighboring states in both the public and private sector.
• Wide knowledge of CPI and other economic indicators and cost analysis for pricing economic demands and proposals.
• Wide knowledge of group insurance practices and other employee benefits programs that are the current state of the art in the private and public sector.
• Wide knowledge of the New Jersey legislative process.
• Wide knowledge of the history of unionization, union structure, union constitution, by-laws, etc. as they relate to labor relations and contract negotiations.
• Ability to successfully manage the technical preparation and aid the Office of Attorney General with presentation of arbitration, unfair practice and representation proceeding hearings and trials, and participant negotiations concerning settlements of such matters.
• Ability to oversee independent labor relations research and analysis, opinions and writing relative to public sector, labor relations and interpret same in trends related to policy determination of the Office of Employee Relations.
• Ability to review recommendations for changes in the PERC law, its rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Ability to direct preparation of extensive correspondence and to review contents of collective negotiations agreement and similar documents for their effectiveness and appropriateness with the State's labor relations program.
• Ability to serve as chief spokesman on behalf of the State in major contract negotiations, mediation and fact-finding.
• Ability to develop and implement thorough training programs in the labor relations field.
• Ability to write comprehensive memorandum and represent the Office at oral presentations.
• Ability to work harmoniously with subordinates, supervisors, representatives of labor organizations and other interested parties.
• Ability to comprehend, analyze and interpret basic laws and regulations.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or 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.