Employee and Labor Relations Specialist II

Job Description

Montgomery College has an immediate need for a full-time Employee and Labor Relations Specialist II position in the Office of Human Resources and Strategic Talent Management (HRSTM).  The work schedule is Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. This is an exempt, non-bargaining, grade 29 position.  Montgomery College promotes and creates a working and learning environment rooted in the basic tenets of fairness, belonging, and inclusiveness.  This position is eligible for telework up to two (2) days a week. Telework eligibility and total days per week are subject to change based on the operational needs of the applicable unit/area.

The Employee and Labor Relations Specialist II is responsible for providing human resources subject matter expertise, guidance, consultation, and assistance collegewide. Responsible for assisting in creating a positive and collaborative culture that fosters open communication between employees and supervisors, and cultivates partnerships with other areas of the college.

This position serves as the primary point of contact for all labor relations matters within the institution. This work involves staff providing employee and labor relations services to administrators, faculty, and staff. This position is accountable for employee relations concerns and discipline matters, labor relations management, internal investigations, collective bargaining, conflict resolution, policy development and maintenance, training, handling grievances, data analytics, and reporting.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Labor Relations Management - serves as the primary point of contact for all labor relations matters within the institution.
• Develop and implement strategies to foster positive relationships between management and union representatives.
• Internal Investigations – conducts thorough and well-documented internal investigations and collaborates with OCRE as needed.
• Collective Bargaining - leads negotiations for collective bargaining agreements with union representatives. Prepares proposals, conducts research, and engages in bargaining sessions to reach mutually beneficial agreements.
• Conflict Resolution - provides guidance and support in resolving disputes between employees, union representatives, and management. Mediate conflicts, conduct investigations, and recommend appropriate solutions to maintain harmony in the workplace.
• Policy Development - collaborates with HR and legal teams to develop and revise policies and procedures related to employee and labor relations. Ensures compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and contractual obligations.
• Mentoring and Education - develops and delivers training programs for managers, supervisors, and employees on labor relations topics, including union awareness, collective bargaining processes, and conflict resolution strategies.
• Grievance Handling - manages the grievance process in accordance with collective bargaining agreements and institutional policies. Investigate grievances, facilitate discussions between parties, and coordinate resolution efforts.
• Data Analysis and Reporting - collects and analyzes data related to labor relations metrics, trends, and outcomes. Prepares clear, persuasive, and concise reports, policies, training materials, and correspondence. Conducts high-quality investigations and drafts detailed, factual reports
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Labor Relations, HR Management, Business Administration, or a related field plus four (4) years of Labor Relations experience with expertise in investigations, conflict resolution, or collective bargaining, or an associate’s degree, plus six (6) years of directly related experience.
• The equivalent combination of education, training, certification, and/or experience that provides the required knowledge and expertise to perform the essential functions of the job may be considered.
• Eligible applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States and not require employer visa sponsorship.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, or a related field preferred.  Juris Doctorate (JD) is highly preferred.
• Bilingual in Spanish, French, Urdu, Arabic, etc.
• Experience in higher education or a public institution
• SHRM-CP/SCP or PHR/SPHR Certification

Hiring Range: $74,257 - $96,558 annually. Initial salary placement for new hires falls between the minimum and midpoint of the range and is based on relevant candidate experience and internal equity.  The maximum salary for this position is $118,850 annually.

 Application Process:

• Click Here to apply online
• A cover letter is recommended and preferred.

For degrees earned outside of the U.S., a copy of your education equivalency, conducted by a nationally recognized evaluation service, must be included in your application.

As a condition of employment, the following are required at the time of hire:

• Successful completion of a background check and degree verification (if applicable).

• Participation in a Maryland State Retirement System plan (Pension or Optional Retirement Plan, depending on the position). If you are already retired from the Maryland State Retirement System, you may not enroll in a Maryland State Retirement System plan at Montgomery College and may have earn​ings restrictions, per state law.

Our benefits package includes: generous paid vacation, sick, paid holidays, medical, dental, vision, group legal benefits, professional development, retirement plan, educational assistance, tuition waiver for employee and dependents, wellness programming including onsite gyms, pools and classes.

If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact Human Resources and Strategic Talent Management at 240-567-5353 or HRSTM@montgomerycollege.edu.  We require at least two weeks advance notice to enable us to provide the requested accommodation.

Montgomery College is an equal opportunity employer committed to promoting and fostering diversity among its student body, faculty, and staff.

Montgomery College is a tobacco-free and smoke-free workplace.

Closing Date