Labor Negotiator at Office of Financial Management in Olympia, Washington

Job Description:

The Office of Financial Management (OFM) is a small agency, that serves as the backbone of Washington state government. Our mission is to make our state a better place by connecting people, budgets, policies, data, and systems for state agencies and the Legislature. Our team includes compensation analysts, labor negotiators, classification specialists, budget advisors, researchers, and other experts, all dedicated public servants working towards an equitable future for every Washingtonian.

If you want to play a key role in enhancing how state government serves its citizens, you've found the right place. Join us in making a meaningful difference for every Washingtonian!

The Job Opportunity:
We are looking for a Labor Negotiator within our State Human Resources Division, and Labor Relations and Compensation Policy section. The Labor Relations and Compensation Policy (LR&CP) Section is responsible for statewide labor relations administration and contract negotiations of the collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) between the State of Washington and Labor Unions. The LR &CP Section is comprised of 12 labor negotiators and 6 compensation policy analysts who negotiate and help administer the State's 34 labor agreements covering approximately 60,000 represented employees and 50,000 publicly-funded service providers.

In this role, you'll serve as the Governor's designee in negotiating complex labor contracts, including advising on the interpretation and application of the contract. Your strong communication, analytical and problem-solving skills will be relied upon in this role as you'll serve as a lead negotiator. In addition, this position will provide support in administrative hearings involving unfair labor practices, bargaining unit clarification, union representation proceedings, grievance and interest arbitration hearings. You will advise the state enterprise on labor relations and contract administration, respond to union requests for information, public records requests and conduct bill analyses for State HR and the Labor Relations and Compensation policy team. You will determine the best course of action to resolve a labor relations situation, keeping your team leaders informed of any sensitive matters with statewide impact or high-profile risks associated with your approach to labor engagement using appropriate discretion when higher-level decision-making is required.

What you'll work on:

• Proposal development, approval processes and accuracy for state bargaining proposals and agreements during the bargaining process.
• Research, prepare and obtain costing for proposals and agreements as part the bargaining process or settlement negotiations.
• Compose, train and manage a team of employer bargaining team members.
• Coordinate with agency/institution stakeholders to develop bargaining proposals and understanding and appropriately respond to stakeholder interest and priorities.
• Independently assess need for assistant attorney general input or seeking input from other OFM teams as appropriate for proposals and settlement agreements.
• Raise awareness and share sensitive or global impact proposals and agreements with co-workers, chain of command and other teams within SHR.
  Seek pre-approval for economic or items with statewide impact from OFM leadership.
• Negotiate with labor unions to reach tentative agreements during successor bargaining and mid-term bargaining, and clearly articulate the whole and entire agreement in proper written form.
• Execute agreements and ensure that all required documentation is filed and published timely and properly and in accordance with RCW 43.88.583.
• Review draft "roll-up" of agreements and work with Labor Relations Assistants and respective union to achieve a final print-ready version of agreements.
• Develop training for stakeholder agencies/institutions for the implementation of assigned agreements. Track and respond to union information requests.
  Provide statewide guidance and interpretation for Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) assignments, often requiring historical research of intent and past bargaining activities.
• Provide representation, assistance, consultation, documentation and records, and testimony with assigned assistant attorneys general in grievance or contract mediation, grievance arbitration, interest arbitration, unfair labor practice cases or other hearings.
• Conduct pre-arbitration review meetings and/or grievance meetings for assigned area of responsibility; conduct union outreach regarding questions of contract interpretation, implementation and processing.

• At least three (3) years professional labor relations experience. This should include demonstrated ability to articulate and implement labor relations principles and negotiating strategies, including the role of the union and their business interests and goals.
• Demonstrated experience effectively managing or leading teams by using influence, collaboration, developing teamwork and demonstrating effective people interaction skills (not via command & control or hierarchy).
• Demonstrated ability to build healthy working relationships with labor organizations as well as internal teams or groups.
• Demonstrated ability to research, interpret, and understand applicable laws and their implementing regulations.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the state legislative process to include bill analysis.
• Proficient in common computer applications and ability to manage collective bargaining proposal development and use of legislative track changes in MS Word.

Desired Qualifications:

• Knowledge of WA State Government budget and operations.
• Knowledge of WA State Government Human Resources and labor relations best practices.
• Interest Arbitration Experience.
• Knowledge of personnel and practices of public employee labor organizations in WA state.
• Five (5) years professional labor relations experience. This should include demonstrated ability to articulate and implement labor relations principles and negotiating strategies, including the role of the union and their business interests and goals.
• Demonstrated knowledge of State Government budget related to collective bargaining implementation and statewide accounting principles related to employees (State Administrative Accounting Manual (SAAM), travel, pay checks, etc).

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