Agency Description

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Department is one of the state's largest employers with over 46,000 employees that span 11 Secretariats and 70 plus agencies. From Accountants to X-ray technicians with hundreds of titles in between, we are one employer with many career opportunities. The Commonwealth is looking for leaders, thinkers, creators, and innovators. We are a diverse workforce that reflects the diverse population that we serve.

The Human Resources Division (HRD) is an agency within the Executive Office for Administration and Finance. HRD provides support to state agencies in all matters relating to the Commonwealth's classification, compensation, benefits, recruitment, training & employee development, civil rights, collective bargaining and workers compensation administration.

Duties

The Human Resources Division is seeking a Labor Relations Advisor. Duties include but are not limited to:

• Serve as Hearing Officer by conducting conferences for grievances filed by labor unions representing state employees; interpreting collective bargaining agreements and analyzing relevant facts to recommend disposition of grievances; writing Step III decisions and settlement agreements.
• Meeting and conferring with representatives of management and labor to resolve employee disputes.
• Performing research and developing reports/policies/proposals on special projects concerning a wide range of employment issues including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies with particular attention to transparency, employee privacy, fairness, accountability, and public trust.
• Participating in collective bargaining negotiations by gathering information, preparing reports, recommending bargaining strategies, drafting collective bargaining proposals, and attending negotiation sessions as a member of the management bargaining committee.
• Performing administrative functions to include coordinating grievance intake, assignment, and resolution and maintaining the grievance database.
• Acting as liaison between agencies and unions in coordinating approval/denial of union leave requests.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous labor relations/human resources experience a plus
• Demonstrated excellence in communication skills, both written and oral; excellent interpersonal skills
• Excellent listening skills
• Ability to comprehend and interpret written regulations and apply them to specific situations
• Ability to draw relevant facts from conflicting oral and written presentations
• Ability to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Facility with PC-based word-processing, spreadsheet and database software

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must have at least (A) three years of full time, or equivalent part-time, professional, administrative or managerial experience in business administration, business management or public administration the major duties of which involved program management, program administration, program coordination, program planning and/or program analysis, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.

Substitutions:

• I. A Bachelor's degree with a major in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the required experience.
• II. A Graduate degree with a major in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for the required experience.
• III. A Bachelor's or higher degree with a major other than in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required experience.

*Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.