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Labor Relations Specialist

Posting Details

Posting Details

Job # 040865
Department Code 00000
Department Office of Human Resources
Job Title Labor Relations Specialist
Location Syracuse, NY
Pay Range $58,500 - $64,000
Pay Determination
Pay rates at Syracuse University are based on a combination of factors including, but not limited to, the job responsibilities; the candidate’s education, training, work experience and key competencies; the university’s strategic priorities; internal peer equity; applicable federal, state, local laws, grant funding and contractual requisites; and external market analyses.
Staff Level S4
FLSA Status Exempt
Hours
Standard University business hours

8:30am – 5:00pm (academic year)
8:00am – 4:30pm (summer)

Hours may vary based on operational needs.
Job Type Full-time
Campus Syracuse, NY
Unionized Position Code Not Applicable
Job Description
The Labor Relations Specialist is responsible for supporting the administration of a positive and effective system-wide labor and employee relations program that promotes the long and short-term labor relations strategies under direction. Address daily issues as they arise in the context of the collective bargaining agreements and the employment relationship for bargaining unit staff. Must be able to prioritize and address several problems simultaneously effectively. Work collaboratively with Union counterparts, supervisors, and managers. Consult with labor relations leadership to guide managers and supervisors on employee relations matters, including performance management, discipline, and termination. Collaborates with the University Leave Administrator, Office of Risk Management, and the Office of Equal Opportunity to administer leaves, reasonable accommodations, Worker’s Compensation, etc.

May assist in training for managers and supervisors. Receives and addresses grievances in consultation with Labor Relations leadership. Conducts confidential workplace investigations and prepares reports. Maintains copious labor relations records and generates reports. Works with HR and other university departments to fulfill daily duties.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in HR, Industrial Labor Relations or related field. 4-6 years’ experience in HR, or labor and/or employee relations, or related work.

Experience in labor and/or employee relations in an academic setting, desirable.
Job Specific Qualifications
  • Human Resources and/or labor relations experience, or legal experience in labor and/or employment law.
  • Knowledge of key employment and labor laws (e.g. FLSA, FMLA, NLRA, ADA, NY PFL, EEOC Regs. etc.)
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to work collaboratively, Committed to providing excellent service to all stakeholders.
  • Proactive self-starter; is adept at finding creative solutions to challenging issues. Skilled at conflict resolution.
  • Must be detail-oriented, adept at multi-tasking, able to prioritize effectively, and work efficiently in a deadline driven environment.
  • Ability to work independently but also function as part of a team. Exceptional writing, critical thinking and analytical skills.
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
  • Ability to conduct confidential workplace investigations and prepare detailed, well written investigation reports.
  • Proficiency in using PowerPoint; Microsoft Office Products, and particularly Outlook, Word, Visio, and Excel; ability to run Hyperion data queries.
Responsibilities
  • Conduct confidential investigations of employee complaints. Refer employee relations issues involving supervisory staff to Labor Relations Leadership and/or the appropriate Sr. HR Business partner. Prepare and maintain written reports of interviews and investigations. Maintain and update labor relations log. Administer Adjuncts United professional development fund requests; review, approve and track payouts.
  • Ensure compliance with collective bargaining agreements. Develop and maintain in-depth knowledge of all the CBAs of the university’s unions. Build effective relationships with university management, union representatives and also union employees. In consultation with labor relations directors, advise front-line supervisors and managers regarding issues arising in the context of the employment relationship, collective bargaining agreements, HR policy, benefits and compensation, and discipline for union employees. Timely respond to employee/supervisor/union requests for assistance and information.
  • Investigate and respond to grievances. Participate in employee orientation for new bargaining unit employees; disseminate critical information to union staff including critical policies and processes. Elevate critical departmental issues to labor relations leadership.
  • Assist with union recruitment and staffing functions including review, approve, and post union jobs and certify candidate outcomes for union positions. Ensure compliance of unionized staff in university-wide and required legal initiatives, e.g. sexual harassment training etc. Promptly escalate critical issues to the labor relations leadership.
  • Work closely with the Offices of Equal Opportunity, Risk Management, and Leave Administrator to administer and monitor leaves including PFL, Worker’s Comp, Disability etc., and implement reasonable accommodations worked out with Disability Specialist. Work with the HR Shared Services Center to respond to unemployment insurance claims. Ensure and maintain critical communication with affected supervisors and managers. Upon request, provide documentation and support in response to external complaints filed with the NYS Division of Human Rights, EEOC, NLRB, or in civil courts, as well as unemployment hearings. Work with the University’s safety specialists in implementing policies/protocols involving union staff.
Physical Requirements
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Tools/Equipment
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Application Instructions
In addition to completing an online application, please attach a resume and cover letter.
About Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings, and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and over 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience.

The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors, 100 minors, and 200 advanced degree programs offered across the University’s 13 schools and colleges; over 15,000 undergraduates and over 6,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit http://www.syracuse.edu.
About the Syracuse area
Syracuse is a medium-sized city situated in the geographic center of New York State approximately 250 miles northwest of New York City. The metro-area population totals approximately 500,000. The area offers a low cost of living and provides many social, cultural, and recreational options, including parks, museums, festivals, professional regional theater, and premier shopping venues. Syracuse and Central New York present a wide range of seasonal recreation and attractions ranging from water skiing and snow skiing, hiking in the Adirondacks, touring the historic sites, visiting wineries along the Finger Lakes, and biking on trails along the Erie Canal.
EEO Statement
Syracuse University is an equal-opportunity, affirmative-action institution. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law. This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs, services, and activities.
Commitment to Supporting and Hiring Veterans
Syracuse University has a long history of engaging veterans and the military-connected community through its educational programs, community outreach, and employment programs. After World War II, Syracuse University welcomed more than 10,000 returning veterans to our campus, and those veterans literally transformed Syracuse University into the national research institution it is today. The University’s contemporary commitment to veterans builds on this historical legacy, and extends to both class-leading initiatives focused on making an SU degree accessible and affordable to the post-9/11 generation of veterans, and also programs designed to position Syracuse University as the employer of choice for military veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve, and military family members.
Commitment to a Diverse and Inclusive Campus Community
Syracuse University maintains an inclusive learning environment in which students, faculty, administrators, staff, curriculum, social activities, governance, and all other aspects of campus life reflect a diverse, multi-cultural, and international worldview. The University community recognizes and values the many similarities and differences among individuals and groups. At Syracuse, we are committed to preparing students to understand, live among, appreciate, and work in an inherently diverse country and world made up of people with different ethnic and racial backgrounds, military backgrounds, religious beliefs, socio-economic status, cultural traditions, abilities, sexual orientations and gender identities. To do so, we commit ourselves to promoting a community that celebrates and models the principles of diversity and inclusivity.
Quick Link
Job Posting Date 04/26/2024
Application Deadline
Full Consideration By
Job Category Staff
Message to Applicants

Applicant Documents

Required Documents
  1. Resume/CV
  2. Cover Letter
Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

  1. * How did you first find out about this position?
    • sujobopps.com (Syracuse University Online Employment website)
    • Syracuse University HR Recruiter
    • Virtual Career Fair (via NYS Department of Labor)
    • SUNY EOC (Equal Opportunity Center)
    • Women’s Opportunity Center
    • Jubilee Homes
    • Syracuse Northeast Community Center
    • Interfaith Works
    • JobPlus
    • Syracuse.com
    • Chronicle of Higher Education
    • HigherEdJobs.com
    • HERC (HERC Higher Ed Recruitment Consortium)
    • InsideHigherEd.com
    • Indeed.com
    • DiverseEducation.com (Diverse Issues in Higher Education website)
    • LinkedIn Job Posting
    • Facebook
    • Job Fair
    • Search Firm
    • Referred by an SU Employee
    • Other
  2. * If "other", please describe how you first found out about this position.

    (Open Ended Question)