Labor and Employee Relations Specialist Job ID 2024-3558

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The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington DC. Our mission is to conduct indepth research that leads to new ideas for solving problems facing society at the local national and global level.

We bring together leading experts in government and academia from all over the world rooted in openminded inquiry and representing diverse points of view who provide the highest quality research policy recommendations and analysis. Research topics cover a full range of public policy issues in economics foreign policy development governance and metropolitan policy.

With fair and transparent business practices clear communication mutual respect and a collaborative atmosphere that offers both professional and personal development opportunities Brookings offers an inclusive and welcoming workplace that values the efforts of all contributors.

The Office of the General Counsel supports the work of the Institution through facilitating the legal and ethical pursuit of its objectives managing legal issues when they arise and serving as a resource to Brookings stakeholders.

Position Location: This position is hybrid. Hybrid positions combine regular inperson presence at our Washington DC office with the option of two days of remote work each week.

This is a oneyear termed position with an extension contingent on funding.

Ready to contribute to Brookings success

The Labor and Employee Relations Specialist is responsible for ensuring daytoday compliance with the Institutions Collective Bargaining Agreement and ongoing coordination between Brookings management and the union. The Specialist collaborates closely with Human Resources Finance and supervisors to provide guidance on laborrelated matters. The Specialist also provides recommendations on a range of employment law matters and supports collective bargaining negotiations. The Specialist serves as a subjectmatter expert for questions related to the union.

Labor Relations 50

• Coordinate the implementation of the threeyear Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
• Partner with HR and union leadership to ensure ongoing compliance with the CBA.
• Track coordination between Brookings management and the union.
• In partnership with HR investigate labor relations matters employee grievances contract disputes under the CBA and union concerns.
• Prepare reports on sensitive union matters.
• Support Senior HR Business Partners on progressive discipline approaches and in prep meetings regarding other union matters.
• Provide guidance to management on policy changes with a union focus.
• Offer wellanalyzed recommendations on relevant agreements and policies.
• Coordinate and lead labormanagement meetings and training sessions.
• Lead labormanagement issue resolution.

Employment Law Matters 25

• Participate in and advise on organizational change initiatives.
• Advise management and HR staff on labor and employment law changes.
• Review and support necessary changes to policies affecting alternative work arrangements the affirmative action program and the affiliates process.
• Assist in reviewing and standardizing policies and implementing compliance initiatives.
• Create materials and present trainings on employee and labor relations issues.

Labor Negotiation 25

• Collaborate with management leaders to develop strategies for collective bargaining.
• Shape labor policy recommendations and draft contract proposals.
• Participate as a member of the management bargaining team in negotiating changes to the CBA and associated policies.
• Coordinate resources and participate in the development of strategies related to labor negotiations mediation arbitration grievances and grievance arbitration unfair labor practices administrative hearings and legal proceedings.

Ready to make an impact In this role you will support Brookings values of collegiality respect inclusion diversity and community and bring the following qualifications:

Education/Experience Requirments

Bachelors degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience required. Minimum three years work experience; labor relations experience required. Work experience in a fastpaced professional work environment; a demonstrated ability to work with seniorlevel executives; ability to work on independent projects; superior desktop personal computer skills required. Experience in a legal department/law firm and/or professional services firm or nonprofit organization preferred. Must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.

Knowledge/Skill Requirements

Excellent written and oral communication skills; acute attention to detail; relentless commitment to followthrough; tech savvy with an ability to learn Workday and other systems; tactful and mature demeanor with ability to interact with all levels of internal and external stakeholders; demonstrate a commitment to Brookings values of collegiality respect inclusion diversity and community; high degree of professionalism with discretion and the ability to maintain confidentiality of highly sensitive information; comfortable performing administrative/logistical coordination tasks; strong project management and delegation skills; ability to think ahead and plan proactively; excellent organization and coordination skills with a high commitment to customer service; ability to multitask and meet multiple deadlines and work well under pressure with discretion and mature judgment and ability to prioritize between competing interests; selfstarter; cooperative and flexible; a demonstrated ability to work independently as well as with a team.

Additional Information

What can we offer you Brookings provides a generous benefit package that is comprehensive and includes both traditional benefits and unique offerings. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical dental and vision benefits generous time off and workplace flexibility. For more information please visit Brookings Benefits.

This is a oneyear termed position.

Brookings requires that all applicants submit a cover letter and resume. Please attach your cover letter and resume as one document when you apply.Please note: if you have applied to more than one Brookings job opening you should add a positionspecific cover letter as a separate attachment.

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for employment at Brookings.

Brookings welcomes and celebrates diversity in all its forms including diversity of experience thought and personal background. We welcome applications that reflect a variety of backgrounds based on ideology race ethnicity religion national origin gender sexual orientation gender identity or expression disability veteran status first generation college goers and other factors protected by law. Brookings is proud to be an equalopportunity employer that is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive selection decisions are based upon merit skills abilities and experience.