HR SPECIALIST (LABOR RELATIONS)

THIS IS A NATIONAL GUARD TITLE 5 EXCEPTED SERVICE NON-BARGAINING UNIT POSITION.

This position is for an HR Specialist (Labor Relations), Position Description Number T5021000 and is part of the Montana National Guard, HRO.

Selected candidate NOT required to be a member of the National Guard.

Selecting Official: Lt Col Fechter

Also advertised: MT-12544316-T5-24-249 (CAT 1-6, Veterans’ Preference DOES NOT apply) This job does not have an education qualification requirement. This position is located in the Human Resources Office servicing Army and Air National Guard employees, Active Guard Reserve and may include State personnel. Its primary purpose is to provide comprehensive labor relations, adverse action and disciplinary services. Accomplishes some of the work using an automated personnel system.

The position is responsible for labor contract negotiations and administration that include multiple contracts and multiple bargaining units within the State. Consults with all levels of management to include the State Adjutant General, State Deputy Adjutant General, Chief of Staff, Air Commander, Air National Guard (ANG) Group Commanders, and Army National Guard (ARNG) Directorate positions, to develop agency policies on and positions for negotiation to include researching potential union proposals. May serve as chief negotiator. Serves as participating member, or advisor to the management negotiating teams providing advice on developing management proposals, negotiating strategies, and when union’s proposals may be nonnegotiable under federal law and regulations. Applies a wide range of HR case law, principles, practices and regulations sufficient to perform detailed analyses and draw conclusions on complex legal issues, problems, and situations. Utilizes legal research methods, information gathering techniques, and analytical skill sufficient to locate, interpret, and analyze for applicability and appropriateness, precedent and substantive decisions, and/or legal opinions that various courts and administrative bodies have rendered. Establishes the state’s position in impasse situations including the preparation of documentary material for review by a third party. Advises management on the day-to-day administration of collective bargaining agreements. Interprets the intent of the contractual language and attempts to resolve problems that arise over application of contract provisions. Assists managers and supervisors in informally resolving disputes with union officials concerning the interpretation and/or application of the agreement. Meets with union representatives during the life of the contract to negotiate impact of new programs and policies, reductions-in-force, etc. Assists the Federal Labor Relations Authority in arranging for and conducting union certification elections. Trains supervisors in the provisions of negotiated agreements and other aspects of labor management relations.

Develops and represents the state’s position in administrative proceedings such as unfair labor practices, grievance proceedings, impasses and arbitrations. Advises all levels of management in determining appropriate procedures to follow. Conducts investigations and consults with National Guard Bureau (NGB) Labor and Management Services Division to keep them informed of the issues involved. Prepares briefs, positions papers, etc., and assists witnesses in preparing testimony. Serves as point of contact to union representatives, NGB, and management on labor relations problems. Maintains contact with operating officials in the state to keep them apprised of labor relations policies and procedures and to ensure that the supervisor’s need for formal training is identified and information is provided to the Adjutant General on any requirement for program guidance.

Provides Alternate Dispute Resolution services and advice or other non-adversarial problem solving approaches such as advocacy, mediation, interest-based bargaining, etc., for a variety of human resources problems encountered by management and employees. Resolutions offered may be non-binding but are to be in the best interest of the National Guard. This may include advice and guidance to the State HRO. Advises on Technician, AGR and State issues that are sensitive, serious or controversial. Problems involve issues such as ethics, discrimination and fraud that require special treatment due to the potential embarrassment to the activity, impact on employee morale, or subsequent impact on the group(s) involved. Provides advice and assistance to management on preparing disciplinary and adverse actions. Reviews draft adverse actions to ensure compliance with existing law, rule or regulation. Prepares necessary correspondence and documentation for appeal processes. Serves as committee and/or hearing technical advisor/representative at hearings before such bodies as MSPB, EEOC/Advisor in U.S. Courts and before National Guard hearing examiners. Provides information to supervisors and managers on counseling employees, in correcting work deficiencies and in establishing constructive work habits. Provides information on employee rights and obligations.

Analyzes facts from individual actions, reports and routine advisory services to correct existing employee relations problems or identify potential problems. Advises employees on the substance of specific personal matters such as supervisory relationships. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:
Must have 1 year experience, equivalent to at least the GS-11 level that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled.

(MUST address these specialized experiences in detail on resume to be considered for this position)