Labor Relations Consultant

Full job announcement on our website. Please also submit your application via the Port of Portland’s career website: https://www.portofportland.com/Careers

• Provide consultation to employees and managers on workplace conflicts, disciplinary issues, and performance improvement expectations.
  • Coach and counsel managers on how to handle employee performance issues and concerns, make recommendations necessary to prevent and/or resolve employee issues, actively manage the process, monitor and follow-up, and report on employee’s progress.
  • Conduct thorough investigations of complaints which consists of determining appropriate investigation strategies; interviewing complainants, witnesses and subject(s). Gathering information and evidence, preparing investigative reports with analysis, determining findings, and recommending an appropriate resolution.
  • Subjects of investigation may include discrimination, harassment, retaliation, theft, conflicts of interest, ethics and other policy violations, and BOLI/EEOC complaints.
  • Collaborate with HR Business Partners (HRBPs) and managers to assess, respond, and escalate employee issues as needed to ensure appropriate resolution.
  • Interpret, administer, and ensure compliance with Port policies, procedures, work rules Federal, State and Local laws and regulations.
• Assist with labor negotiations and development of the Port’s positions, proposals and counter-proposals, and strategies in collective bargaining activities.
  • Use appropriate negotiation strategies to assist in developing bargaining goals and negotiating collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) consistent with the Port’s mission, vision, and values.
  • Conduct research necessary to support CBA negotiations, prior to and arising out of the bargaining process; this includes maintaining current knowledge of labor relations trends, legal decisions, and statutory changes.
  • Negotiate and prepare Memoranda of Agreement, Understanding and Exception, along with Supplemental Agreements as required.
  • Develop, facilitate, and maintain cooperative working relationships with employee representatives, Port leadership, and department managers including coordination of joint labor-management committees.
  • Serve as liaison between management and labor representatives to communicate operational, policy, information, and other changes as related to represented staff.
• Assist management with responsibilities for the labor relations function ensuring balance of employee and management needs.
  • Respond to labor relations inquiries from employees, management, and HR colleagues related to policies, procedures, and work rules.
  • Assist management in the administration, understanding, and interpretation of CBAs.
  • Determine the appropriateness of proposed disciplinary action to address employee misconduct, and oversee the disciplinary process to ensure due process and compliance with policies, federal, state, and local laws and/or regulations, and collective bargaining agreements.
  • Conduct research, gather information, review relevant documentation, prepare for hearings, and participate in the grievance process, including union grievance meetings and arbitration proceedings, on behalf of the Port. Track and report on grievance and corrective actions.
• Support HR colleagues in the design, development, and implementation of various Port-wide programs and initiatives.
  • Assist in the development and revision of new Port policies, procedures, guidelines or processes.
  • Identify opportunities to improve HR programs and propose solutions to increase efficiencies across the team.
  • Participate in the development and delivery of labor relations and management training programs designed to advance the human resources skills of managers.
  • Research HR issues and trends, as needed, and offer constructive recommendations.