The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE or Agency) is a mission-driven and dynamic organization and is seeking a Supervisory Human Resources Specialist to join its team to manage it employee and labor relations functions.

The Supervisory Human Resources Specialist will serve in the role of Employee and Labor Relations Manager. The Employee and Labor Relations Manager will possess strong organizational and management skills and bring passion for mission, team, and continuous improvement to their work. The Manager will lead a seven (7)-member team responsible for the full range of employee and labor relations functions for more than 1900 employees.

The Employee and Labor Relations Manager serves as a subject matter expert and advises management on all facets of employee and labor relations for the Agency. The Employee and Labor Relations Manager works under the policy, direction, and supervision of the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources. The Employee and Labor Relations Manager exercises full and final accountability for all matters associated with completing work assignments.

SPECIFIC FUNCTIONS OF THE EMPLOYEE AND LABOR RELATIONS MANAGER INCLUDE:

• Advises managers and employees on sensitive employee relations matters including performance and conduct issues.
• Oversees the administration of disciplinary actions for employees, advise and assist mangers in determining appropriate level of discipline for corrective and disciplinary actions.
• Manages administration of labor contracts; provides interpretation of labor contracts to managers, employees and human resources staff; oversees processes for review and resolution of employee grievances.
• Oversees the workplace investigatory process including the investigation of sexual harassment allegations.
• Provides assistance to legal counsel in responding to complaints and third-party proceedings, including Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, DC Office of Human Rights, and National Labor Relations Board charges.
• Maintains current knowledge of employee and labor relations trends, legal decisions, and statutory changes; conducts research necessary to support contract negotiations and employee relations. Uses appropriate negotiation strategies to develop bargaining goals and negotiate contracts consistent with the Agency’s mission, values and goals. Manages the employee relations team to provide guidance to management staff by contract interpretation, investigation and advice on a full range of employee relations matters including informal and formal grievances, progressive disciplinary process, conflict resolution, and employee assistance referrals.
• Facilitates on-going communication and working relationships with employee representative organizations including coordination of joint labor-management committees.
• Provides information, advice and assistance to managers and staff regarding application of District government regulations, policies and employee relations practices relating to their functional areas.
• Acts as a member of the Human Resources leadership team and participates in setting the direction of human resources support activities for the Agency. Develops and recommends to the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources policies and procedures concerning employee relations and personnel practices.
• Supervises staff. Hires, evaluates, and trains staff as necessary.
• Building capacity on the team by setting expectations for and coaching current and emerging leaders, strengthening collaboration and alignment of the human resources leadership team members, and ensuring intentional professional development for entire team.
• Participates in the development and delivery of management training programs designed to advance the human resources skills of the Agency management staff.

KEY QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, human resources, industrial psychology or equivalent specialized work experience.
• Experience must include leading contract administration, grievance processing, performance management and disciplinary activities, as well as facilitating on-going communication and working relationships with employee representative organizations and other stakeholders.
• Practical application of collective bargaining and employment laws.
• Effective use of mediation and conflict resolution techniques.
• Strong organization and project management skills, with the ability to dig into details of numerous dependencies and delegate as appropriate.
• Ability to deal with ambiguity, prioritize and multitask effectively in a fast paced, confidential environment with competing priorities.
• Demonstrated customer service mindset with an unrelenting focus on being resourceful and creative to find a solution to any challenge.
• Ability to articulate a vision and inspire others to follow.
• Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills, facilitation expertise, and indirect management experience.
• Familiarity with operating in a mid-to-large size organization or government environment is strongly preferred.
• Strong work ethic and highest level of integrity.

Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) – Who We Are

OSSE is focused on sustaining, accelerating and deepening the progress being made for the District’s 90,000+ students. As the state education agency, OSSE serves as the District’s liaison to the US Department of Education and works closely with the District’s 470+ early childhood facilities, 250+ schools, 60+ local education agencies (including the District of Columbia Public Schools and charter organizations), and community-based organizations.

Over the years, OSSE has worked hard to improve systems and supports to help close the achievement gap and ensure people of all ages and backgrounds are prepared to succeed in school and in life. DC remains the fastest improving state and urban school system in the country on the National Assessment of Educational Progress, also known as the Nation’s Report Card.

Salary: This position is a grade 13 on the District government’s management supervisory service salary scale. The salary ranges from $99,513 to $139,318. Actual salary is determined by a variety of factors including available funding, years of experience, applicant qualifications, internal equity comparisons, and organizational structure.

Application Process: This position is posted on the DC government’s Department of Human Resources (DCHR) website. Interested applicants are encouraged to follow the steps below to apply for the position:

• Click on the following link:
• DCHR Careers
• In the Search Jobs section, enter 28276
• Click on the job requisition entitled Supervisory Human Resources Specialist (Payroll and Compliance)

If you are having technical issues, please contact DCHR at (202) 442-9700.