SENIOR LABOR MEDIATOR 0918

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

An employee in this class oversees the operation of the Labor Mediation Unit of the Suffolk County Department of Labor, which seeks to effect settlements of labor disputes within the County and to prevent conflicts by identifying potential problems and attempting resolution before full escalation. To further these objectives, the incumbent arranges and conducts separate and joint conferences with labor and management representatives. Work may require long and irregular hours while negotiations are in progress. General and direct supervision is exercised over the unit, which may consist of Labor Mediators, Labor Mediator Trainees and a clerical support staff. Work requires independent initiative and judgment, and is reviewed by the Commissioner of Labor or a delegated administrator for conformance with accepted labor practices and policies. Does related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES

Coordinates the work of the Labor Mediation Unit and oversees its activities;

Arbitrates complex issues and distributes binding awards involving employers and labor unions;

Establishes and maintains relationships with local employers and labor unions to ascertain potential areas of conflict and to be cognizant of possible, actual or pending disputes that threaten the satisfactory progress of collective bargaining prior to, on, or soon after a contract termination date;

Arranges and conducts separate or joint meetings with opposing labor and management representatives to mediate disputes and develop solutions;

Prepares detailed analyses and status and progress reports on the unit’s negotiations, hearings and other labor relations matters;

Serves as advisor and consultant to both labor and management for labor-related issues and at various stages of mediation;

Serves as hearing officer and arbitrator;

Conducts representation and ratification elections;

Administers the activities of the Suffolk County Public Employment Relations Board (PERB), and serves as liaison with its attorney.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

Comprehensive knowledge of the American system of negotiated settlements in labor-management disputes; comprehensive knowledge of mediation and arbitration procedures; comprehensive knowledge of labor laws, the Taylor Law, Civil Practice Laws and Rules, and cost of living indices, particularly as they apply to Suffolk County; thorough knowledge of recent developments, current literature and sources of information pertinent to the field of labor relations; ability to assemble and apply background information collected via systematic research and interviews; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with representatives of both management and labor; ability to analyze complex problems and to arrive at sound conclusions acceptable to all parties concerned; ability to provide supervision in a manner conducive to full performance and high morale; ability to express oneself clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; tact; impartiality; credibility; physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

OPEN COMPETITIVE

a) Graduation from a New York State or regionally accredited college or university with a Master's Degree in Labor and Industrial Relations, and five (5) years of full-time experience personnel administration or labor and industrial relations, three (3) years of which must have been spent as a direct and active participant in collective bargaining, mediation, arbitration or representation of management or labor in the settlement of grievances or disputes; or,

b) Graduation from a New York State or regionally accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration or a related field, and seven (7) years of full-time experience in personnel administration or labor and industrial relations, three (3) years of which must have been spent as a direct and active participant in collective bargaining, mediation, arbitration or representation of management or labor in the settlement of grievances or disputes; or,

c) An equivalent combination of education and experience as defined by the limits of (a) and (b).

PROMOTIONAL

Two years of permanent competitive status as a Labor Mediator.

01/01/02

SUFFOLK COUNTY

Competitive

RR1/28/03