Labor & Policy Advisor

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Job description

DESCRIPTION

If you answer YES to any of these questions this is the perfect opportunity for you!

• Are you a self-starter with an interest in labor relations and executive management?
• Do you thrive in a fast paced, team environment?
• Are you seeking a position that will make a significant impact within an agency

About the Agency & Division:
The Washington State Patrol (WSP) actively supports Diversity, Equity, Inclusion in the workplace, and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The WSP strives to create and foster an inclusive culture inspiring everyone to be their authentic selves, speak openly, and be courageous. The WSP continues to focus on equitable hiring, training, and promotional practices and policies through innovative recruitment and retention solutions. Partnering with our communities helps the WSP provide the best in public safety services now and into the future.



The Labor and Policy Office (LPO) is a unit within the Office of the Chief responsible for providing guidance to executive-level decision-making within the Washington State Patrol. LPO advises the Chief, executive staff, managers, and supervisors throughout the agency on policy decisions, risk/liability concerns, administrative issues, operations, labor relations, employment issues, and disciplinary matters. LPO also manages external relationships for the agency, including those with the Labor and Personnel Division of the Attorney General's Office (AGO), the Labor Relations Division of the Office of Financial Management (LRD/OFM), the Executive Ethics Board (EEB), counterparts in peer law enforcement and state agencies, and union leadership. Additionally, LPO serves as the agency's Ethics Advisor and point of contact for the EEB, administers all labor processes, including collective bargaining (with LRD/OFM), grievances, mediations, arbitrations, etc., and coordinates the agency's legal defense with AGO for certain matters.

DUTIES
The Labor and Policy Advisor is an Exempt Special Deputy position within the WSP. This position is responsible for providing timely and competent advice on labor relations policy, operations, risk/liability, discipline, and other related matters. The Labor and Policy Advisor must strategically assess the likelihood and magnitude of concerns, propose/recommend courses of action and policies, and effectively advocate for executive-level decisions in a diplomatic manner. The position's responsibility for providing advice covers the entire agency and has a significant impact on the agency's mission, its staff, and certain stakeholder relationships.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Advise executive staff, managers, and supervisors on agency policy, best practices, labor relations, administrative and employment issues, and disciplinary matters. Advocate for management's interests and decisions during interactions with stakeholders, LRD/OFM, AGO, and others as necessary.
• Maintain the working relationships with WSP's labor partners. Assess situations and recommend strategic actions in dynamic and politically sensitive circumstances.
• Coordinate the agency's administration and defense of certain legal matters with the AGO.
• Administer and interpret the agency's collective bargaining obligations as the agency-head designee. This includes handling mid-term bargaining, successor contract negotiations, and grievance processing and adjudication.
  • Manage the agency's relationships with approximately 22 collective bargaining units represented under eight unions and six master agreements.
  • Serve as the point of contact for LRD/OFM and AGO, and act as the agency's representative in collective bargaining.
• Ensure compliance with the agency's obligations to respond to information requests from exclusive bargaining unit representatives.
• Serve as the agency's Ethics Advisor and primary point of contact for the Executive Ethics Board. This involves teaching ethics and labor relations curriculum to agency managers and supervisors.
• Prepare, draft, edit, and negotiate certain instruments, including collective bargaining proposals in collaboration with LRD/OFM. Also, handle settlement agreements for various matters in consultation with AGO as appropriate, certain sensitive correspondence for the agency/Chief, and certain legal pleadings/briefs and affidavits for filing by AGO.
• Although the position does not act as legal counsel to the agency (a role reserved to AGO), it does function as a legal liaison for diverse legal matters, including law enforcement/criminal justice issues; constitutional, statutory, and legislative issues; employment law; administrative law; labor relations/collective bargaining obligations; regulatory compliance; and tort liability, as well as case strategy.
• Act as an appointing authority for matters of hiring, disciplining/terminating LPO staff. This includes supervising, training, delegating, and managing assigned work, as well as evaluating the performance of staff.

This is not a full-time telework position. Candidates must be able and willing to work in the office and commute to Olympia .

QUALIFICATIONS
A Qualified Candidate Will :

• Hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education in Public or Business Administration, Human Resource Management, or related field.
• Posses a minimum of five years of professional experience in legal negotiations or labor relations, including experience negotiating collective bargaining agreements and administering collective bargaining obligations.
• Possess a minimum of five years of professional experience in executive level decision-making, policy development, risk management, and practices, in the public sector.
• Show evidence of experience developing and maintaining positive and effective business relationships with stakeholders of diverse backgrounds and opposing viewpoints.
• Display strong interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Exhibit exceptional technical writing skills and expertise with state and federal laws, rules, and regulations.
• Possess a current, unrestricted, Washington State Driver's License or be able to obtain one within 30 days of employment.

What will make your application stand out? Preferred qualifications are:

• A Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school and current member of the Washington State Bar Association.
• Experience as an attorney with a municipal, county or state entity, or in private practice, with emphasis in labor relations, labor management issues, and practices in the public sector.

Why work for the Washington State Patrol?

• A healthy life/work balance by offering flexible schedules and telework options for most positions.
• An Infants at Work Program that is based on the long-term health values of infant-parent bonding and breastfeeding newborns.
• Continuous growth and development opportunities.
• Opportunities to serve your community and make an impact through meaningful work
• Employment opportunities that recognize military veterans and/or military spouse per Governor Executive Order 19-01
• Qualification for the Public Loan Forgiveness Program

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
WSP Policy 1.04.020 - WSP does not engage in, or assist with, civil immigration enforcement, therefore; In no stage of the hiring process will the immigration status of family members of the candidate be investigated by the Washington State Patrol.

Questions?
Please contact Tracy Moore via e-mail at .
Check us out on: WSP's Website Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube LinkedIn

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