Assistant Director of Employee Relations

Job Description:

As part of Counsel's Office, the System Office of Employee Relations represents the University in its relations with unionized employees. We serve 29 campuses and System Administration in the development and implementation of employee relations policy and practice. This position coordinates campus involvement in the bargaining process and communicates regularly with campuses regarding their rights and responsibilities under collective bargaining agreements, and related statutes, rules, regulations and case law. The incumbent serves as the Chancellor's representative in hearing appeals of disciplinary and contract grievances pursuant to the collective bargaining agreements, and coordinates the defense of improper practice charges before the Public Employment Relations Board. The incumbent also represents the State-operated campuses in the expedited disciplinary arbitration process for all CSEA represented employees.

Specific Duties and Responsibilties:

Under the general direction of the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Employee Relations, the Assistant Director of Employee Relations performs the following:

• Supervises the administration of six collective bargaining agreements (with CSEA, PBANYS, NYSCOPBA, PEF), and the application of the Civil Service Law Rules, Regulations and Procedures relating to terms and conditions of employment of employees in the classified service.
• Serves as the University's representative in the administration of the grievance procedures (contract, non-contract and disciplinary) affecting classified service employees.
• Serves as a hearing officer in such proceedings, mediates disputes, develops and executes dispute settlement agreements and renders decisions which are binding upon campus managers.
• Serves as the University's representative in the expedited disciplinary arbitration process for all CSEA represented employees.
• Advises campus officers on union contract interpretation, dispute resolution, disciplinary matters and other campus employee relations matters as required. This includes guiding campus designees in the preparation of grievance decisions.
• Serves as liaison to advocate campus and SUNY positions to various external constituencies including unions, Department of Civil Service, Governor's Office of Employee Relations, etc.
• Assists counsel from the Governor's Office of Employee Relations, SUNY Counsel's Office and Attorney General's Office in the preparation of contract and disciplinary arbitrations, improper practice charges before the Public Employment Relations Board, Civil Service Department hearings and other litigation.
• Serves as the University representative to statewide committees such as the CSEA and PEF Statewide Labor/Management Committees, the Statewide Clerical Advancement Committee, NYS/CSEA Partnership for Education and Training, the PEF Nursing Issues Committee and other joint labor-management ventures.
• Advises campus level labor relations designees.
• Provides assistance and training to campus officers as they develop and implement policies and programs such as attendance control, employee assistance, safety, clerical advancement, performance evaluations, counseling and discipline, etc.
• Coordinates lay-off activities of campuses for classified service employees.
• Assists the Assistant and Associate Vice Chancellors of Employee Relations on special tasks and projects as required.

Requirements:

Required Qualifications:

• Admittance to the NYS Bar

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience practicing public sector labor law in New York State preferred; or experience working in a unionized environment

Additional Information:

• Salary is dependent on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, experience, education, training, and certifications. The range for this position is $92,000-$115,000 annually.
• The posted salary range reflects the minimum and maximum target for this position. Individual starting salaries are determined based on a variety of factors, including relevant experience, skills, qualifications, and internal equity. While the full range is provided for transparency, starting salaries generally fall near the entry to midpoint of the range. Salaries at or near the top of the range are rare and reserved for candidates who exceptionally exceed all posted requirements.
• Excellent Benefit Package which includes: NYS health insurance, free dental and vision coverage, competitive retirement options, tuition assistance, parental leave at full pay, and generous vacation, sick, and holiday time. 13 days of paid holidays per year; 21 days of vacation, and 21 days of sick time accrued each year. Please see our MC benefits summary for additional information.
• Management/Confidential appointments work under the leadership and discretion of the appointing authority and are not represented by a union.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. VISA sponsorship is not available for this position.

Application Instructions:

Interested candidates are invited to apply online. Please submit a cover letter, resume, and four professional references when applying. The review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Bargaining Unit:

MC

*Faculty and/or Professional:

Professional

PRODIG+ Indicator:

Executive Position Indicator: