Metronorth Railroad

Director Labor Relations

Metronorth Railroad$139K — $144K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Labor Relations or related field
  • 8 years of related experience, with 4 years in a supervisory role
  • Master's degree can substitute for 2 years of experience
  • 5 years of labor relations experience preferred
  • Juris Doctorate (J.D.) preferred
  • Familiarity with MTA's policies and collective bargaining agreements preferred

Responsibilities

  • Direct and manage the disciplinary process, advising management on actions and drafting charges
  • Provide guidance on departmental responses to labor disputes and negotiate resolutions
  • Represent the Division as a hearing officer in pre-arbitration hearings and prepare cases for arbitration
  • Oversee attendance record reviews and guide managers on employee availability issues
  • Participate in collective bargaining negotiations and ensure compliance with labor agreements
  • Supervise support staff and manage the processing of disciplinary and grievance matters
  • Select, develop, and motivate department staff, ensuring career development opportunities

Benefits

  • Telework eligibility after 30 days of hire
  • Full-time employment
  • Opportunity to work within North America's largest transportation network
  • Engagement in significant labor-management relations
Full Job Description
Job ID: 12881

Business Unit: MTA Headquarters

Location: Flushing, NY, United States

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Department: Labor Relations B&T

Date Posted: Aug 29, 2025

Description

POSTING NO.

12881

JOB TITLE:

Director, Labor Relations, MTA Bus

DEPT/DIV:

Labor Relations

WORK LOCATION:

MTA Bus (College Point/Queens)

FULL/PART-TIME

Full-Time

SALARY RANGE:

$139,190 - $144,627

DEADLINE:

Until filled

This position is eligible for telework, which is currently one day per week. New hires are eligible to apply 30 days after their effective date of hire.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is North America's largest transportation network, serving a population of 15.3 million people across a 5,000-square-mile travel area surrounding New York City, Long Island, southeastern New York State, and Connecticut. The MTA network comprises the nation's largest bus fleet and more subway and commuter rail cars than all other U.S. transit systems combined. MTA strives to provide a safe and reliable commute, excellent customer service, and rewarding opportunities.

SUMMARY:

The Director of Labor Relations for MTA Bus Company performs labor-management relations functions for all Departments and Divisions within MTA Bus Company to ensure the consistent interpretation, administration, and application of various collective bargaining agreements, departmental policies, rules, regulations, and practices. The incumbent represents the Company and serves as a hearing officer at pre-arbitration hearings and actively participates in the preparation and presentation of cases at arbitration. The incumbent advises all levels of management within MTA Bus Company on employee availability issues, the drafting of disciplinary charges, and the proper responses to grievances, which includes researching and preparing written responses.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Direct and manage the Company's disciplinary process, including advising General Managers, Division Chiefs, and departmental managers in assessing appropriate action and drafting disciplinary charges; recommend and guide necessary investigations.
  • Provide advice and guidance regarding Departmental responses to contract and other labor disputes; negotiate the resolution of labor disputes within contractual parameters.
  • Represent the Division(s) and serve as hearing officer for all pre-arbitration hearings provided for under the various Collective Bargaining Agreements and agency policy where applicable; research and prepare written responses; participate in the preparation and presentation of cases at arbitration.
  • Direct and manage review of attendance records, sick documentation, and related investigations; provide advice and guidance to General Managers and other divisional managers regarding employee availability issues, including appropriate strategy and disciplinary charges, where appropriate.
  • Participate in collective bargaining negotiations and implementation of labor contracts; ensure overall and consistent application of labor relations agreements and policies authority-wide.
  • Supervise support staff and administer work. Manage and direct the timely processing of disciplinary and grievance matters and ensure timely notice of hearings and accurate system tracking.
  • Select, develop, and motivate personnel within the department. Provide career development for subordinates. Provide prompt and effective coaching and counseling. Responsible for discipline/termination of employees when necessary.
  • Review the performance of staff and c reate a professional environment that respects individual differences and enables all employees to develop and contribute to their full potential.
  • Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
  • Proven leadership skills with the ability to bridge and enhance cooperative working relationships.
  • Advanced facilitation, mediation, advocacy, and interpersonal skills to cope with conflicting points of view, function under pressure while demonstrating integrity, fair-mindedness and a persuasive, confident persona.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Excellent organizational and presentation skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with key internal and/or external stakeholders.
  • Ability to analyze complex problems and come to direct solutions through independent decision making.
  • Proficiency in drafting contractual language, grievance decisions & internal/external correspondences.
  • Strong knowledge of public sector labor law.
  • Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite or comparable applications, i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: REQUIRED
  • Bachelor's degree in Labor Relations, or a related field.
  • Minimum 8 years related experience, of which 4 years must have been in a supervisory/leadership position.
    • Master's degree may be substituted for 2 years of experience.

PREFERRED:
    • Five (5) years of labor relations experience.
    • A Juris Doctorate (J.D)
    • Familiarity with the MTA's policies and procedures.
    • Familiarity with the MTA's collective bargaining agreements

For certain assignments, candidate will be required to meet all the requirements established by the New York City Police Department to be appointed by the police Department to be appointed by the Police Commissioner as a special patrolman.

Other Information

May need to work outside of normal work hours (i.e., evenings and weekends)

Travel may be required to other MTA locations or other external sites.

According to the New York State Public Officers Law & the MTA Code of Ethics, all employees who hold a policymaking position must file an Annual Statement of Financial Disclosure (FDS) with the NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (the "Commission").

Equal Employment Opportunity

MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including those concerning veteran status and individuals with disabilities.

The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.

About Metronorth Railroad

Metro-North Railroad is a commuter railroad that serves the northern suburbs of New York City. The railroad was founded in 1983 and is owned by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). Metro-North operates three main lines, the Hudson Line, the Harlem Line, and the New Haven Line, which together serve over 85 million passengers annually. The railroad has a fleet of over 400 rail cars and operates over 700 trains per day. In addition to commuter service, Metro-North also operates several tourist trains, including the popular Fall Foliage and Holiday Express trains.
Learn more about Metronorth Railroad
Size
7,000 employees
Industry
Net Income
$100 million
Founded
1983
5 Year Trend
-5%
Revenue
$1 billion

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