Job DescriptionAbout the OpportunityThis is a position within FirstEnergy Service Co., a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp.
Position SummaryThe Labor Relations Representative serves as a strategic liaison between the electric utility and its unionized workforce, supporting lead negotiators in maintaining constructive labor-management relations. This role ensures compliance with collective bargaining agreements, facilitates grievance resolution, and contributes to negotiations that support operational reliability, safety, and regulatory compliance. The representative works closely with field operations, generation, transmission, and distribution teams to align labor strategies with business needs.
Key Responsibilities- Serve as the contact for union representatives and employees regarding labor-related matters across utility operations, including regulated generation, transmission, distribution, and customer service.
- Interpret and administer collective bargaining agreements (CBAs), ensuring compliance with contractual obligations and alignment with operational goals.
- Support lead negotiators to prepare for bargaining sessions by compiling operational data, drafting proposals, and conducting cost impact analyses.
- Assist in grievance resolution, investigations, and disciplinary actions in accordance with CBAs and company policies, with a focus on safety-sensitive environments.
- Collaborate with operational leaders to address workforce planning, shift schedules, and work rule interpretations that impact service reliability and regulatory compliance.
- Provide training and guidance to supervisors and managers on labor relations policies, contract administration, and union engagement strategies.
- Monitor labor trends, legislative developments, and regulatory changes (e.g., NERC, FERC, OSHA) that may affect labor relations and recommend proactive strategies.
- Maintain accurate records of grievances, arbitration outcomes, labor activities, and negotiated agreements.
- Participate in union-management committees and joint initiatives focused on safety, workforce development, and operational excellence.
Qualifications- Level III- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Business Administration, or related field (Master's preferred).
- 4-7 years of experience in labor relations within a unionized environment, preferably in the utility, energy, or industrial sectors.
Level IV- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Business Administration, or related field (Master's preferred).
- 7-10 years of experience in labor relations within a unionized environment, preferably in the utility, energy, or industrial sectors.
Skills, knowledge, experience and responsibilities increase with levels
Preferred Skills- Experience working with utility unions such as IBEW, UWUA, or other trade-specific labor organizations.
- Knowledge of utility-specific regulatory frameworks (e.g., FERC, NERC, PUCO) and their impact on labor practices.
- Experience supporting multi-union environments and large-scale bargaining units.
- Proficiency in HRIS systems and labor analytics tools for tracking grievances, arbitration, and workforce trends.
- Certification in Labor Relations or HR (e.g., SHRM, CLRP) is a plus.
Benefits, Compensation & Workforce Diversity At FirstEnergy, employees are key to our success. We depend on their talents to meet the challenges of our changing business environment. We are committed to rewarding individual and team efforts through our total rewards philosophy which includes competitive pay plus incentive compensation, a company-sponsored pension plan, 401(k) savings plan with matching employer contribution, a choice of medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, and life insurance programs, as well as skills development training with tuition reimbursement. Please visit our website at www.firstenergycorp.com to learn more about all of our employee rewards programs.
Safety Safety is a core value for FirstEnergy and is essential to all of our business activities. We ensure employees have the tools, information, and processes to perform their duties in a manner that assures safety for themselves, their co-workers, our customers and the public. Our goals are to provide a safe work environment, to maintain an accident-free, injury-free workplace, and to promote and maintain public safety. To meet these goals, we dedicate ourselves to achieving world-class safety standards.
