Director - Labor & Employee Relations

Director - Labor & Employee Relations

District Office

City Colleges of Chicago (CCC), the largest community college system in Illinois, is made up of seven colleges and five satellite sites, providing more than 70,000 students each year access to a quality, affordable education.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

This position provides district wide guidance and oversight in the field of labor relations to ensure District compliance with all policies and collective bargaining agreements, as well as federal, state and local laws and/or regulations. This position receives and investigates all complaints from the public, students, and employees relative to the areas of discrimination, sexual harassment, ethics and HIPAA violations.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plans, establishes priorities, assigns work, monitors progress and evaluates results of department activities and projects. Continually works to improve overall management of performance within the department.
• Manages staff responsible for investigating complaints, which includes but is not limited to, interviewing parties, gathering documentation, drafting a written report, and recommending corrective action. Evaluates, responds to, and resolves charges of discrimination, sexual harassment, and HIPAA complaints. Monitors and provides follow-up on complaints.
• Manages staff responsible for responding to and resolving labor relations issues. Counsels employees to facilitate proper resolution.
• Oversees and supervises pre-employment criminal background investigations and drug screening for candidates and employees in accordance with established policies and procedures. Supervises staff responsible for tracking drug screenings and background checks. Ensures that vendor contract for pre-employment criminal background investigations is approved by the Board.
• Creates and coordinates yearly, District-wide Ethics training for all District employees, vendors, and contractors, consistent with the State Ethics Act and relevant laws.
• Administers and enforces the City Colleges of Chicago Ethics policy, including resolving ethics inquiries, and interpreting the policy.
• Serves as the Chancellor’s designee and Hearing Officer for Step 2 and Step 3 grievances, and issues a written response establishing the District’s position on the issue.
• Reviews and analyzes employment records to determine the appropriateness of proposed disciplinary action, and ensure consistency and compliance with District policies, federal, state, and local laws and/or regulations. Provides advice regarding potential contractual issues and legal implications.
• Provides counsel to Administration and managers regarding the rights and responsibilities of management and employees with respect to District policies and procedures, disciplinary action, and other personnel issues.
• Recommends, researches, drafts and prepares policies, procedures, and resolutions to ensure District compliance with relevant laws, policies, and regulations. Amends and revises current policies and procedures, when necessary.
• Identifies EEO, Ethics, and employee relations training needs for the District, and develops and designs relevant training programs. Conducts training and makes presentations for Administration, managers, and employees.
• Works with Union personnel and serves as a liaison for Administration to ensure compliance with relevant collective bargaining agreements. Assists management in the interpretation and application of Union contracts
• Attends bargaining negotiations and researches issues arising out of the bargaining process.
• Serves as a member of the senior management staff of the Office of Human Resources.
• Accurately maintains confidential records and statistical documentation.
• Adheres to CCC Customer Service Excellence standards.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Direct Supervision : Labor and Employee Relations Specialist

Indirect Supervision : None

QUALIFICATIONS

• Law degree or equivalent experience working with legal issues is required.
• Expertise in the areas of employment and labor law and discrimination issues.
• Knowledge of the concepts of collective bargaining and the grievance process.
• Proven ability to maintain confidential and sensitive information.
• Must effectively gain trust, build rapport, counsel, and assess complex situations with a very high level of accuracy.
• Ability to analyze documentary evidence necessary to reach findings and make a recommendation on the issue under investigation.
• Ability to synthesize sensitive information and arrive at a fair conclusion in accordance with the District’s EEO, Sexual Harassment policies, personnel rules, and applicable law.
• Proven organizational, project management and supervisory skills.
• Must possess excellent oral and written communication skills along with proven ability to use computers to perform work activities.
• Must be able to meet deadlines in a timely manner.
• Must be self-directed and innovative, able to assess current operations in an effort to improve the future goals of the District.

Chicago residency is required for all full-time employees within 6 months of hire.

We are an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

Thank you for your interest in City Colleges of Chicago.