Senior Employee and Labor Relations Specialist

Tufts Medical Center is a world-renowned academic medical center that has been providing exceptional care across New England for over two centuries. Our clinicians are dedicated to delivering innovative, patient-centered care every day, from our primary care to our Level I Trauma Center to our leading heart transplant program and over 100 specialties and services. We are also the principal teaching hospital for Tufts University School of Medicine and a leading research institution that conducts game-changing medical and health policy research.

Job Overview

This position is responsible for developing resolutions to Employee Relations/Labor issues by providing advice, research and direction to management and employees utilizing advance skills and knowledge pertaining to employment law and labor law. Applies experience and skills in problem resolution and investigations. Effectively leads diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

Job Description

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Management, or related field.

2. Five (5) years of experience in Human Resources, Employee Relations, and Labor Relations.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Master's degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Business Administration, or related field.

2. Seven (7) years of experience in Human Resources, Employee Relations, and Labor Relations.

3. Certification in Human Resources.

Duties and Responsibilities: The duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general nature of work and are not intended to be an all-inclusive list. Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned.

1. Provides advice, consultation and direction to Leaders to resolve complex employee/labor relations issues involving a variety of areas including employee discipline/corrective action and employee appeals and the grievance process.

2. Develops and modifies Employee Relations communication programs and provides advice and support to Leaders to enhance effective communication.

3. Conducts internal investigations and prepares investigative reports.

4. Works with Leadership, Payroll and Human Resources colleagues on the interpretation and administration of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

5. Provides union contract administration including the investigation of grievances, drafting grievance responses, MOA preparation.

6. Coordinates and prepares information for grievance hearings, arbitration and administrative hearings, for example MCAD and unemployment. Serves as Tufts' witness when necessary.

7. Provides direction and support for Leave Administration issues as needed.

8. Collaborates on and advises on policy development.

9. Collaborates with colleagues to plan and organize employee recognition events.

10. Maintains collaborative, team relationships with peers and colleagues in order to effectively contribute to the working groups' achievement of goals, and to help foster a positive work environment.

Physical Requirements:

1. Professional office environment with typical office requirements such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, etc.

2. Largely a sedentary role, which involves sitting most of the time, but may involve movements such as walking, standing, reaching, ascending / descending stairs and operating office equipment.

3. Frequently required to speak, hear, communicate and exchange information.

4. Able to see and read computer displays, read fine print, and/or normal type size print and distinguish letters, numbers and symbols.

5. Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Skills & Abilities:

1. Project management skills.

2. Computer literacy required, including proficiency in Microsoft Office skills, HRIS, and Payroll systems.

3. Solid knowledge of employment law, including federal and state leave laws, ADA, FLSA, PFMLA, FMLA, Labor relations/NLRA/NLRB, discrimination laws, state laws, and JCAHO standards.

4. Interpersonal skills necessary to work as a team member and able to interact with all levels of the organization (senior management, clinical managers, physicians, etc.).

5. Strong written/verbal communication skills.

6. Ability to maintain sensitive and confidential information.

7. Ability to work both independently and as a team member.

8. Organizational and prioritization skills necessary to manage projects and multiple assignments within scheduled deadlines.

9. Ability to work with minimal direction and independently.

10. Outstanding attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and the ability to anticipate department/organizational needs.

11. Ability to lead and direct others by setting priorities for completing multiple tasks.

12. Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

13. Ability to work independently, but also comfortable asking for help/input from others where needed.

14. Comfortable with ambiguity-works to resolve open questions, can define a process to resolve ambiguity, is comfortable that the plan may change.