Labor Negotiator

Position Description
The mission of the City of Seattle Human Resources Department (SDHR) is to provide strategic and operational human resources services that meet the City's workforce and organizational needs. Our values reflect our best thinking of how we want to act and interact with customers, consumers, partners, and each other: respect, excellence, integrity, equity, adaptability, integration, and accountability.

Within the department, the Labor Relations team works to promote and maintain labor harmony within the City's represented workforce to maintain the efficient and continuous delivery of City services to the public. We have an opportunity for a Labor Negotiator to engage with all levels of City management, including elected City Officials, representatives from other governmental, regulatory, and administrative agencies, labor union representatives, and their legal counsel. This is a wonderful opportunity to join a highly skilled, supportive team and be in a unique position that offers a city-wide lens on labor relations work.
Job Responsibilities
Your top priorities in this position will be:
Providing advice on handling difficult employee problems
Representing the City in labor-management problem resolution
Resolving complex problems of a legal nature which may be politically sensitive and have substantial cost implications for the City

Here’s more about what you’ll be doing:
Performing specialized, professional labor relations activities of a highly sensitive and confidential nature
Formulating strategy and coordinating resources to present the City’s interest in labor negotiations, mediation, arbitration, grievances and grievance arbitration, unfair labor practices, state and federal agency proceedings (PERC) and to elected officials.
Serving as chief spokesperson and negotiating labor contracts with unions that represent City employees
Interpreting collective bargaining agreements, personnel rules and negotiating mid-term changes in working conditions
Investigating step 3 grievances and recommending grievance responses and settlements to contract disputes and disciplinary actions.
Writing or reviewing discipline letters, grievance responses, last chance agreements, Letters of Agreement, Collective Bargaining Agreements, Proposals, Emails related to Labor Relations and Memoranda of Understanding
Researching, developing, and presenting training materials for supervisors, managers, City Officials, and Human Resources on labor relations issues
Participate and facilitate city wide projects and committees that address wages, hours and working conditions that effect unionized employees
Partnering with management, human resource staff and union representatives to proactively respond to business requirements, labor interests, workplace issues, and employee concerns
Qualifications
You will be most successful if you have demonstrated hands-on experience in labor relations, law, human resource investigations, litigation, or interpreting contracts. A commitment to listening, creating space for diverse perspectives, and the pursuit of equitable, inclusive, and just outcomes must be at the center of your professional practice. The ability to communicate at all levels tactfully and effectively will also contribute to your success.

Specifically, you’ll be prepared to take on this role if you have a combination of the following:
An ability to:
Evaluate, research, and make sound decisions
Work independently under limited supervision
Work under pressure with constantly evolving priorities while still meeting deadlines
Encouraging a collaborative approach to problem solving
Manage and navigate within a dynamic political environment
Lead with kindness and compassion
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Washington State Regulations governing labor relations

Experience with:
Acting as a chief spokesperson in contract negotiations, administration, and grievance resolution
Labor relations
Working in a public organization
Facilitating groups with competing interests to a timely resolution
Drafting contract language and interpreting contracts
Maintaining tact, discretion, and calm
Successfully deescalating stressful or confrontational meetings while maintaining a positive working relationship

Skills in:
Achieving amenable solutions for those with competing interests
Fostering and developing mutually respectful and trusting relationships
Written, oral, and interpersonal communication
Mediation
Additional Information
This civil service position is classified as a Strategic Advisor 3, General Government. The full pay range for this discretionary position is $59.75 - $89.61 per hour. The salary for this individual role has been identified as $83.64 hourly. This position is exempt from FLSA and not eligible for overtime.

First interviews for this position are tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, August 6 and/or Thursday, August 7, 2025. Second interviews are tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, August 13, 2025.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact Lindsey King at Lindsey.King@seattle.gov to request accommodation.

The position offers the flexibility of a hybrid work environment. The person in this role will be required to report for offsite meetings in various locations both inside and outside of Seattle. Individual schedules will be agreed on between the employee and their supervisor and are subject to change based on operational needs.

Applicants must successfully pass a background check, which will be conducted in accordance with Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17. Applicants will have the opportunity to explain or correct background information and provide verifiable information of good conduct and rehabilitation.

Individuals selected to fill this position may be eligible to receive Language Premium Pay (SMC 4.20.360), which provides a $200.00 monthly stipend to qualified bilingual employees who are properly evaluated and assigned to provide direct communication in-language, interpretation, or translation services to the public on behalf of the City of Seattle.

The City of Seattle recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. Our culture is the result of our behavior, our personal commitments, and the ways we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same. To cultivate an antiracist culture, we seek employees who will engage in the Race and Social Justice Initiative by working to dismantle racist policies and procedures, unlearn the way things have always been done, and provide equitable processes and services.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans.

APPLICATION PROCESS:
Please submit your application at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/seattle/no later than 4:00pm Pacific Time on Tuesday, July 22, 2025. To be considered for this position, in addition to completing your application fully, please attach:
A PDF of your current resume which illustrates your related skills, experience, and abilities
Cover Letter explaining your interest in this opportunity with Seattle Human Resources and capability to perform this body of work

This position is open to all applicants who demonstrate alignment with the skills and experience described above. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, ****** orientation, medical condition, or pregnancy. The City of Seattle encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences. If you have questions, please contact Lindsey King at Lindsey.King@seattle.gov.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.

United States
Washington
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