Executive Director, Labor Relations and Benefits

Job Description

Job Title

Position Title:  Executive Director, Labor Relations and Benefits

Location: Labor Relations and Benefits

Salary: $110,000 - $155,000

Reports to: Deputy Superintendent, Labor Relations and Benefits

Bargaining Unit: N/A (non-union)

Benefits Eligible: Yes

Position Summary:

Directs and oversees the District’s labor relations program, policies, and procedures. Establishes and maintains exemplary labor-management relations, interprets collective bargaining agreements, administers grievance procedures, and assist all levels of management on labor matters. Provides consultative services to the Office of Employee Health Services (EHS) and Office of Human Resources relative to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) leaves, and United States Military leave programs, as appropriate.  Provides consultative services and represents the District, as needed on wage and hour, as well as unemployment insurance compliance matters.  Position requires the ability to periodically work an extended and/or flexible schedule to meet the needs of the District, especially during heavy negotiation periods, which may last into the evenings and may require some work on the weekend.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor Degree and in good standing with a State Bar Association required.
• Ten (10) years’ experience in the practice of Labor Law with proven experience in the practice of labor and employment law and negotiating collective bargaining agreements required. 
• Must have excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills. 
• Demonstrated experience with collective bargaining agreements and labor law in a K-12 setting preferred.

Essential Functions

Under the direction of the Deputy Superintendent, the Executive Director shall:

1. Serve as chief negotiator for all collective bargaining agreements.
2. Coordinate the development of contract proposals; reviews and analyzes existing contracts.
3. Prepares and presents frequent updates on negotiations for the Superintendent or his designees.
4. Prepare materials for staff information and implementation relative to new provisions in the agreements negotiated with all bargaining units.
5. Serve as the Superintendent’s designee in holding special conferences to inform or bring resolution to concerns relative to specified issues as identified by either staff or the union.
6. Respond to grievances filed by the various collective bargaining units.
7. Represent the district in arbitrations filed by bargaining units or individuals.
8. Represent the district in responding to charges filed through the Michigan Employment Relations Commission.
9. Represent the district in responding to inquiries from the Michigan Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division.
10. Monitor the facilitation and the implementation of decisions arising out of grievances, arbitration decisions or court determinations.
11. Prepare responses to inquiries concerning contract interpretation, Board policy, past practice and legal issues relating to employment law.
12. Confer with and provide assistance to the General Counsel and consulting law firms.
13. Provide guidance and assistance to employee relations concerning corrective discipline issues.
14. Provide guidance and assistance to human resources on employment matters.
15. Inform Deputy Superintendent and Human Resources staff of relevant legal developments arising out of Federal or State legislation, court decisions and arbitration decisions.
16. Work in a harmonious and collaborative relationship with all human resources departments and the General Counsel staff to effectuate Board policies.
17. Provide in-service to local school staff relative to the interpretation and implementation of Agreements with bargaining units along with past practice and arbitration rulings.
18. Conduct or participate in labor-related training activities.
19. Prepare material for labor-related training activities designed to improve one’s ability to carry out responsibilities.
20. Prepare reports and questionnaires when specific information has been requested by outside agencies.
21. Provide guidance and assistance to Benefits and Employee Health Services department with a focus on Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), as well as Medical and Disability-Related leave compliance, related laws, policies and administrative guidelines
22. Attend Board of Education meetings and committee meetings as required.
23. Fulfill other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Security Clearance:

Internal Applicants

If you are a current Detroit Public Schools Community District employee, you do not have to submit to a new security clearance, unless your new role requires a different type of criminal background check.

External Applicants

In alignment with Michigan law, if you are hired to fill a position, you will be required to submit to a Detroit Public Schools Community District criminal background check. Information regarding required background checks will be shared at point of hire.

Method of Application:

Applicants must apply through the online application system. Only applications submitted through the online application system will be considered for any posted position and all applications require a resume to be considered.

Successful candidates are required to submit official transcript(s) at point of offer to hire. Teaching service outside of the Detroit Public Schools Community District must be verified by the applicant's prior employer(s) prior to hire. It is the applicant's responsibility to provide all documentation (including copies) as requested.

Applicants requesting assistance during the application process should contact the Office of Human Resources via email at [email protected] or phone at (313) 873-6897.

DPSCD does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, religion, height, weight, citizenship, marital or family status, military status, ancestry, genetic information, or any other legally protected category, in its educational programs and activities, including employment and admissions. Questions? Concerns? contact the Civil Rights Coordinator at (313) 240-4377 or [email protected] or 3011 West Grand Boulevard, 14^th Floor, Detroit MI 48202.