🚀 Transit Employee and Labor Relations Representative

Overview

Transit Employee and Labor Relations Representative

Summary: Are you someone who is motivated and passionate about public service and making a difference? King County Metro's Employee Services team seeks an Employee & Labor Relations Representative to serve as a trusted advisor within the department on daily employee and labor relations activities. With over 5,000 employees, 97% of whom are covered by collective bargaining agreements, you will be responsible for advising or collaborating on complex employee performance management, union contract interpretation, workplace investigations and disciplinary decisions, and employee workplace complaints. This role offers a high level of responsibility and autonomy with impact on policy making and bargaining within the Department.

Position Information

This recruitment will be used to fill one (1) Career Service and one (2) Special Duty/Term Limited Temporary (SDA/TLT) Employee Labor Relations Representative classification vacancy. SDA/TLTs are anticipated to last until 11/13/2026 and may be extended. The selection process may be used to generate an eligibility list for future Career Service (CS), Special Duty Assignment (SDA), and Term Limited Temporary (TLT) vacancies in this workgroup. The eligibility list will be retained for 12 months from posting.

Job Duties

• Routinely consult on and/or facilitate the resolution of employee and labor relations issues by working with managers, supervisors, employees, and union representatives.
• Work to resolve grievances/issues at the lowest possible level by working collaboratively within Transit Employee Services and other Metro Divisions, and externally with the Department of Human Resources (DHR) and Office of Labor Relations (OLR) to ensure program support and success.
• Ensure compliance with collective bargaining agreements through training and consultation with managers and unions.
• Consult with the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office as necessary.
• Conduct workplace investigations to determine the validity of complaints and grievances.
• Draft investigative reports, present findings and recommendations to decision-makers, and recommend disciplinary and corrective action as appropriate.
• Prepare written responses to the EEOC and other regulatory agencies regarding allegations of discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation.
• Participate in grievance hearings, either as a hearing examiner or as a management representative in support of other Department staff.
• Provide support in arbitration and mediation proceedings by researching relevant cases and providing professional labor relations advice; may serve as a partisan member of arbitration panels.
• Provide training, guidance, advice, and coaching to supervisory staff on employee and labor relations matters including performance management, policy application, investigative techniques, contract compliance, and corrective actions.
• Provide recommendations to Employee Services Management and/or King County Office of Labor Relations regarding labor strategies and management bargaining proposals.
• Draft memorandums of understanding to address labor relations issues.
• Collaborate with other HR professionals and leaders to deliver outcomes that are equitable, defensible, and best for the agency.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Three years or more of progressively responsible experience with employee and labor relations issues, including investigations, advising on performance management, interpreting and applying employment rules, and HR policies.
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field and professional-level labor relations experience in a highly unionized environment, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Advanced interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively at all levels in a collaborative team environment.
• Comprehensive understanding of labor law, collective bargaining, grievance, arbitration, and mediation processes.
• Experience providing management with labor negotiations recommendations and strategy.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to handle confidential and potentially sensitive issues.
• Commitment to equity and social justice principles.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications; public sector experience and experience with large, unionized organizations.

Preferred/Desirable Qualifications

• Knowledge of King County Metro operations, mission, and policies.
• Familiarity with government or transit agency operations.
• Knowledge of Equal Opportunity Employment laws and the ability to analyze discrimination cases.
• Experience developing strategic labor negotiation recommendations and advising senior management on labor strategy.

Additional Information

Work Location: Hybrid position; primary onsite location is King Street Center, Seattle, WA. Employees reside in Washington state and near a King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements. County provides a laptop and supports a home workspace with reliable internet during scheduled hours. Workweek is typically 40 hours, Monday–Friday. This position is exempt from FLSA overtime.

Union Representation: Not represented by a union. Class Code: , EMPLOYEE and LABOR RELATIONS REPRESENTATIVE.

EEO/Benefits: King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Benefits include medical/dental/vision, retirement, paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, flexible spending accounts, and more as described in the Benefits section of the posting.

Application Materials: Online application, resume, completed supplemental questions, and a cover letter (no longer than 2 pages) describing interest, relevant background, and an example of analyzing a complex workplace issue with recommendations.