Penn State Job Catalog

Additional levels that exist for this job profile can be seen below.

The defined natural career progression within or between job profiles.

Labor and Employee Relations 

Labor and Employee Specialists develop, interpret, apply, and enforce employment policies, procedures, practices, guidelines, collective bargaining agreements, and labor law legislation/regulations; advise unit management, employees, and Human Resources partners; conduct investigations; facilitate conflict mediation and negotiations; conduct grievance hearings in accordance with various collective bargaining agreements; participate in grievance, arbitration, and other labor proceedings; participate with bargaining unit contract negotiation.

• Serve as a primary point of contact for workplace issues, policies, and conflict resolution; address and resolve workplace concerns promptly, ensuring fair and consistent solutions
• Advise leadership, managers, and HR partners on policy and contract application for disputes involving pay discrepancies, safety matters, harassment allegations, disciplinary actions, performance issues, layoffs, terminations, workplace conflicts, and other management/employee/labor union concerns
• Ensure the university’s policies and procedures are up-to-date and comply with all federal, state, and local labor laws; advise both management and HR partners on policy interpretation and implementation
• Lead investigations into employee grievances, complaints, and workplace conflicts; maintain documentation of findings and outcomes; recommend resolutions in alignment with university policies
• Provide guidance to managers on handling sensitive employee situations
• Develop and deliver training programs related to employee relations best practices, conflict resolution, and effective communication
• Assist with performance management processes, providing guidance on addressing performance issues and developing improvement plans
• Collaborate and consult with university partners, including Ethics and Compliance, the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access, General Counsel, and University Police
• Serve as grievance hearing officer in accordance with various collective bargaining agreements; conduct hearing and provide written decision
• Participate in grievance, arbitration, and labor/legal proceedings; facilitate attorney requests for information
• Draft contract proposals or counterproposals for collective bargaining or other labor negotiations
• Maintain accurate records of employee relations cases, resolutions, and trends; provide reports to HR leadership on employee relations matters and metrics
• Stay informed of changes in labor laws and regulations, ensuring the university’s practices remain compliant and mitigate potential legal risks
• May supervise staff members, including hiring, development, and performance management

Level:

– Advanced Professional

Base Description:

– Completes activities, tasks, and/or projects of a functional nature.

Level Summary:

– Demonstrates proficient and comprehensive knowledge of defined skill areas/applications. Applies knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures of a particular field to decision-making and problem–solving. Works under minimum supervision on varied and sometimes difficult work assignments, conferring with supervisor or subject matter experts on unusual matters. May lead others or a team in completion of complex assignments. Interprets and communicates information clearly, accurately, and persuasively. Researches and tries new approaches when solving difficult or novel problems.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– Indirect supervisor or mentor for other full–time employees
– May serve as direct supervisor for part–time, student, and/or temporary workers, volunteers, or a full–time employee

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– May validate and pay invoices
– May monitor/track budgets and funding

Problem Solving:

– Encounters generally routine problems with progressively more complex and/or varied problems
– Typically follows recommended course of action and procedures to resolve problems
– May apply specialized knowledge and skills to resolve complex and/or varied problems, with supervisor oversight
– Researches and tries new approaches when solving problems

Independence of Action:

– Works with minimal supervision on more difficult work assignments, conferring with supervisor on unusual matters
– Follows precedents and procedures
– May set priorities and organize work within general guidelines established by supervisor

Communication and Collaboration:

– Communicates internally and externally within working unit and the University
– May communicate with external audiences for business purposes
– Promotes open communication in a manner that builds relationships among team members
– Applies appropriate strategies for managing conflict; negotiate reasonable compromises; propose and evaluate possible solutions
– Interprets and communicates information, ideas and instructions clearly, accurately and persuasively both verbally and in written materials intended for distribution

• Comp Grade – 11
• Minimum – $68,200.00
• MidPoint – $85,200.00
• Maximum – $102,300.00