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 personnel policies, procedures, practices, guidelines, collective bargaining agreements, and labor law legislation/regulations. Specialist responsibilities involve advising unit management, employees, and Human Resources personnel; conducting investigations; facilitating conflict mediation and negotiations; conducting hearings; participating in grievance, arbitration, and unfair labor practice proceedings; and participating on bargaining unit contract negotiation team.

• Develop, interpret, apply, and enforce personnel policies, procedures, practices, guidelines, collective bargaining agreement provisions, and labor law legislation/regulations; ensure management compliance and consistent application; as needed, collaborate and consult with University partners, including Ethics and Compliance, Affirmative Action, General Counsel, and University Police.
• Advise unit management, unit Human Resources representatives, and other unit personnel on policy and contract application to disputes involving pay discrepancies, safety matters, harassment allegations, disciplinary actions, performance issues, layoffs, terminations, workplace conflicts, and other management/employee/labor union concerns
• Investigate and evaluate grievances; determine grievance credibility and viability; mediate, negotiate, and recommend resolutions
• Serve as grievance hearing officer; conduct hearing and provide written decision
• Participate in grievance, arbitration, and unfair labor practice proceedings; facilitate attorney requests for information, gather and organize evidence
• Draft contract proposals or counterproposals for collective bargaining or other labor negotiations
• Ensure case management system entries are up to date
• Develop, prepare, review, and present training programs for staff, managers, and HR professionals
• Manage wage payroll and union dues/billing for Union
• Ensure programs, policies, and procedures support and enhance the goal of achieving a diverse workforce
• May supervise staff members, including hiring, development, and performance management

Level:

– Principal Professional

Base Description:

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

Level Summary:

– Displays mastery of defined skill areas/applications, principles, theories and practices. Evaluates and enhances existing practices. Recognizes emerging trends in area of expertise. Works independently on complex or strategic assignments. Directs and delegates appropriate tasks to others. Implements strategies to ensure achievement of initiatives. Prepares written and/or verbal presentations or proposals on complex issues and deliver to broad audiences. Identifies and implements innovative solutions to important, highly complex strategic and/or operational issues.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– Indirect supervisor 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:

– Validates and pays invoices
– Monitors and tracks budgets and funding
– May plan and forecast budgets

Problem Solving:

– Encounters complex and novel problems
– Applies policies, practices, specialized knowledge, and skills to resolve problems
– Understands benefits, limitations, and impact of potential solutions
– Anticipates potential problems and recommends possible solutions within general guidelines

Independence of Action:

– Works independently on complex or strategic assignments
– Uses existing practices as guidelines as well as working knowledge to determine specific work methods
– Carries out work activities independently, with supervisor available to resolve problems
– Reviews work of others to verify technical soundness

Communication and Collaboration:

– Communicates with both internal and external audiences
– Collaborates closely with team members and area leads across the University
– Prepares written and/or verbal presentations or proposals on complex issues and delivers to a broad variety of audiences
– Establishes and maintains networks to facilitate successful communication among units

• Comp Grade – 13
• Minimum – $86,300.00
• MidPoint – $107,900.00
• Maximum – $129,500.00