Director of Employee & Labor Relations

Director of Employee & Labor Relations

Permanent

People & Culture

Union of Concerned Scientists

Remote

Bargaining Unit Position: No

Our Organization

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) is an independent nonprofit that puts rigorous, independent science into action, developing solutions and advocating for a healthy, safe, and just future. We envision a peaceful, healthy, and just world where science serves people and the planet by guiding policy decisions, reducing risks, and improving lives.

For over five decades, we have been working as scientists, engineers, economists, advocates, and everyday people to create and advocate for innovative, practical solutions to some of our planet’s most pressing problems—from combating global warming and developing sustainable ways to feed, power, and transport ourselves, to fighting disinformation, advancing racial equity, and reducing the threat of nuclear war. Values informing our work include:

• Science in the service of people and the planet.

• Justice and Equity for people of all races and incomes—now, and for future generations.

• Courage to take principled, science-based stands in the public arena.

• Integrity to always examine evidence critically, openly, and honestly.

• Democracy to promote a voice for all in government decisions.

• Action inspiring and mobilizing people to build a healthier, safer, and more just world.

UCS’s People & Culture Program

The Director of Employee and Labor Relations (DELR) at the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) is part of the People & Culture (P&C) department. The DELR reports to the Senior Director of People & Culture and collaborates with the Chief Finance & Administrative Officer (CFAO) to lead the delivery of the full suite of Employee and Labor Relations (ELR) functions. This role is responsible for planning and managing UCS in alignment with strategic initiatives and provides guidance to managers on all employee and labor relation matters. Additionally, this role ensures compliance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), all relevant employment and labor laws, the National Relations Labor Board (NLRB), and organizational policies.

UCS employees center all their work on UCS’s core values of racial equity and environmental justice. They work collaboratively to ensure the effective operations of the program/department, center anti-racism and equity in internal and external work, and foster a welcoming, inclusive, and transparent environment where all staff can thrive and grow.

Responsibilities

Oversee all aspects of employee labor relations.

• Administer labor agreements to foster positive relationships with the UCS labor union.

• Offer guidance and policy interpretation to managers on employee and labor relations matters.

• Maintain high performance standards in employee-management relations and handle employee inquiries.

• Collaborate with managers and supervisors to address employee misconduct, policy violations, and conflict resolution for all bargaining unit employees, ensuring effective discipline management and adherence to organizational standards.

• Responsible for all updates related to bargaining unit certifications, petitions, and posting notices within the required contractual timeline.

• Ensure job descriptions are accurate and compliant with UCS policies and the CBA.

• Ensure the organization’s disciplinary process remains in compliance with the current collective bargaining agreement (CBA) for all collective bargaining unit members.

• Collaborate with all managers to ensure compliance with relevant regulations and standards regarding members of the collective bargaining unit.

• In collaboration with the Sr Director of People and Culture, provide strategic direction for compliance with CBA across all programs and departments.

• Evaluate contracts and agreements for compliance with regulations and contractual terms.

• Represent UCS before state and federal boards, mediators, and arbitrators.

• Lead grievance and arbitration processes.

• Resolves disputes, grievances, and complaints for bargaining unit members that are referred to in the P&C Department.

Provide/Support leadership by

• Developing programs to improve employee engagement and morale.

• Collaborating with leadership on short-and long-term employee relations planning.

• Providing information on labor legislation and market conditions for contract reviews.

• Developing and implementing employee relations policies to enhance operations and communications.

• Lead all internal investigations and performance improvement plans (PIP), including written and verbal performance actions, and advise on investigatory meetings related to potential discipline for all bargaining unit employees.

• In collaboration with the Senior Director of People & Culture, provide support on all terminations, layoffs, voluntary and involuntary, for union members.

• Partner with the Director of People Operations or their designee on any changes to employer benefits, including 403(b) plans, personnel policy development, and implementation, in consultation with the union.

• Other Duties as Assigned

People Management Authority

No Supervisory responsibilities.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Education And/or Experience

Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) or equivalent in human resources management or a business-related field is preferred; seven years of progressively responsible experience in human resources management and employee-labor relations, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Language Skills

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, training outlines, needs assessments, operational manuals, policies, and procedures. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the public.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to define and articulate problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• SPHR or SHRM-SCP certification preferred.

Other Skills, Abilities, Qualifications

• Acceptance and application of the confidential nature of the position.

• Extensive knowledge of state and federal labor laws and regulations, with exposure to a broad range of P&C functions, including compensation, leaves, benefits, workers’ compensation, employee relations, and training.

• Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, and achieve goals successfully.

• Strong presentation, consulting, customer service, and management skills.

• Strong communication (verbal and written), decision-making, interpersonal conflict resolution, and time management skills, including active listening and assessing.

• Supports and advances UCS’s commitment to Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.

• Must be detail-oriented, well-organized, and meticulous in completing all assigned work.

• Ability to handle shifting priorities in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and database software.

• Experience working with diverse teams.

• Commitment to the organization’s mission, goals, and philosophy

Comparable training and/or experience may be substituted for degrees when appropriate.

Physical Requirements

Little to no exertion is required but may involve extended periods at a computer.

Work Schedule

The typical schedule is 9 AM -5 PM based on local standard time

Travel Requirements

Domestic travel may be required at least once or twice per year for team/organizational meetings or as needed to attend to Employee Relations Matters.

UCS is an equal opportunity employer actively seeking to diversify its staff. We’re dedicated to broadening opportunities for individuals from demographic groups that are historically underrepresented in the sciences and in environmental advocacy. We’re also committed to building an inclusive workplace culture where talented people of widely diverse backgrounds can thrive. We believe the inclusion of culturally diverse perspectives will improve our work and produce better societal and environmental outcomes for all, including historically disenfranchised communities.

Details

This is a full-time remote position based. For those who meet all position requirements, the salary is $151,661.04. UCS offers excellent benefits and a rewarding work environment. *CA Resident Only, we offer a 12% salary differential*

Information about the organization is available at http://www.ucsusa.org.

Comparable training and/or experience can be substituted for degrees when appropriate.

More about the team:

Our team is made up of a dedicated group of researchers, scientists, communicators, campaigners, and advocates from wide-ranging backgrounds and experiences. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and a collaborative and supportive work environment where all staff can thrive. We continually strive to create an environment which is a welcoming place for the LGBTQ+ community, people of color, parents, empty-nesters, and people with a wide variety of interests and backgrounds.

To Apply: We know there are great candidates who won’t check all of these boxes, and we also know you might bring important skills that we haven’t considered. If that’s you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself. Please upload a cover letter and resume. In the cover letter, please confirm that the listed salary meets your expectations. Upload materials in Word or PDF format only. No phone calls, please.

This position is NOT in the bargaining unit.

Covid Mandate for New Hires:

For in office roles, UCS employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Employees are considered fully vaccinated as defined by the CDC. All new hires who will be reporting to an office location must provide notice of their vaccination status and vaccination documentation, on or before their first day of work. For all others, UCS strongly encourages full vaccinations among its employees, up to and including booster shots, even if working remotely.

All new employees must comply with the mandatory vaccination requirements outlined in UCS policies as soon as practicable. The Union of Concerned Scientists will notify candidates for employment of the requirements of this policy before the start of employment.

Deadline: Until filled.