Manager, Labor Management and Employee Relations
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District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) provided pay range
This range is provided by District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS). Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.
Base pay range
$98,423.00/yr - $111,058.00/yr
Position Overview
The Office of General Counsel (OGC) is responsible for providing expert advice of counsel and legal representation to DCPS' Chancellor, Central Office, principals, and other school-based staff to help ensure that all DCPS students, regardless of background or circumstance, receive a world‑class education that prepares them for success in college, career, and life. Major practice areas in OGC include: Labor and Employment, General Practice, and Litigation, which includes Special Education due process litigation under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA).
The Labor Management & Employee Relations (LMER) team is responsible for supporting DCPS on a wide range of labor and employee relations matters, including but not limited to: ensuring compliance with EEO laws; facilitating the proper implementation of progressive discipline; assisting employees with workplace issues; collaborating with unions to resolve issues and address concerns; working with managers to ensure compliance with all laws, regulations, and policies; and scheduling mediations, meetings, and hearings to address grievances.
The Manager, Labor Management & Employee Relations will advance all aspects of LMER’s work, including but not limited to: advising on labor collective bargaining agreements and equal employment opportunity concerns; and supporting DCPS’s commitment to maintaining a supportive, discrimination‑free workplace environment for all of its employees and students.
The Manager, Labor Management and Employee Relations will report to the Deputy Chief, Labor Management and Employee Relations.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work being performed by this position. This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties, and/or skills required. Other duties may be assigned.
Principally, the Manager, LMER will perform the following duties and responsibilities:
- Works in conjunction with other LMER staff to ensure DCPS’s compliance with labor laws, union contracts, and equal employment opportunity laws; and independently carries out and administers the assigned functions and programs.
- Advises and trains managers on questions of union contract interpretation and compliance with labor and equal employment opportunity laws, including advising regarding the resolution of grievances and Unfair Labor Practice complaints.
- Interfaces with union representatives and employees to resolve grievances and other informal complaints.
- Assists with union contract negotiations.
- Provides advice and guidance to supervisors on mediating disputes between employees.
- Mediates disputes between employees and supervisors.
- Exhibits expert skill in fact finding and problem solving, writing and consulting to identify problems and recommend solutions.
- Assists in all tasks performed by LMER, including developing or revising guidelines and procedures, as well as establishing standard operating procedures and processes for all LMER staff.
- Assists other District government attorneys in the representation of management in all employee relations matters, civil rights and labor actions, and grievance and arbitration proceedings.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree and four to six years of related work experience.
- Master's degree preferred.
- Previous exposure to or experience in the education sector a plus.
- Written and verbal skills to communicate factual and procedural information; and ability to communicate and interact effectively orally and in writing with a wide variety of audiences.
- Technical mastery and in-depth knowledge of and skill in the interpretation of labor laws, unions contracts, EEO, and civil rights laws, including without limitation: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act, Section 504, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendments, and the DC Human Rights Act of 1977.
- Broad knowledge of laws directing DCPS programs, such as collective bargaining law, including an understanding of the underlying principles related to their enforcement.
- At least 18 months of supervisory experience or demonstrated leadership experience
- Demonstrated skill in fact-finding, analysis, problem solving, writing, and consulting to identify problems and recommend solutions.
- Demonstrated skill in conflict resolution techniques sufficient to interact in occasionally highly charged emotional situations.
- Ability to demonstrate tact and diplomacy when resolving complex employee relations concerns.
- Demonstrated experience working with labor unions.
DCPS Values
- STUDENTS FIRST : We recognize students as whole children and put their needs first in everything we do.
- COURAGE : We have the audacity to learn from our successes and failures, to try new things, and to lead the nation as a proof point of PK-12 success.
- EQUITY : We work proactively to eliminate opportunity gaps by interrupting institutional bias and investing in effective strategies to ensure every student succeeds.
- EXCELLENCE : We work with integrity and hold ourselves accountable for exemplary outcomes, service, and interactions.
- TEAMWORK : We recognize that our greatest asset is our collective vision and ability to work collaboratively and authentically.
- JOY : We enjoy our collective work and will enthusiastically celebrate our success and each other.
We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to creating an inclusive, accessible workplace. We welcome and encourage applications from individuals with disabilities. Accommodation and/or application assistance is available upon request at all stages of the application and employment process. To request accommodation, please contact
Seniority level
Associate
Employment type
Full‑time
Job function
Education and Human Resources
Industries
Primary and Secondary Education and Human Resources Services
Benefits
- Medical insurance
- Vision insurance
- 401(k)
- Paid maternity leave
- Paid paternity leave