Assistant Director of Labor Relations (Remote Opp for Oregon Resident)

University Shared Services Enterprise (USSE) is seeking an Assistant Director of Labor Relations. This is a part-time (0.50 FTE), 12-month, professional faculty position.

This position is eligible for remote work in the state of Oregon. There is available office space in Portland, but daily office presence is not required. Position will need to frequently travel between the Universities locations statewide.

University Shared Services Enterprise (USSE) provides shared finance and administration services to the seven public universities in the state of Oregon. Service offerings include labor relations and treasury management.

The Assistant Director of Labor Relations reports to the Director of Labor Relations and is primarily responsible for the management of academic employee and labor relations as well as the management of collective bargaining negotiations and contract administration, progressive discipline and grievances in a manner that supports positive and professional relationships with employees, union representatives, supervisors, managers, and administrators at Eastern Oregon University, Oregon Institute of Technology, Southern Oregon University, and, if called upon, at other Oregon Public Universities (collectively “Universities”). Secondary responsibility will include assisting the Director of Labor Relations with the same responsibilities in connection with the collective bargaining agreement in place with all of Oregon’s Public Universities and the Service Employees International Union Local 503, OPEU, and other labor and employment duties as assigned.

The Assistant Director, working in collaboration with the Universities’ Human Resource (“HR”), Provosts and/or other Offices, is responsible for overseeing or assisting with the functions of academic employment, employee relations, performance management, supervisory development and labor relations. The Assistant Director will provide strong leadership in establishing a proactive approach to academic employee and labor relations by providing or assisting with coaching and training for supervisors and managers in the areas of performance management, progressive discipline, contract application and interpretation, grievance handling and setting expectations and workplace interventions for academic employees.

Why OSU?

Working for Oregon State University is so much more than a job!

Oregon State University is a dynamic community of dreamers, doers, problem-solvers and change-makers. We don’t wait for challenges to present themselves — we seek them out and take them on. We welcome students, faculty and staff from every background and perspective into a community where everyone feels seen and heard. We have deep-rooted mindfulness for the natural world and all who depend on it, and together, we apply knowledge, tools and skills to build a better future for all.

FACTS :

• Top 1.4% university in the world
• More research funding than all public universities in Oregon combined
• 1 of 3 land, sea, space and sun grant universities in the U.S.
• 2 campuses, 11 colleges, 12 experiment stations, and Extension programs in all 36 counties
• 7 cultural resource centers that offer education, celebration and belonging for everyone
• 100+ undergraduate degree programs, 80+ graduate degrees plus hundreds of minor options and certificates
• 35k+ students including more than 2.3k international students and 10k students of color
• 217k+ alumni worldwide
• For more interesting facts about OSU visit: https://oregonstate.edu/about

Locations:

Oregon State has a statewide presence with campuses in Corvallis and Bend, the OSU Portland Center and the Hatfield Marine Science Center on the Pacific Coast in Newport.

Oregon State’s beautiful, historic and state-of-the-art main campus is located in one of America’s best college towns. Corvallis is located close to the Pacific Ocean, the Cascade mountains and Oregon wine country. Nestled in the heart of the Willamette Valley, this beautiful city offers miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, a river perfect for boating or kayaking and an eclectic downtown featuring local cuisine, popular events and performances.

Total Rewards Package:

Oregon State University offers a comprehensive benefits package with benefits eligible positions that is designed to meet the needs of employees and their families including:

• Medical, Dental, Vision and Basic Life. OSU pays 95% of premiums for you and your eligible dependents.
• Free confidential mental health and emotional support services, and counseling resources.
• Retirement savings paid by the university.
• A generous paid leave package, including holidays, vacation and sick leave.
• Tuition reduction benefits for you or your qualifying dependents at OSU or the additional six Oregon Public Universities.
• Robust Work Life programs including Dual Career assistance resources, flexible work arrangements, a Family Resource Center, Affinity Groups and an Employee Assistance Program.
• Optional lifestyle benefits such as pet, accident, and critical illness insurance, giving you peace of mind and the support you need to thrive in all aspects of your life.

Future and current OSU employees can use the Benefits Calculator to learn more about the full value of the benefits provided at OSU.

Key Responsibilities

30% Employee Relations Duties:

70% Labor Relations Duties:

What You Will Need

• J.D.; licensed to practice law in the State of Oregon or become admitted to practice law in the State of Oregon within one (1) year of hire.
• 6-9 years of labor relations experience in either the public sector or higher education.
• Experience as a first chair/spokesperson in collective bargaining negotiations.
• Experience in handling grievances, arbitrations, union organizing drives, and unfair labor practice proceedings.
• Proven track record of success in establishing credibility with major unions.
• Knowledge of Oregon’s Public Employee Collective Bargaining Act, and federal and state employment related statutes, rules, and regulations.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of employee and labor relations, collective bargaining, and employment laws; human resource theories, practices, and techniques; supervisory principles; program development and administrative principles and practices; regulatory laws that affect employment, including understanding of ADA , FMLA , Title VII /Civil Rights Act, and Title IX.
• Demonstrated high integrity, outstanding management skills, exemplary ability to build rapport and trusting relationships within USSE and amongst the Universities.
• Strong written and communication skills and demonstrated expertise in negotiating, facilitating or mediating the resolution of employment or human resource related issues.
• Communicate, work, and collaborate effectively with diverse academic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds of University staff, faculty, and students.

This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per University Standard: 05-010 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.

This position requires driving a university vehicle or a personal vehicle on behalf of the university; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a motor vehicle history check, possess and maintain a current, valid driver’s license in their state of residence, be determined to be position qualified and self-report convictions as per University Policy 05-030.

What We Would Like You To Have

• Experience in a similar position at a college, university, or university system comparable to the Universities
• PHR or SPHR certification
• Knowledge of Procedures used to investigate and resolve employee grievances.

Demonstrated skill in:

• Building strong relationships and partnerships with labor organizations and various interest groups.
• Effective written and oral communications, listening, presentation, group facilitation, influencing, and negotiations.
• Application of processes for influencing performance management.
• Effective use of mediation and conflict resolution techniques.
• Utilizing computerized systems for work processing, spreadsheet applications, and data bases to retrieve and analyze data and/or create reports.
• Effective project and time management experience.

Ability to:

• Present ideas clearly and effectively, in both oral and written form.
• Work effectively as a team member, including university staff, administrators, attorneys, and employee relations managers.
• Work independently with minimal supervision and direction, to meet deadlines, and to maintain a positive attitude while working under pressure.
• Experience should demonstrate good organization, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Work with high-level executives and officials.
• Maintain high standards of integrity and ethics.
• Manage multiple complex projects concurrently.

Working Conditions / Work Schedule

Travel and work outside standard hours are sometimes requires. Will need to frequently travel between the Universities locations statewide.

Link To Position Description

https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/position_descriptions/27071

Posting Number P08936UF

Anticipated Appointment Begin Date 07/01/2025

Posting Date 03/25/2025

Closing Date 05/15/2025

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability, protected veteran, and other protected status.