Senior Specialist, Labor Relations - (25-P&T-500006-143)

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbent(s) in this job. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties in this description and incumbent(s) may be required to perform work-related tasks other than those specifically listed in this description. This job description is not a “contract” between the employee and the Authority. The job duties and essential functions may be changed at the discretion of the CEO/General Manager.

General

Job Title:

Senior Specialist, Labor Relations

Job Code:

P0607

Supervises Directly:

No

New or Revised:

Revised

Regular or At-Will:

At-Will

Date Last Revised:

2/26/2025

Exempt or Non-Exempt:

Exempt

Compensation Approval Signature:

Union/ Non-Union:

Non-Union

Department Name and Division:

People & Talent

Salary Schedule:

Non-Union Salary Range

Cost Center Code:

500006

Grade:

NU17

Essential Position:

No

Reports To:

Vice-President, Employment, Labor & HR Compliance

EEO Code:

Professionals

Work Format

Hybrid

Who We Are & What We Do:

At DC Water, we provide more than 700,000 District of Columbia residents and 24.6 million annual visitors with essential water, wastewater, and stormwater services. DC Water also provides wholesale wastewater treatment services for 1.8 million people in Montgomery and Prince George's counties in Maryland, and Fairfax and Loudoun counties in Virginia. We aspire to be known for superior service, ingenuity, and stewardship to advance the health and well-being of our diverse workforce and communities. To achieve this vision, we commit to our shared mission every day—exceeding expectations by providing high quality water services in a safe, environmentally friendly, and efficient manner.

Role Description:

The Senior Specialist, Labor Relations provides day-to-day contract administration and responds to labor inquiries from management and employees; establishes and maintains effective relationships with union leadership; negotiates and administers labor agreements; and confers with labor organizations on behalf of management.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

- Advises management on implementing policy changes, reviewing operational protocols, and engaging in impacts and effects bargaining as appropriate.

- Provides advice to managers and supervisors regarding personnel practices, policies, employee relations concerns, and employment laws.

- Serves as labor relations subject matter expert handling all labor relations issues arising within assigned business units, including conferring with management on developing strategy, conducting impacts and effects bargaining, responding to requests for information, and preparing grievance responses.

- Administers and interprets various labor agreements, including administering discipline and grievance procedures, and providing labor relations support during contract negotiations.

- Drafts employee corrective actions, performance improvement plans, and termination documentation for assigned employees consistent with DC Water policies, practices, and culture.

- Acts as a liaison between department managers and union representatives.

- Develops DC Water labor relations proposals and analyzes union proposals.

- Analyzes union proposals and consults with senior managers to determine ramifications and impact on DC Water operations.

- Represents DC Water during arbitration cases and at other third-party proceedings such as before Public Employee Relations Board and manage cases from inception to conclusion in consultation with Manager.

- Conducts investigations into complaints and other allegations of workplace infractions and provides written recommendations to mitigate risk and minimize legal action.

- Prepare regular and special reports.

Performs other related duties and projects assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities : N/A

Key Working Relationships: Interacts with employees and officials in the department and throughout the Authority, the General Counsel’s office; legal consultants; representatives from all levels of labor organizations.

Skills & Qualifications:

The qualifications listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and ability necessary for an individual to perform each essential responsibility satisfactorily. Reasonable amounts of training are provided.

Required Skills & Qualifications

Required Experience:

Minimum of five (5) years of experience of progressive experience in Labor Relations in a union setting.

Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and court decisions affecting labor and employment matters.

Demonstrated ability and experience conducting workplace investigations (i.e., disciplinary actions, EEO allegations, etc.).

Minimum Education Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Human Resources, Industrial Relations or Public Administration from an accredited college or university.

Required Skills:

Strong analytical, planning, and organizational skills.

Strong skills and tact to deal effectively with competing priorities

Ability to analyze facts and reach logical conclusions.

Ability to maintain effective working relationships with union officials and management team.

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Ability to utilize a computer and maintain a working knowledge of applicable software programs (i.e., Word, Excel, email, etc.).

Team Player

Required Licenses & Certifications:

None

Required Languages:

English

Physical Requirements:

General office conditions

Preferred Skills & Qualifications

Preferred Experience:

Experience in negotiation, arbitration, resolving employee grievances, and complaints, and participating in legal proceedings in matters of labor relations.

Preferred Education Requirements:

Juris Doctor (JD)

Preferred Licenses & Certifications:

N/A

Preferred Skills:

Conflict Resolution

Change Management

Legal Knowledge

Legal Proceedings

Legal Research and Writing

The work environment characteristics described in the physical requirements section of the required skills & qualifications table are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities.*

Your Experience at DC Water:

At DC Water, our people make us an industry leader. Join a group of thinkers, innovators, and problem solvers focused on protecting life’s most precious resource in the nation’s capital.

- Take pride in your work. We provide an essential service and do work that matters. A career at DC Water is an exciting opportunity to help improve the environment and make a lasting difference for the community.

- Connect to a strong culture. Everything we do is grounded in our shared values—accountability, trust, teamwork, customer focus, safety, and wellbeing.

- Be your true self. We are an inclusive organization that embraces diversity, and we recognize and celebrate employees’ individuality and unique contributions.

- Build your skills and career path. We are committed to developing a future-ready workforce by helping our employees develop skills for the jobs of tomorrow.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing

The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination against “qualified individuals with disabilities”. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please email complianceada@dcwater.com .