Union Labor Relations Specialist

at  Hoffman Construction Company

Position Summary: The Union Labor Relations Specialist will work with the Operations Team and will report to the Executive VP of Operations. This position serves a key role in facilitating positive relationships between local building trade labor unions, their members, and Hoffman’s affiliate companies with represented employees. The Union Labor Relations Specialist is responsible for interpreting, managing, and facilitating union collective bargaining agreements, addressing grievances, ensuring compliance with labor laws, and fostering a constructive and collaborative environment between all stakeholders. This position provides advice, counsel and support to operations management, employees, and legal team members in all aspect of labor relations, including contract administration and interpretation, grievance handling and collective bargaining. This position will support marketing and preconstruction services team members by actively tracking labor availability in geographically diverse labor markets.

JOIN THE HOFFMAN TEAM

When you ask a Hoffman employee what stands out most about the company, across the board they say, “the people”. Hoffman provides employees with the freedom and independence to solve challenges without bureaucratic second-guessing, opportunities to build the most exciting projects and amazing benefits. We provide health insurance, paid time off, a generous retirement program and highly competitive pay. We take care of each other by offering free primary healthcare to our employees and their families through our dedicated healthcare clinics. We encourage team building and giving back through community events. Hoffman is an employee-owned company, giving our employee-owners a stake in the company’s long-term success.
Headquartered in the Northwest, Hoffman has been building some of the most exciting projects in the world for over a century. We work in a wide range of markets; from urban high-rise towers and cultural projects such as museums and libraries; to advanced technology, industrial manufacturing facilities; water treatment plants; healthcare facilities and more. We have had the good fortune to build many of the region’s most significant and challenging projects, including the Portland International Airport, Space Needle Century Project, Oregon Convention Center, Seattle Central Library, MoPOP, Colman Dock, Washington Park Reservoir, Portland’s South Waterfront, Tillamook Creamery Visitors Center, Doernbecher Children’s Hospital and many more.
Our people take pride in their work, support each other above all else, and drive our commitment to exceptional construction. Many of our employees have been here for 30+ years; people often join us straight out of college/apprenticeships and stay for their entire careers. We are looking for builders with a wide range of talent to join our team; could you be the next employee of Hoffman?
Salary Range: $110,000 - $115,000 annually, depending on experience.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Position Related Skills

• Project Management skills, including the ability to work independently and collaborate with a team.
• Experience with presenting and conducting training.
• Ability to use research, analysis and consulting techniques, federal, state, and local government laws, and regulations.
• Ability to research and mine data to obtain relevant data, evaluate complex situations, develop creative alternatives, and provide recommendations.
• Demonstrate conflict resolution and problem-solving skills.
• Experience in Windows and Microsoft Office 365 (Excel, Word, Outlook, Power Point and Teams), and have a general understanding of working within a computer network.
• Highly developed visual observation and interpretation skills.
• Ability to work well and maintain a cooperative attitude through high-pressure situations.
• Excellent time-management skills and ability to multi-task and prioritize work while frequently interrupted by phone calls and questions on work in progress.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; interpersonal skills involving the ability to establish trust, mediate conflict, maintain confidence and understand social behavior and interactions.
• Ability to work with all organizational levels to influence actions and negotiate outcomes.
• Ability to travel within assign geographical area, overnight as needed.
• Patience and professionalism are essential.

Professional Experience and Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Construction Management, Labor and Industrial Relations, or a relevant field; or the equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience .
• Minimum of five years of experience in Building Trade Union Labor Relations or a related field or working with employees who are represented by collective bargaining agreements.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Standing/Walking/Sitting: workday is combination of standing, walking and sitting.
• Must be able to climb stairs: 5% of day.
• Hands/Arms: constant use of hands/fingers for mouse/keyboard/computer use.
• Sight: visual acuity in near, mid, and far range vision. Color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, hand/eye coordination.
• Hearing: sufficient to hear conversational levels in person and over the telephone.
• Speech: sufficient to make oneself heard in person, speak in front of groups, and be understood over the telephone.
• Lift/Carry: Up to 20lbs. Computer - minimal.
• Bending/Twisting: minimal.
• Kneeling/Crouching/Crawling: minimal.
• Constant mental alertness, accuracy, and attention to detail required.
• Must be able to work independently, make decisions, and follow through on all assignments.
• Must use creativity, independent judgment, and organizational and problem-solving skills to determine best method to accomplish desired results.
• Must be able to plan and organize work.
• Must possess strong organizational and computer use skills and have a high level of competency to read/write/speak English, interpret construction related documentation and communicate with coworkers.
  Application review will consider without limitation the following criteria: qualifications, education, and experience specific to the job description/duties as well as prior experience with Hoffman Construction. Applicants must be able to pass the Hoffman Drug and Alcohol test.
  Hoffman Construction is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
  This job description is intended to outline the general nature and level of work being performed by employees. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of responsibilities, duties, or skills required of the employee of this job. Furthermore, this description is subject to change at the discretion of the company, with or without notice.

• Regularly meet with management both in office and field to determine and develop a collaborative labor strategy.
• Provide end-to-end management and resolution of interpretation of the collective bargaining agreements, grievances and union requests for information, escalated union concerns, targeted leadership training and general labor relations support. Be a resource to address questions regarding union fringe benefit and sick leave programs.
• Provide advice and counsel to employees and all levels of management and affiliate companies regarding labor relations related issues (e.g., grievances, workplace incidents, employee performance management, etc.).
• Serves as the primary resource to leadership to assist with or to lead workplace investigations involving union employees.
• Serves as liaison to the organization for union business leaders to foster a collaborative working relationship.
• Works with unions to identify, develop, and administers relevant training to assigned affiliate companies.
• Participates and may lead labor contract negotiations. Leads the grievance process participating in arbitration, as needed.
• Continuously reviews labor relations policies, programs, and practices to keep the company informed of current practices and new developments; ensures that the company is in compliance with all legal and contractual labor requirements and regulations.
• Leads initiatives that align with company’s labor relation strategy.
• Maintains Labor Relations related archives and documentation.
  Salary Range: $110,000 to $115,000