Under the direction of the VP-HR, the Director of Employee/Labor Relations position is responsible for assisting with managing comprehensive employee and labor relations for the Office of Human Resources at Bellevue College.  Position duties include, but are not limited to, participation in the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements (CBA); CBA administration and interpretation; providing guidance and assistance to HR team members, supervisors, and managers on employee related issues; overseeing employee benefits administration; and managing and administering organization-wide employee and labor relations that supports the mission and the goals of HR and Bellevue College.

The Director of Employee/Labor Relations will provide direction and guidance in any, some, or all of the following depending on the specific assignment: corrective and disciplinary action, classification; compensation; recruitment; training and development; interpretation and application of laws, rules, policies and procedures; appeals, grievances or unemployment hearings; performance management; program and policy development; performance reviews; career counseling; organizational analysis and development; employee  recognition; or other functions relating to human resource management.

Annual Salary Range: $87,469 - $126,878. 

Annual salary will be commensurate with candidate's qualifications and related experience. 

We offer comprehensive compensation package with salary and benefits as the main components. Generous benefits package is offered through Washington State plans that includes multiple medical, dental, life and disability coverage choices for employees and dependents; choices of retirement and deferred compensation plans; paid holidays, sick, and vacation plans; transit program, reduced tuition, employee discounts and memberships, etc.

The employee is scheduled to work 40 hours per workweek. This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act, which means that you are not eligible for overtime pay. 

Bellevue College is a diverse student-centered, comprehensive and innovative college, committed to teaching excellence that advances the life-long educational development of its students while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of its diverse community. Bellevue College is located just 10 miles east of Seattle where we serve a student population of over 54% students of color and over 1,300 international students. The college promotes student success by providing high-quality, flexible, accessible educational programs and services; advancing pluralism, inclusion and global awareness; and acting as a catalyst and collaborator for a vibrant region.

We strive to create a vibrant and inclusive campus community that supports a diverse student body, faculty and staff. As an essential part of our mission and goals, diversity, equity and pluralism are promoted and fostered in all aspects of college life. By enriching student life through leadership opportunities, personal learning and cultural experiences, we are committed to building an inclusive and diverse campus community that fosters creativity, innovation and student success.

For more information, visit BC Facts at a Glance @ Bellevue College.

The Office of Human Resources is a dynamic and dedicated office that integrates strategic human resources management, pay and position administration, and process improvement to build and support a fully engaged, diverse workforce environment to meet the goals and mission of Bellevue College.  Our staff strives to make Bellevue College the Employer of Choice by creating and fostering an environment which allows the College to attract, hire, and retain the best people.

Labor Relations

• In partnership with VP-HR, manages and oversees administration of collective bargaining agreements (CBA) and provides interpretation of CBAs to managers, employees and other HR staff.
• Oversees processes for review and resolution of grievances.
• Advises supervisors, managers and employees on sensitive labor relations matters, performance issues and disciplinary actions.
• Advises, guides, and assists managers in identifying issues and determining appropriate course of action. 
• Serves as the HR lead in CBA negotiation process.
• Assists in the development of overall strategy for bargaining, collaborates with bargaining team members to create proposals, establishes procedures and communication channels between the bargaining team, Executive staff, and other appropriate parties, and ensures affected BC constituents are involved and informed about the status of the bargaining process.
• Advises and counsels supervisors, managers, and HR team members on labor relations issues and the consistent application of collective bargaining agreements provisions.
• Prepares information for and represents departments and/or the College in grievance meetings, mediations, arbitrations, demands to bargain, fact-findings, representation hearings and other administrative hearings.
• Prepares memoranda of understanding and written responses to requests for information.
• Listens, summarizes and reports on status of grievances investigations and resolutions and other labor relations actions.
• Maintains collaborative working relations with supervisors, managers, labor representatives; and serves as facilitator in resolving labor management issues.
• Mentors HR Business Partners in labor relations and resolution of employee relations issues.

Employee Relations

Under the direction of the VP-HR, responsible for employee relations including, but not limited to: 

• Provides advice, guidance, and counsel to management and employees regarding work place problems and disagreements, performance management, workplace climate, techniques for motivating employees, and compliance with College policy and state and federal rules and laws.
• Investigates, recommends and represents the College at appeals and hearings.
• Conducts investigations into alleged employee misconduct and prepares and/or assists supervisors in the preparation of documentation for response.
• Provides interpretation, information and advice regarding, college policies and procedures, collective bargaining agreements, Washington Administrative Code, Revised Code of Washington, Title IX, Title VII, EEO, ADEA, FLSA, EPA, and other rules and regulations that may impact the College.
• Assist the VP with responding to legal issues.
• Drafts responses to EEOC, Washington Human Rights Commission, and other regulatory agencies.
• Collaborates with HR team members responsible for reasonable accommodation, disability issues and medical leave.
• Ensures timely and accurate communications is disseminated vertically and/or horizontally across the organization as needed. 

Special Projects

• Oversee the development and coordination of a comprehensive employee onboarding program.
• Supervise, coach, develop, and lead the Department Coordinator in onboarding program development and activities.
• Organizes and supports special programs and projects.
• Monitors programs/projects as they relate to departmental goals.  
• Collaborates on various problem solving, research, and solution recommendations.
• Assists with the development and execution of area goals and objectives.
• Researches information, compiles statistics, gathers, computes and analyzes various data. 
• Prepares special reports, summaries or replies to inquiries.
• Researches and assists in implementing “best practices” internally and with College; researches and prepares background information for presentations, articles and publications. 
• Obtains and provides specific information, researches various issues, special problems, recommends solutions, and coordinates and assist with policy matters.

Benefits Oversight

• Oversee the administration of all employee benefits programs including benefits and leave administration, workers compensation, employee Covid protocols, and employee death coordination.
• Supervise, coach, develop, and lead HR benefits team establishing team goals and directing team activities.

Training

• Develops and provides formal training in areas of expertise.
• Maintains knowledge on current developments and practices in human resource.
• Provides backup to HR staff as needed. 
• Assists in resolving a variety of human resources related issues; and performs other duties as assigned.

Other Duties

• Other special assignments in support of HR team goals and initiatives.

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resource Management, Labor Relations, Business Administration or related field. Any combination of relevant education and/or experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis.  
• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional-level human resource experience to include two (2) years of employee or labor relations experience.
• Experience supervising and managing a team using a servant leadership, positive, goal oriented management, and a strengths-based coaching and mentoring approach.
• Experience facilitating training presentations for employees.
• Experience conducting internal workplace investigation and documenting investigative findings.
• Demonstrated flexibility and willingness to work select evenings and/or weekends.

Position Specific Requirements

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience applying of principles and practices of employee and labor relations, collective bargaining, grievance resolution, and interpretation of employment laws.
• Demonstrated skill in the practical application of employment laws, interpreting or applying labor laws, collective bargaining agreements and contracts.
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal skills, including written and oral communications, listening, presentation, group facilitation, influencing and/or negotiation. 
• Demonstrated skills in effective use of mediation and conflict resolution techniques, and processes for influencing performance management.
• Highly skilled in use of MS Office Suite, spreadsheet applications, and data bases.
• Effective project and time management skills; ability to manage multiple complex projects concurrently.
• Skill and ability in organizing large amounts of information and compiling memos, reports, and letters through synthesis of information.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully prepare and present policy interpretations and investigation findings and conclusions.
• Demonstrated success in fostering internal and external community relationships. 
• Demonstrated commitment to inclusion and cultural competence with knowledge and skills in advancing equity in policies in the work environment.
• Ability to work effectively as a team member on a campus committed to inclusion.
• Demonstrated sensitivity to and desire to promote diversity.

• Professional certification from a recognized human resource/personnel association.
• Human Resource experience in a higher education setting.
• Knowledge of and/or experience with Washington State work environment procedures.

Bellevue College intends to provide a drug-free, healthy, safe, and secure work and educational environment. Each employee is expected to report to work in an appropriate mental and physical condition to perform her/his/their assigned duties.

Bellevue College employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. 

Bellevue College requires all employees to be fully vaccinated and your vaccine status will be verified upon hire. Please reach out to the HR Office at [email protected] if you need information on medical or religious accommodation.

Sexual Misconduct and Background Check:

Prior to start of employment, finalists(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check as a condition of employment. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment, but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington State Law.

Check frequently in your inbox, spam, junk, clutter email folders for any communication regarding the next steps from Bellevue College and our background check partners.

Reference Check:

Reference checks may include, but are not limited to, contacting references and verification of work experience, and/or past job duties. 

• This position is NOT eligible for relocation allowance.
• This position is NOT eligible for sponsorship for employment-based visa.

Applications received by 02/13/2023 will be given full consideration. Applications received after that date may be considered until the position is filled. 

All individuals interested in this position are encouraged to apply. Your application must include a complete online application and all of the required documents below to be considered complete. Any application that does not provide all requested information will not be considered for the position (only submit required documents with the application, additional documents will not be reviewed.) Please review Application Tips before applying. Current Bellevue College employees should apply the position through Employee Self Service.

Required application materials:   

• Attach a Cover Letter (min 1 pg., max 2 pgs.)
• Attach a Resume
• Attach a Diversity Statement (min 1 pg., max 2 pgs.) that addresses the following: Describe and provide specific examples of how your educational and/or professional experiences, background or philosophy demonstrate your commitment to diversity and equity, and how these prepare you to contribute to Bellevue College
• Complete Job Questionnaires if applicable

Contact: 

If you have questions with regards to the application or the hiring process, please contact Office of Human Resources at 425-564-2274 or email to [email protected]. 

Bellevue College is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal opportunity and nondiscrimination to applicants and employees without regard to race or ethnicity; creed; color; national origin; sex; marital status; sexual orientation; age; religion; genetic information; the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability; or whether a disabled or Vietnam-era veteran. Please see policy 4100 at www.bellevuecollege.edu/policies/.

Applicants with disabilities who require assistance with the recruitment process may contact [email protected] or 425-564-2271. The following people have been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Title IX Coordinator, 425-564- 2641, Office C227, and EEOC/504 Compliance Officer, 425-564- 2178, Office B126.