This is advanced responsible work, assisting in the negotiation and administration of collective bargaining agreements for the Employee Relations Department.

Employees in this class are responsible for assisting in the negotiation and administration of a variety of complex collective bargaining agreements between the County and various public employee unions and associations. Responsibilities include research and preparation for negotiating sessions, conferring with various County officials in the formulation of contract proposals, assisting in conducting negotiations through the completion of final agreements, and administration of collective bargaining contracts in accordance with the intent of agreed upon terms and conditions. Additional responsibilities include processing grievances, assisting in the preparation of unresolved disputes up to final and binding arbitration, and advising County officials on contract language interpretations and contract administration matters. Incumbents exercise an extensive degree of independent judgment and professional knowledge in assisting in the negotiations and administration of collective bargaining agreements and related labor relations matters. Supervision may be exercised over subordinate clerical employees through assignment of tasks and review of completed work. General supervision is received from a senior professional who reviews the work through personal observations and conferences for thoroughness in completing assigned responsibilities.

ILLUSTRATIVE TASKS

Performs research to assist in determining the County's bargaining position prior to the commencement of negotiating sessions with various public employee unions and associations; attends meetings and confers with a variety of County officials for the purpose of gathering data for draft proposals regarding new, modified or amended contract articles.

Assists in the formulation and preparation of contract proposals for negotiations and reduces contract proposals to appropriate contractual language.

Assists a senior professional in conducting negotiations with public employee unions and associations for the purpose of negotiating collective bargaining agreements covering the salaries, fringe benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment of bargaining unit represented employees; assists in conducting all facets of negotiations up to the completion of final agreements.

Assists in the preparation and the presentation of impasse proceedings before a Special Master, appointed by the Public Employee Relations Commission, as required.

Assists in the administration of completed contracts including conducting initial training classes for County officials on new contracts and advising on all contract language interpretations and all phases of contract administration.

Processes grievances and assists in the preparation and presentation of unresolved disputes up to final and binding arbitration; testifies in grievance arbitration cases as required.

Confers with representatives of public employee unions and associations regarding contract administration and interpretation.

Advises county departmental officials on appropriate procedures for initiation of progressive disciplinary actions.

Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGES, ABILITIES AND SKILLS

Thorough knowledge of State statutes and applicable sections of the Code of Miami-Dade County pertaining to labor relations activities.

Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques of collective bargaining.

Thorough knowledge of the provisions of various collective bargaining agreements between the county and various public employee unions and associations.

Thorough knowledge of general personnel management theories and principles.

Thorough knowledge of the principles of public personnel administration and of the county personnel policies and procedures.

Thorough knowledge of the structure and organization of public employee unions and associations.

Thorough knowledge of the organization and jurisdiction of the Public Employee Relations Commission.

Ability to define research parameters, collect and analyze data, and translate research findings into recommendations for new modified or amended provisions of collective bargaining agreements.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with public employee unions, associations, superiors and subordinates.

Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, verbally and in writing, to groups and individuals.

Ability to testify effectively in legal proceedings.

REV 09/03