LABOR RELATIONS SPECIALIST (DEPARTMENT OF LABOR RELATIONS) - SHAKMAN EXEMPT

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree or higher and
• Two (2) years of business administration, public administration, labor relations, or directly related or
• An equivalent combination of education and/or experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, or Labor Relations; or graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor (JD); or a Paralegal Certificate.
• Four (4) years of business administration, public administration, or labor relations experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of or ability to quickly and effectively grasp and utilize County policies, protocols and technical vernacular used throughout each union labor agreement for the County.
• Knowledge of all Cook County labor relations functions, principles, techniques, contract terminology, office practices and procedures
• Thorough knowledge of business communication principles and techniques, contract terminology, office practices and procedures relative to labor relations.
• Skill in resolving labor/management contractual negotiation disputes.
• Skill in scrutinizing text of contractual labor agreements.
• Skill in the use of the art of diplomacy and confidentiality with arbitrators, attorneys, County employees, County managerial personnel and union representatives.
• Ability to conduct research functions for purposes of providing accurate documentation and statistical data for union contract negotiations.
• Ability to communicate effectively with tact and courtesy and to conduct oneself in a professional manner. Good communication skills; ability to gather information from others and make inquiries; ability to convey information and explain or describe County policy and procedure to others in person or by telephone.

Physical Requirements:

Sedentary Work involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. 

The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee's normal line of work. 

EMPLOYMENT TERMS                                                                                                                  

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT: Pursuant to the Shakman Consent Decree, Supplemental Relief Order and the Cook County Personnel Rules, this position is exempt from the County’s career service rules, is at-will and political reasons or factors may be considered when taking any employment action. As an employee in a Shakman Exempt Position, if you do not currently live in Cook County, you will have six (6) months from date of hire to establish actual residency within Cook County.

Please contact shakmanexemptapplications@cookcountyil.gov for inquiries about this position.