Assistant Provost/Senior Director of Academic Labor Relations - Amherst, United States - UMass Amherst

Description

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

Under the supervision of the Associate Provost for Academic Personnel, the Assistant Provost/ Senior Director of Academic Labor Relations works directly with senior leadership, Deans, Directors and Department Chairs in all aspects of collective bargaining and labor contract administration with the University's faculty, graduate assistant and post-doctoral employee bargaining agreements. This position has primary responsibility for at least one of these bargaining agreements.

Essential Functions

• Supports labor negotiations with the faculty, graduate assistant, and post-doc collective bargaining units. May serve as the principal negotiator in collective bargaining with one or more of these units.
• Works with the Provost, Deans, and others to develop the campus administration's position and proposals for collective bargaining with academic labor unions representing faculty, graduate assistants, and post-doctoral employees; designs bargaining strategies, keeps campus administrators informed about collective bargaining developments, provides training for individuals involved in collective bargaining.
• Provides advice and guidance to academic Deans, Directors, Department Chairs, administrators and others regarding the interpretation and application of relevant collective bargaining agreements and policies that govern academic personnel matters.
• Leads or serves as a member of the administration's collective bargaining teams.
• Serves on labor/management committees.
• Communicates with campus and system human resources offices, union representatives, managers, and employees to resolve workplace issues governed by collective bargaining agreements including conducting grievance investigations, making recommendations for resolution of grievances, and providing general guidance to senior university officials related to academic personnel employee relations.
• Researches and analyzes labor agreements and employment policies at other institutions to inform labor negotiation strategy and/or policy development. Compiles and analyzes data and creates reports.
• Works to create a diverse and inclusive workplace for all faculty, staff, and students. Ensures that all personnel practices are valid and reliable, and do not have adverse impact on minority groups.
• Maintains working knowledge of, and ensures adherence to, University, state, and federal human resources laws and policies as well as collective bargaining agreements.
• Understands responsibilities with respect to Title IX, Clery and other compliance requirements.
• Understands and contributes to implementation of departmental and institutional goals for achieving non-discrimination and creating a respectful, inclusive environment that is supportive of diversity.
• Collaborates with other University offices (General Counsel, Equal Opportunity and Access, Human Resources, etc.) in responding to complaints of discrimination and harassment as well as developing policies and programs for prevention.
• Safeguards and maintains confidential personnel records and files. Uses access to sensitive and/or not yet public University-related information only in the performance of responsibilities of position and exercises care to prevent unnecessary disclosure to others.
• Understands responsibilities with respect to conflicts of interest and behaves in ways consistent both with law and with university policy.

Other Functions

• May represent Academic Affairs Executive area on campus-wide committees.
• Undertakes special projects as assigned.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• J.D. or other related advanced degree.
• Five (5) or more years of professional experience, specifically in labor and employee relations and collective bargaining.
• Demonstrated knowledge of collective bargaining, labor contract administration and interpretation, regulations and guidelines that govern employment relationships.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail with an ability to resolve routine problems efficiently, effectively, and independently in a timely manner.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to interact effectively, communicate clearly and concisely to articulate ideas, and create and maintain harmonious relationships with a diverse population of staff, faculty, and students.
• Ability to work both independently and to be part of an effective team with a highly cooperative and collaborative work style.
• Ability to read, understand, apply, and explain rules, regulations, and policies/procedures related to duties. Ability to understand and follow complex oral and written instructions and create effective and efficient work processes.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to organize, prioritize and manage time and heavy workloads effectively.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Applicable work experience in higher education, including familiarity with employment policies and procedures in higher education.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Typical office environment.

Work Schedule

• Monday - Friday, 40 hours a week.
• This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee's work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position is non-unit, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees Non-Unit (Professional/or Classified) Employee Personnel Policy.

Salary Information

• Salary will be commensurate with experience.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume and cover letter. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references. Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis until the position is filled. Early submissions are encouraged.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.