The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) is seeking an experienced individual to head the Employee Relations Division as a Public Safety Employee Relations Manager (PSERM). The PSERM reports to the Deputy Chief, Executive Bureau.
The position is exempt from civil service and will initially be processed as an emergency appointment.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Directs through subordinate supervisors the work of sworn, professional, and clerical employees engaged in the administration of the LAFD’s employee relations program;
Serves as a consultant to management on the interpretation and application of sworn and civilian Memoranda of Understanding; local, state and federal labor laws, including the Employee Relations Ordinance, Firefighter Bill of Rights, and Fair Labor Standards Act, with particular emphasis on provisions applicable to sworn firefighters, and departmental rules and regulations;
Supervises and participates in the preparation of negotiating parameters and management bargaining strategy and in the preparation of cases for litigation;
Develops policy, procedure, or strategy recommendations involving employee relations for the Fire Chief, the Executive Employee Relations Committee, the City Council Committees, the Mayor, the City Administrative Officer, and the City Attorney;
Participates in resolving differences with sworn and civilian employee unions including mediation, arbitration, unfair labor practices, and similar hearings, and communicates the LAFD position during negotiations and other employee/management meetings;
Oversees the preparation of analyses, proposals, reports, and correspondence on employee relations matters for the Fire Chief and Bureau Commanders;
Represents the LAFD before City Council, Council Committees, the Board of Fire Commissioners and other groups;
Directs the conduct of special studies and projects in preparation for negotiations and litigation and/or at the request of LAFD management;
Represents the LAFD before City Council, Council Committees, the Board of Fire Commissioners and other groups;
Provides direction and guidance on unusually complex or sensitive employee relations issues;
May testify in court as to the strategies employed in the management of employee relations activities;
Confers with LAFD management, City Attorney’s Office and other City officials to define and achieve concurrence on needs and priorities and to resolve issues.
REQUIREMENTS
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university and;
Five years of full-time paid experience performing public sector employee relations activities such as negotiating and administering employee relations agreements, reviewing and responding to grievances, reviewing and recommending negotiation proposals, two years of which must have been in a supervisory capacity.
Experience as an attorney handling public safety labor relations and/or negotiations issues is highly desired.
How to apply
TO APPLY
Electronic submittals are required. Interested candidates must submit a resume detailing the applicable background including the required work experience and education, and attach a completed City application (which can be downloaded at https://personnel.lacity.gov/doc.cfm?get=CityApp), a cover letter of interest, and three (3) work-related references (include name, job title, affiliation and telephone number) to:
Los Angeles Fire Department
200 N. Main Street, Room 1630
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Email: deanna.minatiskan-vargas@lacity.org
APPLICATION DEADLINE
The filing period may close at any time.
Only the most qualified candidates will be invited to a panel interview for further evaluation.
NOTES:
The Public Safety Employee Relations Manager (PSERM) position is exempt from civil service provisions in accordance with City Charter Section 1001(b), and serves at the will of the appointing authority and can be terminated at any time without cause.
In accordance with City Charter Section 1001(b), positions to be exempted from civil service are subject to approval by the Mayor and City Council. Pending completion of the exemption approval process, the PSERM vacancy will be temporarily filled through an Emergency Appointment, contingent upon approval by the City Personnel Department.
The PSERM is a full-time employee, and is provided a comprehensive medical and dental flex benefits plan and membership in the Los Angeles City Employees Retirement System. .
The City of Los Angeles is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer
