OVERVIEW OF THE POSITION
The Chief of Labor & Employment (CLE) will serve as the subject matter expert in Labor & Employment matters, represent agency management at settlement conferences and administrative hearings, consult with Human Resources and management officials on a wide range of complex employee and labor relations issues, and provide guidance and training for MOPD leaders. The CLE also prepares settlement agreements, reviews and analyzes the Memorandum of Understanding (Labor Contract), provides recommendations to the Chief Human Resources Officer and Public Defender in employee and labor Relations matters, and reviews MOPD policies, procedures, and employee handbooks for legal sufficiency.
PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
-Leads the Labor & Employment division whose responsibilities span MOPD’s 12 districts and divisions in 52 offices throughout the state of Maryland.
-Serves as an expert on the interpretation and application of statutes, case law, rules, and regulations and provides expert compliance advice to management on applicable authority.
-Advises the Public Defender, executive leadership, management officials, Human Resources, and supervisors on employment and labor matters involving: the ADA, FMLA, Title VII, FLSA, NLRA, other federal, state, and local employment laws, leave, accommodations, recruiting, hiring, discipline, performance management, separations, reductions-in-force, wage-hour, compensation, benefits and other employment issues.
-Provides counsel on the legal standards for taking adverse and performance-based actions; laws regarding discrimination and harassment; issues relating to labor and employee relations, unions, collective bargaining agreements, negotiations, and grievances; and statutes, regulations, and policies relating to the administration of leave and other employee benefits.
-Represents agency management in arbitration, mediation, and settlement conferences, grievance proceedings, administrative hearings, and other government proceedings.
-Manage employees and ensure compliance with labor contracts and applicable laws.
-Heads management and union labor committee meetings and facilitates productive discussion.
-Acts as chief spokesperson for multiple labor agreements and represents the agency in negotiations.
-Advises management on disciplinary actions and contract interpretation issues.
-Trains MOPD Staff to comply with labor agreements and agency rules.
-Counsel and advise the Chief Human Resources Officer, Public Defender, and Equal Employment Opportunity Division in Labor & Employment matters.
-Partners with inside legal counsel and manages outside legal counsel as needed on complex employee and labor relations issues.
-Works in partnership with outside counsel on collective bargaining agreements, negotiations, grievances, and other union matters as directed by the Public Defender.
-Provides counsel on the legal standards for taking adverse and performance-based actions; laws regarding discrimination and harassment; issues relating to labor relations, unions, collective bargaining agreements, negotiations, and grievances; and statutes, regulations, and policies relating to the administration of leave and other employee benefits.
-Supervises employees in the Labor & Employment division.
-Completes other duties as directed by the Public Defender.
SALARY
Salary is dependent on experience and the State of Maryland salary rules will apply to any offer made.
This is a promotion opportunity for current MOPD attorneys at Grade 22 or below. This would be a lateral transfer for MOPD attorneys currently at Grade 23.
Assistant Public Defender Supervisor: $133,467.00 - $165,372.00/year (Grade 24: Step 15-Step 26)
BENEFITS
The Maryland Office of the Public Defender offers a generous benefits package that includes excellent medical, dental, and vision insurance. Benefits also include retirement savings, life insurance, and the option to participate in supplemental retirement options. MOPD Employees receive 6 days of personal leave, 15 days of sick leave, and at least 10 days of annual leave each calendar year in addition to paid holidays, and parental leave.
For more details and a full list of benefits as an employee with the Maryland Office of the Public Defender click here.
CORE COMPETENCIES AND REQUIREMENTS
-Active membership in good standing in the Maryland Bar.
-8-10 years of substantive labor and employment law experience (including advising clients on a range of employee and labor relation issues).
-Experience representing management at settlement conferences and administrative hearings.
-Experience working in a unionized environment and interpreting and negotiating collective bargaining agreements.
-Exceptional organizational, legal, and time management skills.
-Strong legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills.
-Ability to pay attention to details and deliver high-quality, accurate work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
-Exceptional interpersonal skills.
-Ability to work collaboratively and positively in a dynamic team environment.
-Ability to proactively manage a team and all litigation deadlines.
-Ability to identify and resolve problems quickly while managing multiple clients and matters.
To be considered, you must complete the online application AND submit the required documents.
When you get to the tab labeled resume, you should INCLUDE ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS in the resume upload in one PDF. The required documents for this position are listed below.
1. A current resume.
2. A cover letter addressing your qualifications for the position.
3. A list of four professional references, please include your relationship to the reference.
4. A writing sample.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
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