Labor Relations Specialist

Are you looking to make a meaningful impact on public health and the environment? Join the MWRA team! We deliver some of the nation's highest-quality drinking water to 3 million residents, restored Boston Harbor, and continue to invest in protecting vital public resources. Be part of a mission-driven organization where your work truly makes a difference in a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment.

Summary:

Provides professional and administrative support for the Authority's labor relations functions within the Human Resource Department. Assists with grievance administration, collective bargaining support, labor-management coordination, records management, document preparation, tracking and reporting, as well as meeting coordination. Serves as a resource to managers, union representatives and employees regarding labor relations procedures, processes, documentation and general inquiries.

Posting Period: 5/27/2026 to 6/9/2026 Location: Deer Island (Winthrop), MA
Salary: $73,985.66 - $108,815.70 Annually $1,422.80 - $2,092.61 Weekly
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:00pm

Key Responsibilities

• Assists with processing grievances, including scheduling grievance hearings, participation in grievance hearings, researching grievance allegations, assembling relevant records to respond to grievances, maintaining grievance tracking, and responding to requests for information.
• Provides support in collective bargaining negotiations, including proposal development, responses to requests for information, maintaining bargaining records, gathering data, preparation of summaries, serving as note-taker during bargaining sessions and general meeting organization such as scheduling of bargaining sessions.
• Prepares draft correspondence, reports, summaries, presentations, hearing materials, notices, meeting agendas, and other labor relations documents.
• Conducts research related to grievances, contract administration, disciplinary history, labor trends, bargaining topics and other related matters.
• Represents Labor Relations at internal and external Labor/Management committee meetings as designated by the Manager, Labor Relations. Schedules meetings with union representatives, facilitates meetings and reserves meeting space and serves as note-taker during meetings.
• Obtains personnel file and labor relations documents upon request of legal counsel in support of arbitration cases and other external matters.
• Provides information to management as needed relative to grievances, collective bargaining and employee discipline.
• Assists with special projects/programs such as employee engagement, recruitment and retention programs, employee licensing requirements, service awards and workforce development planning.
• Performs related labor relations and Human Resources support duties as assigned.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications

• Completion of a Bachelor's degree in labor relations, human resources, business, public administration or related field; and
• A general understanding of labor relations, human resources, and grievance administration and resolution as acquired through at least two (2) years of professional experience preferably in the public sector or union environment; or
• Any equivalent combination of education or experience.
• A valid Massachusetts Class D Motor Vehicle Operators License or another state for travel between MWRA work sites.
• May be eligible for telework up to 50% of weekly work hours after initial waiting period.

Knowledge and Abilities

• General knowledge of labor relations principles, grievance administration, collective bargaining agreements and employee relations practices.
• Demonstrated analytical skills and ability to build working relationships across the organization.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, HRIS, videoconferencing platforms and related software applications.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality.

Tools and Equipment Used

Office machines as normally associated with a professional office environment, including the use of telephones, personal computers, word processing and other software, email, videoconference applications, copiers, scanners and fax machines.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to feel, finger, handle or operate objects, including office equipment or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee is regularly required to sit, and talk or hear.
The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in an office environment.
The noise level in the normal work environment is usually a moderately quiet setting.

Supervision Received and Exercised

Works under the general supervision of the Manager, Labor Relations. May receive guidance from Assistant Manager, Labor Relations on certain assignments.
May provide guidance to administrative staff and interns on specific assignments.

Other Position Information
PCR: 8520016 Division: Administration Department: Labor Relations Union/Grade: United Steelworkers Local 9360 (Confidential 6)/Grade 9

Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sex or gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or veteran status.