Assistant Manager, Labor Relations

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:

Assists in the administration and operation of the Authority's labor relations functions within the Human Resources Department. Serves as a key resource to management on collective bargaining agreement interpretation, grievance administration, disciplinary matters, workplace investigations, labor-management issues, and employee relations matters involving bargaining unit employees. Supports the Manager, Labor Relations in collective bargaining, contract administration, arbitration preparation, union information requests, labor-management committee meetings, training initiatives and special projects.

Posting Period: 5/19/2026 to 6/2/2026
Location: Deer Island (Winthrop), MA
Salary: $89,627.52 - $131,817.68 Annually $1,723.61 - $2,534.96 Weekly
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:00pm

Key Responsibilities

• Serves as hearing officer or management representative for grievance, disciplinary, and pre-disciplinary hearings.
• Reviews grievances, research facts, gather relevant documentation, analyze contract language, prepare case materials and draft responses or recommended decisions.
• Participates and assists in collective bargaining matters including proposal development, responses to requests for information, maintaining bargaining records and meeting organization.
• Provides training and support to managers and supervisors on labor relations matters, including contract interpretation, grievance procedures, performance, just cause, disciplinary issues and documentation.
• Prepares written correspondence, reports, summaries, notices, hearing materials and other labor relations documents.
• Assists with union information requests, including gathering records, coordinating internal reviews, tracking deadlines and preparing draft responses.
• Supports legal counsel in arbitration matters, unfair labor practice charges and other labor related litigation by preparing case files, timelines and summaries.
• Maintains effective working relationships with managers, union representatives, legal counsel and employees.
• Provide assistance to the Manager, Labor Relations in the implementation of special projects as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree in labor relations, human resources, business administration, public administration or related field; and
• A minimum of four (4) years of experience in labor relations, employee relations, employee investigations or related work 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 driver's license from another state is required to travel to MWRA sites.
• May be eligible to telework up to 50% after an initial waiting period.

Knowledge and Abilities

• Excellent analytical skills.
• Strong negotiation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion in confidential matters.
• Experience with labor relations, grievances and collective bargaining.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, HRIS and case management systems.

Tools and Equipment Used

Office machines as normally associated, with the use of telephone, personal computer including word processing and other software, email, videoconferencing, copy and fax machine.

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 sit, talk or hear. The employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, including office equipment, or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to stand and walk.
Occasionally lifts or moves boxes up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

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 work environment is usually a moderately quiet office setting.
This position may be eligible for up to 50% telework.

Supervision Received and Exercised

Works under the general supervision of the Manager, Labor Relations.
May provide functional supervision to administrative or professional staff as needed.

Other Position Information
PCR: 8520013
Division: Administration
Department: Labor Relations
Union/Grade: United Steelworkers Local 9360 (Confidential Unit 6)/Grade 11

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.