Job Description

Position: Hearing Officer II/Assistant Trial Officer
Department: Departmental Hearings and Investigations
Report to: Director-Departmental Hearings, Investigations and Labor Costing for Metro-North and Manager – LIRR Labor Relations
Salary Range: $66,023 - 99,035
Location: 2 Broadway, New York, NY 10004

Position Summary

This position is responsible to assist Metro-North Railroad and Long Island Railroad Operating and Administrative Department managers and the Department Head in investigations and disciplinary hearings/trials and procedures with respect to union represented employees. Also, responsible for drafting disciplinary charges, hold settlement/pre-trial discussions, prepare witnesses for trials/hearings, conduct official trials/hearings, and give efficient and timely direction to departmental management with respect to progressive discipline and/or agency-wide standards that must be consistent throughout Metro-North Railroad and Long Island Railroad. The candidate will be responsible of training managers as assigned.

Responsibilities

• Support the Department Heads at Metro-North Railroad and Long Island Railroad and the Hearing Officers in all aspects related to investigations and disciplinary actions of Union Represented employees.
• Assist managers in performing thorough and complete investigations of incidents or rule violations. Assist departments with investigations by taking employee and witness statements. Make pre-trial assessment of necessity for disciplinary action. Draft concise and accurate disciplinary charges based upon the investigation and facts. Issue charges in the time frame set forth in the applicable collective bargaining agreement.
• Hold pre-trials and settlement conferences on behalf of departmental management and coordinate the settlement of cases with union officials and management. Negotiate and approve all waivers of discipline.
• Ensure witnesses are prepared and that all relevant documents and evidence are available and produced at the trial/hearing.
• Hold trials/hearings to develop a complete and thorough disciplinary case record to ensure management’s rights and an employee’s due process rights are fully protected. Make recommendations to departments as to credibility of witnesses and appropriateness of discipline. Ensure compliance with all contractual procedures and time limits.
• Ensure that cases are settled and/or decided at the departmental level in accordance with progressive discipline and are consistent with agency standards across the various departments at Metro-North. Ensure fair, equitable, and consistent treatment of employees across all departments. Ensure all cases are tracked and entered the disciplinary tracking system and all other tracking databases.
• Train managers on the consistent application of policies, how to handle complex investigations, and the disciplinary processes at Metro-North Railroad and Long Island Railroad. Prepare training and act as the instructor of training courses for managers.
• Assist other Hearing Officers in the administration of their functions.
• Perform other assignments as directed by senior management.
• Assist with the maintenance of the disciplinary database(s) and the analysis of data.

Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to interact with all levels in the Company, the union officials, and with external contacts.
• Possession of or the ability to gain working knowledge of various applicable collective bargaining agreements.
• Working knowledge of the investigatory process, appeals, and arbitration.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Strong investigative and research skills.
• Working knowledge of mediation techniques.
• Strong conflict resolution skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to conform to specific time limitations and deadlines.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and/or comparable software applications.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial/Labor Relations or related field.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in performing labor management functions handling grievance or disciplinary matters.
• A Law Degree or a Master’s degree may substitute for experience.

Preferred:

• Law Degree
• Master’s degree in Industrial/Labor Relations or related major

HOW TO APPLY

Email your updated resume in MS Word format with 3 references ASAP to: BillBurgess@TheBurgessGroup.com. Any questions reply to email or call: 212.406.2400. Agency is an equal opportunity employer.