OVERVIEW

The Cook County Department of Labor Relations is seeking an experienced Senior Labor Counsel. This position serves as the primary legal advisor to the Bureau of Human Resources, providing counsel on a broad range of labor and employment matters, including employee relations, disciplinary actions, workplace policies, organizational structure, and workforce management. The role advises department leadership on complex and sensitive personnel issues, ensures legal compliance and consistency in grievance and disciplinary proceedings, and collaborates with outside counsel, elected officials, and agency leadership on arbitrations, labor disputes, and operational matters. Additionally, the position reviews employment-related decisions and provides strategic legal guidance to senior human resources executives on confidential labor and employment issues. 

Cook County offers great benefits and the chance to participate in a strong tradition of public service. Cook County is home to more than five million residents, roughly 45% of Illinois’ population. Cook County Government provides a range of vital services and programs that enhance the quality of life for residents across the region. These services range from health care to urban planning. Cook County is committed to empowering its employees to bring our constituents the best that public service has to offer.

Attention Applicants: Please note that as part of ongoing job architecture initiatives, the County is reviewing job titles and corresponding grades, which may be subject to change.

WHY PURSUE A CAREER WITH COOK COUNTY?

In addition to providing employees with a challenging, rewarding environment for career and personal growth, we are proud to also offer some of the best benefits in the public sphere, including:

• Top Tier Medical Benefits: Medical Plans, Prescription Drug Benefit, Dental Plans, Vision Plan and 9 Additional voluntary benefit plans
• Flexible Teleworking Options
• Generous, Flexible Paid Time Off (13 paid designated holidays; Minimum of 15 vacation days annually; and Paid sick leave)
• Pension Plan
• Financial Support Programs and Resources: Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts – Dependent Day Care, Commuter Benefits, Discounted Parking, PSLF Eligibility, Deferred Compensation and Education Tuition Stipend
• Health/Wellness Perks: Flexible Spending Accounts-Health Care, Employee Assistance Program and MyHealth Connections wellness program.

SALARY RANGE: $130,680 - $156,530 / YEARLY

SNAPSHOT OF COOK COUNTY

• Serves 5.28 million residents of Chicago and its inner suburbs
  • 2nd largest county in America
  • Larger than 27 states
• Cook County employs over 22,000 employees who work in a variety of skilled jobs and trades.
  • Nearly 80% unionized workforce
  • 15 unions represented
  • 63 separate collective bargaining agreements
• Highway – Cook County maintains almost 600 miles of roads and highways.
• Land – Cook County assesses the value of more than 1.5 million parcels of taxable land and collects and distributes tax funds as a service for local government taxing bodies.
• Safety – Cook County provides vital services to local government, from conducting elections in suburban areas to offering 911 services in unincorporated areas and municipalities.

LOCATION

Located in the Loop District of downtown Chicago, one of the most formidable business districts in the world, the area has an astounding number of cultural foundations, stunning parks such as Millennial Park and Maggie Daley Park, steps away from the Chicago Riverwalk, award-winning restaurants, and plenty of shopping! In addition, Chicago is serviced by multiple bus and train lines for public transportation from the suburbs to the city, taxis are plentiful, public parking garages for motorists, and bicycle share rentals and local bike lanes for bicyclists.

Job Summary

Acts as a legal advisor and counsel to the County in all matters within the authority of the Bureau of Human Resources. Provides guidance and counsel to department heads and supervisors on labor-related matters, including discipline, work rules, and department organization. Works with outside counsel, elected officials, and department heads in matters associated with arbitrations and department work. Reviews hearing officers' decisions in third-step employee grievance and disciplinary matters. Consults with the Bureau Chief of Human Resources, Deputy Bureau Chief, and Deputy Director in matters of the highest confidentiality.

Typical Job Duties

• Researches pending legal issues and analyzes case law and facts.
• Reviews hearing officers’ decisions in third-step employee grievance and disciplinary matters.
• Oversees matters related to the Employee Appeals Board and serves as the Representative of the Employee Appeals Board.
  Counsels various Cook County departments and offices in labor relations and employment matters, including discipline, layoffs, terminations, transfers, and other issues that may arise between Cook County management and employees/unions.
• Provides advice and counsel on employment-related laws and matters such as policy implementation and initiatives within the parameters of collective bargaining agreements (CBA), grievances, arbitrations, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Affordable Care Act (ACA), and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) laws.
• Interprets collective bargaining agreements, County policies, and applicable laws and regulations.
• Collaborates with outside counsel and retained experts on a variety of employment-related issues.
• Assists in the evaluation, formation, and implementation of policy directives affecting Cook County employees, including but not limited to benefits, Workers' Compensation, disability, return-to-work matters, work rules, and personnel rules.
• Represents Cook County before various forums.

Required for all jobs

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctorate (JD) and
• Four (4) years of labor relations, human resources, litigation, or directly related experience and
• Licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois.

Preferred Qualifications

• Six (6) years of labor relations, human resources, or litigation expereince.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong command of the rules of evidence, civil procedure, and trial advocacy, with the ability to effectively litigate complex labor and employment issues with minimal direction.
• Skilled in working directly and independently with elected officials, department heads, outside counsel, and labor groups to develop strategies pertaining to a wide range of matters, including discipline, contract interpretation, salaries, benefits, and working conditions.
• Knowledge of all applicable federal, state, county, and local laws, rules, and regulations, including those of the Illinois Labor Relations Board, and the ability to represent Cook County before various forums.
• Proficient in analyzing labor agreements and appropriately interpreting the terms, conditions, and intent represented therein.
• Demonstrates diplomacy and confidentiality while communicating with arbitrators, attorneys, elected officials, department heads, management, employees, and union officials.
• Ability to communicate effectively with tact and courtesy and conduct oneself in a professional manner. Strong communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to convey information and explain or describe County policies and procedures clearly.
• At the direction of the Deputy Bureau Chief, serves as a liaison between the Offices Under the President and other Cook County offices and agencies.
• Thorough knowledge of the law pertaining to local and municipal government in Illinois, particularly regarding Cook County government and the Cook County Health and Hospital System.

Physical Requirements:

Sedentary Work involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. 

The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee's normal line of work.