Job Opportunities in United States

What You Will Be Doing
The Labor and State Affairs section provides legal assistance in the form of agency advice and representation in diverse areas of the law. The section advises agencies on matters of governmental management including employment law, labor relations, civil rights, separation of powers, boards and commissions, and procurement. This position will be assigned to the Labor Relations workgroup within the larger section and supports the purposes of the Public Employment Relations Act. It does so by representing the Administration in contract negotiations, responding to grievances and complaints on behalf of the Commissioner of Administration, representing the State of Alaska in arbitration, mediation, and other dispute resolution procedures, representing the State of Alaska at Alaska Labor Relations Agency hearings regarding unfair labor practices, unit clarification and other matters, providing training and consultative services to managerial and supervisory personnel on contract negotiation and administration, and establishing and administering labor-management committees.

You will serve as the State’s advocate in all assigned labor relations activities. You will be researching and making recommendations and preparing for and/or presenting arbitrations, mediations, and other dispute resolution activities. This position also participates in and/or leads contract negotiations, as well as provides consultative and training services to agency human resource, supervisory, and managerial personnel.

Mission and Culture
The Department of Law upholds the rule of law, protects public safety, and provides high quality legal representation to executive branch agencies for the benefit of all Alaskans. The Department of Law is committed to excellence in our work. We will maintain the highest standards of ethics and professionalism to promote exceptional legal representation to the State through a valued and well-trained team of attorneys and administrative professionals dedicated to public service.

Our team values integrity, success, positivity, creativity, and empowerment. The incumbent can expect to be relied on for their strengths as well as given opportunities for professional development as part of a focused team.

We encourage our employees to set a schedule that works for you, the office, and your work.

We offer hybrid flex schedules and telework options.

Benefits of Joining Our Team
The Department of Law supports work-life balance with various work schedule opportunities and teleworking. It matters to us to provide the tools and resources needed for your success. Enjoy State health benefits (including dental and vision), life insurance, generous leave accrual, 12 paid holidays, and potential eligibility for the Public Loan Forgiveness Program.

The Department of Law promotes and provides routine professional development through training by our own subject matter experts and through other providers.
We enjoy building lasting working relationships though partnership, mentorship, holiday events, and service recognition.

The Working Environment You Can Expect
We are offering this opportunity with either Anchorage or Juneau.

Our Anchorage office is located in the Brady Building at 1031 W 4th Avenue. In the heart of downtown, you are close to cafes, lunch spots, the Coastal Trail, and parks. Employee parking is available close by. The staff here are collegiate, friendly, diligent, and easy-going.

Our Juneau office is located in the Dimond Courthouse at 123 4th Street. It also is close to the cafes, eateries, good walking spots, and parks. The building offers comfort, privacy, and good lighting. The staff here are easy-going, friendly, collegiate, and skilled at what they do.

We are looking for a successful candidate that has the following competencies:

• Research: Knowledge of the scientific principles, methods, and processes used to conduct a systematic and objective inquiry; including study design, collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; and the reporting of results.
• Attention to Detail: Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
• Writing: Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a brief, clear, and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience.
• Conflict Management: Manages and resolves conflicts, grievances, confrontations, or disagreements in a constructive manner to minimize negative personal impact.
• Personnel and Human Resources: Knowledge of hiring, classification, benefits, labor relations, negotiation, and State and federal employment regulations.

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of education and/or experience that provides the applicant with competencies in

• Analytical Thinking/Problem Solving: uses a logical, systematic, sequential approach to address problems or opportunities or manage a situation by drawing on one’s knowledge and experience base and calling on other references and resources as necessary.

• Influencing/Negotiating: Persuades others to accept recommendations, cooperate, or change their behavior; works with others towards an agreement; negotiates to find mutually acceptable solutions.

• Investigation: Knowledge of the guidelines, regulations, and procedures associated with investigation, including interviewing, evidence detection, locating, gathering, and handling, and drawing appropriate factual inferences and conclusions. Provide oral or written reports of findings. Presenting evidence and providing testimony.

• Labor Relations: Knowledge of laws, rules, regulations, case law, principles, and practices related to negotiating and administering labor agreements.

• Oral and Written Communication: Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral and written presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.

Equivalent to those typically gained by:
Any combination of preparatory post-secondary education and/or progressively responsible professional level experience in human resource management, labor or employment relations, law, business administration, or organizational leadership and professional experience in human resources (such as recruitment, payroll, classification and compensation, employee and labor-management relations, employer provided benefit programs, employment law compliance, or employee training) or business administration.

Special Note:
“Competencies” means a combination of interrelated knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors that enable a person to act effectively in a job or situation.

“Typically gained by” means the prevalent, usual method of gaining the competencies expected for entry into the job.

“Training” and “education” in this guidance are synonyms for the process of acquiring knowledge and skills through instruction. It includes instruction through formal and informal methods (such as classroom, on-line, self-study, and on-the-job), from accredited and unaccredited sources, and long-duration (such as a post-secondary degree) and short-duration (such as a seminar) programs.

“Professional experience” means work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the power or right to decide or act according to one's own judgment.

“Progressively responsible” means indicating growth and/or advancement in complexity, difficulty, or level of responsibility.

"Human resource" includes experience in recruitment and selection, classification, employee training, employer provided benefits programs, employment law compliance, personnel and payroll, and labor relations. Experience in related fields such as human rights and workers' compensation is also qualifying. Supervision of employees in and of itself does not constitute human resource work.

"Labor relations" includes experience in grievance processing, arbitration preparation and presentation, labor contract interpretation and application, preparation of proposals and strategy for negotiations, participation in negotiations as team member or chief spokesperson, or specific research endeavors in support of these activities.

Additional Required Information

THIS RECRUITMENT IS FOR ALASKA RESIDENTS ONLY
This recruitment is open to Alaska Residents only. Applicants must meet Alaska Residency Requirements to be considered for employment at this time.

At the time of application,the applicant must attach as individual documents the following items (If unable to attach documents, please fax or email the contact listed below):

• A professional writing sample is encouraged
• A cover letter is required. Please outline your professional qualifications as well as your reasons for applying.

Special Notices
May require business travel (several in-state trips per year); may require ability to obtain a Notary Public commission and pass a background check.

Application Notice
You can ONLY apply for this position through the Workplace Alaska website or via a hardcopy application. If you accessed this recruitment bulletin through a job search portal, such as Alaska Jobs or any other database, you MUST use a Workplace Alaska online or hardcopy application to apply successfully. Instructions on how to apply with Workplace Alaska may be found on the Workplace Alaska “How to Apply" page. Your application must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. Alaska Standard Time on the closing date.

Omission of any required documentation listed will result in an incomplete application and you will not receive further consideration. If you're experiencing problems attaching documents to your application or if you simply had forgotten, you may email it to the contact provided below before 5:00 pm of the closing date. Any documents submitted after the posting has closed will not be considered.

Cover Letter
A cover letter is required for this position. The cover letter should highlight your professional qualifications as well as your reasons for applying.Your cover letter will be used to determine which applicants will advance to the interview phase of the recruitment.

Please attach the cover letter to your application before submitting it online or, if unable to attach to your application, fax or email it to the contact number provided below.

Supplemental Questions
This recruitment utilizes a supplemental questionnaire as part of the application process. These questions may be a mix of written, multiple-choice, and select all that apply questions. The answers you provide to the questions will be an opportunity for you to tell us about your experience and/or education. The answers will be used to determine which applicants will advance to the interview phase of the recruitment and selection process; please be as thorough and accurate as you can.

Education
If post-secondary education is required to meet the minimum qualifications, you must fill in the Education section of the application. If you have not obtained a degree, please indicate the number of units completed. Copies of transcripts are required to verify educational credentials if used to meet the minimum qualifications for a position. Transcripts can be attached at the time of application or provided at the time of the interview.

Special Instructions for Foreign Education
Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the minimum qualifications listed above. If utilizing this education, you must show that the education credentials have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and that such education has been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs; or an accredited U.S. post-secondary institution reports the other institution as one whose transcript is given full value, or full value is given in subject areas applicable to the curricula at the post-secondary institution. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

Work Experience
If using work experience not already documented in your application, also provide the employer’s name, job title, employment dates, and whether full or part-time. Applications will be reviewed to determine if the responses are supported and if minimum qualifications are clearly met. If they are not, the applicant may not advance to the recruitment interview and selection phase.

Note: Attaching a resume is not an alternative to filling out the application in its entirety. Noting, "see resume" or any similar response on any portion of your application may lead to a determination that your application is incomplete and removal from consideration for this job posting.

Bargaining Unit
If you are a current state employee, please mark the union you are a member of at the time of application. If you are not a current state employee, do not complete this question.

Multiple Locations
This position is being recruited in Anchorage and Juneau; the final location is dependent upon the location of the most qualified candidate. There is only ONE position to be filled.

Multiple Vacancies
This recruitment may be used for more than one (1) vacancy. The applicant pool acquired during this recruitment may be used for future vacancies for up to ninety (90) days after this recruitment closes. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply to each recruitment notice to ensure consideration for all vacancies.

EEO Statement
The State of Alaska complies with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Individuals with disabilities, who require accommodation, auxiliary aides or services, or alternative communication formats, please call 1-800-587-0430 or 465-4095 in Juneau or (907) 465-3412 (TTY) or correspond with the Division of Personnel & Labor Relations at: P. O. Box 110201, Juneau, AK 99811-0201. The State of Alaska is an equal-opportunity employer.

Contact Information

Workplace Alaska Application Questions & Assistance
Questions regarding application submission or system operation errors should be directed to the Workplace Alaska hotline at 1-800-587-0430 (toll-free) or (907) 465-4095 if you are in the Juneau area. Requests for information may also be emailed to recruitment.services@alaska.gov.

For applicant password assistance, please visit the reset password page.

For specific information about this position, please contact the hiring manager at the following:

The following information describes typical benefits available to employees of the State of Alaska. Actual benefits received may differ by bargaining unit or branch of government, position type, or be prorated for other than full time work.

For a quick breakdown of the insurance, health, and retirement benefits available for State Employees you can view an orientation video from Division of Retirement and Benefits. (Please note this video is specifically designed for new State Employees.)

Insurance Benefits

• Health insurance, which includes employer contributions toward medical/vision/dental
  • The following employee groups are under Alaska Care Benefits administered by the State: See https://drb.alaska.gov/help/plans.html for additional information.
    • AVTEC
    • Confidential
    • Correctional Officers
    • Marine Engineers
    • Mt. Edgecumbe Teachers
    • Supervisory
    • Unlicensed Vessel Personnel/Inland Boatman's Union
    • Exempt employees (not covered by collective bargaining)
  • The following employee groups are covered by Union health trusts. Contact the appropriate Union for additional information.
    • General Government
    • Labor, Trades and Crafts
    • Public Safety Employees Association
    • Masters, Mates & Pilots
• Employer paid Basic Life insurance with additional coverage available (amount depends on Bargaining Unit)

• Group-based insurance premiums for
  • Term life (employee, spouse or qualified same sex partner, and dependents)
  • Long-term and short-term disability
  • Accidental Death and Dismemberment
  • Long-term care (self and eligible family members)
  • Supplemental Survivor Benefits
• Employee-funded flexible spending accounts for tax savings on eligible health care or dependent care expenses

Retirement Benefits

• Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Teachers' Retirement System (TRS)
• Matching employer contribution into a defined contribution program (new employees)
• Employer contribution into a defined benefit or defined contribution program (current employees)
• Contributions to the Alaska Supplemental Annuity Plan in lieu of contributions to Social Security
• Option to enroll in the Alaska Deferred Compensation Program
• Note: The Defined Contribution Plan, Supplemental Annuity Plan and Deferred Compensation Program offer a variety of investment options

Paid Leave & Other Benefits

• Personal leave with an accrual rate increase based on time served
• Twelve (12) paid holidays a year