Labor Relations Associate and Junior Counsel

NFSA has a great opportunity for a Labor Relations Associate and Junior Counsel. This position will support NFSA’s collective bargaining on behalf of approximately 200 unionized fire sprinkler contractors around the country, serve as a management trustee on various Taft-Harley employee benefits funds, and perform a wide variety of labor relations/legal services for the Association and its constituents. The activities of NFSA’s Labor/Legal Department impact approximately 40,000 tradespeople and their families nationwide.

Responsibilities include:

· Serving as a member of various negotiating teams in multi-employer collective bargaining for NFSA union contractors. 

· Conducting research and drafting reports/statistical analysis in preparation for collective bargaining. 

· Assisting in the development of negotiation plans and strategies. 

· Drafting provisions for and amendments to collective bargaining agreements. 

· Serving as a fiduciary trustee on various Taft-Hartley pension, health and welfare, education, and other benefit funds. 

· Supporting member contractors with contract administration, grievance, arbitration, and NLRB issues. 

· Researching and drafting various other Association policies & procedures and participating in public policy review and drafting. 

· Participating in oversight of various committees associated with the collective bargaining process (i.e., negotiating, apprenticeship, labor-management cooperation, industry promotion).

· Developing strong working relationships with Association member contractors, union officials, and members of the Association’s Board of Directors. 

· Assisting the NFSA Labor/Legal Staff and President on various day-to-day issues as assigned.

· Developing a strong expertise in a comprehensive range of labor, legal and governance issues pertinent to NFSA as a trade association and provider of services to its members. 

· Assisting in keeping departmental records and files well organized.

The focus of this position is working with and through others, building and maintaining relationships, and working closely and accurately within established guidelines. There is a need for an effective communicator, someone who is able to stimulate and motivate others while being aware of and responsive to their needs and concerns. There will be many different people to meet and work with. The person in this position must be friendly and genuinely interested in the business, agenda, and needs of others, including the company, its management, the team, the company's customers, or all of the above. A persuasive, teaching style of communication is required to communicate the company's policies, programs, and systems. A faster-than-average pace will be the norm for this position. Detail work is a major focus of the job, and those details need to be handled quickly, correctly, and efficiently. This portion of the work will often focus on relationships with others; correct handling of details dealing with others is necessary to maintain and grow relationships. If the job involves managing others, following up carefully, closely, and cheerfully is required to ensure both correct work and maintenance of the relationships. Necessary corrections must be made in a constructive, supportive manner. As time is usually a factor, the work must be done on time, as well as correctly. In general, this is a position where guidelines, structure, and established policies must be followed fairly closely, while working with and for others.

JOB CHARACTERISTICS

Each day different from the next; especially in personal interactions fast-paced environment multiple projects going simultaneously. Very socially-focused; requires "how can I help you?" attitude. Lots of attention spent on building and maintaining relationships, especially where helping, not pressuring, others. Fosters relationships. Adherence to established guidelines and procedures is important to involve others in the decision-making; there is a need to build consensus rather than make decisions alone. Open, flowing communication is important. Position requires working with and through others, especially in a helping role. There is a need for a persuasive, "selling" (rather than "telling") communication style. Must be willing to jump in and roll up his/her sleeves to help out when necessary.

Education and Experience:

· Juris Doctorate degree with admission to practice law in at least one state.

· Preferably three (3) to five (5) years employment law experience in labor relations or labor law, in either a corporate or law firm setting. 

Required Skills and Abilities:

· Excellent planning, delegating, and organizing skills

· Excellent written, verbal communications and quantitative skills, along with good computer literacy (Microsoft Office 365 applications)

· Ability to succeed in a consensus environment with many different stakeholders, including good listening and leadership skills.

· Teamwork & collaboration – creates a climate that fosters commitment to a common vision and shared values that promote cooperation and working together through trust and support of others.