Job description template

Labor Relations Specialist Job Description Template

A copy-ready labor relations specialist job description with responsibilities, qualifications, skills and pay guidance: customize it for your company in minutes.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
How to use this template

Copy the template below, replace the bracketed fields and tailor duties to your workplace. For pay, national BLS data shows labor relations specialists earn a median of $95,420 ($45.87/hour); the middle 50% earn $71,920–$123,420.

Job title

Labor Relations Specialist

Job summary

[Company name] is seeking a dependable labor relations specialist to join our team in [city, state]. In this role, you will negotiate labor contracts, interpret contract language and support our team’s commitment to safety, quality and service.

Responsibilities

  • Negotiate labor contracts
  • Interpret contract language
  • Handle grievances
  • Prepare for arbitration
  • Advise managers or members
  • Research wages and benefits
  • Train supervisors on the contract
  • Follow company policies, safety procedures and applicable regulations

Required qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree
  • Working knowledge of collective bargaining and labor law
  • Negotiation and patience
  • [Add role-specific requirements, such as driver’s license or ability to pass a background check, if job-related]

Preferred qualifications

  • Labor relations certificate
  • SHRM credential
  • Mediation training
  • Experience with case management systems

Skills

  • Contract interpretation
  • Grievance handling
  • Arbitration
  • Wage research
  • Listening
  • Composure

Work environment and schedule

Specialists work in offices for employers, unions and government, with travel to meetings and hearings. Full time, with long hours during bargaining.

Pay and benefits

$[min]–$[max] per [hour/year], depending on experience. [List benefits: health insurance, paid time off, retirement plan, training and certification support.]

Equal opportunity

[Company name] is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law, and we provide reasonable accommodations upon request.

Tips for a labor relations specialist job posting that attracts applicants

  • Use the title candidates search for. “Labor Relations Specialist” is the clearest; alternates include Labor Relations Representative, Union Representative, Employee Relations Specialist.
  • Show the pay range. Postings with pay get more qualified applicants, and a growing number of states and cities require pay ranges in job postings.
  • Separate must-haves from nice-to-haves. Long requirement lists discourage qualified candidates, especially career changers.
  • Describe a real day. Borrow from our day in the life of a labor relations specialist so applicants self-select accurately.
  • Mention training. Highlighting structured onboarding: such as Labor Relations Specialist training: widens your applicant pool.

Next steps

Screen and interview with our Labor Relations Specialist hiring guide, then onboard with the 30-60-90 day plan.

Team pricing