SENIOR LABOR RELATIONS SPECIALIST (DEPARTMENT OF LABOR RELATIONS) - SHAKMAN EXEMPT

Job Description - SENIOR LABOR RELATIONS SPECIALIST (DEPARTMENT OF LABOR RELATIONS) - SHAKMAN EXEMPT (00138493)

Job Description

SENIOR LABOR RELATIONS SPECIALIST (DEPARTMENT OF LABOR RELATIONS) - SHAKMAN EXEMPT

Requisition ID

: 00138493

Job Posting

: Oct 20, 2026, 1:14:20 AM

Closing Date

: Nov 19, 2026, 11:29:00 AM Full-time

Posting Salary: $129,923-$143,406/Yearly

Organization

: Offices Under the President

OVERVIEW

The Cook County Department of Labor Relations is seeking an experienced Senior Labor Relations Specialist. This role supervises Labor Relations Specialists and serves as the County's spokesperson during contract negotiations and impact bargaining sessions, ensuring accurate documentation of proceedings. It works with department heads to identify bargaining issues and coordinates management meetings to develop negotiation strategies. The position also supports Labor Counsel, the State's Attorney's Office, and outside counsel in arbitration and unfair labor practice matters. Additionally, it oversees the preparation of union contracts and wage schedules for Board approval and directs the implementation of wage components across relevant County departments and offices.

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: $129,923 - $143,406 / 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

Under the general supervision of the Deputy Director of Labor Relations, supervises the Labor Relations Specialists and serves as a spokesperson on behalf of County management during contract negotiations and impact bargaining sessions, documenting proceedings. Collaborates with department heads to identify issues to be addressed through collective bargaining and coordinates first-line management meetings to formulate negotiation strategies. Coordinates assistance for the Labor Counsel, the State''s Attorney''s Office, and outside counsel on matters related to arbitration and unfair labor practice charges. Oversees the preparation of union contracts and wage scales for Board approval. Directs and coordinates the implementation of wage components with appropriate County departments and offices as necessary.

Typical Job Duties

• Supervises and directs Labor Relations Specialists in conjunction with the departmental director.
• Participates in collective bargaining negotiations as a representative for the County, developing proposals and tentative agreements. Works closely with the Deputy Director of Labor, Labor Counsel, outside counsel, department heads, and elected officials to identify issues and develop collective bargaining strategies.
• Oversees grievance resolutions and collective bargaining agreement (CBA) disputes.
• Analyzes CBAs to ensure clarity of language and intent, and may recommend contract language revisions to the Deputy Director of Labor Relations.
• Reviews unfair labor practice charges and arbitration cases, providing assistance as needed to the State''s Attorney's Office, elected officials, and Labor Counsel before hearings to address and resolve related issues.
• Directs and coordinates the implementation of terms and conditions of collective bargaining agreements. Collaborates with County departments, including the Comptroller, Budget Office, Bureau of Technology, and Human Resources, to implement cost of living adjustments, reclassifications, salary upgrades, and other economic provisions.
• Monitors and coordinates the timely preparation of Resolutions for the County Board and Cook County Health and Hospital System Board for the approval of wages and contracts.
• Receives and reviews correspondence from various trade organizations regarding annual trade rate changes, including prevailing rates, and directs the implementation of trade rate changes with the appropriate County departments.

Required for all jobs

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor''s Degree or higher and
• Four (4) years of business administration, public administration, labor relations, or directly related experience or
• An equivalent combination of education and/or experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Labor, or Human Resources or a Juris Doctorate (JD).
• Six (6) years of business administration, public administration, or labor relations experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Skill in directing and supervising other staff members.
• Knowledge of County policies, protocols, and technical terminology used throughout each union labor agreement for the County.
• Extensive knowledge of Cook County labor relations functions, principles, techniques, contract terminology, and office practices and procedures.
• Thorough knowledge of business communication principles, contract language, and procedures related to labor relations.
• Skill in resolving labor/management contractual negotiation disputes.
• Skill in analyzing the text of contractual labor agreements for accuracy and intent.
• Proficiency in using diplomacy and maintaining confidentiality when communicating with arbitrators, attorneys, County employees, County managerial personnel, and union representatives.
• Ability to conduct research and provide accurate documentation and statistical data for union contract negotiations.
• Ability to communicate effectively with tact and professionalism. Strong communication skills, including the ability to gather information, ask relevant questions, and clearly convey County policies and procedures to others, both in person and by telephone.

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.

EMPLOYMENT TERMS

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT: Pursuant to the Shakman Consent Decree, Supplemental Relief Order and the Cook County Personnel Rules, this position is exempt from the County's career service rules, is at-will and political reasons or factors may be considered when taking any employment action. As an employee in a Shakman Exempt Position, if you do not currently live in Cook County, you will have six (6) months from date of hire to establish actual residency within Cook County.

Please contact shakmanexemptapplications@cookcountyil.gov for inquiries about this position.