Labor Relations Administrator 1

The State Employment Relations Board (SERB) administers the Ohio Public Employees’ Collective Bargaining Act (O.R.C. Chapter 4117). SERB adjudicates filings from employee organizations (unions), public employees, and public employers. A public employer is any state or political subdivision located entirely within the state (including counties, municipal corporations, and townships with a population of 5,000+). We also serve school districts, state colleges, state agencies, authorities, commissions, boards, and other branches of public employment including public sector hospitals and health care facilities.

SERB’s essential statutory functions include:

· Investigating unfair labor practice charges.

· Adjudicating unfair labor practice complaints after investigation.

· Processing representation petitions and requests for recognition.

· Determining appropriate bargaining units and conducting elections to establish or change union composition.

· Analyzing and reporting wage and benefit data from collective bargaining agreements.

· Providing impasse resolution services through mediation, fact-finding, and conciliation.

· Resolving disputes as to the legality of strikes.

· Collecting and monitoring registration and financial filings by employee organizations.

· Training labor and management representatives in the methods and rules of collective bargaining.

The agency consists of three board members and a staff of 24. The agency is organized into the following sections:

· Clerk’s Office

· Business and Records Office

· Representation

· Bureau of Mediation

· Unfair Labor Practices

· Hearings

· Research and Training

Learn more about the agency by visiting https://serb.ohio.gov.

About the Role
The Labor Relations Administrator 1 plays a central leadership role within the State Employment Relations Board (SERB).  This position is responsible for leading critical investigative functions that support Ohio’s public sector labor relations system. This role is ideal for a professional who excels in evaluating complex information, guiding teams, and ensuring the integrity of processes that uphold collective bargaining rights under Ohio law.

As a key leader within SERB, you will oversee investigations, manage representation case activity, and provide guidance on matters involving public employers, employees, and unions. You will help shape agency processes, direct staff handling sensitive and high‑impact cases, and ensure that SERB’s decisions and recommendations are grounded in thorough analysis, fairness, and statutory compliance.

Key Responsibilities

Lead Investigation and Case Management Functions
• Oversee the administration of SERB’s Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) and representation (REP) programs, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements and agency procedures.
• Review ULP charges, representation petitions, election objections, and challenged ballots to determine case direction and recommend action to the Board.

Supervise and Develop Staff
• Direct the work of Labor Relations Specialists by assigning cases, reviewing work products, delivering training, and evaluating performance.
• Guide staff through complex investigations and representation matters, providing technical expertise and ensuring consistency across cases.

Conduct and Resolve Complex Case Matters
• Lead the most sensitive or high‑impact investigations and representation cases, including those with statewide implications.
• Mediate settlements, including pre‑probable‑cause resolutions and consent election agreements, when appropriate.

Coordinate Agency Activities
• Work collaboratively with mediation, hearings, and legal staff to ensure aligned processes and coordinated case handling.
• Develop and implement procedures and policies that improve investigative quality, representation workflows, and legal operations.

Manage Records and Reporting
• Oversee case records, docket systems, and documentation standards to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Compile data and prepare periodic reports on case activity and program performance.

Engage with Stakeholders
• Respond to inquiries from public employers, employees, unions, agency personnel, elected officials, and the general public.
• Represent SERB in meetings, conferences, training sessions, and public speaking engagements.
• Collaborate with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office on legal matters as needed.

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

-4 years of experience in collective bargaining to include contract administration & management representation with regard to grievances &/or negotiated agreements (successful completion of the OCB Academy may be substituted for 6 months of required collective bargaining experience referenced in this portion of the minimum qualifications; applicants who completed OCB Academy prior to 1/1/2018 may substitute 12 months of experience). 


-OR completion of undergraduate core program in human resources management AND 2 years of experience in labor relations/collective bargaining which included contract administration & management representation with regard to grievances &/or negotiated agreements(successful completion of the OCB Academy may be substituted for 6 months of required collective bargaining experience referenced in this portion of the minimum qualifications; applicants who completed OCB Academy prior to 1/1/2018 may substitute 12 months of experience). 

-OR 2 yrs. exp. as Labor Relations Officer 2, 63472. 

-OR 1 yr. exp. as Labor Relations Officer 3, 63473. 

-Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications For Employment noted above. 

Job Skills: Labor Relations

When completing your application, be sure to clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications outlined in this job posting. 

If you require reasonable accommodation for the application process, please email the Human Resources contact on this posting so arrangements can be made.

The final candidate selected for this position will be required to undergo a criminal background check, Ohio tax check, and drug screen. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant's prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration. 

The Ohio State Employment Relations Board is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin (ancestry), military status, disability, age (40 years or older), genetic information, sexual orientation, or caregiver status, in making employment-related decisions about an individual.

Interviews will be conducted on an ongoing basis during the posting period.

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.