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City of Aurora

Labor Relations Officer and HR Business Partner

Aurora Municipal Center Full time

JOB LOCATION

15151 E Alameda Pkwy Aurora, Colorado 80012-1555

City of Aurora, Colorado


It is an exciting time to work for the City of Aurora, we're growing and looking for dedicated and collaborative individuals to join our team of talented and valued employees. Excellent organizations have a set of principles, or core values, that are used to implement their mission and vision. Those values represent the touchstone for the organization, guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the City of Aurora, we demonstrate our excellence by modeling the CORE 4 Values of: Integrity, Respect, Professionalism, and Customer Service, and we welcome all who share these values to apply.
 
Why Work for Aurora?

  • Make a difference in the lives of real people every day
  • Diverse community
  • Competitive total compensation package
  • Well-Funded General Employees Retirement Plan
  • Light rail station minutes away
  • On-site fitness center and overall employee well-being programs Internal educational programs to assist with career advancement
  • Access to innovation workspaces

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Salary to be commensurate with experience

The hiring range for this position is $99,503 - $124,379/annually

The full salary range for this position is $99,503 - $155,474/annually

This job announcement will close Sunday, November 9, 2025.

OVERVIEW OF POSITION / DEPARTMENT

The Labor Relations Officer & Public Safety HR Business Partner will primarily serve as the City of Aurora's strategic advisor, spokesperson, and representative in negotiating and administering complex labor contracts for the public safety sector, specifically with unions that represent Aurora Police Department and Aurora Fire Rescue employees.

This position functions as a strategic advisor to Executive Management on labor and employment laws, contract negotiation administration, and complex labor relations issues. The most successful and qualified candidate will demonstrate experience administering and negotiating complex labor agreements for organizations with multiple stakeholders.

Additionally, this position is responsible for aligning business objectives with employees and management in the designated public safety business units (Police, Fire & Rescue, and Aurora911). The role formulates partnerships across the HR function to deliver value-added service to management and employees that reflects the business objectives of the organization. The Partner provides HR guidance and support to management and employees within these groups.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Labor Relations and Negotiations Focus

  • Negotiate labor contracts and Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) on behalf of the City with unions representing Aurora Police Department and Aurora Fire Rescue employees.
  • Serve as spokesperson on complex labor contracts.
  • Formulate strategies and coordinate resources to present the City's interest in labor negotiations, mediation, arbitration, grievance, and grievance arbitration, and unfair labor practices.
  • Conduct research and analysis to prepare for negotiations, grievance meetings, and other labor matters.
  • Provide strategic and tactical input on the development of proposed labor policies.
  • Prepare and present highly sensitive and confidential briefing materials to Executive Staff and City Council.
  • Advise and train Executive Staff, Civil Service employees, and others.
  • Assist in drafting memoranda and collective bargaining agreements.
  • Write or review discipline letters, grievance responses, and last chance agreements.
  • Conduct workplace investigations for Civil Service employees.
  • Assists with and provides dispute resolutions for Career and Civil Service employees.

Human Resources Business Partner Focus

  • Maintain an effective level of business literacy about the public safety business units’ functions, challenges, and strategic planning.
  • Work closely with management and employees to improve work relationships, build morale, and increase productivity and retention.
  • Manage and resolve complex employee relations issues.
  • Provide day-to-day guidance and support to employees and management on routine HR tasks and questions.
  • Act as a liaison between the business unit and HR to progress HR business processes forward around Recruiting & Hiring, Compensation Requests, Benefits support, and Learning and Development.
  • Provide HR policy guidance and interpretation.
  • Provide guidance and input on business unit restructures, workforce planning, and succession planning.
  • Provide day-to-day performance management guidance to line management, including coaching, counseling, career development, and disciplinary actions.
  • Analyze trends and metrics in partnership with the HR group to develop solutions, programs, and policies.
  • Identify training needs for business units and individual coaching needs.
  • Consult with line management, providing HR guidance when appropriate.
  • Maintains in-depth knowledge of legal requirements related to day-to-day management of employees, reducing legal risks and ensuring regulatory compliance. Partners with the legal department as needed/required.
  • Performs other duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & WORKING CONDITIONS

An equivalent combination of education, training and experience that demonstrates required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

Education:

  • Bachelor's Degree in Public or Business Administration, Human Resources Management, Business, Communication, or related field.

Experience:

  • At least five (5) years' progressively responsible experience in labor relations.
  • Proven successful experience in labor contract negotiations, administration, and labor management, specifically within municipal government and/or public safety organizations.
  • Progressive experience in human resource disciplines, including employee relations, compensation and recruiting practices, performance management, and federal and state employment laws.

Preferred Certifications:

  • Professional in Human Resources (PHR) Certification, or
  • SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP).

Knowledge

  • Advanced principles and practices of collective bargaining and labor contract administration.
  • Advanced negotiating strategies, tactics and impasse procedures.
  • Federal and State laws as they pertain to labor relations and Human Resources management in the Public Sector.
  • Knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws (e.g., Public Employment Relations Act, FMLA, FLSA, COBRA, ADA, EEOC).
  • Advanced practices of Human Resources Management and strong knowledge of HR principles (hiring, onboarding, compensation, performance management, and employee relations).
  • Understanding of workforce planning, talent acquisition, development and retention strategies.
  • Understanding of change management principles and practices.

Abilities

  • Successfully collaborate with an array of stakeholders, and establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, management, and elected officials.
  • Negotiations, mediations, and other forms of pre-litigation conflict resolution proceedings.
  • Advance methods of grievance investigation/resolution and arbitration.
  • Understand, analyze, interpret, and act upon complex labor relations and human resources issues.
  • Ability to analyze complex situations, identify problems, and propose effective solutions.
  • Make quality, independent decisions, and informed, strategic decisions, even under pressure.
  • Conduct research, prepare exhibits, and prepare documentation for arbitration.
  • Read, interpret, apply, and explain labor laws and contracts.
  • Handle sensitive situations with tact and diplomacy.
  • Handle sensitive employee and organizational information with the highest level of confidentiality and integrity.
  • Ability to influence decision-makers, advocate for employee concerns, and present HR initiatives convincingly.
  • Ability to multi-task, work effectively and efficiently under tight deadlines.

Skills

  • Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, interpersonal, and negotiating skills.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills to articulate policies, mediate conflict, and present HR strategies to stakeholders.
  • Strong time management and organizational skills.
  • Skilled in managing and resolving workplace disputes and grievances.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, and Excel), including creating spreadsheets, vLookup, pivot tables, and utilization of formulas.

License, Certificates or Equipment Required:

  • Valid driver's license with a clean Motor Vehicle Report

WORKING CONDITIONS

Essential Personnel:

  • When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the City, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel.

Physical Demands:

  • Sedentary work lifting no more than 10 pounds .
  • Frequent lifting, carrying, walking and standing.
  • Regular pushing, pulling, bending, reaching and stooping.
  • Hand/eye coordination to operate computer keyboard.
  • Vision to read and interpret reports, documents and other written information and computer screen.
  • Frequent speech communication and hearing to maintain communication with Executive Management and other stakeholders.
  • Endurance sufficient to sit and work at a computer for long periods of time.
  • Hand/foot coordination for operation vehicle.

Work Environment:

  • Work is generally performed in a clean, comfortable office setting.
  • Must be able to work in a high pressure environment and stay calm under pressure and in tense situations.

Equipment Used:

  • Frequently uses computer keyboard, standard office equipment, and telephone.
  • Operates motorized vehicles
  • This position may require the incumbent to occasionally use personal equipment (e.g. vehicle, cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment

For Veterans preference:  Please show all of your employment history, including military service and related documentation (DD214) on the application.
           
The City of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer.  We are required by state and federal agencies to keep certain statistical records on applicants.  It will not be used in any way to discriminate against you because of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, disability or military status, gender identity, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification as defined by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunity Commission.
                                         
Despite the changes in Colorado law, the City of Aurora maintains a drug-free workplace.  A positive test of marijuana is grounds for disqualification and ineligibility for employment with the city for one year or termination once hired.
 

Drug Testing, Thorough Criminal Background Check, and Employment References:
As a condition of employment, all applicants selected for employment with the City of Aurora must undergo a thorough criminal background check. 

Applicants selected for safety-sensitive positions are required to complete and pass a drug screening as a condition of employment. Safety sensitive positions include Civil Service positions within Police and Fire Departments and positions where their job responsibilities have direct and substantial responsibility that would impact the health and safety of others.  


Employment references will be conducted on finalists for City of Aurora vacancies.