Labor Mediator Company State of Montana

Location Helena, MT

Date Posted 09/18/2026

Description [Montana Department of Labor & Industry, Employment Standards Division. Empowering Montanans Through Work and Opportunity. Sarah Swanson, Commissioner] Note Employees for the State of Montana must reside within Montana. All applications and required application documents must be submitted through the MT Careers site atmtstatejobs.taleo.net/careersection/200/jobdetail.ftl?job=26142114&tz=GMT-0600&tzname=America/Denver Montana's public employers and labor organizations turn difficult workplace conflicts into productive conversations and practical solutions. The Employment Standards Division is seeking a Labor Mediator to provide impartial mediation, training, and facilitation services that support stable labor-management relationships across the state. In this staff-level position, you will work directly with public-sector parties navigating collective bargaining, grievances, and employment-related disputes, helping themmunicate effectively, understand one another's interests, and identify mutually acceptable paths forward. Your work will make a meaningful difference for public employees, employers, and the Montanamunities they serve.

MISSION STATEMENT

Empowering all Montanans through work and opportunity. It's about the people and the impact we make in ourmunities every day. We are proud of our open, team-based, supportive, and collaborative work environments. Learn more about

DLI . POSITION OVERVIEW

As a Labor Mediator, you will serve as an impartial, neutral third party assisting public employers and labor organizations with resolving labor relations disputes and improving their ongoing working relationships. You will prepare for and facilitate mediations involving collective bargaining negotiations, grievances, and employment-related matters, using both traditional and interest-based dispute-resolution approaches. This position also delivers training and facilitation in Interest-Based Bargaining and Labor-Management Committee practices, helping parties build skills for collaborative problem-solving outside of formal disputes. Through careful preparation, active listening, clearmunication, and sound judgment, you will support fair, respectful, and effective labor relations throughout Montana's public sector.

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU

• Meaningful statewide impact public employers, labor organizations, and employees work through conflict constructively, supporting stronger workplace relationships and more effective public services for Montanans.
• Purposeful conflict-resolution workUse mediation and facilitation skills to help parties move beyond positions, identify underlying interests, and develop solutions they can support.
• Specialized professional experienceBuild and expertise in public-sector labor relations, collective bargaining, grievance resolution, interest mediation, and collaborative problem-solving.
• Varied, people-centered workBalance mediation preparation and facilitation with training, relationship-building, research, documentation, travel, and statewide outreach.
• Professional growthContinue developing practical skills in impartiality, negotiation, active listening,munication, meeting facilitation, and labor-relations analysis.
• Collaborative public-service environmentJoin a teammitted to fairness, accountability, customer service, continuous improvement, and respectful engagement with diverse stakeholders.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Conduct labor mediationsProvide neutral mediation services for public-sector collective bargaining negotiations, grievances, and employment-related disputes, helping parties explore options and pursue voluntary resolution.
• Prepare parties and processesReview relevant agreements, correspondence, issues, and background materials; clarify the purpose and structure of mediation; and prepare for joint or separate meetings with the parties.
• Facilitate productive dialogueEstablish a respectful, structured setting that supports calmmunication, active listening, and meaningful participation by all parties.
• Identify interests and concernsConfer with public employers and labor organizations to clarify disputed issues, identify underlying needs and interests, and assist parties in understanding areas of agreement and disagreement.
• neutral resolution methodsUse appropriate dispute-resolution techniques to help parties assess options, address barriers, and develop mutually acceptable solutions without advocating for either side.
• Deliver IBB trainingProvide training and facilitation in Interest-Based Bargaining and interest-based problem-solving methods that emphasizemunication, d information, interests, and consensus-based solutions.
• Facilitate labor-managementmitteesTrain and assist Labor-Management Committees in addressing workplace concerns outside the collective bargaining process and strengthening ongoing labor-management relationships.
• Support statewide educationAssist with planning, coordination, and delivery of the annual Montana Arbitration and Labor Relations Conference, as well as other labor-relations education, outreach, and training activities.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

Candidates must demonstrate the ability to

• Labor dispute resolution mediation principles, conflict-resolution strategies, and impartial facilitation techniques to collective bargaining, grievance, and employment disputes involving public employers and labor organizations.
• Neutrality and professional judgmentMaintain neutrality, confidentiality, professionalism, and appropriate boundaries while working with parties who may hold strongly differing views or interests.
• Labor law interpretationRead, interpret, and Montana statutes, administrative rules, collective bargaining agreements, policies, and other requirements relevant to public-sector labor relations.
• Labor relations knowledgeUnderstand core labor-relations concepts, collective bargaining processes, grievance procedures, labor-management dynamics, and the practical impact of workplace conflict on employees and employers.
• Interest-based facilitationTrain and facilitate Interest-Based Bargaining and other collaborative problem-solving processes that help parties focus on interests, develop options, and work toward consensus.
• Labor-management collaborationFacilitate Labor-Management Committee discussions that address ongoing workplace issues, improvemunication, and strengthen labor-management relationships outside formal bargaining.
• Communication and active listeningCommunicate clearly and respectfully in writing and verbally; use active listening to ensure people feel heard; and explainplex issues in accessible, balanced language.
• Relationship buildingEstablish trust with diverse stakeholders, bridge differing perspectives, encourage respectful dialogue, and help parties sustain productive working relationships during and after conflict.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

(Education and Experience)

• Demonstrated experience mediating disputes, facilitating difficult conversations, negotiating agreements, resolving workplace conflicts, or helping groups addressplex issues with differing interests.
• Experience in labor relations, collective bargaining, grievance administration, employee relations, human resources, public-sector administration, employment law, dispute resolution, or aparable field.
• Experience interpreting and ing laws, administrative rules, collective bargaining agreements, policies, contracts, or technical standards to real-world situations.
• Demonstrated experience facilitating meetings, delivering training, presenting information, or guiding groups through structured problem-solving or decision-making processes.
• Strong written and verbalmunication skills, including the ability to prepare materials, explainplex concepts,municate with diverse audiences, and document work accurately.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, manage multiple priorities, prepare thoroughly, and work effectively both independently and collaboratively.
• A degree in labor relations, human resources, public administration, business,munications, conflict resolution, law, political science, or a related field may supplement relevant professional experience but is not a substitute for demonstrated skills andpetencies in the areas noted above.

Equivalentbinations of education and directly related experience will be considered.

HOW TO FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY

Aplete state application is not required; however, you will need to initiate the application and attach the resume, cover letter or other required documents at time of application to be considered for this position. Resume will auto fill the application, but the application will not be scored or reviewed. Failure to attach the cover letter and resume will result in your application being considered iplete and will not be considered further. Materials submitted but not requested will not be considered in the selection process. TipWhen attaching your resume, cover letter or other required documents you must mark the attachments as "

RELEVANT

" or we will be unable to view your documents. _Required application materials_

• _Cover Letter_
• Your Cover Letter should explain how your experience and education meet the identified required skills andpetencies, with examples that demonstrate your qualifications.
• _Resume_
• include all work experience you have held that would help you qualify for this position, including duties, dates of employment.

Only online applications will be accepted. By ing online, you can receive updates and monitor the status of your application. All documents for Veteran or Disability preference must be received or date stamped by the closing date. You will receive an application confirmation email with instructions on acceptable preference documents and how to submit such documents. If you need an amodation with the application process, please contact the HR office.

BENEFITS

Being able to enjoy the quality of life in the beautiful state of Montana is one of the benefits you will love about this opportunity! Our mountains, waterways and open spaces provide not only beautiful scenery but year-round recreational opportunities including hiking, camping, biking, fishing, boating, hunting, skiing and snowmobiling. Montana boasts a high-quality education system and a variety of entertainment including fairs, rodeos, and theaters. Read more about our great state. See our other incredible benefits. These are some of our benefits just to name a few

• Work/life balance with hybrid schedules or partial telework may be available within the state of Montana.
• 38 paid days off a year including vacation, sick leave and holidays.
• Military leave You'll get up to 15 days of military leave with full pay.
• Longevity raises with continuous service, as well as any negotiated market increases and state statutory raises.
• Health, dental, vision, life insurance coverage, flexible spending accounts, EAP
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• Free telehealth and access to free employee medical clinics through our medical plan
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• Choice between two retirement plans with an employer contribution between 8.73%
• 9.07% of your annual salary. A third optional 457(b) deferredpensation plan is also available.
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• Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive loan forgiveness
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• Career progression, training opportunities and room for professional growth.
• State employee discounts at various businesses across the state. This position may be covered by a Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA)
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