Richard Zimmerman
Halifax,PA
Summary
Dependable, driven, 31 year Federal employee with a strong background in Employee and Labor Relations and a willingness to take on added responsibility. I have a strong work ethic, I am a very quick learner and I am an enthusiastic team player. I take great pride in my job and have an impeccable safety and disciplinary record. My objective is to acquire and maintain a career with an organization where my passion and reliability can influence the work environment and produce high quality work and relationships. I am an excellent candidate for this position as I am passionate about learning, research, contract compliance, employee engagement and doing what is right. I have experience with and extensive knowledge of many relevant HR programs Worker's Compensation Programs, Reasonable Accommodations , Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Occupational Safety and Health Agency (OSHA), National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and Federal Labor Relations Act (FLRA). I have also served as an advocate for the Postal Service in grievance arbitration hearings, unemployment compensation hearings and Department of Treasury debt collection hearings. I am able to apply my knowledge and experience to resolve complex issues in real-time as well as develop and conduct training programs for all levels of management.
I am a meticulous and hardworking HR professional with advanced understanding of successful employee relations strategies. Dedicated to reinforcing company policies for handling performance and behavioral issues. Good research, dispute resolution and solution development skills.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
Work History
Headquarters Labor Relations Specialist
Transportation Security Administration, TSA
12.2023 - Current
- Devised robust training programs to strengthen investigatory skills, legal understanding, and motivational strategies.
- Developed performance metrics and dashboard interfaces to keep track of internal benchmarking and progress against goals.
- Answered management questions, interpreted contracts and resolved issues.
- Interpreted and advised on labor relations policies and previously negotiated agreements.
- Versatile professional with strong problem-solving skills and history of adapting to diverse challenges. Applies innovative solutions and technical expertise to deliver exceptional results. Committed to streamlining processes and advancing organizational objectives.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
Senior Labor Relations Specialist
USPS
12.2022 - 12.2023
- Perform the same duties as Level 19 LRS with the following additional responsibilities:
- Serve as District Reasonable Accommodation Committee Chair
- This included scheduling meetings, tracking cases, conducting interactive meetings and writing final decision letters
- Develop and conduct internet-based and in-person oral presentations and training programs ranging from twenty minutes to two days on a wide variety of Labor Relations subjects
- Responsible for handling the more complex and higher liability grievances for the PA-1 district
- Respond to National Labor Relations Board inquiries regarding unfair labor practices
- Draft and vet correspondence and policies for release by USPS Executive leadership
- Mentor level 19 Labor Relations Specialists
- Fill in for the District Manager of Labor Relations as needed
- Meet with union National Business Agents to discuss current issues and negotiate settlements of grievances pending arbitration
- Drive the goals set by the DMLR
- Facilitate weekly round table meetings with level 19 LRS to identify pain points and develop strategies for grievance reduction
- Cultivate relationships with high ranking USPS management officials to ensure contract compliance
- Devised robust training programs to strengthen investigatory skills, legal understanding, and motivational strategies.
- Developed performance metrics and dashboard interfaces to keep track of internal benchmarking and progress against goals.
- Answered management and employee questions, interpreted contracts and resolved issues.
- Participated in labor-management meetings to discuss labor issues.
Labor Relations Specialist
USPS
08.2021 - 12.2022
- Serve as District Reasonable Accommodation Committee Coordinator, scheduling meetings, tracking cases, providing information to invested parties
- Write Step 2 grievance decisions on discipline and contractual violations within the prescribed time limits in the negotiated agreements for all four Postal unions
- As Step 2 designee, I have adjudicated over 1000 grievances by either settling, denying or negotiating a withdrawal
- Represent the United States Postal Service in arbitration, EEO hearings, Unemployment Compensation hearings, ELM 650 mediation for EAS/management discipline and adverse actions
- Meet with union representatives to resolve grievances and assure timely follow up at all levels of the process
- When appropriate, provide management position papers on complex contractual issues
- Train and advise members of the field on a multitude of topics including grievance handling, supervisor confidence, discipline, contractual obligations
- Unemployment Compensation, Reasonable Accommodations, light duty assignments and employee engagement
- Review and interpret investigation results in relation to discipline and advise on appropriate level of corrective action
- Write corrective action with and without MSPB (Merit Systems Protection Board) appeal rights for all levels of employees from new hires to upper level managers
- Research contract language, manuals, arbitration awards, and other resources to ensure sound ethical decisions for all 4 Postal unions
- Seek counsel with the USPS Law Department on matters concerning legal issues and adverse actions involving veteran preference employees and members of the management team
- Represent the Postal Service at arbitration hearings, by researching previous arbitration cases and awards, preparing opening statements, preparing witnesses, presenting closing arguments and submitting written briefs when required
- Process and submit documents to compensate employees as the result of an arbitration award or grievance settlement that include remuneration for lost pay
- Serve as Technical Assistant for new Labor Specialists in arbitration hearings and training throughout the process, from case selection to research to administering the award/decision
- Participate in labor/management meetings
- Serve as Labor Relations representative at Human Resources Management Board meetings (HRMB)
- HRMB is the process used by the PA-1 district to determine the appropriate complement for Associate Post Offices based on historical data, logistics, workload and contractual obligations
- Respond to Requests For Information (RFI) from the union
- Received a monetary award from the PA-1 DMLR for exemplary performance in 2022
Occupational Health Processing Specialist
USPS
05.2021 - 08.2021
- Change was due to a reclassification and upgrade of the official job description from HRM Specialist to Occupational Health Processing Specialist
- No change in duties from HRM Specialist duties listed below
Labor Relations Specialist
USPS
03.2020 - 08.2021
- Same as level 19 Labor Relations Specialist
Health and Resource Management Specialist
USPS
04.2018 - 05.2021
- Process initial Office Of Worker's Compensation Program (OWCP) claims including Traumatic Injury (CA-1) and Occupational Illness or Disease (CA-2)
- Investigate claims for possible fraud
- Write detailed employer challenge letters and provide supporting documentation for submission to the Department of Labor
- Train and advise members of the field on proper claim handling, limited duty assignments, claim challenges and privacy act compliance
- Monitor progress of injured workers from total disability through their successful return to full duty
- Correspond with medical providers to ensure a safe and expedient return to work
- Conduct work searches to find tasks for injured employees within their current restrictions
- Coordinate with Area level managers to create rehabilitation assignments for employees with permanent impairment
- Received a monetary award from the Central PA district for exemplary performance
Postmaster
USPS
09.2019 - 12.2019
- Postmaster of Lykens Post Office as well as Williamstown and Wiconisco subordinate offices
- Schedule and manage 12 employees at 3 different locations representing three different unions
- Implemented a program to utilize clerk downtime to reorganize office and streamline operations
- Train and coach employees on customer service, mail delivery and all other aspects of day to day operations
- Maintained accountability for the installation's stamp stock
- Monitor new employees on the Counseling At Risk Employees (CARE) program
- Review and select from competing bids for subcontracted work like snow removal and lawn care
- Communicate with customers, employees, Postmaster and other stakeholders via telephone, email and in writing/letters to resolve complaints and operational issues
- Complete reports and verify for accuracy and submission
- Investigate and take appropriate measures to correct employee deficiencies and conduct
- Coordinate with other offices to address complement and employee availability to ensure timely completion of work
- Convey expectations and provide feedback on performance
City Letter Carrier
USPS
09.1994 - 03.2018
- As a city carrier I delivered the 2nd highest volume route in the CPA district in terms of mail volume and deliveries, serving over 1200 addresses per day
- Trained and served as the on-the-job trainer for over 15 years
- Received multiple commendations for performance, safety and attendance
TE City Carrier
USPS
09.1993 - 09.1994
- Non-career assignment to the same duties as a career City Carrier
Education
High School - Advanced Placement curriculum, English, Physics, Calculus
Northern Lebanon High School
01.1990
Skills
- Specialize in contract interpretation
- EEOC statutes
- OSHA standards
- Local negotiations
- Arbitration administration
- Developing employees
- Organization
- Prioritization
- Performance management
- Microsoft Office suite
- Interpersonal communication
- Written presentation
- Oral presentation
- Process improvement
- Training
- Strong attention to detail
- Public speaking
- Strong communication skills
- Trustworthiness
- Reliability
- Investigative expertise
- Eagerness to learn
- Willingness to teach
- Grievance handling
- Negotiation expertise
- Stress tolerance
- Employee relations
- Training development
- Coaching and mentoring
- Performance improvement strategies
- Case analysis
- Research proficiency
Training
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Trained
- USERRA (Uniform Service Employment and Reemployment Rights Act)
- Basic Labor Relations
- Arbitration advocacy
- Debt Collection Advocacy
- HR – No Fear Act
- HR Fundamentals – Managing Attendance
- Dispute Resolution Process
- Federal Merit System Overview
- Narcan Responder Training
- Political Activity and the Hatch Act
- Annual Reasonable Accommodation Committee training
- Department of Labor early case management training
- GEMBA Lean Safety training
Timeline
Headquarters Labor Relations Specialist
Transportation Security Administration, TSA
12.2023 - Current
Senior Labor Relations Specialist
USPS
12.2022 - 12.2023
Labor Relations Specialist
USPS
08.2021 - 12.2022
Occupational Health Processing Specialist
USPS
05.2021 - 08.2021
Labor Relations Specialist
USPS
03.2020 - 08.2021
Postmaster
USPS
09.2019 - 12.2019
Health and Resource Management Specialist
USPS
04.2018 - 05.2021
City Letter Carrier
USPS
09.1994 - 03.2018
TE City Carrier
USPS
09.1993 - 09.1994
High School - Advanced Placement curriculum, English, Physics, Calculus
Northern Lebanon High School
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