Labor Relations Assistant Jobs in Rhodes, MI (NOW HIRING)

Salary Range: $$128,750 - $173,031

SUMMARY: Direct, plan, and provide executive-level leadership for the district's physical infrastructure, custodial and maintenance services, ongoing capital improvement (bond) projects, and the implementation of innovative educational programs and community partnerships. This role establishes the operational, financial, and external infrastructure required to support alternative pathways, emerging technologies, and workforce development pipelines.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Other duties may be assigned.

• Operations, Facilities, and Capital Project Management:
  • Capital & Bond Project Executive: Act as the owner's representative to direct and manage District capital improvement, expansion, and bond projects. Coordinate with architectural, engineering, and construction firms to ensure adherence to timelines, budgets, and district objectives.
  • Facilities & Maintenance Supervision: Plan, direct, and oversee the work of all buildings and grounds personnel, ensuring consistent, cost effective methods are implemented across custodial and maintenance operations to provide a safe, clean, and appealing learning environment.
  • Long-Range Planning: Maintain, monitor, and update the district's comprehensive long-range deferred maintenance plan, computerized preventive maintenance programs, and long-range, cost-effective facility utilization plans to align district infrastructure with the future student enrollment trend.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Coordinate and ensure strict district compliance with all legal aspects related to asbestos (AHERA), Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) programs, Filter First, and Michigan's "Right to Know" Legislation, including master file data sheets.
  • Resource Optimization: Oversee the district-wide computerized work order system, energy management systems, utility usages, and the district facilities rental program.
  • Budgetary & Fiscal Responsibility: Prepare, monitor, and analyze departmental budgets for facilities, maintenance, and assigned program streams in accordance with district policy and generally accepted accounting principles.
  • Labor Relations: Assist and play an active role in contract negotiations, personnel matters, and maintain harmonious working relationships between employee units, administrators, and staff.
• Innovative Programming & Community Partnerships:
  • Strategic Partnerships: Foster and execute agreements with local corporations, chambers of commerce, higher education institutions, and civic organizations to build workforce pipelines and external resource streams.
  • Advanced & Alternative Pathways: Provide administrative, operational, and fiscal oversight for non-traditional educational environments. Programs may flexibly include:
    • Adult Education and Alternative Education models.
    • Career and Technical Education (CTE) and Trades programming.
    • Early Middle College (EMC) and Dual Enrollment infrastructure.
  • Instructional Alignment Disclaimer: Ensure all alternative, advanced, and partner-driven pathways operationally align with district goals. Note: Core K-12 instructional curriculum, standard classroom pedagogy, and K-12 academic assessments remain under the distinct oversight of the Chief Academic Officer / Associate Superintendent of Instruction.
  • Emerging Technology Infrastructure: Partner with IT leadership to ensure proper technical resources are functioning to support alternative pathways and evaluate the operational rollout of emerging tools, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and flexible learning spaces.
• Executive Leadership:
  • Cabinet Membership: Contribute to creative problem-solving strategies, process improvements, and high-level administrative decision-making as a member of the Superintendent's cabinet.
  • Policy & Board Relations: Assist the Board of Education and the Superintendent with updates and revisions to appropriate board policies and administrative guidelines within the area of responsibility.
  • Grant & Regulatory Reporting: Monitor specialized program grant budgets, track expenditures, and ensure compliance and reporting to state and federal agencies regarding specialized project funds.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:  Supervise departmental leadership within Facilities, Maintenance, Custodial operations, and assigned Innovative Program coordinators. Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws, including interviewing, hiring, training, directing work, appraising performance, and resolving problems.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• Master's degree in Educational Leadership, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a closely related field preferred.
• State administrative certification or ability to meet all requirements necessary to satisfy state credentials for the position.
• Five (5) or more years of successful high-level administrative experience preferred, with demonstrated success in managing complex facilities, capital operations, or large-scale educational programs.
• Extensive knowledge of building operations, business procedures, and contract management within a labor-management environment. 

LANGUAGE SKILL:

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret professional journals, technical procedures, safety rules, or governmental regulations. Ability to write comprehensive reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond clearly and concisely to questions from the Board of Education, employee groups, and the general public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as proportions, percentages, area, and volume. Ability to analyze complex financial data, construct projections, and apply mathematical concepts to practical operational and budgeting situations.

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables simultaneously.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Demonstrated ability to effectively use modern technology tools and web-based applications for operational management. Proven success in maintaining effective working relationships with students, staff, labor units, and the broader school community. Must possess excellent listening, multi-tasking, and organizational skills.