Laborers Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $96,009.36 - $144,014.05 Annually
Location : Downtown Minneapolis
Job Type: Full-time
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 26LR869rla017
Department: Labor Relations
Division: Labor Relations
Opening Date: 09/10/2026
Closing Date: 10/2/2026 11:59 PM Central
Description
Hennepin County is seeking a Labor Relations Advocate to join the Labor Relations team. This position is part of a six-person office that negotiates and administers 18 collective bargaining agreements spread across seven lines of business. As an experienced advocate, you will have responsibility for at least one line of business, working directly with the Human Resource professionals assigned to that line of business as well as the managers, supervisors, and union representatives working in those areas.
This job is a match for you if you maintain a productive attitude in the midst of conflict and challenge and will be dedicated to maintaining the longstanding positive labor-management relationship in Hennepin County.
Current Hennepin County employees who refer a candidate hired into an open competitive position may be eligible for a $500 referral bonus. For more information visit
Location and hours:
This position is hybrid and will be performed on-site at 625 South 4th Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55487, at other county locations, and remote as job duties require. Work hours will be flexible within core business hours, typically Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. While this position is designated as hybrid, based on current requirements hires must reside in or relocate to Minnesota or Wisconsin. New Employee Orientation (NEO) for all new benefit-earning employees is in-person in downtown Minneapolis. Details about NEO will be provided upon hire.
About the position type:
This position is a full-time, benefit earning position.
This position is internally classified as a Labor Relations Advocate.
To view the job classification specification,
Note: You must attach a cover letter and resume with your application materials to be considered for this position.
In this position, you will:

• Administer labor contracts and agreements, including providing day to day advice and counsel to Human Resources Business Partners and county departments regarding contract language, disciplinary decisions and other employment matters associated with union-represented employees.
• Communicate with managers, supervisors, and employees regarding their rights and responsibilities under bargaining agreements, applicable labor laws, and Human Resources Rules; provide manager/supervisor training regarding managing successfully in a unionized environment as well as participating in regular Meet and Confer sessions.
• Manage the grievance process for assigned line of business up to and including preparing and presenting cases in grievance and interest arbitration, administrative and mediation proceedings and representation elections.
• Prepare legal briefs and other documents for arbitration or administrative proceedings.
• Participate in the development of bargaining strategy including analysis of salary and benefit data and serve as the chief spokesperson for assigned labor contract negotiations.
• Assist in the coordination and management of all information requests related to grievances and negotiations including interfacing with the compensation team as we continue to refine our processes.
• Assist in the management of the department budget in conjunction with the Department Director.

Need to have:

• One of the following:
  • Eight years or more of professional labor relations, human resources or industrial relations experience.
  • Bachelor's degree in business administration, human resources, industrial relations, or a field closely related to the position and four years or more of professional labor relations, human resources or industrial relations experience.
  • Master's degree in business administration, human resources, industrial relations, or a field closely related to the position and two years or more of professional labor relations, human resources or industrial relations experience.
  • Law degree and one year or more of professional labor relations, human resources or industrial relations experience.

Nice to have:

• Experience:
  • With labor relations, human resources or industrial relations in a union represented workforce.
  • With labor negotiations, including proposal preparation, note-taking and research.
  • Preparing and giving presentations.
  • Leading and facilitating groups with diverse and complex opinions.
  • Administering/interpreting labor contract language and providing management with consultative services regarding labor contract provisions and human resource/employee relations issues including evaluating disciplinary situations.
• An understanding of the principles and practices of successful labor-management relations, including knowledge of Minnesota statutes relating to public sector collective bargaining.
• Mathematical skills sufficient to understand compensation data and analyze costing for labor agreements, and the ability to create and utilize Excel spreadsheets.
• Exemplary interpersonal skills with the ability to build trusting relationships and manage conflict professionally at all times.
• Ability to negotiate contracts and present at grievance hearings independently.

About the department:
Labor Relations promotes stable, productive, and cooperative relationships between the county and its union represented employees. The five members of the Labor Relations department work collaboratively across the county in negotiating, administering, and interpreting the collectively bargained agreements with all labor unions; providing management with sound advice with respect to labor contract interpretation and application; providing support and training to supervisors with respect to discipline, grievances, and managing successfully in a unionized environment; administering the grievance process; facilitating Labor/Management meetings and Meet and Confers.
About Hennepin County:
Hennepin is the largest county government organization in Minnesota. Our employees work every day to improve the health, safety and quality of life for our residents and communities. All of our jobs align with our mission to serve residents through transformative services that eliminate disparities, eliminate inequities, and create opportunity for all and our vision of a community where all people are healthy, all people are valued, and all people thrive.
Our employees receive a combination of competitive benefits and positive workplace culture not found at other organizations. This includes meaningful work that impacts our community, competitive pay, work-life balance, a variety of benefits and opportunities to grow. Learn more at (login as Guest).
Hennepin County envisions an organization where our commitment to diversity and the elimination of disparities is fundamental in providing excellent service to our community.
This position may have access to systems or other documentation that contains HIPAA data.
Your future. Made here.
This posting may be used to fill current and future vacancies.
Watch this video for application best practices and tips.
Invitations to interview will be based upon an assessment of education and experience. Final candidates may be required to complete a background check.
If you have any questions, please contact:
Roberta.Arpinar
Why work here?
Hennepin County embraces the Total Rewards philosophy. We want our employees to succeed - not only at work but as they move through life and its milestones. We offer advantages and opportunities others can't - including:

• Meaningful work
• Public service
• Competitive pay
• Work-life balance
• Generous benefits
• Opportunities to grow
• Commitment to your success

By working in public service, we are a part of something larger than ourselves. Together, we support those in need. We help people access information and services. We empower vibrant and diverse communities. We serve residents.
Visit our benefits page to learn more: bridge.hennepin.us/eligibility.
If you are a current Hennepin County employee please be aware that any change in job classification may affect your current benefits (such as a conversion from Vacation/Sick Leave to Paid Time Off and/or enrollment in a Health Care Saving Plan.) Information about the impact of job changes on benefits can be found
01
This position is hybrid and will be performed on-site at 625 South 4th Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55487, at other county locations, and remote as job duties require. Work hours will be flexible within core business hours, typically Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
While this position is designated as hybrid, based on current requirements hires must reside in or relocate to Minnesota or Wisconsin.
New Employee Orientation (NEO) for all new benefit-earning employees is in-person in downtown Minneapolis. Details about NEO will be provided upon hire.
Are you willing and able to meet these requirements?

• Yes
• No

02
Select the response below that reflects your education and experience as related to this position. Check all that apply.

• I have eight years or more of professional labor relations, human resources or industrial relations experience.
• I have completed a bachelor's degree in business administration, human resources, industrial relations, or a field closely related to the position and have four or more years of professional labor relations, human resources or industrial relations experience.
• I have completed a master's degree or higher in business administration, human resources, industrial relations, or a field closely related to the position and have two or more years of professional labor relations, human resources or industrial relations experience.
• I have completed a law degree and have one or more years of professional labor relations, human resources or industrial relations experience.
• None of the above

03
For each of your completed degrees, state the level (bachelor's, master's, etc.) and the academic major. If you do not have a degree to report, type "None" in the space provided.
04
How many years of full-time equivalent professional labor relations, human resources or industrial relations experience working with a union represented workforce do you have?

• I do not have this experience
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year or more, but less than 2 years
• 2 years or more, but less than 3 years
• 3 years or more, but less than 4 years
• 4 years or more, but less than 5 years
• 5 years or more, but less than 6 years
• 6 years or more, but less than 7 years
• 7 years or more, but less than 8 years
• 8 years or more

05
Describe your professional labor relations, human resources or industrial relations experience. Include years of experience working in a union and non-union represented workforce, referencing jobs listed in your application/resume. If you do not have this experience, type "None" in the space provided.
06
Which of the following labor relations tasks have you performed? Check all that apply.

• Participated in contract mediation
• Participated in Labor Management Team
• Participated in a Meet and Confer process
• Presented a case before an arbitrator for an interest arbitration
• Prepared a case for interest arbitration
• Prepared and presented a case for grievance arbitration
• Served as the chief spokesperson for labor contract negotiations
• None of the above

07
What is the size of the largest organization where you were involved in labor relations activities?

• I do not have this experience
• Less than 500 employees
• 500 to 999 employees
• 1,000 to 4,999 employees
• 5,000 or more employees

08
How many years of experience do you have preparing and giving presentations?

• I do not have this experience
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year or more, but less than 2 years
• 2 years or more, but less than 3 years
• 3 years or more, but less than 4 years
• 4 years or more, but less than 5 years
• 5 years or more

09
Describe your experience preparing and giving presentations, referencing jobs listed in your application/resume. If you do not have this experience, type "None" in the space provided.
10
How many years of experience do you have leading and facilitating groups with diverse and complex opinions?

• I do not have this experience
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year or more, but less than 2 years
• 2 years or more, but less than 3 years
• 3 years or more, but less than 4 years
• 4 years or more, but less than 5 years
• 5 years or more

11
Describe your experience leading and facilitating groups with diverse and complex opinions, referencing jobs listed in your resume. If you do not have this experience, type "None" in the space provided.
12
Please choose the one recruitment source that best describes how you first learned about this job opening. Please review all possible choices before making your selection. Your response to this question helps us evaluate the effectiveness of our recruitment methods.

• College or university (job board, career services, or instructor)
• Community or nonprofit organization (counselor, job board, etc.)
• Employee or recruiter of Hennepin County (supervisor/m