(1) If an election is required by ARM 24.26.612, the board shall direct an investigation of all questions and facts concerning the proposed unit, and shall have the following options:

(a) to direct a unit determination hearing after the time for intervening has passed; or

(b) to dispense with a unit determination hearing under the following conditions:

(i) the employer has not filed a counter petition;

(ii) no intervenors contest the petitioner's proposed unit; or

(iii) the parties have entered into a consent election agreement.

(2) The excelsior list must be provided to the petitioner within ten days of the board's mailing of the petition to the public employer.

(3) After a hearing, the board shall issue its determination of the appropriate unit. If a unit petitioned for is found not to be appropriate, the findings and conclusions shall give specific reasons therefore. If the unit is found to be appropriate, the board shall schedule the election and a pre-election conference at which time challenges for individual inclusions and exclusions shall be made by either party.