Lead Senior Employee Relations Consultant

J  o  b    D  e  s  c  r  i  p  t  i  o  n

Job Information

Title:

Lead Senior Employee Relations Consultant

Market Range:

MR21

Approved Date:

1/3/2025 5:48:58 PM

FLSA:

Exempt

EEO Code:

PROFESSIONALS

Career Level:

P4

Career Level Description:

Professional Level 4

Job Code:

101040

Job Family:

HR - Human Resources

Sub Family:

EMREL - Employee Relations

Primary Purpose

Serves as lead consultant in the central Employee Relations Division providing employee relations support, consultation and resolution for employees, managers and internal senior employee relations consultants. Serves as lead consultant as it relates to special projects and cross-functional initiatives. Serves as an advanced strategic advisor in regard to investigating workplace complaints, grievances, policy violations, and performance issues to provide appropriate resolutions and ensure fair, equitable and consistent approach to employee relations matters county-wide. Provides advanced policy interpretation, coaching and guidance to employees and leaders pertaining to personnel matters. Exercises considerable independence and judgment in managing workload determining sensitive/precedent-setting situations to escalate. Participates in facilitating employee relations programs including the County's unemployment program and HR compliance initiatives. Serves as back up to Employee Relations Manager when needed.

•

Functions as second-in-command and primary back up to the Employee Relations Manager. Participates on planning teams for departmental and county-wide initiatives that impact employee relations. Works with Division Manager to research and respond to precedent-setting, sensitive, and/or critical employee relations requests. Serves as back up to represent Human Resources at administrative and legal proceedings. Reviews all disciplinary actions of Senior Employee Relations Consultants and ensures that all actions are compliant with state/federal/local laws and legally defensible. Provides recommendations in developing feedback and corrective actions to consultants that align with County practices.  Serves as ADA Subject Matter Expert.  Advises managers and employees regarding ADA procedures, issues and cases, including personnel policy interpretation and application. Reviews all accommodation denials. May serve as escalation point for employee relations concerns.

1

30%

•

Utilizes advanced and in-depth knowledge to navigate highly complex employee relations matters. Provides expertise in coaching departmental leaders in the preparation of disciplinary forms and documents. Ensures high-quality documentation and recording of employee relations actions based on extensive knowledge of the type of documentation requirements. Conducts complex investigations on a broad range of workplace complaints, grievances, policy violations, and performance issues involving federal and state policy and law.  Reviews documentation and employee interviews. Prepares thorough investigative reports for the more complex cases to include findings and recommendations. Uses experience managing complex employee relations cases to review and analyze documentation from consultants.  Counsels and advises management and employees on employee relations issues and sensitive situations. Develops effective action plans to guide/advise managers and Department Heads in carrying out disciplinary actions, performance improvement plans, and other employee relations actions on the more difficult and sensitive situations. 

2

35%

•

Proactively analyzes employee relations and employee performance data to identify trends and opportunities for organizational improvement. Research findings and uses judgement to summarize data that support possible innovative solutions. Collaborates on the development and implementation of approved strategies including: education, training and policy and process changes.             

3

15%

•

Designs and delivers in-person and e-learning training to all levels of the organization on conduct and standards, equal employment opportunity, and personnel policies and procedures. Incorporates guidance and clarification of how to comply with legal requirements including but not limited to EEO, ADA, FMLA, and FLSA.             

4

15%

•

Other duties as assigned

5

5%

Position(s) may perform other duties in addition to the above as assigned by management.

*IMPORTANT* In the event of an emergency, as determined by the County Manager or designee, participation in preparedness and response operations should be expected. Employee may be required to fill a temporary assignment in a role different from standard duties, work hours and/or work location in preparation for, during and after the emergency. Employee may also be required to participate in relevant exercises and regular preparedness training.

Career Level Dimensions

Career Level:

P4

Career Level Description:

Professional Level 4

Qualifications

•

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources Management, Public Administration, Business Administration or related field

•

Four years of experience in human resources administration

•

Equivalent education and experience are accepted

An individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily to perform this job successfully. The requirements listed above 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.

Competencies

Adaptability & Flexibility

Changes behavioral style or method of approach when necessary to achieve a goal; adjusts style as appropriate to the needs of the situation. Responds to change with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn new ways to accomplish work activities and objectives.

Communication

Creates an atmosphere in which timely and high-quality information flows smoothly up and down, inside and outside of the organization; encourages open expression of ideas and opinions.

Consulting

Applies knowledge of policies and procedures in the area of work to advise others across the organization on critical issues.

Enforcing Laws, Rules & Regulations

Enforces governmental laws, rules, and regulations, and initiates enforcement actions in a way that the public perceives as fair, objective, and reasonable.

Interpersonal Skills

Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect.  Considers and responds appropriately to the needs and feelings of different people in different situations.  Perceives, assesses, and positively influences one's own and other individuals’ emotions.

Professionalism

Thinks carefully about the likely effects on others of one's words, actions, appearance, and mode of behavior. Selects the words or actions most likely to have the desired effect on the individual or group in question. Maintains calmness in stressful or adverse situations. Diplomatically handles challenging or tense interpersonal situations.

Integrity

Act with honesty, transparency and respect in our interactions with co-workers and those we serve. Adhere, without exception, to laws, policies, procedures and professional standards.

Accountability

Establish high-quality standards for work. Add value. Measure results and hold self and others accountable for making progress toward desired outcomes. Take a logical and data-driven approach to decision-making.

Diversity

Believe that different backgrounds and experiences strengthen the organization and produce better results. Value inclusion across race, gender, age, religion, identity and experience, and strive to reflect in our workforce the diversity of our community.

Collaboration

Foster a work culture in which different ideas and opinions are encouraged and expected. Listen carefully and speak thoughtfully. Work together toward shared goals with mutual respect and cooperation.

Continuous Improvement

Continuously improve work processes and products. Provide a safe environment to be innovative and creative and try new things. When things don't go as planned, use it as an opportunity to learn, regroup and begin again. Provide time and resources for individuals to grow and develop both personally and professionally.

Wellness

Take proactive steps to be physically fit and healthy, emotionally strong, financially secure and socially fulfilled, while inspiring and empowering others to do the same.

Service Orientation

Commit to making a difference within the community. Actively engage in and enjoy our work. Deliver services that exceed expectations, with courtesy, politeness and sensitivity to the experiences, concerns and feelings of all co-workers and customers.

ADA Checklist

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

Standard ADA Selection:

Office Environment

Standing

X

Walking

X

Sitting

X

Lifting/Carrying 0-10 pounds

X

Lifting/Carrying 10-20 pounds

X

Lifting/Carrying 20-50 pounds

X

Lifting/Carrying 50-100 pounds

X

Pushing

X

Pulling

X

Climbing

X

Balancing

X

Stooping

X

Kneeling

X

Crouching

X

Crawling

X

Reaching

X

Handling

X

Grasping

X

Fingering

X

Feeling

X

Talking

X

Hearing

X

Visual Perception

X

Repetitive Motions

X

Eye/Hand/Foot Coordination

X

Memorization/Concentration

X

Learning/Knowledge Retention

X

Preparing/Analyzing Numerical Figures

X

Use of Interfaced Commmunication Devices (Phone, Computer, Radio etc.)

X

Analyzing/Examining/Testing Data

X

Emotional/Behavioral Self-Regulation

X

Interacting with Others

X

Comprehension

X

Organization

X

Decision Making

X

Comprehension

Understand complex problems and collaborate to explore alternative solutions

Organization

Organize and prioritize individual work schedule to manage multiple tasks and/or projects

Decision Making

Make decisions that have significant impact on a department's credibility, operations and/or services

Communication

Communicate in-depth information for the purpose of interpreting and/or negotiating

Extreme cold

X

Extreme heat

X

Humid

X

Wet

X

Noise

X

Hazards

X

Temperature Change

X

Atmospheric Conditions

X

Vibration

X

Computers/Monitors

X