Employee Relations Adminstrator

Salary : $66,377.00 - $102,897.00 Annually
Location : Durham, NC
Job Type: Full time with benefits
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 23-04675
Department: Human Resources
Opening Date: 12/29/2023
Closing Date: 1/19/2024 11:59 PM Eastern
Position Description
Work, Serve, Thrive. With the City of Durham
Advance in your career while making a real difference in the community you serve.
Hiring Range: $65,075.00 - $78,090.00
Hours: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
The City of Durham's Human Resources Department is an accomplished, diverse, energetic team embracing and inspiring the joy of public service. We aggressively challenge assumptions of what is possible, moving towards a future that is more just, productive and rewarding for all employees. Join us if you're ready to share your talents, learn new skills and build relationships in service to the City of Durham!
Under the general direction of the Director of Human Resources, the Employee Relations Administrator is responsible for investigating Employee Relations issues to gather information and make recommendations regarding appropriate actions to resolve issues. This position will promote consistency and fairness in all practices and demonstrate our values to ensure a positive, high performing and inclusive work environment while mitigating risk. This is an individual contributor role with no direct supervisory responsibilities; however, may serve as project lead as required. Decision-making is driven by established policy and practice. Decision-making may involve significant issues for the division.
This position may be eligible for flexible work/remote work by the current policy after the completion of the initial probationary period (6 consecutive months).
Duties/Responsibilities

• Use extensive subject matter expertise in conflict management to conduct fact-finding investigation activities related to internal and external inquiries, complaints, and concerns and prescribe appropriate remedies to resolve complaints or problems.
• Partner with internal legal counsel to ensure a workplace free of harassment, discrimination, and retaliation.
• Provide objective and constructive guidance on the interpretation and application of company policies and overall performance management. Provide coaching and counseling on issues related to policy, procedure, and federal and state regulations.
• Investigate, capture, document, and organize facts and data while maintaining confidentiality and integrity on all employee-related issues such as complaints, managing conflict, sexual harassment, harassment, and consultations.
• Investigate and review Employee Relations issues (demotions, transfers, terminations, performance management opportunities) as assigned. Partners with Classification and Compensation team on corrective action plans.
• Consult with the Human Resources Director for any clarification regarding compliance with all federal, state, and local employment regulations/laws.
• Coach, counsel, and educate employees on matters related to conflict, harassment, discrimination, disparate treatment, or other similar issues to ensure the employee is treated fairly and the City of Durham is appropriately protected.
• Assist in creating content for training education and facilitates training as appropriate.
• Facilitate grievance process as required by policy. Conducts new Grievance Hearing Officer training and refresher training for existing Grievance Hearing Officers.
• Facilitate mediation sessions as needed. Work closely with the Human Resources Director to set strategies, ongoing Employee Relations activities, the budgeting process, and additional consultation as needed.
• Where appropriate, engage with internal or external consultants and advisors to gain specific legal or best practice advice on cases, policy revision, cross-market issues, and related topics, to ensure the best advice is provided.
• Actively participates in internal training council to recommend training opportunities.
• Works to ensure compliance with HR policies and procedures and local, state, and federal requirements.
• Apply knowledge of ADA and reasonable accommodation process. Provide support to the Benefits team when addressing ADA cases as needed.
• Serve as a policy expert for related policies, procedures, forms, and job aids.
• Manages and enters Employee Relations case management system.
• Manages the unemployment claims process including quarterly submission of reports and processing of annual payment to DES.
• Participates in identifying critical skills and partners with L & OD team to develop training solutions to address needs and gaps.
• Accurately and timely maintain multiple employee relation databases, case management systems, and spreadsheets to ensure accurate tracking and information regarding all cases.
• Facilitate the Employee Relations section of New Hire Orientation (NEO).
• Gather and reviews exit interview data and collaborates with the appropriate colleague to determine the proper next steps. Reviews exit interviews to identify trends and areas for improvement. Develop monthly, and quarterly trend reports.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Competencies:

• Remains current, interprets and complies with Federal, State and local laws, policies and regulations related to employment.
• Demonstrated knowledge in ADA, FMLA, ADEA, FLSA, harassment and retaliation.
• Ability to work well with others and build trusting relationships across the organization.
• Ability to work in stressful or sensitive situations. Track record of delivering viable solutions with tact and diplomacy. Ability to maintain composure during difficult situations.
• Ability to work comfortably through ambiguous and complex situations.
• Demonstrated work experience conducting and leading investigations and advising on complex Employee Relations issues.
• Superior written and oral communication skills. Ability to communicate effectively within groups.
• Ability to be a coach, mentor, advisor, and partner with stakeholders at varied levels.
• Expert knowledge of employee and labor relations, training, conflict resolution, and direct experience leading complex investigations at all levels. Ability to recognize trends and gaps and make recommendations for change as required.
• Coordinating deadlines and prioritizing competing demands.
• Must be self-motivated and have an enhanced ability to prioritize/plan in a fast-paced environment.
• Research skills to study industry trends, solutions and best practices.
• Author and prepare original reports, written summaries. Develop action, improvement plans and provide other interventions that address issues.
• Excellent customer service and listening skills.
• Ability to work little supervision.
• Detail-oriented and strong organizational skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to handle multiple projects.
• Excellent interpersonal and listening skills.
• Proven self-starter committed to moving the organization forward. Ability to understand the bigger picture.
• High professional standards of confidentiality
• Strong computer, Microsoft Office skills and use of other applications necessary for the position.

Minimum Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Human Resources, Business or Public Administration, or directly related field.
• A minimum of five years of professional Employee Relations experience is required.

Additional Preferred Skills

• Professional Human Resources (PHR) Certification or SHRM-Certified Professional preferred but not required.

Benefits - General Full-Time Employees

• 11-12 paid holidays per year
• 12 standard work days of vacation per year
• 12 standard work days of sick leave per year, which accumulates indefinitely; sick leave may be used toward early retirement
• 2 weeks paid military leave per year
• Medical, dental, vision, and supplemental life insurance plans
• State and City retirement plans
• Short and long term disability plans
• Paid temporary disability leave for specified conditions
• City contribution of 10.15% into the N.C. State Retirement System
• Paid funeral leave
• Employee Assistance Program - personal and family counseling
• Paid life insurance equal to annual salary
• 48 hours for volunteer work each year*
• 4 hours parental leave each year
• Workman's Compensation Insurance
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plans

Benefits - Part-Time (1,000 hours or more per year)

• 401(k) retirement plan (5.0% of salary)
• State retirement plan

Benefits Part-Time (Average 30 hours per week over 12 month period)

• 401(k) retirement plan (5.0% of salary)
• State retirement plan
• Health Insurance

01
Where did you first hear about this opportunity?

• City of Durham Website
• Walk in
• Job fair
• Employee referral
• Professional organization ***Please list the organization in "other" box below***
• Internet posting ***Please list the specific web site in the "other" box below***
• Craig's List
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• GlassDoor
• governmentjobs.com
• Monster.com
• Indeed.com
• Employment Security Commission
• Magazine/Newspaper
• Other

02
If you listed "other" above please give specific web site, organization, or publication.
03
Please select your highest level of COMPLETED education.

• Less than a High School Diploma or Equivalent (GED, HiSET, TASC)
• High School Diploma or Equivalent (GED, HiSET, TASC)
• Associates Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Doctoral Degree (PhD, Juris Doctorate)

04
How many years of related Employee Relations experience do you have?

• No related experience
• Less than 1 year of related experience
• 1 year but less than 5 years related experience
• 5 years but less than 9 years related experience
• 9 years but less than 13 years related experience
• 13 or more years related experience

05
Do you have a Professional Human Resources Certification?

• Yes
• No

06
How would you rate your experience level with documenting investigations?

• No experience
• Beginner level
• Intermediate level
• Advanced level
• Expert level

07
Do you have previous work experience inputting ER documentation into an Human Resources tracking system?

• Yes
• No

08
Please list any/all HR systems that you have had experience with:If no experience in this area, please put N/A
Required Question