03869 - Employee Relations Manager

Employee Relations Manager

Manage VDOT's employee relations program and team of statewide Employee Relations Specialists who provide advanced-level professional policy guidance and consultation to local HR, leadership and employees on complex employee relations issues, agency representation in employee grievance cases, and access to training, investigative and alternative dispute resolution resources in all nine of VDOT's districts and Central Office. To provide advanced level professional HR consultation to other HR Consultants, HR Managers, supervisors, and managers on a broad scope of HR programs including compensation, classification, talent acquisition, talent outreach, recognition, benefits administration, and employee relations. Supervise and develop staff.

Consulting : Provide consultation to Human Resource partners, agency leaders, and employees on assigned program area(s). Handle escalated cases as needed. Conduct research and analyze information in order to respond timely to inquiries and provide accurate interpretation of state and VDOT policies.

Employee Relations Operations : Through resources, provide advanced-level guidance, investigations, and recommendations to Human Resources partners, agency leaders and employees regarding employee relations topics (e.g., employee conduct, corrective action, performance management, resolution of complaints and conflicts, and internal personnel investigations). Review employee relations products completed by others and handle escalated cases. Ensure advice is well-researched, timely and demonstrates accurate and situationally appropriate application of state and VDOT policies and employment laws to varying and complex situations. Ensure solutions to workplace issues are designed to meet business goals, maximize employee productivity, manage organizational risk, and achieve optimum health of the work unit. Liase with the Office of the Attorney General as needed to procure counsel and guidance with regard to cases involving high risk legal issues and / or litigation.

Information Requests : Through resources, coordinate responses to requests for Human Resources records made under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), the Commonwealth's Grievance Procedure and via subpoena.

Program Administration and Policy Development : Manage VDOT's Employee Relations Program. Develop processes and best practices to foster equitable, respectful and situationally appropriate handling of employee relations issues. Perform program analysis to determine effectiveness, identify areas of risk and make recommendations for enhancements to address gaps and better align program to agency mission and business needs. Communicate with leadership, managers and employees on employee relations-related matters, environmental (e.g., legal or policy change) impacts, and observed trends. Approve invoices for grievance, mediation and related expenses for payment and make annual budgetary recommendations. Develop and revise instructional memoranda, standard operating procedures (SOPs), newsletters, and employee communications designed to ensure effective administration of VDOT's Employee Relations Program and the Commonwealth's Grievance Procedure, as well as employee knowledge and consistent application of policy within the Agency. Ensure changes to program documentation and creation of new policies and procedures are effectively communicated to the appropriate audiences.

Program Administration : Coordinate, direct and manage assigned program. Ensure adherence to all personnel related federal, state, local laws, and agency policies and procedures. Communicate with leadership, managers and employees on human resources program area(s), policy changes and trends. Perform program analysis to determine effectiveness and adherence to policies or practices associated with assigned program area(s). Determine program guidance and enhancements based on analysis to better align programs to agency mission.

Program Documentation : Develop and revise policies, procedures and documents related to administering assigned program area(s). Ensure documents meet standards for publication and are posted in the appropriate areas on DOTi. Ensure changes to program documentation or creation of new policies or procedures are communicated to the appropriate audience.

Statewide Team Leadership : Lead statewide team for assigned area(s) of responsibility. Coordinate meetings to facilitate learning, information sharing, networking and professional development.

Training : Assess agency learning needs both within the employee relations community of practice within the Human Resources Division and broadly across the organization. Through resources and in partnership with Workforce Development, develop and deliver training for the HR Community and for local HR delivery to supervisors to meet the needs of the agency on identified topics.

Training : Assess agency learning needs within program area(s). Develop and deliver training to meet the needs of the agency inclusive of Human Resource training, supervisor and employee training.

What will make you successful :

Ability to analyze data and reach conclusions which are logical and legally supportable, and counsel and advise managers and employees in the resolution of HR issues.

Ability to anticipate and balance the needs of multiple stakeholders.

Ability to apply knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations and provide guidance and recommendations to HR professionals and leaders on complex cases.

Ability to build partnerships and work collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.

Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with internal and external customers.

Ability to design, analyze, implement and revise policies, procedures and programs.

Ability to develop strategies to improve customer service, program efficiency and effectiveness.

Ability to develop strategies to improve customer services, program efficiency and effectiveness, and function as a team member with other HR staff.

Ability to effectively handle conflict situations.

Ability to effectively manage and develop staff, delegate and distribute work, manage projects and lead teams.

Ability to effectively solve complex problems.

Ability to instill trust, maintain confidentiality and safeguard employee information.

Ability to maneuver through complex policy, process and people-related organizational dynamics to achieve program goals.

Ability to supervise and develop staff, manage projects and lead teams.

Knowledge of Federal and State regulations related to human resources functions.

Knowledge of Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FLSA and the Virginia Human Rights Act.

Knowledge of employee benefit programs to include healthcare, retirement, leave, worker's compensation and disability case management.

Knowledge of employee recognition and reward programs.

Knowledge of employee relations, grievance procedure, and mediation policies and practices.

Knowledge of human resource functional areas including compensation, classification, benefits, talent acquisition, and workforce development.

Knowledge of human resources management principles and practices including classification, job evaluation, compensation management and organization and job design.

Knowledge of talent acquisition principles including outreach, recruiting and sourcing applicants, screening candidate pools, and interviewing techniques.

Skill communicating effectively orally and in writing.

Skill in administering or implementing an employee grievance procedure or conflict resolution process.

Skill in conducting and coaching others to conduct complex investigations into employee misconduct.

Skill in developing and delivering presentations and training on employee relations topics.

Skill in drafting investigative reports and communicating findings and recommendations to executive-level leaders.

Skill in the use of computers and software applications.

Skill using Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Outlook.

Minimum Qualifications :

Ability to anticipate and balance the needs of multiple stakeholders.

Ability to apply knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations and provide guidance and recommendations to HR professionals and leaders on complex cases.

Ability to build partnerships and work collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.

Ability to develop strategies to improve customer service, program efficiency and effectiveness.

Ability to effectively handle conflict situations.

Ability to effectively manage and develop staff, delegate and distribute work, manage projects and lead teams.

Ability to effectively solve complex problems.

Ability to instill trust, maintain confidentiality and safeguard employee information.

Ability to maneuver through complex policy, process and people-related organizational dynamics to achieve program goals.

Knowledge of Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FLSA and the Virginia Human Rights Act.

Knowledge of human resource functional areas including compensation, classification, benefits, talent acquisition, and workforce development.

Skill communicating effectively orally and in writing.

Skill in administering or implementing an employee grievance procedure or conflict resolution process.

Skill in conducting and coaching others to conduct complex investigations into employee misconduct.

Skill in developing and delivering presentations and training on employee relations topics.

Skill in drafting investigative reports and communicating findings and recommendations to executive-level leaders.

Skill in the use of computers and software applications.

Skill using Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Outlook.

Additional Considerations :

A combination of training, experience, or education in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Public Administration, Business Administration, law or related field desired.

Experience drafting and revising workplace policies desired.

Experience working in a high volume, large matrix reporting environment desired.

Management experience desired.

Specialized experience managing an Employee Relations Program on behalf of a public employer desired.