Senior Employee Relations Analyst

Senior Employee Relations Analyst

The Alexandria Department of Human Resources is seeking a highly qualified Senior Employee Relations Analyst who will be integral to the Department's employee relations mission. We are looking for someone motivated by justice, grounded in integrity, and committed to strengthening the employee experience across our City workforce. In this role, you will help safeguard due process, promote accountability, and uphold the values that allow public servants to do their best work for the community. The Senior Employee Relations Analyst is responsible for a variety of functions including employee relations, workplace investigations, and engagement with the City's labor groups. The individual is responsible for conducting and managing workplace investigations involving employee misconduct, policy violations, and other sensitive employment matters. This role provides guidance and assistance to City agencies and departments, offering expert interpretation of City personnel policies, administrative regulations, and collective bargaining agreements to ensure consistent and equitable application across the organization; makes recommendations to the Employee and Labor Relations Manager regarding disciplinary actions, administers the grievance process and provides interpretation of grievance-related language and mandates; prepares and implements personnel policies and procedures based on Administrative Regulations, collective bargaining agreements, federal, state and local law.

The Employee Relations Team in the Department of Human Resources is a staff of three full-time team members who provide guidance, counsel and information to City government agencies on employment laws, regulations and policies to enhance the employee experience. The office is responsible for ensuring compliance with all collective bargaining agreements and overseeing discipline and the grievance process citywide.

What You Should Bring

The ideal candidate will be someone with exceptional senior level human resources experience within a municipal, educational, private or nonprofit environment who understands the unique circumstances that are encountered. A demonstrated experience in advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, and multiculturalism within a complex organization. The ideal candidate should drive employee relations policy, processes, and practices to ensure effective execution and compliance. The incumbent is expected to exercise considerable discretion in carrying out responsibilities independently and with awareness of municipal government structure and culture and human resource issues and sensitivities. The incumbent should have thorough knowledge of human resources administration; experience developing, advising, guiding, motivating, and recognizing staff; communicating effectively, as well as stress, conflict, and crisis management. This role requires the ability to handle multiple projects, demonstrate excellent professional written and verbal communication, and exhibit emotional intelligence. Experience in policy formulation experience is strongly desired.

Examples of Work

Conducts workforce investigations at various City worksites, gathers and evaluates relevant evidence, and prepares comprehensive written investigation reports in accordance with established policies and standards; Provides guidance and assistance to managers at all levels citywide regarding State / City personnel regulations and procedures, and in resolving employee and labor relations issues and challenges; Develops employee and labor relations program-related procedures, and processes; Establishes partnerships with subject matter experts in the areas of organizational development, change management, diversity / intercultural development, strategic planning, performance management and other specialties as needed to a work environment citywide that supports the City's mission and vision; Administers the grievance process and provides interpretation of grievance-related language and mandates; Receives, reviews, and responds external agency requests, such as the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC), in a timely and accurate manner; maintains meticulous tracking of submissions and deadlines to ensure compliance with reporting requirements; Represents the Department in formal / informal hearings regarding employee and labor relations issues and preliminary discussions with relevant stakeholders; Exercises sound, expert independent judgment, and political acumen within general policy guidelines; Exercises tact and diplomacy in dealing with highly sensitive, complex, and confidential issues and situations; Collects and analyzes data for short and long-range planning and evaluates services to make recommendations for improvement; Participates in departmental initiatives to strengthen infrastructure to achieve optimal performance; Assesses employee engagement and directs the strategies / action planning process to positively impact employee engagement; Collects and analyzes data for short and long-range planning and evaluates services to make recommendations for improvement; Represents the department effectively on equity issues in a variety of forums within the City; Participates in formulating and recommending policy on matters having citywide implications, assists in implementing changes policies and procedures, presents new or revised written standard operating procedures and monitors changes in State and Federal law affecting employee and labor relations; Provides as needed, research of data processes and data analysis to establish / revise management methods and procedures to improve workflow, simplify reporting procedures, and increase efficiencies; Conducts and attends meetings as a Departmental representative; Performs other related work as assigned.

The Department of Human Resources comprises a dedicated team of professionals working to support the strategic direction of the City government through the recruitment, development, and retention of a high-quality workforce capable of delivering public services in a complex and stimulating community environment. Through thoughtful planning and the diligent execution of work, the Department of Human Resources focuses on the critical needs of our dynamic organization and its employees. If you are curious for a broader view, click the City of Alexandria to learn more about our great City.

Minimum & Additional Requirements

Four-Year College Degree; five years of progressively-responsible human resources experience with a concentration in compensation and classification in the public sector, employee relations, or training; five years experience in Federal, State and City laws, ordinances, rules and regulations pertaining to human resource management; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's or advanced degree in Human Resources, Psychology, Organizational Development / Analysis, Labor Relations, or a Juris Doctor (JD).
• Track record of conducting workplace investigations, including drafting comprehensive investigation reports.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and deliver training programs related to workplace conduct, compliance, and employee relations best practices.

The City of Alexandria is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workforce. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, military status, or disability.