Employee Relations Specialist

Job Description:

The Human Resources Specialist V reports to the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) Human Resources (HR) Manager and provides human resources management support to the Human Resources (HR) Office. The position performs highly complex (senior level) human resources management work. Provides guidance, advice, and consultation to employees, supervisors, and managers on employee relations and human resources related matters. Develops solutions to problems with procedures or applications of policy and participates in human resources planning and policy making. Provides assistance to agency employees and human resources (HR) functional units to help resolve employee/work related problems. Provides guidance and interpretation on human resource policies. Develops and implements training on employee relations matters. Interprets HR policies for management and employees. Attends management advisory group meetings and personnel staffing meetings to address employee behavior and performance issues. Acts as a business and strategic partner, human resources subject matter expert, workforce advocate, change agent and leader. Provides coordination and technical support for human resources activities, such as employee relations, hiring processes, classification, policies and procedures, and department communications. Assists with development, review, revision and implementation of HR policies, procedures, guidelines, handbooks and HR forms. Researches, analyzes and identifies areas for change and makes recommendations to improve HR policies, procedures and operations. Researches and drafts a variety of written business communications on diverse topics for internal publication, broadcast or dissemination internally or externally. Provides coordination and assistance with job analysis and classification policies and processes in place to determine appropriate job classification. Assists agency managers with issues regarding agency job notice postings, hiring policies and processes, screening, interviewing and hiring issues, and applicant selection policies and procedures. Provides assistance and coordinates with DFPS contractor regarding escalated DFPS employee benefits inquiries and issues. Prepares, designs and drafts a variety of informational materials and correspondence including presentations, research, technical documents and communications using a variety of office software programs. Provides consultative and technical assistance to staff and management on issues, rules and policies relating to human resources management. Provides human resources subject matter expertise and technical guidance in accordance with all applicable state and federal laws, regulations, rules and policies. Prepares and develops plans, procedures and related activities to meet HR administrative training needs. Represents the HR Office at meetings, conferences and on workgroups. Works under minimal direction with considerable latitude in the use of initiative and independent judgement.  

Essential Job Functions:

Provides guidance, advice, and consultation to employees, supervisors and managers on employee relations and human resources related matters. Develops solutions to problems with procedures or applications of policy and participates in human resources planning and policy making. Provides guidance to management and staff concerning appointments, promotions, demotions, reclassifications, transfers, separations, merit increases and HR policy-related exception requests. Processes payroll-impacting transactions in the agency’s payroll and personnel system. Reviews all source documentation for pay-impacting actions to ensure compliance with policies, rules, regulations and guidelines. Participates in DFPS agency initiatives, workgroups, projects, organizational changes and other projects related to human resource management. Conducts special exit interviews as requested by DFPS agency management. Investigates and reviews employee complaints and issues when requested by DFPS management. Performs other duties as assigned. (25%)

Provides consultative and technical assistance to staff and management on issues, rules and policies relating to employee relations and HR policies and procedures. Reviews criminal background history information for hiring managers and provides guidance on applicant eligibility for employment. Processes death claims for deceased employees and their families. Executes workforce plans, recruitment and retention strategies, assist in workforce analysis, develops relationship with customers to understand current workforce environment and anticipated changes in the operating environment. Assists in deployment of internship programs. Trains agency management staff and employees on administrative procedures and processes such as Performance and Conduct Management (PCM) and the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Provides assistance and coordinates with DFPS contractor regarding escalated DFPS employee benefits inquiries and issues. (25%)

Assists with development, review, revision and implementation of HR policies, procedures, guidelines, handbooks and forms. Researches, analyzes and identifies areas for change and makes recommendations to improve HR policies, procedures and operations. Develops collection and analysis methods and procedures for gathering, compiling and analyzing employment data. Coordinates, updates and manages project assignments related to human resource processes; evaluates data for projects; and provides technical support and guidance for human resources project development. Assists with identification, development and recommendation of best practices for DFPS human resources policies, procedures, and processes. Develops, researches and prepares reports, analyses and summaries of human resources employment-related data, and performs special assignments as required. Identifies areas for change and makes recommendations to improve policies, procedures or operations. (20%)

Develops, edits, designs, and coordinates production of a variety of informational human resources materials including presentations, technical documents, communications, broadcasts, newsletters and written summaries. Researches and drafts a variety of written business communications on diverse topics for internal publication, broadcast or dissemination internally or externally. Assists with the collection and review of information regarding knowledge and informational gaps pertaining to HR policies and processes, and develops and recommends communications to address these issues, such as broadcasts, newsletter items, DFPS agency website and payroll/personnel system portal notices, and other forums to communicate information. Assists in developing informational, employment-related materials such as PowerPoint slideshows, Visio charts, Excel spreadsheets and other materials using word processing or other office software programs. (15%)

Provides assistance with job analysis and classification policies and processes to determine appropriate job classification. Assists agency managers with issues regarding agency job notice posting and hiring policies and processes, screening, interviewing and hiring issues and applicant selection policies and procedures. Assists DFPS HR staff in coordinating assistance to agency management regarding the state classification plan, position descriptions, organizational structure, and agency classification policies and procedures. Provides technical assistance to agency management regarding appropriate classification resources, forms, procedures and policies. (15%)
 

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

None  

Knowledge Skills Abilities:

knowledge of:
State and federal employment laws, rules and guidelines.
HR and employment guidelines, policies and procedures, key business fundamentals, key internal and external customers and individual and team behaviors.
Principles, concepts and methodology of the state classification plan.
State compensation principles, procedures and practices; organizational structure, division responsibilities and role of key agency staff.
State agency payroll and personnel system software environment and state payroll and Comptroller of Public Accounts (CPA) rules and regulations.
DFPS agency mission, employee and manager roles, organizational planning process, client and organizational cultures and the public service environment.
Employee and manager roles.
Organizational planning processes.
Knowledge of training procedures and techniques.

Skilled in:
Effective interaction with staff at all levels of the agency, and other state agencies and organizations.
Skilled in analytical thinking.
Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook, PowerPoint and other computer programs and applications.
Research methods and analysis.
Written communications.
Identifying and communicating best practices.
Instructing and training others.

Ability to:
Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
Manage conflict and build trust relationships.
Manage relationships and engage stake holders.
Analyze data, and develop surveys designed to collect specific types of data.
Effectively manage resources.
Make decisions and work effectively independently or in a team environment.
Apply organizational development principles
Communicate effectively orally and in writing for a diverse range of audiences and purposes.
Address work-life issues.
Understand, analyze, research and develop business processes and policies.
Develop training objectives and assess the effectiveness of training.
 

Initial Screening Criteria:

Two years of experience in human resources interpreting and applying policies and procedures to staff and the general public; preferably human resources policies and procedures

Acceptable Substitutions:
Department of Family and Protective Services Managerial/Supervisory experience may be substituted for Human resources experience on a year for year basis.
Full-time HR Employee Relations experience may be substituted for four-year degree on a year for year basis

Preferred Qualifications:
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university
SHRM-CP and or SHRM-SCP
Experience advising and counseling management staff and employees on complex human resource management issues. Experience entering, updating, retrieving and analyzing information from automated systems. Major course work in human resources management, business or public administration, organizational development or a related field

 

Final Selection Criteria:

Final selection is based on performance in the interview process, successful completion of all required due diligence / background checks, and demonstration of knowledge, skills, and abilities applicable to the job  

Additional Information:

DFPS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), DFPS will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.
 

MOS Code:

Note: There are no direct military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position. All active duty, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply. For more information, see the Texas State Auditor's Military Crosswalk here