Human Resources Specialist V - VR Counselor/ ADA Coordinator (Austin)

DescriptionHuman Resources Specialist V - VR Counselor/ ADA Coordinator (Austin)WHO WE ARE:The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is the state agency charged with overseeing and providing workforce development services to employers and job seekers of Texas. Our mission is to promote and support a workforce system that creates value and offers employers, individuals, and communities the opportunity to achieve and sustain economic prosperity. The Texas Workforce Commission is seeking a dynamic, highly collaborative professional to serve as a VR Counselor and ADA Coordinator. This position is located at 101 E. 15th Street, Austin, TX in the Human Resources Department.TWC is not considering applications from individuals who require sponsorship for an employment visa, including those with H1B visas or those currently on student or postgraduate visas. You must be a Texas resident to work for the Texas Workforce Commission or willing to relocate to Texas.POSITION SUMMARY:This critical role serves as a neutral, impartial advisor for employees navigating complex workplace challenges, interpersonal conflicts, and career transitions. Operating under limited supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment, the HR Specialist V provides high-level emotional intelligence and mediation to foster a healthy workplace culture. In addition to general counseling, you will lead TWC’s interactive process for reasonable accommodations, ensuring that legal precision and human-centered support go hand-in-hand.As a strategic partner to agency management, and the Vocational Rehabilitation Division, you will provide expert guidance to resolve disputes and ensure total organizational compliance with federal and state disability laws.WHO YOU ARE:You are a judicious problem-solver and a "people person" who thrives at the intersection of human-centered conflict resolution and HR law. You are a neutral advocate who provides a steady hand during an employee’s personal or professional crisis. In this role, you will seamlessly balance two critical functions: facilitating high-level conflict resolution and evaluating intricate medical records for accommodation requests.You lead with a mindset of impartiality, ensuring that every employee is heard and every concern is handled with care and empathy. You know how to de-escalate tension, build trust across all levels of the organization, and find creative, compliant solutions in a fast-paced public service environment.YOUR CORE CAPABILITIES:- A Neutral Mediator & Counselor: You serve as a dedicated, objective resource for the agency's workforce. You manage confidential consultations for employees facing workplace challenges, effectively de-escalating and resolving issues before they necessitate formal complaint or grievance procedures.- A Collaborative Advisor: You provide high-level technical guidance to management and staff on complex employee relations and leave entitlements. You are a skilled communicator who can translate dense policy into actionable, human-centered guidance.- A Strategic ADA & Accessibility Lead: You possess a mastery of the interactive process. You guide employees and managers through the identification and implementation of effective accommodations from inception to closure, ensuring that digital and physical barriers are mitigated across the agency.- A Guardian of Compliance & Privacy: You are a subject matter expert on Titles I, II, and III of the ADA, FMLA, Workers’ Compensation, and related laws. You strictly enforce confidentiality and maintain impeccable records, upholding the public trust and the agency’s legal standing.EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION:- Experience: Four (4) years of full-time professional experience in positions that provided a thorough knowledge of principles of human resources management, specifically in employee relations, counseling, mediation, or ADA compliance.- Educational Substitution: Relevant academic credits may be applied toward experience qualifications for this position.- Preferred Certifications: Professional in Human Resources (PHR), Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, or specialized mediation/dispute resolution certification.KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:- Expert skill in conflict resolution, mediation, and handling sensitive, confidential inquiries with extreme discretion.- Proven ability to remain impartial and neutral while navigating high-emotion interpersonal situations.- Comprehensive knowledge of local, state, and federal laws relevant to the ADA, EEOC regulations, FMLA, and Workers’ Compensation.- Skill in interpreting and explaining complex policies, procedures, and legislative mandates to staff and management at all levels.- Deep understanding of the interactive process and the various technologies and alternative formats that enable accessibility in the workplace.- Advanced ability to evaluate medical documentation, identify operational risks, and implement robust, timely solutions.- Proven ability to handle multiple complex cases, set priorities, and drive cooperative outcomes between diverse agency divisions.ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:- Selection Process: Candidates will be expected to complete a pre-interview questionnaire and an in-box exercise as part of the interview process.YOU GAIN: - A Family Friendly Certified Workplace- Competitive salary: $6,197.42/month - Defined Retirement Benefit Plan - Optional 401(k) and 457 accounts - Medical Insurance - Paid time off, including time for vacation, sick and family care leave - Additional benefits for active employees can be found at . Duty involves up to 50% travel within the state of Texas.VETERANS:Use your military skills to qualify for this position or other jobs! Go to to translate your military work experience and training courses into civilian job terms, qualifications, and skill sets. Military occupational specialty codes that may align with this position (such as 42A, 120X, PERS, or 10C0) can be accessed via the state-wide Military Crosswalk for Human Resources: HOW TO APPLY: To be considered, please complete a State of Texas Application for Employment and apply online at or on Taleo (Job Search). TWC is not considering applications from individuals who require sponsorship for an employment visa, including those with H1B visas or those currently on student or postgraduate visas. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire. A position utilizing this classification will be designated as security sensitive according to the Texas Labor Code, Section 301.042.Job Field: Human Resources SpecialistsJob Type: StandardOrganization: TWC Business UnitSchedule: Full-timeJob Level: ManagerTravel: Yes, 50 % of the TimeEmployee Status: Regular