Senior Human Resources Specialist - Employee Relations

Employee Relations - Senior Human Resources Specialist

The Employee Relations - Senior Human Resources Specialist supports the Director of Employee Engagement and Relations by providing guidance to leaders, leveraging deep knowledge of the Division to evaluate what is needed to support the Division's objectives and accelerate employee success and career growth. This position will provide strategic support and partner with principals, senior managers, teachers, classified staff, and external customers in resolving workplace conflict, performance management, workplace accommodations, and engagement initiatives. This position will also support and provide guidance to the HR Specialist - Employee Relations and HR Generalist I. This 12-month, 240 day Support position reports to the Director of Employee Engagement and Relations. This position works on-site at the ACPS Central Office Building.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's degree, preferably in Human Resource Management or a related field or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Master's degree preferred.
• Certificates & Licenses: PHR, PHR/SHRM or SPHR/SHRM-CP, or similar human resources related certification preferred. Current Title IX Coordinator training or willingness to complete within the first 90 days of employment.
• Required Experience: At least three (3) years of direct human resources experience, with a minimum of one (1) year handling employee relations issues. At least one (1) year of consulting with various stakeholders on performance/disciplinary concerns.
• Preferred Experience: Prior guidance writing policies, conducting workplace investigations, and overseeing due process meetings. Prior experience in primary/secondary education or higher education. Training in conflict resolution and/or mediation

Essential Functions:

• Conduct internal investigations on behalf of the district concerning violations of district policy, discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, and other employee relations matters in the most complex cases with a high degree of autonomy.
• Conduct Title IX investigations under the supervision of the Director of Employee Relations related to students and employees.
• Serves as Deputy Title IX Coordinator, and may temporarily assume some Title IX Coordinator responsibilities as required by the needs of the Division, providing cross-team support to update and inform Human Resources and Student Services and Equity teams on Title IX matters
• Conduct investigations under the supervision of the Director of Employee Relations related to personnel matters, formal complaints and grievances.
• Uses appropriate and accepted standards/methods of investigative process to complete a thorough investigation
• Writes and presents Investigative Reports to appropriate parties
• Provide written summaries and associated letters (administrative leave, reprimands, letters of concern) associated with workplace grievances for review by the Director of Employee Relations
• Understand and execute end-to-end HR business processes across the employee lifecycle
• Participate in all levels of coordination to support the Director, including but not limited to:
• Education-specific talent development efforts, such as coordinating performance management processes
• Employee relations assistance, such as training, investigating, and documenting
• Entering and managing cases using the case management system
• Advising and guiding principals and administrators through the non-renewal process in accordance with Division procedures and legal requirements
• Managing the exit interview process, conducting pulse surveys, and other engagement activities
• Creating documentation for HR systems and process enhancements
• Working collaboratively to improve efficiency and consistently execute all HR business processes
• Provide thoughtful, accurate, and timely responses to HR colleagues and employees, managers, and school leaders
• Researching, investigating, and making recommendations related to workplace grievances
• Providing inquiry-related data and insights on themes to improve the employee experience

Key Competencies (Knowledge, Skill, Abilities):

• Knowledge of federal and state employment law.
• Knowledge of rules, regulations, principles, and practices related to employee conduct, performance, and dispute resolution.
• High level of integrity; ability to manage conflict, deal with controversy, and handle confidential information ethically, professionally, and appropriately
• Thrives while working under pressure in a fast-paced environment with a sense of urgency for all requests
• Ability to defuse and manage volatile and potentially stressful situations
• Proven ability to provide excellent customer service with strong attention to detail, accuracy, thoroughness
• Strong collaboration skills, effective at gathering and synthesizing information from multiple parties
• Ability to multi-task, organize, and prioritize while meeting rigorous deadlines
• Strong critical evaluation skills - ability to apply sound judgment and identify the root causes of problems through an expanded, holistic view vs. looking at smaller, discrete parts or symptoms in isolation
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to include a demonstrated ability to write technical documents highly sensitive in nature related to confidential issues, disciplinary matters and employee grievances
• Highly professional manner, with the ability to interact with employees of all levels of experience and seniority, across the organization
• Ability to learn quickly; demonstrates an aptitude for learning employment practices
• Exhibits intellectual curiosity and resourcefulness to find additional information to better understand issues and topics at hand and uses this information to present thoughtful new ideas
• Operate general office equipment such as copier, computer, scanner, telephone, and fax machine

Compensation: Placement on the Grade 33 Scale, $37.36 to $45.97 an hour, determined by The ACPS Support Salary Scale

• FLSA Status: Non-Exempt position - This position is classified as non-exempt, meaning it is eligible for overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Clearances:

• Criminal Justice Fingerprint/Background Clearance.
• Tuberculosis Skin Test.
• Public Health Compliance - Must follow safety and health protocols.