Employee Relations Director jobs in Texas

Days: 226

Min: $99,521

Mid: $119,904

JOB TITLE: Director – Employee Relations

REPORTS TO: Assistant Superintendent – HR Operations

WAGE/HOUR STATUS: Exempt

PAY GRADE: AM 5

PRIMARY PURPOSE:

The Director – Employee Relations directs the activities and services of the Employee Relations department and is responsible for directing investigations of alleged misconduct and other employment related difficulties, responding to unemployment claims and ensuring the District is represented in unemployment hearings, coordinating conflict resolution between/among employees, coordinating and interpreting board policy and administrative procedures, serving as the District Title IX Coordinator, managing the exit interview process, handling employee grievances, and serving as a resource to administrators in the District regarding various employee relations matters. Providing training to District administrator is also an essential component of this role.

All employees are expected to act with integrity, support organizational goals, communicate in a clear and respectful manner, championing the needs of our students and drive continuous improvement.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
• 5 years of related experience, including two years in a supervisory capacity
• Thorough knowledge of federal, state and local laws, and board policies

PREFERRED:

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university
• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, AASPA pHCLE, or AASPA-eHCLE certification
• Bilingual, excellent proficiency of written and oral skills in Spanish and English
• Prior experience in K-12 education

SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:

• Strong Knowledge of federal, state and local rules and regulations related to human resources, equal employment, and equal opportunity in the public sector.
• Extensive knowledge of governmental operations, activities and services with particular reference to the employee relations area.
• Knowledge of the principles of management and organization, personnel administration, public fiscal operations and labor relations techniques.
• Knowledge of laws, ordinances, and court decisions as they relate to the field of governmental employee relations.
• Comprehensive working knowledge of employee relations, investigations, employment guidelines, and regulatory compliance.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, including excellent verbal and written communication abilities, with the ability to demonstrate active listening and possessing strong facilitation and conflict resolution skills.
• Skilled in writing clearly and concisely including presenting technical analyses and agreements with precision.
• Advanced proficiency in office technology, such as Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and Adobe.
• Ability to operate in stressful environments
• Ability to handle difficult employment issues in a highly professional and expeditious manner.
• Ability to exercise sound judgments and make independent analyses and recommendations on difficult and sensitive employee relations matters.
• Ability to initiate and recommend policies.
• Ability to interact effectively, courteously, and diplomatically with employees, employee organization representatives, District administrators, and professional and technical personnel.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, team environment.  

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

Management of Administrative, Fiscal, and/or Facilities Functions:

• Manage and support staff in the Department of Employee Relations by providing appropriate support, direction, guidance, counseling, advice, and/or recommendations to effectively address Employee Relations issues.
• Advise the Assistant Superintendent of HR Operations and the Chief of Human Resource Services on matters of employment law, policy and regulation; drafts position papers as needed.
• Conduct investigations related to employee misconduct, with a special emphasis on complex cases – collects information, interviews individuals, analyzes evidence and facts and makes recommendations for corrective/disciplinary action that adheres to District policies and associated employment laws.
• Serve as the District’s Title IX Coordinator.
• Reviews results of fingerprint criminal background checks for new employees, fingerprint renewals and/or contractors.
• Ensure Employee Relations Coordinators conduct thorough investigations and develop clearly written investigative summaries, as well as appropriate correspondence relating to dispositions, grievances and general employee concerns.
• Develop, schedule and conduct trainings and presentations to employees at all levels on employee relations functions.
• Read pertinent literature in order to stay abreast of personnel practices, staying abreast of current research and best practices in human resources management and development in educational and non-education-related settings, and recommending adjustments to plans, policies, and procedures accordingly.
• Recommend District-wide procedures, practices and policies.
• Represent the District in unemployment hearings as appropriate.
• Facilitate employee grievances as required by District policy.
• Handle all Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) complaints in conjunction with legal counsel.
• Administer or delegate exit interview questionnaires with employees who resign from the District.
• Provide staff and District administrators with both oral and written instruction in the form of interpretation of district policy, state and federal regulations and requirements.
• Take a proactive role in identifying and responding to employee issues; work in collaboration with district leadership to ensure preemptive and effective employee communications.
• Conduct annual research regarding employee satisfaction, morale, and communications. Monitor employee retention and turnover through analysis of data, stay interviews, and exit interviews.
• Update employee handbook annually and distribute to employees. Ensure procedures are followed to inform employees of personnel policies, procedures, and programs that affect them.

Human Resources Management:

• Provide administrative direction and leadership to assigned staff for the operational, financial, and personnel resources to effectively support District goals.
• Supervise, evaluate performance, and lead the recruitment, hire, and placement of assigned staff.
• Recognize exemplary performance of assigned staff.
• Ensure a complete, timely, and equitable investigation of all complaints against any assigned staff.

Organization Improvement:

• Prepare and deliver written and oral presentations on HR and management issues to employees.
• Analyze critical needs in assigned areas and work collaboratively to design, implement, refine, and evaluate assigned programs in order to continuously improve the department.
• Plan short- and long-term strategies, objectives and priorities for areas of responsibility with staff assistance and input from teachers, principals and other administrative staff.

Professional Growth and Development:

• Stay abreast of current research and best practices in human resources management and development in educational and non-education-related settings, and adjust plans, policies and procedures accordingly.
• Guide assigned staff in the planning and implementation of professional development that increases effectiveness and improves District performance.
• Participate in professional development that increases effectiveness and improves District performance.

School/Community Relations:

• Interface with governmental agencies, business and civic organizations, and the community to provide needed information and to promote the District’s initiatives.

Organization Morale:

• Foster collegiality and team building among department employees; encourage active involvement in the decision-making process by all department employees; communicate expectations for high-level performance to staff; recognize staff achievements; and ensure effective and quick resolution of conflicts among department employees.
• Facilitate communication and collaboration among assigned department personnel and campus administrators to enhance service delivery, program development, and customer satisfaction.

Other Responsibilities:

• Maintain strict confidentiality; exercise sound judgment in handling or working with confidential data and situations.
• Support personnel records management and help ensure compliance with the state records management program.
• Compile, maintain, and file all reports, records, and other documents as required.
• Comply with policies established by federal and state law, including but not limited to State Board of Education and local Board policy.
• Follow district safety protocols and emergency procedures.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The usual and customary methods of performing the job’s functions require the following physical demands:  physical mobility, standing, prolonged sitting, some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling.  This position will also require both traveling within the district and state wide. Mental demands: Ability to solve problems and deal with a variety of situations; ability to interpret a variety of data; ability to interpret the Texas Education Code and district board policy; ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory of instructional programs; ability to be effective in both oral and written communication; ability to maintain emotional control under stress.

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of responsibilities and duties that may be required.