Associate Director, Employee Relations

Who We Are

With three campuses along Colorado’s Front Range, FRCC is the state’s largest community college. We enroll close to 28,000 students annually from our diverse service area, which offers a variety of cultural and recreational activities.

Each year approximately 5,000 FRCC students transfer to four-year universities and FRCC offers more than 36 career training programs that prepare students for immediate employment and rewarding careers. Last year, more than 5,000 high school students took concurrent enrollment classes with us, earning college credit without having to pay college tuition. And we were recently ranked as one of the “Top Online Colleges” in the country by Newsweek.

One of FRCC’s main goals is to offer educational excellence for everyone. The college’s strong commitment to student success means we start by creating an inclusive and equitable environment—one where both students and employees feel they belong and are supported. FRCC’s focus on diversity, equity and inclusion is woven into the fabric of our college conversations and decision-making processes. We are actively seeking to hire a workforce that reflects the diversity of our student body.

The college is also an emerging Hispanic Serving Institution. For us, becoming an HSI is an intentional commitment to being a college where our Latinx (and other historically marginalized) students thrive.

FRCC employees and leaders work hard to create a culture of collaboration, innovation and pride. We’re looking to hire people who share these values—along with our commitment to student success, equity and excellence.

Who You Are

As Associate Director of Employee Relations, you will report to the Director of Employee Relations and lead efforts in resolving behavioral and performance issues through coaching, corrective action, and performance plans. You will also assist with preliminary inquiries into Title IX sexual harassment and Title VII discrimination claims, ensure compliance with employment laws and college policies, and train staff on key compliance topics—particularly around ADA accommodation requests. You will also serve as a labor relations expert, guiding the college on the COWINS Partnership Agreement and helping resolve union-related concerns.

This position does provide the opportunity to work remotely occasionally (up to two days a week) but does require a strong on campus presence and requires travel to all three FRCC campuses as needed.

Please note: You need to be a Colorado resident on your first day of employment. Also, Front Range Community College is an E-Verify employer.

SALARY: $75,000 - $78,750 annually

The salary range reflects the minimum and maximum starting salary for the position. When determining the starting salary for a new employee, FRCC takes into consideration a combination of the selected candidate’s education, training and experience as it relates to the requirements of the position, as well as the position’s scope and complexity, internal pay equity and external market value.

BENEFITS: For information about benefits, please view APT & Faculty Benefits.

SELECTION PROCESS: Position will remain open until filled with a priority deadline of August 28, 2025. This posting may be used to fill multiple or similar positions.

The selection process for the Associate Director of Employee Relations will be conducted through a competitive, merit-based evaluation of all qualified applicants. Preliminary screening will be based on the completed application package submitted by the candidate. In your application, please include a resume and cover letter that specifically address how your background and experience align with the requirements, qualifications, and responsibilities of the position.

Employee Relations

• Support the Director in implementing strategies that promote a positive, inclusive workplace culture.
• Advise supervisors, appointing authorities, and employees on conflict resolution, performance management, workplace behavior, and policy interpretation.
• Collaborate with Learning and Development to deliver training on respectful workplace practices, conflict management, harassment, discrimination, progressive discipline, and related topics.
• Maintain accurate records of employee relations cases and generate reports to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
• Coordinate performance evaluation systems and communicate appraisal processes for APT, Classified, and Instructional staff.
• Conduct prompt inquiries into complaints, grievances, and allegations of misconduct, including discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.
• Coach supervisors on performance management, progressive discipline, and documentation best practices. Recommend and implement corrective actions and assist with performance improvement plans.
• Manage ADA accommodation requests, facilitate the interactive process, recommend accommodations, and support implementation. Track approvals and follow up on effectiveness and recertifications

Labor Relations

• Serve as subject matter expert on the Classified Board Rules and COWINS Partnership Agreement.
• Participate in grievance and dispute resolution procedures. Meet with employees to address concerns and due process issues.
• Prepare documentation and represent the college in union-related meetings or hearings.

Legal and Compliance

• Advise supervisors on employment-related legal and policy matters.
• Conduct preliminary inquiries into student complaints involving employees and develop clear reports of findings.
• Serve as Deputy Title IX Compliance Officer.
• Ensure compliance with employment laws, CCCS policies, and FRCC guidelines.
• Assist in developing and delivering training to ensure staff meet compliance requirements.
• Collaborate with legal counsel and other departments on sensitive or complex cases.
• Stay current on employment laws and recommend policy and practice updates.

Data Analysis and Reporting

• Analyze KPIs and case resolution data to assess effectiveness and timeliness of interventions.
• Maintain records of employee relations and labor issues to identify trends and risks.
• Use Maxient to manage reports, archive case data, and send correspondence.
• Keep current records on ADA accommodation requests and approvals.

Collaboration

• Partner with the Director of Employee Relations, Director of Organizational Development, and HR Generalists to design and implement employee feedback tools (e.g., pulse surveys, exit/stay interviews), and translate results into actionable strategies.
• Represent Employee Relations on the Behavioral Intervention & Threat Assessment (BITA) team and escalate relevant issues to ensure timely ODHR response.

• Mission Vision & Values: Understands that ensuring a respectful and productive workforce contributes towards institutional goals.
• Mentoring and Coaching: Mentors leaders on how to coach and get the best out of their employees.
• Data Usage: Will take the lead in keeping documentation and accurate records of important employee issues and events, including Corrective Actions, Inquiries, ADA requests/approvals, Performance Management, etc.
• Cultural Self-Awareness: Will conduct inquiries and take actions which will investigate highly sensitive issues involving diversity and equity.   Position requires a high level of self-awareness regarding inclusion.
• Equity Awareness: Position will regularly address issues of fairness and inclusion.  Having a equity lens will be essential in arriving at a resolution that reflect the College’s values and direction.
• Compliance Framework: Working in an interconnected framework of Federal and State Laws, as well as System Policies and Procedures, will need to ensure the College adheres to pertinent laws and guidelines. 
• Cultural Competence: Demonstrates an ongoing commitment to understanding and respecting diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. Proactively seeks opportunities to learn about and adapt communication and engagement strategies to equitably support all employees. Apply new insights to foster an inclusive and respectful work environment.
• Operational Planning: Possesses a comprehensive understanding of the college’s strategic priorities and initiatives. Aligns employee relations practices with institutional and departmental goals. Anticipates organizational needs and implements proactive strategies that enhance employee engagement, compliance, and operational efficiency.
• Team Building: Fosters a culture of collaboration and mutual respect by actively building strong working relationships across departments. Leads and supports team-building efforts that enhance communication, trust, and shared accountability. Serves as a resource and connector to strengthen cross-functional partnerships throughout the college.

Required Education/Training & Work Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, organizational management, human resources, or a related field.
• Four years of increasingly responsible professional HR experience with focused experience in employee relations.
• Knowledgeable in federal and state laws and regulations, personnel theory, and human resource philosophy. 
• Knowledge of business practices and policies including budgeting, planning and organization. 
• Thorough knowledge of management and supervisory practices and principles. 
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing. 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, other departments of the College, students, and the community. 
• Ability to mediate conflict and handle problems related to performance issues.

Welcoming. Respectful. Inclusive. Together, we are FRCC.

For information on Front Range Community College’s Security, including Clery Act/Crime Statistics for the campuses and surrounding area, view FRCC’s Annual Security Report.