Employee Relations Specialist

This is professional work addressing highly confidential/complex employee relations issues and opportunities including providing support in training, performance management, leave and workers compensation and employee development. This position serves as the initial contact for managers and employees regarding workplace issues, ensuring compliance. This role focuses on conducting preliminary reviews into misconduct, providing statuses of employee relations matters and managing associated administrative documentation.

An employee in this class is responsible for planning, coordinating, tracking and performing support activities within the Department of Human Resources.

Works under the direction of the Deputy Director of Human Resources with responsibility for supporting and carrying out assigned activities.

Assists in fostering a positive work environment, building strong relationships between employees and management. Serves as a pivotal bridge between employee relations, learning and development and leave and workers compensation teams ensuring the smooth operation of HR processes. Manages records, maintains accurate databases, prepares reports, drafts correspondence, and assists with documentation related to employee relations activities, including disciplinary actions, policy updates, and performance management processes. Assists in handling incoming inquiries from employees, directs phone calls, coordinates and schedules meetings, appointments, etc., and compiles materials for investigations and meetings. May assist with investigations into employee and management complaints related to labor, employment and other workplace issues, summarizes findings and prepares reports. Utilizes standard and customized business software to create reports, track investigations/complaint progress and completion, and monitors the progress of employee relations efforts. Assists with monitoring employee morale, engagement, and trends, proposing initiatives to enhance satisfaction and retention. Maintains detailed records of employee relations cases, investigations, disciplines and outcomes. Coordinates training/meeting locations and ensures resources are prepared and delivered as appropriate and ensures setup and cleanup of events/meetings. Compiles data and statistics as required for compliance with government agencies. May assist with the coordination of new employee orientation and management trainings. Keeps up with developments in area of expertise by reading current journals, books, or magazine articles. Manages sensitive and confidential information with discretion. Drives to meetings, works sites etc. Performs related work as required.

Graduation from an accredited college or university with an associate’s degree in human resources, business administration, psychology, conflict resolution, or a related field and a minimum of two years of paid professional level experience in human resources, employee relations, or related work. College course work may be substituted by paid professional experience in human resources, employee relations, conflict resolution/mediation, or related work on a year-for-year basis. Possession of a valid State of Ohio driver’s license.

Thorough knowledge of principles, theories, techniques, laws and practices related to human resources and employee relations. Knowledge of organizational dynamics. Knowledge of the government organization and human resources practices.  Skill in compiling and analyzing data. Skill in handling employee complaints, conflict resolution, and compliance documentation. Skill in making presentations to groups of various sizes. Skill in English usage and grammar. Skill in the use of Microsoft office programs including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. Skill in the use and maintenance of customized business software.

Ability to manage sensitive and confidential information with discretion.  Ability to prepare documents and materials for internal hearings.  Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people at all levels of the organization. Ability to effectively interact with management and employees and to develop and convey information verbally and in written form. Ability to utilize standard and customized business software for purposes of writing reports, compiling data, delivering training, tracking complaints/investigations and creating training aids. Ability to problem-solve and assist with addressing employee concerns. Ability to understand and interpret employment laws and regulations to ensure compliance. Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.  List of essential job functions available upon request.

This is a classified position.  

The selection process will consist of a competitive examination with credit for education and experience.  A passing score must be obtained on the competitive examination in order to receive credit for education and experience.  TEST WEIGHTS:  Competitive Examination 70%, Education 20%, Experience 10%.  

Candidates must meet the qualifications and requirements listed in the announcement at the time of examination and at the time of appointment.

NOTE: The competitive examination may be suspended if shown to be impractical because of an insufficient number of qualified candidates.  The candidates will then be ranked in a standard manner based on 70% for qualifying, 20% for education, and 10% for experience.
 
Since this examination is posted on a combined basis, two separate eligibility lists will be generated with promotional candidates considered before open candidates.

RESIDENCY:  Candidates who have been resident citizens within the corporate limits of the City of Akron for at least one year immediately prior to the examination and who continue to reside within the corporate limits of the City of Akron throughout the remainder of the selection process will have 5 points added to their passing grades.  VETERANS: A veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States, honorably discharged from active duty, desiring a bonus of 5 points added to his/her passing grade, must submit proof of discharge in the form of a DD-214 with application.

DRIVER S LICENSE:  An applicant having a valid driver's license from another state will be accepted conditionally provided that, if selected, an Ohio Driver's License must be obtained prior to appointment.  Candidates having six or more points on their driving record at the time of appointment will be disqualified from further consideration.  

NOTE: YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR CHECKING YOUR APPLICATION STATUS THROUGHOUT THE STEPS IN THE SELECTION PROCESS BY VIEWING YOUR GOVERNMENTJOBS.COM ACCOUNT. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR ARE UNABLE TO CHECK YOUR STATUS ON LINE, YOU MAY CALL THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES AT 330-375-2720.  

Email correspondence generated from our system will be sent from info@governmentjobs.com. To ensure you receive important communication from our office, be sure to make this address a safe sender.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The City of Akron is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce, which includes building an environment that respects the individual, promotes innovation and offers opportunities for all employees to develop to their full potential. A diverse workforce helps the City realize its full potential. The City benefits from the creativity and innovation that results when people with different experiences, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds work together. In compliance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), the City is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all individuals regardless of race, color, ancestry, national origin, language, religion, citizenship status, sex, age, marital status, sexual preference or orientation, gender identity/expression, military/veteran status, disability, genetic information, membership in a collective bargaining unit, status with regard to public assistance, or political affiliation. The City adheres to these policies in both our hiring and employment practices.

Applicants are required to meet the minimum qualifications for the position with or without an accommodation.  If you are a qualified applicant with a disability, please notify the Department of Human Resources at least one week prior to testing if requesting a reasonable accommodation for the testing process.  

The City of Akron is committed to protecting the safety, health and well-being of all employees in our workplace and providing the community with the highest quality municipal services possible. Alcohol, marijuana, and drug abuse in the workplace pose a significant threat to these goals. In furtherance of its goal to maintain a drug and alcohol-free workplace, the City conducts pre-employment drug screening for illegal drugs, marijuana, and the illegal, unauthorized use, or intentional misuse of prescription drugs. Any candidate who tests positive for marijuana or the illegal use of drugs will not be hired.