Senior Employee Relations Specialist
Metrocare ServicesAre you looking for a purpose-driven career? At Metrocare, we serve our neighbors with developmental or mental health challenges by helping them find lives that are meaningful and satisfying.
Metrocare is the largest provider of mental health services in North Texas, serving over 55,000 adults and children annually. For over 50 years, Metrocare has provided a broad array of services to people with mental health challenges and developmental disabilities. In addition to behavioral health care, Metrocare provides primary care centers for adults and children, services for veterans and their families, accessible pharmacies, housing, and supportive social services. Alongside clinical care, researchers and teachers from Metrocare’s Altshuler Center for Education & Research are advancing mental health beyond Dallas County while providing critical workforce to the state.
Job Description:
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
The mission of Metrocare Services is to serve our neighbors with developmental or mental health challenges by helping them find lives that are meaningful and satisfying. We are an agency committed to quality gender-responsive, trauma-informed care to individuals experiencing serious mental illness, development disabilities, and co-occurring disorders. Metrocare programs focus on the issues that matter most in the lives of the children, families, and adults we serve.
The Senior Employee Relations Specialist serves as a strategic advisor and subject matter expert on employee relations across Metrocare. This role supports leaders and staff by fostering a positive, inclusive, and legally compliant workplace culture. Key responsibilities include investigating and resolving complex workplace issues, advising management on performance, conduct, and disciplinary actions, and ensuring adherence to employment laws, company policies, and HR best practices. The position requires strong relationship-building skills and collaboration with managers, employees, and HR partners to proactively address concerns and promote organizational effectiveness.
HOURS OF RESPONSIBILITY: Monday – Friday 8 am – 5 pm
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The essential functions listed here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the job.
Conducts job responsibilities in accordance with the ethical standards of conduct, state contract, appropriate professional standards and applicable state/federal laws.
Conduct thorough and impartial investigations into employee complaints, workplace concerns, and policy violations (e.g., harassment, discrimination, retaliation, misconduct).
Provide expert consultation to managers and supervisors on performance management, corrective action, and conflict resolution.
Interpret and apply federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, as well as internal policies and procedures.
Partner with HR Business Partners, Legal, and Compliance teams on complex cases and risk mitigation strategies.
Maintain accurate, detailed, and confidential documentation of employee relations cases.
Develop and deliver training for managers and employees on topics such as respectful workplace practices, conflict resolution, and performance management.
Analyze employee relations trends and recommend proactive strategies to address workplace issues and improve organizational culture.
Support organizational change management initiatives by advising leaders on effective communication and engagement strategies.
Contribute to policy review and updates to ensure alignment with legal requirements and organizational values.
Act as a role model for ethical decision-making, fairness, and consistency in employee relations practices.
Assists in the development of programs meant to promote employee engagement and satisfaction with the organization and reduce turnover
Participates in employee relations related issues, which may include employee disciplinary action, conflict or grievance resolution, work life balance, or the EAP program
Ensure programs are administered fairly across the employee population
Participates in investigation into employee/employer misconduct
Conduct or moderate’s employee surveys, focus groups, or exit interviews
Performs other duties as assigned.
COMPETENCIES:
The competencies listed here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
Analytical Skills: Ability to assess complex situations, identify root causes, and recommend effective solutions.
Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to deliver difficult messages with professionalism and empathy.
Conflict Resolution: Skilled in mediation, de-escalation, and fostering constructive dialogue.
Integrity and Confidentiality: Demonstrates discretion, fairness, and ethical judgment in sensitive situations.
Influence and Coaching: Ability to guide and influence managers in applying consistent and compliant employee relations practices.
Adaptability: Comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with shifting priorities.
Organizational Skills: Excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize workflow and meet deadlines.
Ability to handle multiple tasks and special projects simultaneously.
Able to work autonomously with minimal or no supervision.
Able to maintain a high level of professionalism and confidentiality.
Analytical skills, professional acumen, business ethics, thorough understanding of continuous improvement processes, problem solving, respect for confidentiality, and excellent communication skills.
QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Required: Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field
Required: 5–7 years of progressive HR or employee relations experience, with at least 3 years focused on employee relations case management.
Strong knowledge of employment law (Title VII, ADA, FMLA, FLSA, etc.) and HR best practices.
Demonstrated experience conducting investigations, writing reports, and presenting findings to leadership.
Preferred: Master’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field
Preferred: HR certification (PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP)
Performs work under minimal supervision. Handles complex issues and problems, and refers only the most complex issues to higher-level staff
Provides leadership, coaching, and/or mentoring to a subordinate group
Possesses excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Demonstrated experience in problem management
Possesses good judgement in navigating employee relations issues and escalating to CHRO
Experience in documenting and reporting employee relations issues - detail oriented
DRIVING REQUIRED: Yes
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:
Basic math skills required.
Ability to work with reports and numbers.
REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out simple one or two-step instructions.
Ability to deal with standardized situations with only occasional or no variables.
COMPUTER SKILLS:
Use computer, printer, and software programs necessary to the position (i.e., Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint).
Ability to utilize Internet for resources.
- Occasional travel may be required to support investigations or employee meetings at multiple locations.
- In county travel may be required: occasionally
- Overnight travel required: occasionally
Benefits Information and Perks:
Metrocare couldn’t have a great employee-first culture without great benefits. That’s why we offer a competitive salary, exceptional training, and an outstanding benefits package:
Medical/Dental/Vision
Paid Time Off
Paid Holidays
Employee Assistance Program
Retirement Plan, including employer matching
Health Savings Account, including employer matching
Professional Development allowance up to $2000 per year
Bilingual Stipend – 6% of the base salary
Many other benefits
Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer
Tobacco-Free Facilities - Metrocare is committed to promoting the health, well-being, and safety of Metrocare team members, guests, and individuals and families we serve while on the facility campuses. Therefore, Metrocare facilities and grounds are tobacco-free.
No Recruitment Agencies Please