Human Resources Specialist (Employee Relations & Recruitment)

Job Summary

This job is at pay grade C12, effective 10/01/2022

Are you looking for career opportunities that provide top-notch benefits including paid vacation & sick leave, outstanding health & dental insurance, a free health clinic for you & your dependents, a generous retirement plan, and much more?

Travis County's Facilities Management Department has great jobs that serve dozens of facilities across the county. We offer stable career options with training and tuition reimbursement available to get you to the next level in your career.

This is an intermediate level generalist position that works closely with management to provide professional level human resource management services to include recruitment and staffing, compensation and benefit administration, employment relations, organization development. Works on problems of moderate scope where review of problems or situations requires evaluation of identifiable factors. Exercises judgment within defined practices and policies in selecting methods, techniques, and evaluation criterion for obtaining results. Provides assistance with Union negotiations and administration. Responsible for facilitating effective problem-solving processes and employee relations training. Ensures compliance with applicable Federal, State and County employment laws and policies. Develops and maintains key relationships and alliances with relevant County, City and State management staff. Provides assistance and coordination of administrative processing and recordkeeping for all personnel actions for the department; including hiring, staffing, compensation, benefits, performance and leave.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

This is a job classification within the Human Resources job family. Intermediate level Human Resources generalist position. This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides advice and counsel to Managers and Supervisors regarding Human Resource Management issues. Facilitates problem-solving strategies. Develops and contributes to Human Resource program goals, initiatives and best-practices, ensuring adherence to and compliance with applicable Federal, State and Local laws and departmental and County policies and practices.

• Researches, compiles data, drafts and prepares correspondence and written analysis for revising or creating Human Resources policies and procedures that are consistent with Federal and State laws and regulations.

• Consults with outside agencies (professional organizations, other employers, and government agencies) for advice in policy development.

• Responds to unemployment claims and appeal hearings to contest benefits requested by former employees.

• Responds to open records requests and subpoenas.

• Serves as a liaison and works in cooperation with other County offices and departments.

• Counsels and coaches with employees on issues, concerns and grievances, professional development, and other work-related issues.

• Provides assistance to management and employees on conflict resolution; researching, reporting and responding to informal and formal complaints; provides advice, preparation and responses to grievance hearings, pre-deprivation meetings, alternative dispute resolution/mediation and EEOC/TCHR complaints.

• Provides administration, coordination and communication of policies and procedures regarding various Human Resource laws and practices including: EEO, FMLA, Workers Compensation, ADA, FLSA, hiring/staffing, compensation and associated recordkeeping. Provides technical support to other professional human resource support staff in carrying out these functions.

• Develops and delivers training to departments and staff and makes presentations. Conducts new employee orientation from a policy perspective, summarizing the structure of Travis County, retirement, at-will status, and other benefits not related to group benefits.

• Compiles and analyzes wage data. Oversees and approves Department Personnel Action process. Provides advice on classification, compensation, salary administration matters.

• Evaluates jobs, develops job descriptions, conducts internal and external surveys to compile information, and analyze information for reports and presentations.

• Plans, staffs, evaluates, and directs work of others.

• Serves a role in the development of departmental staff development strategies.

• Assists in the design, development, presentation, coordination, facilitation and evaluation of learning strategies and training programs and initiatives for department employees.

• Provides assistance pertaining to the department's performance management systems and strategies.

• Serves as a resource and member of the team in strategic planning, budgeting, communications and policy development initiatives for the department.

• Develops, creates and delivers oral reports, presentations, letters and policy revisions, as required.

• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree in Personnel Management, Human Resources Management, Public Administration, Business Administration or a directly related field AND three (3) years of directly related demonstrated experience as to assigned Human Resources position;

OR,

Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:

None required.

Preferred:

Certified Compensation Professional (CCP);OR,Certified Benefits Professional (CBP).

Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR);OR,Professional in Human Resources Certification (PHR).

Specialized coursework in the area of Human Resources.

Valid Texas Driver's License.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Federal, State and Local regulations, codes and laws: Employment laws and Affirmative Action, Title VII of Civil Rights Act, Equal Pay Act, FLSA, ADA, FMLA, EEOC, I-9, Texas Workforce Commission Rules, Regulations and Statutes, Open Records Act, and Texas Governor's Committee on Disabilities.

• Principles and practices of Human Resources management.

• County policies, procedures and terminology.

• Compiling data and generating reports.

• Recent Human Resources developments and current literature.

• Office management.

• Computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages.

• Business letter writing, grammar and punctuation, and report preparation.

• May be required to develop knowledge of and adhere to federal and state laws requiring the confidential handling of certain health information.

Skill in:

• Applying Human Resources methods.

• Problem-solving and decision-making.

• Customer service delivery.

• Explaining complicated technical problems in simple non-technical language.

• Both verbal and written communication.

Ability to:

• Interpret policies, procedures, and Federal, State and Local applicable laws.

• Develop and make effective presentations.

• Convey complex ideas and concepts verbally and in writing.

• Work independently as well as in a team environment.

• Manage time well, perform multiple tasks and organize diverse activities.

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with County employees and officials, representatives of outside agencies, and the general public.

Work Environment & Other Information

This position is eligible to participate in a hybrid (on-site/remote) work schedule with the expectation that all operational needs are successfully met.

Performs inspections work to ensure compliance. Performs all work using appropriate safety procedures.

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 20-50 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to standing, walking, sitting, repetitive motion, reaching, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, pushing, pulling, balancing, client/customer contact, squatting to perform the essential functions.

Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.

This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.