Employee Relations Specialist

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• A high school diploma or possession of a general equivalency diploma (GED)

Experience

• Two years of professional experience in the employee relations field administering employment-related programs

Preferred

• Education Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration or a related field
• Experience Experience working in a unionized environment is highly desirable

Medical Group

Satisfactorily complete the medical examination for this position, if required. The incumbent must be able to perform the essential functions of this position either with or without reasonable accommodations.

Summary

The Employee Relations Specialist I is responsible for providing support for a broad range of programs and business processes, to include unemployment compensation, return to duty, rehires, and reinstatements of terminated employees, and employment verifications. The incumbent is also responsible for coordinating placements for employees who are medically disqualified. Other responsibilities include monitoring background screening processes, researching, analyzing, and developing standard operating procedures, and managing sensitive and confidential information. The incumbent, under the general direction and guidance of Fair Practices leadership, has latitude for independent judgment, action, and initiative within established guidelines.

Essential Functions

• Participates in the administration of the medically disqualified placement program for employees with Medical Services, Worker’s Compensation (WC), and other departments/divisions. This includes general administration, comprehensive case management. Monitors employees’ participation in accordance with applicable policies and collective bargaining agreements.
• Collaborates with client groups, Labor Relations (LABR), Office of Equal Employment Opportunity (OEEO), Medical Services, and other departments/divisions to implement the rehire, reinstatement, and return to duty processes.
• Participates in the administration of the Authority’s unemployment compensation program, to include the proper processing of claims, maintenance of records, fact-finding for investigations, attendance at hearings, and reconciliation and payment of invoices.
• Performs duties and assists with the background screening processes, ensuring adherence to WMATA’s policies; initiates reasonable suspicion background screenings with authorization.
• Assists in analyzing data, producing and managing reporting metrics for all programs.
• Provides proactive guidance and training to employees regarding WMATA return to work, employee placement and other programs.

Other Functions

• Provides verbal and written employment verifications to financial institutions and other entities.
• Assists Fair Practices staff and clients in developing standard operating procedures that align to and are consistent with established policies to redesign work processes and maximize efficiencies.
• The essential duties listed are not intended to limit specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Nor is it intended to limit in any way the right of managers and supervisors to assign, direct and control the work of employees under their supervision.

Closing

WMATA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by applicable federal law.

This posting is an announcement of a vacant position under recruitment. It is not intended to replace the official job description. Job descriptions are available upon confirmation of an interview.

Evaluation Criteria

Consideration will be given to applicants whose resumes demonstrate the required education and experience. Applicants should include all relevant education and work experience.

Evaluation criteria may include one or more of the following:

Skills and/or behavioral assessment Personal interview Verification of education and experience (including certifications and licenses) Criminal Background Check (a criminal conviction is not an automatic bar to employment) Medical examination including a drug and alcohol screening (for safety sensitive positions) Review of a current motor vehicle report