Employee Relations Specialist

Employee Relations Specialist

Are you someone who is solution-oriented, thrives on solving challenges, and enjoys working with people just as much as policies? We're seeking a dedicated and driven Employee Relations Specialist who will play a pivotal role in shaping a positive workplace culture and keep El Paso County moving forward. In this role, you'll drive resolution on complex employee relations cases, including discharges, disciplinary actions, and sensitive workplace matters. You'll collaborate with HR Business Partners, department leaders, and legal counsel to ensure consistent and well-informed outcomes.

Beyond case management, you'll oversee key programs that ensure our compliance and smooth operation, including unemployment insurance claims, administrative leave placements, EEO-4 reporting, and employment posting compliance. This is more than just an HR role. This is an opportunity to bring your attention to detail, organizational skills, and collaborative spirit to work that makes a real difference every day. If you're ready for a career where no two days are the same and your impact is felt across the organization, we'd be thrilled to welcome you to our team.

Hiring Range : $73,000.00 - $82,000.00 annually. This position has an anticipated work schedule of Monday Friday, 8 : 00am 4 : 30pm; subject to change. This position may close without advance notice, should we receive a sufficient number of qualified applications.

The Employee Relations (ER) Specialist serves as the primary point of contact for discharges and disciplinary actions that result from investigations, ensuring documentation is accurate, consistent, and aligned with County policies and legal requirements. In addition, this position leads the administration of several high-impact employee relations programs, including unemployment insurance claims, administrative leave placements, file preservation notices, EEO-4 reporting, and employment law posting compliance. The Employee Relations Specialist partners with HR Business Partners, department leaders, and the County Attorney's Office to deliver compliant and timely outcomes in complex employee relations matters. The role also supports trend analysis efforts and contributes to the continuous improvement of ER services across the organization. Employment is subject to the terms, conditions, and policies detailed in the Personnel Policies Manual (PPM). This position requires regular in-person presence as an essential job function.

Essential Duties / Responsibilities

• Serves as the primary point of contact for all discharge actions and disciplinary outcomes that result from investigations. Collaborates with HR Business Partners, department leaders, and the County Attorney's Office to ensure documentation is complete, consistent, and aligned with investigative findings, County policy, and legal standards.
• Develops, prepares, reviews, and edits discharge and disciplinary documents; provides suggestions to leadership for recommended content. Files, updates, maintains, and audits confidential employee relations files, spreadsheets, and documents; ensures accurate recordkeeping of sensitive ER documentation and outcomes.
• Coordinates the placement of employees on administrative leave related to investigations or operational needs.
• Audits and processes backpay reconciliations in collaboration with Payroll to ensure accuracy of retroactive payments.
• Coordinates with employees and departments for the timely retrieval of County-issued assets following employee separations, discharges, or placement on administrative leave.
• Prepares employee relations-related payroll documentation accurately and in a timely manner.
• Manages the County's unemployment insurance (UI) claims process, including timely responses, documentation submission, appeal hearing representation, claim validation, invoice reconciliation, and trend monitoring to support compliance and reduce liability.
• Works collaboratively with the County Attorney's Office in responding to charges of discrimination received from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Colorado Civil Rights Division (CCRD), or other entities.
• Processes file preservation notices in collaboration with the County Attorney's Office, ensuring timely compliance and documentation integrity.
• Participates in compiling and responding to requests for information, such as subpoenas, CORA requests, litigation, and other legal affairs, as directed.
• Maintains in-depth knowledge of legal requirements related to the management of employees, reducing legal risks and ensuring regulatory and policy compliance. Stays abreast of employment law changes and requirements; disseminates this information and takes action to implement as applicable. Partners with the County Attorney's Office as needed / required.
• Provides consultation and interpretation to County staff related to County policies and procedures; ensures compliance with County-wide and departmental policies, federal, state, and local laws.
• Conducts workplace and Title VII investigations. Ensures timely completion of investigations and provides timely and objective investigation reports outlining findings, analysis, and recommended actions to relevant stakeholders, including HR leadership and management. Continuously assess and improve investigation processes and protocols to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and fairness.
• Works with HR staff to prepare and timely transmit the EEO-4 report of workforce demographic data.
• Serves as the HR point of contact for employment law posting compliance across County worksites; monitors and updates postings in accordance with federal and state requirements.
• Monitors, gathers, consolidates, and analyzes metrics and employee-related data to identify trends and develop solutions; prepares reports for HR leadership to support proactive planning and continuous improvement.
• Performs other duties as required.

Supervision Exercised : This classification does not have supervisory authority; however, may be required to provide expertise or limited guidance or direction to employees, such as overseeing work quality, training, and guidance. Typically serves as a subject matter expert on the scope of functional area. Supervision Received : Receives general supervision. This classification typically performs job duties by following established standard operating procedures and / or policies. Regular direction, guidance, and coaching from supervisor may be expected. There is a choice of the appropriate procedure or policy to apply to duties. Performance reviewed periodically.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Required Education & Experience

Preferred Education & Experience

Licenses / Certificates