Manager - Employee Relations

Department: Office of Human Resources

General Statement of Job

The Manager - Employee Relations assist the Director of Human Resources - Employee Relations and Talent Development with the day-to-day management and execution of employee relations functions, including workplace investigations, grievance administration, conflict resolution, training, interpretation of policies and procedures, and employee relations consultation. This position provides guidance and support to supervisors and employees on employee relations matters, The Manager exercises considerable independent judgment in addressing workplace issues, promoting consistent application of employment practices, and supporting compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and College policies.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Functions:

• Conducts and oversees impartial and thorough investigations involving employee disciplinary matters, grievances, allegations of discrimination, non-compliance, and other workplace concerns; prepares findings and recommendations as appropriate and in consultation with their supervisor or Director of HR - Employee Relations and Talent Development ensuring timely and effective resolution.
• Manages the administration of grievance files, disposition of records and reports, and other compiled records regarding complaints or inquiries received on a comprehensive case management system.
• May conduct investigations and training related to Title IX of the Education Amendments of the 1972 Civil Rights Act, the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization of 2013 (VAWA)", the Campus Sexual Violence Elimination Act (Campus SaVE"), Clery Act, and Section 504/ADA by promptly responding to formal complaints, preparing an investigative plan and timeline, identifying and interviewing witnesses, and gathering and securing relevant evidence.
• Develops and conducts workplace trainings related to federal and state laws, rules, and regulations, as well as College policies and procedures, related to employee relations.
• Provides direct support in the development and implementation of the College policies and procedures impacting the human resources function, with a primary focus on employee relations and employee-related regulatory compliance.
• Consults with administration, campus stakeholders (i.e., faculty, staff, students, etc.) to clarify and analyze problems, focus discussions, and develop mutually satisfactory strategies or processes for resolution of employee relations issues. Collaborates and partners with peers and colleagues.
• Formulates procedures for supervisors, according to the College policies, objectives and mission and federal, state, and local laws.
• Investigates facts and prepares documents to assist the College's legal counsel on litigation issues or personnel matters, as needed.
• Analyzes employees' perceptions that affect employee morale, motivation, and efficiency and makes recommendations for improvement.
• Provides college personnel assistance in identifying, evaluating, and resolving human relations, work performance problems, and regulatory compliance issues pertaining to employees to facilitate communication and improve employee relations and work performance. Facilitates group meetings using diplomacy and negotiation skills in order to communicate among parties in conflict.
• Monitors complaint and grievance processes and adheres to timelines; and maintains records of grievance actions, formal investigations, and complaints. Prepares affidavits, maintains document files; and responds to and manages unemployment compensation claims.
• In partnership with the college's legal counsel, participates in hearings and mediations by performing such tasks as interviewing potential witnesses, hearing preparation, and preparing exhibits.
• Maintains knowledge of trends, best practices, regulatory changes; and state, federal and local laws related to human resources.
• Participates in committees, as assigned.
• Assist the Director of HR - Employee Relations and Talent Development with projects and other administrative duties, as needed.
• May recommend for hire, supervise, train, develops, guides, and evaluate other employee relations staff.
• Performs other duties and manages projects as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree required. Master's Degree, preferred.
• At least three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in human resources and employee or labor relations required.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent oral, written, and presentation skills.
• Strong computer skills with knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) and internet research skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws and overall HR functions.
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, conflict resolution, and employee relations skills.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects that require demonstrated initiative and leadership ability.
• Ability to analyze situations quickly and objectively, and to determine the proper course of action.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Team player with the ability to collaborate with all college departments, functions, and other support services.
• Ability to adapt to constant change and periods of fast-paced, high-intensity work situations.
• Demonstrated commitment to achieving the vision and mission of South Texas College.
• Ability to work evenings and/or weekends as needed; willing to travel throughout the college district using own means of reliable transportation.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, governmental regulations and legal documents.
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to inquiries from executive management, faculty, staff, students, public groups, regulatory agencies, and/or Boards of Trustees.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Checks, Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations

• Security Sensitive position: all applicants are subject to a criminal background check under South Texas College policy.
• In addition, subject to a federal background check and serves as Campus Security Authority.
• Must have a valid Texas driver's license and proof of liability insurance.
• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Regular on-site attendance is required to perform essential functions of this position. Travel throughout the College district as required to perform assigned duties.
• Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force to move objects.
• Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction.
• Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make sound discrimination.
• Ability to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes.
• Apply pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
• Picking, pinching, typing, or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand as in handling.
• Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word, including the ability to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately and concisely.
• Standing particularly for sustained periods of time.
• Close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing, viewing a computer terminal, and/or extensive reading.
• Mobility to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.

The above job description is not intended as, nor should it be construed as, exhaustive of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.