Hybrid Employee Relations Administrator at City of Durham, NC

About the Department

Work, Serve, Thrive.  With the City of Durham  
Advance in your career while making a real difference in the community you serve.

Hiring Range: $77,507 - $93,008
Hours: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday - Friday

The City of Durham’s Human Resources Department is an accomplished, diverse, energetic team embracing and inspiring the joy of public service. We aggressively challenge assumptions of what is possible, moving towards a future that is more just, productive and rewarding for all employees. Join us if you’re ready to share your talents, learn new skills and build relationships in service to the City of Durham!

Under the general direction of the Employee Relations Manager, the Employee Relations Administrator is responsible for investigating employee relations issues to gather information and make recommendations regarding appropriate actions to resolve issues.  This position will promote consistency and fairness in all practices and demonstrate our values to ensure a positive, high performing and inclusive  work environment while mitigating risk.  This is an individual contributor role with no direct supervisory responsibilities; however, may serve as project lead as required.  Decision-making is driven by established policy and practice. Decision-making may involve significant issues for the division.  

This position may be eligible for flexible work/remote work by the current policy after the completion of the initial probationary period (6 consecutive months).

Position Duties

• Use extensive subject matter expertise in conflict management to conduct fact-finding investigation activities related to internal and external inquiries, complaints, and concerns and prescribe appropriate remedies to resolve complaints or problems.
• Partner with internal legal counsel to ensure a workplace free of harassment, discrimination, and retaliation.
• Provide objective and constructive guidance on the interpretation and application of company policies and overall performance management. Provide coaching and counseling on issues related to policy, procedure, and federal and state regulations.
• Investigate, capture, document, and organize facts and data while maintaining confidentiality and integrity on all employee-related issues such as complaints, managing conflict, sexual harassment, harassment, and consultations. 
• Investigate and review employee relations issues (demotions, transfers, terminations, performance management opportunities) as assigned. Partners with Classification and Compensation team on corrective action plans.
• Consult with the Employee Relations Manager for any clarification regarding compliance with all federal, state, and local employment regulations/laws. 
• Coach, counsel, and educate employees on matters related to conflict, harassment, discrimination, disparate treatment, or other similar issues to ensure the employee is treated fairly and the City of Durham is appropriately protected. 
• Assist in creating content for training education and facilitates training as appropriate.
• Facilitate grievance process as required by policy.  Conducts new Grievance Hearing Officer training and refresher training for existing Grievance Hearing Officers.
• Facilitate mediation sessions as needed. Work closely with the Employee Relations Manager to set strategies, ongoing employee relations activities, the budgeting process, and additional consultation as needed. 
• Where appropriate, engage with internal or external consultants and advisors to gain specific legal or best practice advice on cases, policy revision, cross-market issues, and related topics, to ensure the best advice is provided.
• Actively participates in internal training council to recommend training opportunities.
• Works to ensure compliance with HR policies and procedures and local, state, and federal requirements.
• Serve as a policy expert for related policies, procedures, forms, and job aids.
• Manages the unemployment claims process including quarterly submission of reports and processing of annual payment to DES.  
• Conduct unemployment appeals hearings.
• Participates in identifying critical skills and partners with L&OD team to develop training solutions to address needs and gaps.   
• Accurately and timely maintain multiple employee relation databases, case management systems, and spreadsheets to ensure accurate tracking and information regarding all cases.
• Facilitate the Employee Relations section of New Hire Orientation (NEO). 
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

• Remains current, interprets and complies with Federal, State and local laws, policies and regulations related to employment. 
• Demonstrated knowledge in ADA, FMLA, ADEA, FLSA, harassment and retaliation. 
• Ability to work well with others and build trusting relationships across the organization.
• Ability to  work in stressful or sensitive situations.  Track record of delivering viable solutions with tact and diplomacy.  Ability to maintain composure during difficult situations. 
• Ability to work comfortably through ambiguous and complex situations. 
• Demonstrated work experience conducting and leading investigations and advising on complex employee relations issues.
• Superior written and oral communication skills. Ability to communicate effectively within groups. 
• Ability to be a coach, mentor, advisor, and partner with stakeholders at varied levels.
• Expert knowledge of employee and labor relations, training, conflict resolution, and direct experience leading complex investigations at all levels.  Ability to recognize trends and gaps and make recommendations for change as required. 
• Coordinating deadlines and prioritizing competing demands.
• Must be self-motivated and have an enhanced ability to prioritize/plan in a fast-paced environment.
• Research skills to study industry trends, solutions and best practices.
• Author and prepare original reports, written summaries.  Develop action, improvement plans and provide other interventions that address issues. 
• Excellent customer service and listening skills.
• Ability to work little supervision. 
• Detail-oriented and strong organizational skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to handle multiple projects.
• Excellent interpersonal and listening skills. 
• Proven self-starter committed to moving the organization forward.  Ability to understand the bigger picture. 
• High professional standards of confidentiality
• Strong computer, Microsoft Office skills and use of other applications necessary for the position.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Human Resources, Business or Public Administration, or directly related field.
• A minimum of five years of professional employee relations experience is required.

Other Qualifications

• Professional Human Resources (PHR) Certification or SHRM-Certified Professional preferred but not required.