EMPLOYEE RELATIONS OFFICER presso City of Columbia, SC

About the Department

This position serves as the employee relations officer for the City; participates as a member of the City's grievance committee; coordinates and respond to FOIA request, SHAC, and EEOC complaints; maintains the HR department intranet page; provides assistance to the HR Director and Deputy Director when needed; and performs other duties as assigned.

The work is considered sedentary in nature and involves walking or standing some of the time and involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a recurring basis, 20 pounds occasionally, or routine keyboard operations. The work requires the following physical abilities to perform the essential job functions: hearing, mental acuity, repetitive motion, speaking, standing, talking, and visual acuity.

Work environment involves exposure to no known environmental hazards; and is dynamic that requires sensitivity to change and responsiveness to changing goals, priorities, and needs.

Position Duties

• Serves as employee relations officer for the city;
• Reviews and edits draft disciplinary actions such as reprimands, suspensions, demotions, disciplinary reassignments and terminations;
• Serves as member of grievance committee;
• Participates in various employee relations activities to include but not limited to the City’s grievance process by ensuring that the hearing process follows City policy and procedures, unemployment hearings, refer employees having difficulty at work to job retention services;
• Responds to FOIA, SHAC, EEOC request; provides documentation and copies of documentation as it relates to legal actions to include but not limited to subpoenas, FOIA requests, EEOC and State Human Affairs complaints;
• Investigates or directs investigations of employee grievances and complaints, recommends appropriate actions;
• Provides advice to employees and supervisors regarding performance-related and conduct-related job issues;
• Acts as mediator between employees and supervisors as needed;
• Reviews and edits disciplinary actions;
• Researches and responds to FOIA requests, State Human Affairs Commission, and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaints.  Coordinates information for various departments. Works with the City’s Labor Attorney and City’s Legal department;
• Responsible for the HR Intranet page; updates information for City employees perusal per the HR Director’s specifications;
• Maintain the Ethics Hotline and report issues to HR Director;
• Assists HR Director and Deputy Director as needed;
• Assists with policy development;
• Prepares reports and complies data; 
• Performs general administrative / clerical work as required, including but not limited to preparing reports and correspondence, compiling data for reports, copying and filing documents, entering and retrieving computer data, answering the telephone, etc.;
• Receives and responds to employee / public inquiries, concerns and complaints regarding policies and procedures in areas of responsibility;
• Attends staff, committee and City meetings as required;
• Attends training, meetings, seminars and/or workshops to enhance job knowledge and skills; and
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK: 

• Bachelor’s degree in personnel administration, business administration, human resource management, or closely related field;;
• Four (4) years of relevant prior experience;
• Valid South Carolina Class “D” Driver’s License.

Other Qualifications

• Knowledge of basic algebra involving variables and formulas, and/or computing discounts and interest rates;
• Knowledge of personal computer and peripheral equipment with skill in the use of Microsoft Office preferred, utilizing Outlook, word processing and spreadsheet software programs;
• Ability to develop new approaches or methodologies to solve problems not previously encountered by analyzing, synthesizing or evaluating data or information using unconventional or untried methods;
• Ability to mentor others by advising, counseling or guiding them regarding problems that may be resolved by legal, scientific, clinical, spiritual, administrative or professional principles;
• Ability to handle or use machines, tools or equipment requiring brief instruction or experience, such as computers for data entry, fax machines, copiers, telephones or similar equipment; may service office machines, including adding paper and changing toner;
• Ability to perform work involving the application of principles of logical thinking or scientific practice to diagnose or define problems, collect data and solve abstract problems with widespread unit or organizational impact;
• Ability to read professional literature and technical manuals; speaking to groups of employees, other public and private groups; writing manuals and complex reports;
• Ability to perform work that encompasses advanced technical, scientific, legal, or mathematical concepts. My work directly contributes to the implementation of specific policies, programs, or initiatives of the organization; and
• Ability to make decisions that impact how the unit provides services and support to internal and external customers.