Employee and Labor Relations Specialist

State of Colorado • Denver, CO

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Employee and Labor Relations position plays a key role in fostering a respectful, equitable, and legally compliant workplace by managing relationships among employees, leadership, and union representatives. This position serves as a trusted advisor to supervisors and staff on workplace policies, performance management, conflict resolution, and corrective or disciplinary actions, ensuring consistency and fairness across the organization. Key responsibilities include interpreting and applying State Personnel Board Rules, the COWINS Partnership Agreement, and applicable federal and state employment laws, as well as internal policies and procedures. The role supports efforts to enhance employee engagement, mitigate organizational risk, and maintain compliance with regulatory requirements. This position is responsible for utilizing internal systems and processes to intake, track, investigate, and resolve employee and labor relations matters, including complaints, grievances, and workplace concerns. The role conducts or supports workplace investigations, prepares documentation, and provides recommendations for resolution. Additionally, the position collaborates closely with other Human Resources units, including Talent Acquisition, Total Worker Health and Benefits, and Organizational Development, to ensure a coordinated and effective approach to employee and labor relations management. This position administers and manages the department’s unemployment insurance claims process which involves responding to claims, coordinating documentation, and representing the organization as needed.

Requirements

• Six (6) years of experience as an HR Generalist, HR Business Partner, or Employee Relations Specialist or experience in a related human resources discipline.
• A combination of related education in a Human Resources discipline, such as Human Resources Management or Business Administration, and experience as an HR Generalist, HR Business Partner, or Employee Relations Specialist or in a related human resources discipline, equal to Six (6) years.
• Must be a resident of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated knowledge of employment law.
• Demonstrated skills in translating human resources best practices, employment laws, policies, and procedures into actionable employee relations advice.
• Demonstrated experience across core HR disciplines.
• Experience conducting workplace investigations in harassment, discrimination, and retaliation claims.
• Experience managing unemployment claims and appeals.
• State of Colorado experience.
• Experience with the Google suite of applications.

Responsibilities

• Employee Relations
• Labor Relations
• Unemployment Insurance Claims

Benefits

• Free parking and access to RTD bus lines.
• Flexible working arrangements
• Retirement ( PERA options), Medical and dental health plans Defined Benefit Plan or the PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus optional 401K and 457 plans
• Paid life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• 11 paid holidays per year and generous personal time off
• Tuition assistance
• Wellness programs
• Professional development opportunities on a wide variety of subjects
• Career advancement opportunities throughout the State system
• Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree