Employee Relations Consultant

State of Indiana•Indianapolis, IN

About The Position

The Employee Relations Consultant provides leadership, guidance, and counsel to State of Indiana agencies and facilities on employee relations and compliance matters. The role interprets and applies state laws, rules, and policies to employee complaints and issues that may involve family and medical leave, workplace harassment or discrimination, military and other leaves of absence, health and safety, and reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Counsel considers the impact on other areas of human resources administration and the operational needs of State agencies. The consultant conducts extensive investigations, including workplace violence, harassment, and discrimination matters, and prepares detailed written case reports and recommendations for agency leadership. The position also supports leave administration in the state employee information and payroll system, advises employees and managers, provides technical assistance on reasonable accommodations, and develops and presents training. The role works within the Indiana State Personnel Department’s shared-services model and supports State agencies and employees statewide. The salary traditionally starts at $67,314, with compensation potentially commensurate with education and work experience. A degree is not required; at least six years of comparable experience applying the relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered. The position is exempt from overtime compensation. It may be used in a supervisory capacity based on agency needs.

Requirements

Thorough knowledge of human resources management and administration, including FMLA, FLSA, civil rights legislation, state policies and practices for harassment and discrimination investigations, employee relations, and the civil service system.
Broad knowledge of the ADA, Title VII, the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and related areas.
Thorough knowledge of INSPD's mission, vision, and goals and their relationship to statewide human resources objectives.
Extensive knowledge of laws, rules, regulations, and policies applicable to INSPD and the State agencies it serves.
Effective communication skills.
Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
Ability to conduct thorough research.
Ability to formulate sound recommendations and make appropriate decisions while considering impacts on agencies, divisions, local offices, facilities, and statewide operations.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Ability to negotiate resolutions to complex problems or situations.
Ability to develop, implement, coordinate, and present training programs.
Ability to analyze policies and procedures and recommend improvements.
Ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
A degree is not required; at least six years of comparable experience applying the outlined knowledge, skills, and abilities in a similar role may be considered.

Responsibilities

Advise State agencies on layoffs, staff reductions, reorganizations, performance management and evaluation, employee discipline and dismissal, local employee relations issues, and the interpretation and application of rules, regulations, and policies, including ADA accommodations.
Provide complex analytical, interpretive, and evaluative consultation to agency field staff on Indiana Code, administrative rules, and standardized policies.
Troubleshoot and resolve routine and non-routine leave-administration transactions in the employee information and payroll system, including biweekly validations, payroll-impacting items, leave-balance discrepancies, manual balance changes, and off-cycle and retroactive processing.
Participate in testing system updates and enhancements.
Enter and process extended absence requests, including FML and NPL, and assist employees and managers with general absence requests in the state system.
Serve as a main contact for questions about leave accruals, leave balances, and leave policies or plans.
Provide technical assistance to agencies and employees participating in the interactive process for establishing and implementing reasonable accommodations.
Review and investigate civil service complaints.
Investigate and review workplace harassment and discrimination allegations.
Develop and deliver stakeholder training, serve as a subject matter expert for INSPD's Learning and Development division, and assist agencies with training implementation.
Comply with applicable state and federal employment regulations and inform agency personnel of their responsibilities.
Review proposed changes to relevant policies and procedures and make recommendations.
Research court cases, legislative changes, regulatory interpretations, and developments and best practices in leave-program administration to maintain subject-matter knowledge.
Help resolve disputes using employment law, industry practices, and applicable policies, with the goal of minimizing lost employee wages, business interruptions, and management liability.
Perform other duties, responsibilities, and activities as assigned.

Benefits

Three medical plan options, including prescription coverage, plus vision and dental plans.
Wellness Rewards Program with gift card rewards for completed wellness activities.
Health savings account with a biweekly state contribution.
Deferred compensation 457(b) account with employer match.
Two fully funded pension plan options.
Leave policies including 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers.
Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave.
Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave.
12 paid holidays, or 14 in election years.
Education Reimbursement Program.
Group life insurance.
Referral Bonus program.
Employee assistance program with covered behavioral health visits.
Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Free parking for most positions.
Free LinkedIn Learning access.