Employee Relations Consultant

Virginia Information Technologies Agency • Richmond, VA

2d • $100,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) is
dedicated to supporting individuals by promoting recovery, self-determination,
and wellness across all aspects of life. DBHDS is seeking a skilled professional
to join the Office of Human Resource Management and support our statewide
behavioral health system as an Employee Relations Consultant. This position
offers the opportunity to work directly with leadership across Virginia’s
statewide behavioral health system while helping shape fair, consistent, and
legally defensible workforce practices; partners with Human Resources
professionals, leadership teams, and supervisors to address complex workplace
concerns and support effective workforce management across several hospital and
service locations; and serves as a trusted advisor to leadership by helping
interpret employment laws and policies, guiding workplace investigations,
supporting grievance management, and helping resolve conflicts in a manner that
promotes fairness, accountability, and organizational stability.

This position is aligned to DBHDS Central Office in Richmond, Virginia, with
regular travel to assigned DBHDS hospitals and service locations to support HR
teams. The position is eligible for telework but requires regular in-person
travel to DBHDS locations. A valid, unrestricted driver’s license and an
acceptable driving record in accordance with the Commonwealth’s Driver Safety
Program are required.

This position reports to the Senior Employee Relations Consultant and works
closely with HR teams across the DBHDS system to serve the following DBHDS
locations:
• Commonwealth Center for Children and Adolescents (CCCA)
• Catawba Hospital (CH)
• Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute (NVMHI)
• Southern Virginia Mental Health Institute (SVMHI)
• Southwestern Virginia Mental Health Institute (SWVMHI)
• Western State Hospital (WSH)

Requirements

• Experience supporting or advising on employee relations matters such as workplace investigations, grievance procedures, disciplinary actions, or conflict resolution.
• Ability to interpret and apply employment laws, policies, and workplace procedures to complex employee situations.
• Ability to analyze workplace issues and recommend practical solutions that support fair and consistent workforce decisions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to provide clear guidance to supervisors and leadership.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build collaborative working relationships with HR teams and leaders across multiple locations.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.

Nice To Haves

• Professional HR certifications, such as SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR.
• Experience supporting large or multi-facility organizations.
• Experience working in public sector, healthcare, behavioral health, or other complex operational environments.
• Experience supporting workplace investigations or grievance procedures.

Responsibilities

• Serving as the primary Employee Relations consultant for assigned DBHDS facilities.
• Providing consultation to supervisors and HR leaders on performance management, disciplinary actions, workplace concerns, and conflict resolution.
• Supporting workplace investigations by advising on investigative planning, interviews, documentation standards, and evidence review.
• Assisting HR teams with grievance procedure compliance and preparation of documentation for the Commonwealth grievance process.
• Providing guidance on alternative dispute resolution strategies to help resolve workplace conflicts early and effectively.
• Providing guidance to leadership on appropriate corrective action strategies and consistent application of HR policies.
• Delivering training and consultation to HR professionals and supervisors on employee relations practices, workplace investigations, and progressive discipline.
• Monitoring trends in employee relations matters and helping identify workforce risks or emerging workplace concerns.
• Traveling to DBHDS facilities to provide in-person consultation and supporting HR teams throughout the Commonwealth.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees