Employee Relations Officer

State of Maryland•Baltimore City, MD

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Maryland Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) is dedicated to transforming young lives, creating safer communities, and fostering equitable systems. We are seeking passionate individuals for the role of Employee Relations Officer (HR Officer II). As the Employee Relations Officer, you will serve as a Human Resources generalist specializing in employee relations and HR administration. In this position, you will provide expert guidance to agency leaders and employees on FMLA administration, employee grievances and disciplinary appeals, health benefits, the Undocumented Sick Leave Program, and the Managed Return to Work (MRTW) program. You will apply personnel laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and agreements to help ensure fair, consistent, and effective HR practices across the agency.

Requirements

Six (6) years and six months of experience, two (2) years and six (6) months of professional HR experience involving recruitment and employment services, classification and compensation, employee relations, test development and validation job analysis, job evaluation, salary administration, HR program evaluation, or HR policy formulation and an additional four (4) years of professional HR management work experience in the areas of recruitment and selection, classification, salary administration, employee relations, test development and validation or as a generalist.
Candidates may substitute paraprofessional personnel work experience on a year-for-year basis for up to four (4) years of the required experience.
Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and two (2) years and six (6) months of professional HR experience involving recruitment and employment services, classification and compensation, employee relations, test development and validation, job analysis, job evaluation, salary administration, HR program evaluation, or HR policy formulation for the required experience.
Candidates may substitute the possession of thirty (30) graduate credit hours from an accredited college or university in the fields of HR/personnel administration, human resources management, business administration, public administration, statistics, tests and measurements, psychology or a related field for up to six (6) years of the required experience.
Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in human resources management classifications or human resources management specialty codes in the human resources management field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.
Employees in this classification are required to obtain certification in State Personnel Management System policies and procedures and in the functionality of the Statewide Personnel System from the Office of Personnel Services and Benefits, Maryland Department of Budget and Management within six months from the time of appointment to the position.
Employees are also required to obtain recertification every six months thereafter.
Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

Nice To Haves

Experience providing consultation and guidance to management on complex employee and labor relations matters, including investigations, disciplinary actions, grievances, and workplace concerns
Experience administering employee leave programs, including FMLA, disability accommodations, and return-to-work processes
Experience interpreting and applying employment laws, regulations, policies, and procedures within a public sector, unionized, or highly regulated environment
Experience developing and delivering training or guidance on human resources policies, procedures, or workplace practices
Familiarity with and/or experience with the State of Maryland’s State Personnel Management System (SPMS) and State Personnel Policy (SPP), or comparable public-sector human resources policies, systems, and procedures

Responsibilities

Leading Employee Relations and Workplace Resolution – Serving as a DJS hearing officer for employee disciplinary appeals and grievances; representing the agency at Department of Budget and Management (DBM) settlement conferences and the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH); interpreting and applying personnel-related laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs); and providing recommendations to supervisors and agency leadership on employee-related matters
Managing FMLA Administration – Providing guidance to employees, supervisors, program managers, and agency officials on FMLA and sick leave; conducting training; reviewing and processing FMLA requests and certifications; maintaining required documentation and tracking systems; and ensuring the consistent and equitable application of State and Federal requirements
Supporting Health Benefits Administration – Advising employees on health care options, researching and resolving coverage concerns, coordinating with the Office of Personnel Services and Benefits (OPSB) and benefits vendors, reviewing enrollment and change documentation, and maintaining health benefits records
Administering the Undocumented Sick Leave Program – Providing guidance to supervisors and managers on policy implementation; coordinating and managing the program; and monitoring adherence to established policies and procedures
Supporting Agency Operations – Completing required audits, reports, and other projects and performing additional duties as assigned to support agency operations