Employee Relations Specialist / ADA Program Administrator (HR Spec IV) - Denver

State of Colorado•Denver, CO

12d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Employee Relations Specialist and ADA Program Administrator provides strategic consultation, advice, counseling, and guidance to CDOT employees and managers on Colorado Personnel System rules, CDOT policies and procedures, employment laws, Department of Personnel & Administration guidance, and Governor executive orders. The role recommends resolutions that minimize legal risk while meeting organizational needs, conducts complex workplace investigations, and administers CDOT’s Statewide ADA Program, including data tracking, reporting, training, and Headquarters ADA coordination. The position is part of the Division of Human Resources, which provides CDOT’s HR functions and ensures that agency policies, personnel rules, employment laws, and HR best practices are implemented. The role also supports CDOT Regions with harassment investigations, prepares agency position statements for the EEOC and CCRD, delivers required training, and serves as a backup for unemployment claim and litigation responsibilities. The position is based in Denver and is open only to Colorado state residents. The schedule is primarily 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with flexibility to support work-life balance and business needs. The role will likely follow a hybrid schedule; HR currently works in the office one day per week, with potentially more in-office time during training. Occasional travel throughout Colorado, including possible overnight travel, is required. The work takes place in a politically sensitive environment requiring confidentiality.

Requirements

At least seven years of relevant experience in human resources, employee relations, equal employment opportunity, business administration, training, ADA program administration, employment investigations, or other experience relevant to the position; at least three years must be in HR administration focused on employee relations, workplace investigations, and ADA Title I.
Alternatively, a combination of relevant education and experience equal to at least seven years. Relevant education may include coursework in HR management, industrial/organizational psychology, organizational development, sociology, business administration, public administration, law, management, or a related field; relevant HR administration experience focused on employee relations, workplace investigations, and ADA Title I is considered.
A current valid driver’s license is required for positions requiring operation of a state or personal motor vehicle to perform essential functions.
Must pass pre-employment screening, which may include social security number trace, criminal and public court records, education, and driving records checks.
Applicants using education to qualify must submit an eligible transcript or official foreign credential evaluation report.
Colorado state residency is required.
Preferred qualifications include demonstrated success with the listed job duties and experience in state service related to the role.
Preferred experience includes resolving complex employee relations issues; conducting internal investigations and preparing reports, including discrimination and harassment matters; working with legal counsel; maintaining compliant workplace documentation; administering an ADA program; and delivering HR-related training.
Preferred knowledge and experience include workplace issues and applicable state and federal rules and laws, including Title VII, ADA, FLSA, sexual harassment laws, the POWR Act, and State Personnel Rules.
Preferred credentials include SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or PHR.
Preferred abilities include investigative, interviewing, research, writing, communication, conflict resolution, facilitation, presentation, reasoning, analytical, problem-solving, interpersonal, relationship-building, time-management, project-management, prioritization, and multitasking skills; attention to technical detail and accuracy; adaptability under deadlines; initiative; stakeholder sensitivity; and the ability to maintain confidentiality in a politically sensitive environment.
Preferred technical proficiency includes Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Gmail and Google Applications, SAP or another HRIS, and the ability to learn other software systems quickly.

Nice To Haves

Experience resolving complex employee relations issues.
Experience conducting internal employee investigations and preparing reports, including discrimination and harassment investigations.
Experience working with legal counsel.
Experience ensuring comprehensive and compliant documentation of workplace issues.
Experience administering an ADA program.
Comprehensive knowledge and experience with workplace issues and state and federal rules, laws, and regulations, including Title VII, ADA, FLSA, sexual harassment, the POWR Act, and State Personnel Rules.
Experience delivering HR-related training.
SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP), SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP), SPHR, or PHR credential.
Years of State service experience related to the duties of the position.
Demonstrated success with the duties listed in the job description.
Highest work and personal ethics and integrity.
Proven investigative, interviewing, and research skills; excellent writing, communication, conflict-resolution, facilitation, presentation, reasoning, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to work with employees at all organizational levels and a variety of stakeholders; maintain confidentiality in a politically sensitive environment; work under tight deadlines; adapt to changing assignments; and take initiative.
Strong time and project management, prioritization, multitasking, technical-detail, and accuracy skills.
Fluency in Microsoft Office Suite, Gmail and Google Applications, SAP or another HRIS, and ability to quickly learn other software systems.

Responsibilities

Provide consultation and technical guidance on workplace concerns involving state and federal employment laws and regulations and CDOT policies and procedures.
Guide CDOT managers on employment and professional HR management best practices.
Promote consistent application of laws and rules across CDOT, including Title VII, the POWR Act, ADA, and USERRA.
Counsel employees on options for resolving workplace concerns.
Advise management and employees on performance management, corrective actions, and disciplinary actions.
Prepare appointing authorities for disciplinary meetings and attend as their representative.
Review decision letters and corrective and disciplinary actions for legal compliance and consistency with agency practice.
Maintain Employee Relations case files, case notes, and relevant documents.
Evaluate complaints, identify legal issues and investigative scope, determine evidence needs, and develop compliant investigative plans and recommendations.
Analyze evidence for credibility, pretext, motive, and factual patterns.
Conduct complex workplace investigations, primarily involving disability discrimination, and potentially involving workplace violence, policy violations, Title VII, the POWR Act, and CADA allegations.
Support CDOT Regions with harassment investigations when neutrality concerns or workload needs arise.
Prepare position statements for the EEOC and CCRD on behalf of the Department.
Recommend policy and procedure changes to management to implement legal and professional best practices.
Maintain confidentiality where possible and protect the integrity of investigations and reports.
Ensure CDOT compliance with Title I of the ADA, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, and the PUMP Act.
Administer CDOT’s Statewide ADA Program and develop tracking and reporting of ADA activities.
Identify ADA non-compliance and litigation risks and recommend program and process improvements to the Employee Relations Manager and Program Director.
Develop and promote ADA informational materials for employees and managers.
Educate appointing authorities, managers, supervisors, and employees about the interactive process, confidentiality, roles and responsibilities, reasonable accommodations, and undue hardship.
Support departments with complex or sensitive interactive-process meetings.
Manage Headquarters ADA case records, compliance, and retention requirements, protecting disability and medical information confidentiality.
Develop, update, and deliver training to ADA Coordinators; identify training needs and develop supplemental training.
Instruct CDOT’s required Progressive Discipline and Defensible Documentation training course.
Provide backup support for unemployment claims and litigation responsibilities.
Perform other duties as assigned.