Employee Relations Specialist (Multiple Openings) - Discipline Governance #00326
About The Position
The Employee Relations Specialist serves as a strategic partner in strengthening a fair, consistent, and legally sound workplace across the Virginia Department of Corrections. This position plays a critical role in advancing the VADOC mission by ensuring employee conduct matters are evaluated with integrity, objectivity, and a commitment to due process. Employee Relations Specialists elevate statewide accountability by reviewing investigative findings, issuing discipline recommendations, and ensuring the consistent application of the Standards of Conduct across facilities and regions. Through expert analysis, documentation review, and defensibility guidance, the role helps leaders make consistent, and well supported employment decisions. In addition to case review, the Employee Relations Specialist builds stronger capability across the agency by developing and delivering training that strengthens operational leadership’s understanding of discipline principles, documentation requirements, decision making standards, and due process expectations. The position also supports grievance and arbitration processes by preparing case analyses, advising leadership, and serving as a subject matter expert in hearings when needed.
Requirements
- Knowledge of human resource management principles, with emphasis on employee relations, workplace conduct, and disciplinary processes.
- Understanding of employment law concepts, due process requirements, and investigative procedures.
- Familiarity with policy interpretation, Standards of Conduct, and documentation standards.
- Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to assess evidence and apply policy objectively.
- Excellent writing skills, including the ability to prepare clear, concise, and defensible disciplinary recommendations and case summaries.
- Effective verbal communication skills to provide consultation, deliver training, and engage with leadership.
- Skill in identifying inconsistencies, documentation gaps, and risks in employee relations cases.
- Competency in managing confidential information and handling sensitive matters with professionalism.
- Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, and Standards of Conduct consistently across diverse settings.
- Ability to provide sound, impartial advice to HR staff, facility leadership, and management.
- Ability to develop and deliver training to leaders and HR professionals.
- Ability to maintain composure, objectivity, and good judgment when handling complex or high stakes employee relations matters.
- Ability to analyze trends, prepare reports, and present data to leadership to support decision making.
- Ability to participate effectively in grievance hearings, arbitrations, and related proceedings.
- A solid foundational understanding of HR policies, employee relations principles, and workplace investigations.
- Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to interpret complex information and apply policy consistently.
- Effective writing and communication skills, especially in preparing case summaries, advisory notes, and training materials.
- Professional judgment, discretion, and the ability to handle sensitive information with a high degree of confidentiality.
- The ability to build strong working relationships with HR staff, facility leadership, and central office partners.
Nice To Haves
- Knowledge of grievance, arbitration, and administrative hearing practices (preferred but can be developed).
- General understanding of correctional operational environments (preferred).
Responsibilities
- Reviewing investigative findings
- Issuing discipline recommendations
- Ensuring the consistent application of the Standards of Conduct across facilities and regions
- Preparing case analyses
- Advising leadership on grievance and arbitration processes
- Serving as a subject matter expert in hearings when needed
- Developing and delivering training on discipline principles, documentation requirements, decision making standards, and due process expectations
Benefits
- Reasonable accommodations are available upon request.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
