Employee Relations Specialist

Fairfield County Ohio•Lancaster 43130, OH

About The Position

The Employee Relations Specialist performs specialized administrative and human resources work under the direction and supervision of the Associate Director of Human Resources. The position supports Fairfield County Board of Developmental Disabilities’ hiring and employee-relations processes, human resources administration, compliance, benefits, personnel records, and union-related work. The employee must comply with Board policies and respect the dignity and rights of individuals served by the agency, while communicating the agency’s mission and vision to stakeholders. The role oversees recruitment and hiring activities, including job postings, applicant monitoring, reference and background checks, offers, onboarding, employee separations, and follow-up surveys. It develops and supports employee-relations strategies; conducts disciplinary, grievance, and administrative hearings or investigations; and assists with labor matters and responses to agency investigations. Under the Associate Director’s direction, it also supports workers’ compensation, leave, evaluations, certification, position descriptions, personnel files, benefits, and related human resources processes. The position maintains confidentiality, keeps up with changes in personnel laws and practices, and performs other duties as assigned. Regular hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 37.5 hours per week, 260 days per year. The position is classified and non-exempt from overtime. Abnormal hours may be requested based on service needs. Working conditions may include exposure to bloodborne pathogens, communicable disease, potentially infectious materials, or aggressive or maladaptive behavior.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business, or a related field.
At least three years of experience in public-sector human resources, including experience with position descriptions, interviewing, performance evaluations, personnel laws, workers’ compensation, HIPAA, FMLA, and new-hire processing.
At least three years of experience in a position with confidentiality requirements.
Knowledge of office practices and procedures.
Ability to operate basic office equipment and machines.
Proven computer experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and Publisher.
Ability to answer inquiries professionally.
Proven experience developing and maintaining record-keeping systems.
Valid Ohio driver’s license and ability to be insured under the agency’s insurance carrier.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree, or willingness to obtain a Master’s degree within four years.

Responsibilities

Oversee job postings, including posting and removing vacancies, publishing openings on designated job sites, and monitoring applicants.
Assist with recruitment, review candidate qualifications, interview applicants for county board substitute positions, and discuss candidates with the Associate Director of Human Resources.
Complete reference checks and required pre-employment checks, prepare offer letters and management contracts, and support onboarding and new-hire paperwork.
Enter and verify personnel information, add new staff to the Rapback system, maintain records upon employee separation, and provide notices to candidates who are not hired.
Oversee 90-day new-hire surveys and annual Stay Interviews, track trends, summarize findings for Executive Leadership, and follow up with supervisors as needed.
Initiate termination paperwork, schedule or conduct exit interviews, ensure supervisors complete Employee Separation Checklists, and process separation, promotion, and contract-change paperwork.
Develop and maintain proactive employee-relations strategies and advise on policies, procedures, and practices to support fair treatment and employee engagement.
Conduct disciplinary and grievance hearings; consult with supervisors on investigations and work-rule violations; and assist with arbitrations, unfair labor practice charges, hearings, and related preparation.
Conduct administrative investigations into complaints, discrimination allegations, and employee misconduct.
Coordinate or assist with responses to charges and investigations by the EEOC, civil rights commission, U.S. Department of Labor, state examiner, and other government agencies.
Develop and conduct training on contract interpretation, disciplinary actions, and management or supervisory topics.
Process workers’ compensation paperwork and maintain the accident and illness database; promptly inform the Associate Director of serious accidents requiring investigation or time away from work.
Monitor FMLA applications and usage; assist with evaluations and staff development planning; and assist staff with ODE and DODD certification applications and renewals.
Create and update position descriptions, distribute them for employee signature, and maintain current versions and signed originals.
Provide leave balances upon request, maintain organizational tables, and perform required employee verifications at least annually.
Assist credentialing agencies with preparations and surveys.
Prepare insurance-payment letters, serve as a resource for employee benefits, help resolve benefit problems, process benefit changes, research benefit information, and assist with enrollment, insurance tracking, and terminations.
Assist with development and monitoring of human resources budgets and spending.
Maintain personnel files and records, update file data, process required personnel materials, and ensure files contain required information.
Monitor changes in personnel laws, rules, regulations, and practices; recommend changes to Board personnel policies; and maintain the Human Resources policy and procedure review schedule.
Respond to employee suggestions and concerns related to personnel policies and practices.
Maintain confidentiality; support union-related work by taking and maintaining Labor-Management Meeting notes, preparing and distributing the Master Agreement, and assisting with and participating in union negotiations.
Attend meetings as necessary, comply with applicable policies, procedures, regulations, and safety rules, and perform other duties as assigned.