Employee Relations Specialist

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Austin, TX

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Human Resources (HR) Employee Relations Specialist performs advanced (senior-level) human resources work and is responsible for day-to-day employee relations and administration of Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and Parental leave coordination and review. Work involves analysis, problem solving, conflict resolution, policy interpretation and providing advice, guidance and consultation to managers and employees with the goal of minimizing legal risk and ensuring compliance with federal and state laws and regulations and Health and Human Services (HHS) HR policy and procedures.

Requirements

• Knowledge of human resources related policies, functions, and operations and programs.
• Knowledge of Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and Parental leave state and federal laws and regulations and employee leave programs.
• Knowledge of human resources management principles and practices.
• Knowledge of human resources programs such as employment, compensation, classification, employee relations, benefits, workers' compensation and organizational development.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Skill in building and maintaining effective working relationships.
• Skill in planning and organizing activities.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing and problem solving.
• Skill in effectively organizing, tracking, and developing written and electronic documents.
• Skill in consultation and negotiation.
• Skill in customer service orientation and relationship management.
• Skill in analytical thinking.
• Skill in providing facilitation and effective consultation to management and staff.
• Skill in facilitating large and small group meetings with multiple stakeholders.
• Skill in defusing conflict, guiding groups to agreement on decisions and maintaining objectivity.
• Skill in Microsoft Office Suite applications.
• Skill in interpreting complex human resources policies and procedures.
• Skill in the use of computers.
• Ability to explain policies and procedures to employees, managers and the general public.
• Ability to analyze, interpret and compile data to correlate and analyze facts.
• Ability to work under pressure while organizing and prioritizing tasks to meet deadlines.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to work independently and operate effectively within established guidelines.
• Ability to plan and coordinate program activities.
• Ability to identify problems and develop solutions.
• Ability to understand and execute detailed instructions while managing complex ideas.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive information and documents.
• Graduation from a four-year college or university with major course work in human resources management, business or public administration or a related field is generally preferred. Experience may be substituted for education on a year for year basis.
• Experience in human resources or closely related field.
• Experience interpreting and applying policies and procedures in human resources or related field.
• Experience entering, updating, retrieving or analyzing data from automated human resource systems.

Nice To Haves

• Experience processing Family Medical leave is preferred.
• Experience advising and counseling managers and employees on human resources related issues is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Consults, provides guidance and makes recommendations on human resources related issues including, but not limited to, selections, drug testing, background checks, leave issues, workplace violence, conflicts of interest, and/or worker’s compensation in accordance with federal and state rules, regulations and statutes and HHS HR policies, procedures and guidelines.
• Processes FMLA requests for assigned areas and provides advice and counsel to employees and managers regarding coordination and completion of FMLA forms, reports, related documentation and leave processing. Prepares and disseminates information regarding FMLA, Parental Leave and related leave policies and procedures in response to inquiries or as requested.
• Coordinates, completes, and/or monitors certain human resource benefit and compensation actions including death claims, promotions, demotions, temporary assignments, management directed transfers, equity adjustments, merit raises, and reinstatements. Ensures compliance with state and agency eligibility criteria and approvals.
• May review criminal history record information obtained from the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and Texas Department of Public Safety and provide guidance and employment eligibility determinations to managers for applicants, employees, contractors and volunteers in relation to HHS agency bars to employment and/or contraindications to employment. Consults with agency attorneys as necessary.
• Responds to inquiries and advises management and staff regarding FMLA, Parental Leave, and related leave policies and procedures. Prepares and disseminates information regarding FMLA, Parental Leave and related leave policies and procedures in response to inquiries or as requested.
• Other relevant duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees