Employee Relations Specialist

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS•Austin, TX

5d•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 reviews. 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 management principles, practices, policies, functions, operations, and programs, including employment, compensation, classification, employee relations, benefits, workers’ compensation, and organizational development.
Knowledge of Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Parental Leave, related employee leave programs, and applicable state and federal laws and regulations.
Skill in oral and written communication, consultation, negotiation, and facilitation with management, staff, and stakeholder groups.
Skill in building and maintaining effective working relationships with internal and external customers through strong customer service and relationship management.
Skill in planning, organizing, prioritizing, multitasking, and problem solving.
Skill in using Microsoft Office Suite, computer systems, and software applications.
Skill in effectively organizing, tracking, and developing written and electronic documents.
Skill in analytical thinking.
Skill in defusing conflict, guiding groups to agreement on decisions and maintaining objectivity.
Skill in interpreting complex human resources policies and procedures.
Ability to plan and coordinate program activities.
Ability to identify problems and develop solutions.
Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive information and documents.
Ability to communicate effectively and professionally, both orally and in writing, to explain policies and procedures to employees, managers, and the general public.
Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, analyze, interpret, and compile data and facts.
Ability to organize and prioritize workload, manage competing priorities and complex ideas, and meet deadlines under pressure.
Ability to work cooperatively in a team environment and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external customers.
Ability to work independently, follow established guidelines, and understand and carry out complex instructions.
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 with the Family Medical Leave Act.
Experience interpreting and applying human resources and related policies and procedures to employees, managers and the general public.
Experience entering, updating, retrieving and analyzing data from automated systems.

Nice To Haves

Experience advising and counseling management 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.
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.