Human Resources Specialist VI- Employee Relations

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Austin, TX

2d

About The Position

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) works to build on strengths of families and communities to keep children and vulnerable adults safe, so they thrive. We do this through investigations, services, and referrals.

The Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) Human Resources (HR) Specialist VI reports to the DFPS Employee Relations (ER) & FMLA Director and performs highly advanced (senior-level) strategic human resources management work involving administering or assisting in the administration of a human resources management program (recruitment and selection, compensation, classification, employee relations and engagement, and benefits). Works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude in the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Requirements

• Ability to maintain the security and integrity of the infrastructure per Governor Abbot Executive Order GA-48.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of human resources management; and human resources programs such as employment, compensation, classification, employee relations and engagement, benefits, workers’ compensation, workforce planning, organizational development; and federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing human resources activities.
• Knowledge of employee relations and employee investigation procedures, strategic planning, and budgeting.
• Knowledge of HR and employment guidelines, policies and procedures, key business fundamentals, key internal and external customers and individual and team behaviors.
• Knowledge of state agency payroll and personnel system software environment and state payroll and Comptroller of Public Accounts (CPA) rules and regulations.
• Knowledge of DFPS agency mission, employee and manager roles, organizational planning process, client and organizational cultures and the public service environment.
• Knowledge of employee and manager roles.
• Knowledge of organizational planning processes.
• Knowledge of training procedures and techniques.
• Skill in oral and written communication, conducting interviews, using a computer, handling multiple tasks and prioritizing, and problem solving and handling multiple tasks.
• Skill in effective interaction with staff at all levels of the agency, and other state agencies and organizations.
• Skill in analytical thinking.
• Skill in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook, PowerPoint and other computer programs and applications.
• Skill in research methods and analysis.
• Skill in written communications.
• Skill in identifying and communicating best practices.
• Skill in instructing and training others.
• Ability to provide leadership and resolve conflicts, grievances, or disagreements in a constructive manner to minimize negative personal impact; to identify rules, principles, or relationships that explain facts, data, or other information; and to analyze information, make correct inferences, and draw accurate conclusions.
• Ability to explain policies and procedures to staff and the public.
• Ability to maintain confidential and sensitive information.
• Ability to develop and analyze human resources processes.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with applicants, employees, and the public.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to manage conflict and build trusting relationships.
• Ability to manage relationships and engage stakeholders.
• Ability to analyze data, and develop surveys designed to collect specific types of data.
• Ability to effectively manage resources.
• Ability to make decisions and work effectively independently or in a team environment.
• Ability to apply organizational development principles.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing for a diverse range of audiences and purposes.
• Ability to understand, analyze, research, and develop business processes and policies.
• Ability to develop training objectives and assess the effectiveness of training.
• Experience in human resources management work.

Nice To Haves

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in human resources management, business or public administration, organizational development, or a related field is generally preferred. Experience and education may be substituted for one another.

Responsibilities

• Review and recommend human resources personnel actions, ensuring conformity with agency, state, and federal regulations.
• Serves as a human resources policy subject matter expert for DFPS executive leadership, and provides guidance and consultation regarding human resources policies, processes, policy development and revision to DFPS HR Management, Employee Relations Staff, and FMLA staff.
• Provides technical guidance and consultation with executive leadership regarding HR related plans, policies, regulations, statutes, and requirements.
• Oversees the administrations and coordination of HR related issues and HR policies, programs and services for the agency.
• Oversees, coordinates, reviews, and recommends human resources personnel actions to ensure compliance with agency, state, and federal regulations for state office management, under the direction of the HR Employee Relations (ER) & FMLA Director.
• Review, analyzes and recommends changes to human resources policies and procedures to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.
• Plan, develop, and implement initiatives and strategic projects related to human resources operations, including working on and/or overseeing the most complex program assignments.
• Participates in DFPS agency initiatives, workgroups, projects, organizational changes and other projects related to human resource management.
• Facilitates and performs special projects, studies and assessments as needed at the direction of the ER & FMLA Director.
• Coordinates, updates and manages project assignments related to human resource processes; evaluates data for projects; and provides technical support and guidance for human resources project development.
• Develops, researches and prepares reports, analyses and summaries of human resources employment-related data, and performs special assignments as required.
• Manages complex projects and studies related to the ER & FMLA programs, obtain reports, analyzes data, and develops guidance and recommendations.
• Administer disciplinary action.
• Assist executive management with sensitive employment actions including but not limited to written warnings and disciplinary actions such as demotion, suspension, or dismissal, as needed to represent HR Employee Relations, at the direction of the ER & FMLA Director.
• Administers and oversees the disciplinary action process related to difficult or complex disciplinary issues at the direction of the ER & FMLA Director.
• Prepare budget estimates, fiscal notes, legislative analyses, and other human resources-related assistance to legislative staff during the legislative session.
• Supports the ER & FMLA Director by coordinating and tracking the collective division expenses, advising on issues, and researching budgetary options.
• Provides HR related legislative analysis during the legislative session.
• Develop workforce plans and advise management on executing workforce planning solutions.
• Coordinates and meets with DFPS Executive Leadership staff and program staff across the agency to collect, organize, analyze and prepare reports, memos and provide feedback on DFPS memos, circulars, policies, reports and other documents for both internal and external consumption regarding DFPS related activities.
• Executes workforce plans, recruitment and retention strategies, assist in workforce analysis, develops relationship with DFPS executive leadership to understand current workforce environment and anticipated changes in the operating environment.
• Develop, review, revise, and implement human resources policies and procedures.
• Serves human resources policy subject matter expert for the ER & FMLA programs, and provides guidance and consultation regarding human resources policies, processes, policy development and revision to DFPS management, staff, and external agencies and entities.
• Reviews, analyzes, and recommends changes to human resources policies and procedures and monitors the effectiveness of human resources and administrative management programs to recommend solution to problems.
• Provides interpretations of human resources policies and processes, advises human resources staff and agency management and staff regarding complex policy, and employee relations matters and problems, and develops solutions.
• Evaluates problems, deficiencies, and inadequacies in ER & FMLA programs and policies, and develops proposals and recommendations to address identified issues.
• Serves as an advisor to ensure HR ER & FMLA policies and procedures follow federal and state employment statutes, regulations and rules, and functions as a liaison for internal and external auditors to provide human resources policy and process interpretation and information.
• Coordinates the development of new human resources related policies and procedures to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.
• Evaluates human resources industry trends, approaches, current and proposed legislation and case law, and develops written assessments evaluations and recommendations for human resources policy and procedures.
• Monitor and determine the effectiveness of human resources and administrative management programs and recommend solutions to problems.
• Researches, analyzes and identifies areas for change and makes recommendations to improve HR policies, procedures and operations.
• Assists with identification, development and recommendation of best practices for DFPS human resources policies, procedures, and processes.
• Prepare human resources correspondence and reports, including confidential correspondence and reports.
• Prepares, or oversees others to prepare as needed, reports, data analyses, and policy interpretations on state and federal laws, regulations, policies, and procedures related to the ER & FMLA programs.
• Develops methods and procedures for gathering, compiling, and analyzing statistical data and develops reports and analyses for the ER & FMLA programs.
• Writes and edits agency HR communications targeted toward all level of agency staff related to the ER & FMLA programs.
• Conduct objective and thorough internal investigations of grievances and complaints, recommending appropriate resolution.
• Assist the ER & FMLA Director with executive level internal investigations of grievances and complaints and assist with recommending appropriate action.
• Oversees feedback and complaints received from DFPS executive leadership and recommends and implements HR policies and processes.
• Recommends appropriate action by completing a final report of findings for management’s corrective action in compliance with policy and regulations.
• Assists external stakeholders, as requested, with any investigations or concerns related to the ER & FMLA programs.
• Prepares executive reports for agency leadership to assist with recommendation appropriate action for resolution, as requested.
• Coordinate the maintenance and analysis of human resources automated systems, files, records, and reports.
• Serves as a liaison to the Human Resources Payroll System contractor
• Processes payroll-impacting transactions in the agency’s payroll and personnel system as needed and ensures compliance with policies, rules, regulations, and guidelines.
• Interfaces with other entities (Human Resources Payroll System,  DFPS HR, etc.) on program issues related to hiring.
• Develop solutions to highly complex human resources problems by following procedures or applying policy.
• Collaborates and develops successful solutions with agency leadership to address highly complex human resources related matters and issues related to the ER & FMLA programs while ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations, policies and procedures.
• Plan, design, and conduct general meetings, workshops, and human resources trainings, and deliver training to managers and staff.
• Provides HR-related training to DFPS executive leadership at the direction of the ER & FMLA Director.
• Plans, develops, and delivers in-depth human resources-related training for agency management and staff and supervisors on employment concepts and human resources and policy-related topics for the ER & FMLA programs.
• Represents Human Resources by coordinating, planning and conducting meetings, conferences, workgroups, and other events to discuss implementation and special projects related to the ER & FMLA programs.
• Provide advice and guidance to employees and management on issues, rules, and policies related to human resources management, which may include handling and responding to complex issues and questions.
• Provides guidance to DFPS executive leadership concerning appointments, promotions, demotions, reclassifications, transfers, separations, merit increases and HR policy-related exception requests
• Researches, analyzes and identifies areas for change and makes recommendations to improve HR policies, procedures and operations.
• Provide routine support for requests made under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and other benefits programs.
• Provides support and guidance to ER and FMLA Units, in responding to request from agency management and staff as it relates to ADA, FMLA and other benefits programs outlined in policy and procedures.
• Enters, updates, and retrieves data from various automated human resources and/or payroll systems.
• Manages, updates and, retrieves information and access from the Centralized Accounting and Payroll/Personnel System (CAPPS) system to perform activities and operations.
• Prepares routine human resources correspondence and reports.
• Assists with the collection and review of information regarding knowledge and informational gaps pertaining to HR policies and processes, and develops and recommends communications to address these issues, such as broadcasts, newsletter items, DFPS agency website and payroll/personnel system portal notices, and other forums to communicate information.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Benefits

• 100% paid health insurance for you, and 50% paid for eligible family members—saving you hundreds every month in out-of-pocket medical costs
• Retirement plans with lifetime monthly payments after five years of state service, plus options to save even more with 401(k) and 457 plans
• Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave so you can recharge and take care of life outside work (that’s time off you’re actually paid for)
• Optional dental, vision, and life insurance—at rates much lower than most private plans
• Flexible spending accounts for added tax savings on health and dependent care
• Employee discounts on things like gym memberships, electronics, and entertainment

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees