MANAGEMENT ADVOCATE SERIES

State of Maryland•Baltimore, MD

53d

About The Position

When you join the Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS), you join a team of more than 5,000 employees across the state dedicated to positively changing the lives of more than 1 million Marylanders each year. We do this by providing economic support, preventive services, and caring for children and adults. We aim to deliver services so that we more quickly meet the needs of the people we serve. At DHS, we grapple with hard questions to find new ways to foster a culture of bold innovation. We do this to ensure that in Maryland, we leave no one behind. Management Advocate I This position functions at the intermediate level as an Employee Relations Officer for the Department of Human Services. By reviewing grievance and disciplinary appeals on behalf of the Secretary, representing management's position in further appeals, and acting as a resource to both management and employees on employee relations issues, this position assists in the resolution of employment disputes, so that time and energy can be more efficiently used to assist people in economic need, increase prevention efforts, and protect vulnerable children and adults. Management Advocate II This position functions at the full proficiency level as an Employee Relations Officer for the Department of Human Services with a broad knowledge of COMAR, State Personnel Pensions APP, Department of Budget and Management policies, rules, regulations, techniques and practices. By reviewing grievance and disciplinary appeals on behalf of the Secretary, representing management's position in further appeals, and acting as a resource to both management and employees on employee relations issues, this position assists in the resolution of employment disputes, so that time and energy can be more efficiently used to assist people in economic need, increase prevention efforts, and protect vulnerable children and adults.

Requirements

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
Two years representing management before an administrative law judge in hearings at the Office of Administrative Hearings, or similar adjudicatory settings that involve all types of grievance and disciplinary appeal cases, including terminations, on a regular and recurring basis.
Candidates may substitute the possession of a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school for the required experience.
A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
Three years of professional experience in employee or labor relations, of which one year must include representing management before an administrative law judge in hearings at the Office of Administrative Hearings, or similar adjudicatory setting, that involves all types of grievance and disciplinary appeal cases, including terminations, on a regular and recurring basis.
Candidates may substitute the possession of a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school for the required experience.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in human resources management, business management, legal studies, industrial/organizational psychology, organizational management, public administration, labor relations or related major.
One year experience investigating employee complaints, misconduct or other infractions.
One year experience preparing and responding to pleadings and the preparation of evidence and witnesses for adjudication.
One year experience rendering written decisions on grievance and disciplinary appeals based on information obtained during hearings, conferences or similar administrative settings.
One year experience interpreting and applying human resources policies, regulations and laws to specific employee situations in an organization or similar setting.

Responsibilities

Perform as hearing officer for grievances or disciplinary actions that have been appealed to the Secretary of DHS, confer with the employee and write decisions on behalf of the Secretary of DHS, subject to approval by Manager, based upon State law and regulations and departmental policies; advise all levels of management and non-supervisory staff at DHS regarding proper interpretation and application of the State's personnel laws and regulations and departmental policies.
Advise supervisors and appointing authorities in evaluating investigative results, mitigating circumstances and employment history to ensure that the appropriate level of disciplinary action, if any, is imposed and consistency is maintained throughout the agency.
Represent DHS at the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) settlement conferences in an attempt to resolve appeals of employee grievances and disciplinary actions by evaluating and reviewing with the appointing authority the nature of the appeal, the employment record, and the positive effects of any potential settlement.
Represent Management at the Office of Administrative Hearings in appeals of grievances and disciplinary actions; this involves case and witness preparation, documentary evidence and oral arguments in order to defend management's position.
Performs as hearing officer for grievances or disciplinary actions that have been appealed to the Secretary of DHS, confer with the employee and write decisions on behalf of the Secretary of DHS, subject to approval by Manager, based upon State law and regulations and departmental policies.
Advises supervisors and appointing authorities in evaluating investigative results, mitigating circumstances and employment history to ensure that the appropriate level of disciplinary action, if any, is imposed and consistency is maintained throughout the agency.
Develops training programs on topics including, but not limited to Supervisory Development, Collective Bargaining/MOU, FMLA/ADA/Medical Absence Procedure (Individually, and/or in cooperation with other EROs and/or TEAM Training Unit staff).
Represents DHS at the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) settlement conferences in an attempt to resolve appeals of employee grievances and disciplinary actions by evaluating and reviewing with the appointing authority the nature of the appeal, the employment record, and the positive effects of any potential settlement.
Represents Management at the Office of Administrative Hearings in appeals of grievances and disciplinary actions.

Benefits

Personal Leave- new State employees are awarded six (6) personnel days annually (prorated based on start date).
Annual Leave - ten (10) days of accumulated annual leave per year.
Sick Leave - fifteen (15) days of accumulated sick leave per year.
Parental Leave - up to sixty (60) days of paid parental leave upon the birth or adoption of a child.
Holidays - State employees also celebrate at least twelve (12) holiday per year.
Pension - State employees earn credits towards a retirement pension.
Positions may be eligible for telework.

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