City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

Employee Relations Manager

Under general direction, responsible for the employee relations function to include investigation of complaints and interpretation, and the revision and development of personnel policies and procedures.  The position will be expected to develop creative solutions to improving the employee and labor relations within the city.

1. Administers, directs, and reviews employee relations programs, including the handling of grievances and performance issues.
2. Provides guidance and advice to management on developing, implementing, and revising employee relations programs and policies and resolving human resource issues.
3. Develops and implements strategies for collecting information from employees and managers (surveys and audits) to identify potential employee relations issues and organizational needs.
4. Plans for responding to needs of an organization by participating in the strategic planning process.
5. Directs preparation and distribution of written and verbal information to inform managers and employees of employee relations policies, procedures, and practices.
6. Manages the design and development of tools to guide managers through making decisions that impact the employee/employer relations such as how to handle grievances and standards of conduct.
7. Plans and organizes special seminars and provides training and counseling for managers and supervisors to develop their understanding of performance management.
8. Investigates and supervises investigations of issues affecting employer/employee relations or compliance with regulations by conducting interviews, reviewing data, and discussing issues with involved parties.
9. Represents the organization in formal meetings with outside organizations on matters dealing with employee relations.
10. Prepares, presents, and monitors the Employee Relations departmental budget, ensuring department operates within appropriated budget.

Responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendation for dismissal.

• Knowledge of local, state and federal employment law.
• Knowledge of supervisory and managerial techniques and principles.
• Knowledge of fiscal planning and budget preparation.
• Skill in responding to Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charges, and employee and management concerns and issues.
• Skill in mediation and alternate dispute resolution techniques.
• Skill in leading organizational-wide change initiatives.
• Skill in writing personnel policies for a large organization.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Skill in using computers and related software applications.
• Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
• Ability to provide leadership within the Human Resources Department and throughout City departments.
• Ability to think strategically while maintaining an appreciation and understanding of past practices.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships with labor organizations, associations, affinity groups, and city employees.

Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Human Resources, Business, Labor Relations, or in a field related to the job, plus six (6) years of employee relations experience, at least two (2) of which were in a supervisory capacity. Experience may substitute for one (1) year of the required education up to a maximum of four (4) years.

Graduation with a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in a related field may substitute for non-lead/supervisory experience up to a maximum of two (2) years.

None.