Department Information

• This position is not covered by the Partnership Agreement between the State of Colorado and Colorado Workers for Innovative and New Solutions (COWins).
• New employees to the State will be paid biweekly. There are 26 biweekly pay periods in a year.

Description of Job

About the Work Unit
This position is located in CDOT's Region 4 Civil Rights Office in Greeley. The purpose of the Civil Rights Office is to ensure equal opportunity is implemented in all CDOT operations and services in order to meet federal mandates and compliance for federal funding. Equal Opportunity must be afforded to employees of CDOT that serve CDOT’s operations, local entities, and professional consultants/private contractors who have an interest in or are working on CDOT projects. Programs are managed across organizational boundaries in all decisions that impact external stakeholders, local entities and internal personnel. Professional and technical expertise is provided based upon multiple and complex federal laws, case law, regulations, state personnel system rules, as well as departmental policies and procedures. Program development, strategic implementation and enforcement of programs mandated by Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act, US Department of Transportation requirements for External and Internal Civil Rights Programs are managed by the Civil Rights Office to ensure overall equal opportunity compliance.
About the Position
The Employee Relations Specialist, classified as Administrator II, works under the guidance and supervision of the Regional Civil Rights Manager and is primarily responsible for internal personnel matters concerning CDOT employees within Region 4. This position will facilitate and ensure compliance with CDOT Policy and Procedure, State Personnel Rules, and Federal and State Civil Rights Laws, Rules, and Regulations. The Specialist will provide guidance and advice to employees, supervisors, and managers regarding personnel actions and facilitate solutions to issues at the lowest level. This position will ensure equal opportunity in employment practices. The Specialist may be called upon to provide mediation within CDOT and externally. This position will also assist with progressive discipline administration, archival processes, ADA compliance and backup to Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) programs.
Major duties and responsibilities will be performed under the guidance and supervision of the Civil Rights Supervisor and will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Ensure equal opportunity and fairness in the workplace and in employment practices.
• Provide guidance and support to employees, supervisors, managers, and appointing authorities on personnel management.
• Escalate complex issues and legal matters to the Civil Rights Office Manager.
• Be a resource to Region 4 employees at all levels for workplace issues, interpret policies/procedures, state personnel rules, regulations, and laws that may apply to internal personnel employment.
• Participate in all aspects of region hiring/promotional selection processes to ensure equal opportunity in the process.
• Provide guidance and technical assistance to employees and managers to ensure personnel rules are followed, and reviews corrective and disciplinary actions for legal sufficiency.
• Respond to unemployment claims, employment verifications and requests for employment documentation.
• Collect and track information for federal reporting.
• Provide general administrative support to the Civil Rights Office by scheduling meetings, maintaining files, developing and implementing office processes and documenting them in manuals, ordering supplies and drafting correspondence.
• Responsible for investigating employment related complaints such as workplace conflicts, discrimination, sexual harassment, workplace violence, etc.
• Receive complaints, analyze, and evaluate information, identify issues, prepare plans, conduct interviews, collect information, and make determinations for violations of policies, procedures or laws.
• Responsible for preparing agency position statements and information for complaints and investigations conducted by the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Colorado Civil Rights Division (CCRD).
• Conduct interactive processes for reasonable accommodation evaluation in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• Act as the Region 4 representative for unemployment claims, appeals and litigation for employment related matters.
• Will collect documentation, track and maintain accurate and appropriate records and reporting.
• Educate and advise supervisors and employees regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Family Medical Leave (FML), Worker's Compensation Program, and employee development programs to ensure equal opportunity in employment practices and consistent application of CDOT's policies. Supervisors and employees are often unaware of the rules under the ADA, FML, WC and this position will provide guidance and ensure rules and laws are adhered to and consistently applied throughout the region.
• Create and maintain Employee Development Programs including employee enrichment and mentoring.
• Counsel and collaborate with employees and supervisors to develop appropriate program plans to meet goals of skill and knowledge enhancement.
• Create and maintain tracking mechanism for affirmative action monitoring as well as goal accountability.
• Ensure follow up of program and communicate concerns to Regional Civil Rights Manager, and Appointing Authority.
• Advise and guide employees on potential training opportunities for career development.
• Conduct regional outreach and training to encourage participation in programs.
• Other job duties as assigned.

• Primarily 8:00 am – 5:00 pm work hours, Monday-Friday, with opportunity for a flexible schedule
• You will likely work a hybrid schedule with a combination of in-office and remote work.
• Position requires frequent travel throughout the Region (northeastern Colorado), including occasional overnight travel to conduct investigations, visit project sites as well as to attend meetings and trainings.
• Occasional travel to Denver for training, meetings, etc.
• Required to operate CDOT vehicles

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Minimum Qualifications

• 5 years of full-time professional work experience in a field related to the Major Job Duties with 1 of those years primarily focused on employee relations including workplace investigations and/or compliance with labor and employment laws and equal opportunity

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in human resources, personnel administration, public administration, industrial/organizational psychology, business, employment law, or a closely related field AND 1 year of full-time professional work experience with a primary focus on employee relations including workplace investigations and/or compliance with labor and employment laws and equal opportunity

• A master’s degree from an accredited college or university in human resources, personnel administration, public administration, industrial/organizational psychology, business, employment law, or a closely related field

• A doctorate degree from an accredited college or university in human resources, personnel administration, public administration, industrial/organizational psychology, business, employment law, or a closely related field.

• Must pass a pre-employment screening which may include social security number trace, criminal records check, public court records check, educational records, and driving records checks. More information in the supplemental information section.
• A current valid driver license is required for all Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) positions which require operating a state or personal motor vehicle to perform one or more essential functions of the position.

• Demonstrated success with the duties listed in the Description of the Job section;
• Years of State service experience related to the duties of this position;
• Highest work/personal ethics and integrity;
• Active PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP certification;
• Knowledge and comprehensive understanding of theories, principles, and best practices of human resources, equal opportunity, affirmative action, and employment law;
• Knowledge of laws and experience with handling workplace issues (workplace violence, sexual harassment, Title VII, ADA, FMLA);
• Experience with State Personnel Rules and Procedures;
• Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, regulations, and federal laws;
• Experience with employee development programs;
• Strong workplace investigative, interviewing, and research skills;
• Experience conducting workplace investigations, particularly with regard to Title VII;
• Experience with Labor Relations/Collective Bargaining/Unions;
• Excellent reasoning, investigative, analytical, and problem-solving ability;
• Excellent facilitation, presentation, and communication skills, both written and oral;
• Strong mediation and conflict resolution skills and experience;
• Effective interpersonal and relationship-building skills;
• Advising/mentoring/coaching skills and experience;
• Organizational awareness and ability to partner effectively with staff and sensitivity to their needs and priorities;
• Ability to adapt communication style to various audiences and situations, modeling high standards of honesty, integrity, trust, and respect for individuals;
• Strong time, project management and organizational skills and experience;
• Thoroughness and attention to detail;
• Ability to take initiative to solve problems in an innovative manner;
• Ability to build relationships with individuals with diverse personalities and styles and at different levels of seniority;
• Ability to work with a variety of stakeholders with sensitivity to their needs, priorities, promises made and commitments;
• Ability to work under tight deadlines and be adaptable to changing assignments;
• Ability to work effectively in both independent and team situations;
• Fluency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Gmail and Google Applications, SAP, and the ability to quickly learn other software systems.

Supplemental Information

Applicant Checklist

• A complete CDOT Application for Announced Vacancy (please submit online using the green 'APPLY' button at the top of this announcement)
• A complete Supplemental Questionnaire (The questionnaire is part of the online application. You will be prompted to answer them as you are completing your online application.)
• A cover letter that describes your interest in this position, how your experience aligns with the minimum and preferred qualifications of this position. Cover letters must be uploaded as an attachment to your online application. Cover letters will not be accepted after the closing date and time of the announcement.
• A detailed chronological resume. Resumes must be uploaded as an attachment to your online application.
• If you are using education to qualify, a copy of your official or unofficial transcript showing that your degree has been conferred and the name of your school, or your NACES accreditation. Please submit this as an attachment to your online application.
• If you are a veteran, a copy of your DD214. Please submit this as an attachment to your online application.

• All applications that are received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed against the minimum qualifications in this announcement. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications proceed to the next step.
• Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process.

• Part, or all, of the comparative analysis for this position may be a structured application review, which involves a review of the information you submit in your application materials by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) against the preferred qualifications.
• Be sure your application materials specifically address your qualifications, experience, work products, and accomplishments as they relate to the Major Duties, Minimum Qualifications, and Preferred Qualifications sections as listed above. Failure to include adequate information or follow instructions by the deadline for application may result in your application not being accepted for this position and may affect your inclusion as a qualified candidate in any step of the selection process and placement on the eligible list.

• A top group, up to six candidates, will be invited to schedule an interview with the hiring manager.