SENIOR HR GENERALIST (EMPLOYEE RELATIONS)

Applicants are encouraged to apply early. The application review process will take place immediately and continue until the position is filled. This recruitment may close any time after the first review or when a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. 

Hiring range for this position is $76,502.40 - $91,478.40. Initial placement for new employees is customarily at entry level through 35% percentile. 
Compensation is determined based on a candidate’s education, skills, experience, and internal equity. 

The position requires on-site presence four days a week, with one remote day after successfully completing the probationary period.

At Cabarrus County, we’re committed to creating a workplace where every voice matters and every employee can thrive. We're looking for an experienced and thoughtful Senior HR Generalist - Employee Relations to join our team and help strengthen our people-first culture.

Are you passionate about fostering a positive, productive, and compliant workplace? Do you excel in navigating complex employee relations issues with empathy and expertise? We want to hear from you! 

As the Senior HR Generalist - Employee Relations, you'll serve as a key partner to leadership and employees ensuring a respectful, legally compliant, and supportive work environment. You’ll provide expert guidance on employee matters, lead investigations, and help resolve complex workplace issues with integrity and care. Your work will help shape a positive employee experience and strengthen our organizational culture.

Cabarrus County welcomes candidates with diverse qualifications and values a combination of education, training, and experience. We encourage individuals at all experience levels to apply and share their unique perspectives—your background might be just what our team needs! Applicants who do not fully meet the qualifications for the Senior-ER Consultant position may be considered for placement at a lower classification and pay grade.

General Definition of Work:

The Employee Relations (ER) Consultant will, under general supervision, provide guidance on complex employee relations matters, performance counseling, attendance counseling, policy violation. This position will conduct-related cases including disciplinary recommendations and investigate harassment claims. Performs difficult professional work in all areas of Human Resources. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Human Resources Strategy Manager. May Serve as a SME (Subject Matter Expert)/ Team lead. 

Essential Functions/Typical Tasks:

Applies technical and professional expertise of Human Resources administrative processes; prepares and analyzes detailed and complex reports, spreadsheets, etc.; sets up and maintains electronic records in HRIM systems; makes recommendations for efficiencies, actions, and legal compliance; interprets, applies, and explains personnel policies and procedures; performs various audits; prepares, verifies, and processes personnel action forms to update and effect employee status changes.

(These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

• Performs specialist work in one or more HR disciplines in addition to expanded duties.
• Lead internal investigations including general complaints, formal grievances and ethics line violations and completing reports documenting findings and closing out the investigation.
• Serves as the point of contact for employees and supervisors regarding questions relating to County disciplinary processes.
• Address employee relations issues, such as harassment allegations, work complaints, or other employee concerns.
• Provides employee relations support including recommendations on employee performance and policy adherence; attend at pre- disciplinary hearings and grievances.
• Review, consult and respond to performance management concerns including counseling managers and supervisors on effectively addressing performance, conduct and/or attendance issues through coaching and progressive discipline.
• Enforcing relevant employment and labor laws and regulations.
• Analyzes complex employee issues and provides guidance as needed.
• Process unemployment claims and represent the County at unemployment hearings.
• Understanding of leave of absence programs (FMLA) and disability management issues.
• Make recommendations on the development and revision of HR policies, procedures, and employee handbooks in alignment with organizational goals and legal requirements
• Collaborate with department leaders and legal counsel to ensure policies reflect operational needs and risk mitigation
• Conduct regular reviews and audits of existing HR policies to identify gaps, inconsistencies, or areas for improvement
• Supports County objectives, departmental initiatives, and employee relations activities.
• Develops employee training materials. Delivers training to employees and supervisors.
• Completes special projects including organizational reviews as needed.
• Provides support for Safety & Risk Management for light duty assignment and work accommodations.
• Makes presentations to the County Management team and Board of Commissioners.
• Works independently as a Business Partner to specified departments; assists other departments as needed.
• Maintains accurate records and files; prepares files for retention and destruction; maintains confidentiality.
• Develops/prepares forms, databases, presentations, reports, correspondences etc. in both written and electronic formats.
• Serves as back up for Human Resources Strategy Manager when unavailable.
• Performs related tasks as required.

Knowledge:

Comprehensive understanding of best practices in Human Resources.

Conducting one-on-one and group conflict resolution, mediation, negotiation, and investigation. - 

Employment-related laws, regulations, and emerging trends.

Skills:
Analytical research within Human Resources, showcasing the ability to collect, develop, assess, and synthesize information and recommendations from varied sources, coupled with proficiency in employee relations. 
Change management practices to assist client groups with their ability to manage ambiguity and/or resistance during change successfully
Address and solve moderately complex problems.  
Business literacy to provide a consultative approach to the delivery of Human Resources services. 
Foster and maintain professional relationships with colleagues.

Abilities:
Consistently maintain stable performance under pressure or opposition, managing stress in a manner that aligns with organizational standards. - 
Receive feedback, diffuse high-tension situations, and resolve conflicts amicably. 
Achieve results with minimal supervision in dynamic and often ambiguous environments. 
Multi-task and reprioritize based on organizational demands and priorities. 
Effective communicate, both verbally and in writing, conveying information clearly and concisely to diverse audiences.

What We're Looking For:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Public Administration, or a related field 
• 5 years of human resources experience. 
• Strong working knowledge of employment law and HR policies
• Discretion, empathy, and professionalism in handling sensitive matters
• Excellent communication, mediation, and conflict resolution skills
•  An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. 

Management Preference:

• Master’s degree in Human Resources or a related field preferred.
• HR Certification to include but not limited to PHR, SPHR, SHRM and/or IPMA.
• 3 years of employment relations experience 
• Public sector personnel experience preferred.

Some county job postings indicate that you can qualify with an "equivalent combination of education and experience." If this language is included in the job description, it means you may qualify through either education, your years of directly related experience, or a combination of both.

If you have indicated that you have earned a certificate, diploma, or degree from a technical school, college, or university, please note that Cabarrus County will verify your educational credentials. Official transcripts must clearly show the specific credential awarded to ensure accurate validation.

Physical Requirements:

Sedentary work requiring the exertion of up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to move objects; work requires reaching and fingering, grasping, and repetitive motions; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word, and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels, and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or make fine distinctions in sound; visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operation of office machines, determining accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities; the worker is not subject to adverse environmental conditions.

 

Supplemental and Contact Information

Cabarrus County selects applicants for employment based on job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities without regard to race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, disability, political affiliation or political influence.  

Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.  Transcripts, degree evaluations and cover letters may be uploaded with your application.  Applicants who obtained their education outside of the United States and its territories are expected to assume responsibility for having their academic degrees validated as equivalent to a degree conferred by a regionally accredited college or university in the United States.

Please be sure to complete the application in full. Resumes may be uploaded with your application, but will not be accepted in lieu of a fully completed application and will not be considered for qualifying credit.  "See Resume" or "See Attachment" will NOT be accepted.

If multiple applications are submitted to an individual position, only the most recent application received prior to the posting closing date will be accepted. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM on the closing date.

Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account. Processing applications will take an average of 6 – 8 weeks due to the high volume of applications received.  It is not necessary to contact the Human Resources Office to check the status of an application.  Upon the closing date, applications are "Under Review" and will be screened by Human Resources for the most qualified applicants.  

For technical issues with your applications, please call the NEOGOV Help Line at 855-524-5627. If there are any questions about this posting other than your application status, please contact HR at 704-920-2200.

Salary : $76,502 - $91,478