Employee Relations Specialist

Are you someone who can balance people, policy, and making tough recommendations while staying objective and grounded in professionalism and sound judgment? El Paso County is seeking an Employee Relations Specialist who will play a pivotal role in fostering a positive and accountable workplace culture.

In this role, you’ll take the lead on complex employee relations matters, including disciplinary actions, discharges, and sensitive workplace issues. You’ll ensure documentation is clear, concise, and aligned with County policies and employment laws. You’ll collaborate closely with HR Business Partners, department leaders, and the County Attorney’s Office to deliver timely, well-informed outcomes that mitigate risk and maintain consistency across the organization.

Beyond case management, you’ll oversee several high-impact programs, such as unemployment insurance claim processing, administrative leave placements, file preservation notices, EEO-4 reporting, and employment law posting compliance. Your solid grasp of employment laws and knowing when and how to apply them will help protect the County from liability. Just as importantly, you’ll support employees with dignity and respect during their most difficult moments.

This role is ideal for individuals who possess a blend of exceptional writing and proofreading skills, a compliance-focused mindset, and a collaborative and compassionate approach to working with others. If you’re seeking a position in HR where no two days are the same and your work has a meaningful impact across the organization, we’d be excited to have you join our team!

The Employee Relations (ER) Specialist serves as the primary point of contact for discharges and disciplinary actions that result from investigations, ensuring documentation is accurate, consistent, and aligned with County policies and legal requirements. In addition, this position leads the administration of several high-impact employee relations programs, including unemployment insurance (UI) claims, administrative leave placements, file preservation notices, EEO-4 reporting, and employment law posting compliance.

The Employee Relations Specialist partners with HR Business Partners, department leaders, and the County Attorney’s Office to deliver compliant and timely outcomes in complex employee relations matters. The role also supports trend analysis efforts and contributes to the continuous improvement of ER services across the organization. Employment is subject to the terms, conditions, and policies detailed in the Personnel Policies Manual (PPM). This position requires regular in-person presence as an essential job function.

• Serves as the primary point of contact for all discharge actions and disciplinary outcomes that result from investigations. Collaborates with HR Business Partners, department leaders, and the County Attorney’s Office to ensure documentation is complete, consistent, and aligned with investigative findings, County policy, and legal standards.
• Develops, prepares, reviews, and edits discharge and disciplinary documents; provides suggestions to leadership for recommended content. Files, updates, maintains, and audits confidential employee relations files, spreadsheets, and documents; ensures accurate recordkeeping of sensitive ER documentation and outcomes.
• Coordinates the placement of employees on administrative leave related to investigations or operational needs.
• Audits and processes backpay reconciliations in collaboration with Payroll to ensure accuracy of retroactive payments.
• Coordinates with employees and departments for the timely retrieval of County-issued assets following employee separations, discharges, or placement on administrative leave.
• Prepares employee relations-related payroll documentation accurately and in a timely manner.
• Manages the County’s unemployment insurance (UI) claims process, including timely responses, documentation submission, appeal hearing representation, claim validation, invoice reconciliation, and trend monitoring to support compliance and reduce liability.
• Works collaboratively with the County Attorney’s Office in responding to charges of discrimination received from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Colorado Civil Rights Division (CCRD), or other entities.
• Processes file preservation notices in collaboration with the County Attorney’s Office, ensuring timely compliance and documentation integrity.
• Participates in compiling and responding to requests for information, such as subpoenas, CORA requests, litigation, and other legal affairs, as directed. 
• Maintains in-depth knowledge of legal requirements related to the management of employees, reducing legal risks and ensuring regulatory and policy compliance. Stays abreast of employment law changes and requirements; disseminates this information and takes action to implement as applicable.  Partners with the County Attorney’s Office as needed/required.
• Provides consultation and interpretation to County staff related to County policies and procedures; ensures compliance with County-wide and departmental policies, federal, state, and local laws.
• Conducts workplace and Title VII investigations. Ensures timely completion of investigations and provides timely and objective investigation reports outlining findings, analysis, and recommended actions to relevant stakeholders, including HR leadership and management. Continuously assess and improve investigation processes and protocols to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and fairness.
• Works with HR staff to prepare and timely transmit the EEO-4 report of workforce demographic data.
• Serves as the HR point of contact for employment law posting compliance across County worksites; monitors and updates postings in accordance with federal and state requirements.

• Monitors, gathers, consolidates, and analyzes metrics and employee-related data to identify trends and develop solutions; prepares reports for HR leadership to support proactive planning and continuous improvement.

• Performs other duties as required.

Supervision Exercised: This classification does not have supervisory authority; however, may be required to provide expertise or limited guidance or direction to employees, such as overseeing work quality, training, and guidance. Typically serves as a subject matter expert on the scope of functional area.

Supervision Received: Receives general supervision. This classification typically performs job duties by following established standard operating procedures and/or policies. Regular direction, guidance, and coaching from supervisor may be expected. There is a choice of the appropriate procedure or policy to apply to duties. Performance reviewed periodically.Knowledge, Skills & Abilities 

• In-depth knowledge and understanding of federal, state, and local employment-related law, including Title VII, Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and other federal, state, and local employment laws. Ability to interpret and apply federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.
• Strong investigative, interview, and analytical skills, with attention to detail, objectivity, and the ability to interpret, evaluate, and analyze various methodologies and associated data.
• Ability to manage numerous, complex employee relations matters simultaneously and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Must be an excellent communicator with the ability to effectively communicate with persuasion, tact, courtesy, and diplomacy, both verbally and in writing, even in difficult situations, including the ability to prepare comprehensive reports.
• Must possess excellent writing, note-taking, report writing, and proofreading skills; ability to write clearly and concisely with proper regard to spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Must possess strong attention to detail and initiative, with the ability to determine appropriate workflow and to complete all tasks within deadlines.
• Must be customer service oriented and possess strong organizational and time management skills.
• Must be honest, truthful, trustworthy, and possess a high degree of personal integrity. Ability to maintain strict confidentiality. Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with professionalism.
• Must be proficient with Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook) Software and HRIS systems.
• Ability to deal effectively with pressure and ambiguity.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment with minimal supervision.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, County staff, elected officials, and the public.
• Ability to analyze problems, complex data, and information, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals. 
• Ability to handle difficult situations in a respectful and professional manner.
• Must be open to change and new information and able to adapt behavior and work methods in response to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles.
• Maintain regular and punctual attendance.

Required Education & Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent education.
• Three years of experience in employee relations, HR compliance, or a related area.

Preferred Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, human resources, or a related field.
• Employee relations experience in a public sector environment.
• Experience responding to EEOC or CCRD charges of discrimination.

Licenses/Certificates

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Professional in Human Resources (PHR) or Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification preferred.
• SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) or SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) credential preferred.

Pre-Employment Requirements

• Must pass conditional post-offer background investigation, motor vehicle record check, and drug screen.

Duties are primarily performed in an office and remote work environment dependent upon Department discretion and business needs; some local travel is required.

The classification specification above is intended to represent only the key areas of responsibilities and minimum qualifications; specific job assignments, duties, education, experience, licenses/certifications, and environmental conditions will vary depending on the needs of the department/office and the particular assignment. Changes to this document may only be made by a member of the Human Resources Department.

Salary : $67,850 - $101,870