ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Acts as lead Employee/Labor Relations liaison and initial contact for customer departments in managing situations related to discipline and employee complaints/grievances and other personnel actions.
• Performs as a representative with the Texas Workforce Commission regarding workers compensation claims.
• Gather information to defend position and best interests in defending TWC claims.
• Researches labor and employee relations issues that are complex and have agency-wide implications to ensure consistency in application.
• Serves as a Departmental contact regarding day-to-day labor issues.
• Works with department officials to resolve issues informally when possible.
• Provides analytical research on labor and employee relations issues, including Trial Board and MAC decisions, administration of discipline/corrective action, and other sources to identify trends, including work rule revisions, and changes in current practice.
• Works collaboratively with legal counsel regarding legal hearings, arbitration proceedings, and internal dispute resolutions on a variety of employment issues to ensure consistency in interpretation and application of policies.
• Assist in the development and implementation of policy changes to Employment Manuals to ensure documentation of and compliance with the required modification process.
• Stays informed of current developments in Labor Relations policy, practice and regulation; ensures compliance with federal and state regulations.
• Gathers and provides information, coordinates activities and communicates with employees at all levels including department heads, managers, supervisors, legal counsel and union representatives.
• Provides monthly criminal activity reports to Legal for review.
• Participates on Departmental and interdepartmental project teams.
• Provides agency wide training to management officials on topics related to labor relations.
• Develop methods to monitor employee satisfaction with policies or working conditions, including grievance or complaint procedures.
• Conducts research, compiles statistical information, and makes recommendations in situations related to discipline and employee complaints, grievances and other personnel actions.
• Provides supervision and training to junior Labor Relations Specialists.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in Industrial Relations, Business Administration, Human Resources, Industrial Psychology or related field.
• Five (5)years of progressively responsible experience in advising managers on policy application, disciplinary actions or employee/labor relations.
• Current knowledge of labor relations principles, practices and federal, state and local laws and regulations pertaining to labor relations.
• PHR certification is preferred.
• Strong business acumen with an understanding of how human resources strategic partnership drives business results.
• Extensive knowledge of labor relations principles and practices; federal, state and local rules and regulations to include employment related legislation.
• Ability to demonstrate a fiduciary obligation to section, division, department, and handling materials and information of a confidential nature.
• Substantial interpersonal skill to effectively and sensitively communicate with all levels of supervisory and non-supervisory employees, government entities, a culturally diverse community, and others both inside and outside.
• Proficiency with personal computer (PC) and software applications to include Windows, spreadsheet, word processing and database.
• Ability to communicate complex information in a way that is grammatically correct and understood by most listeners.
• Able to research and understand complex, technical information.
• Can write and format highly complex or technical reports in a clear, well-organized way.
• Able to write persuasive arguments for a variety of readers.
• Ability to research, select and present information that emphasizes benefits or outcomes of proposals with moderate cost or risk.
• Can respond to questions and objections.
• Cultivates professional rapport with decision-makers.
• Ability to plan, organize and prioritize multiple tasks simultaneously, completing complex assignments on time and with accuracy.
• Ability to build and maintain professional relationships throughout the organization, resolving difficult situations.