Assistant Director - Employee Relations

Lake County IL - Waukegan, IL

Full-time - Mid Level

Waukegan, IL

Administration of Human Resource Programs

About the position

The Assistant Director of Employee Relations is responsible for developing and administering employee relations programs and employee advocacy on behalf of the 19th Judicial Circuit Court. The position assesses and addresses human relations, labor relations, and workplace issues, collaborating with management to identify the best course of action. The role also supports developing, implementing, interpreting, and managing human resources policies and procedures. The position routinely interacts with employees, union members, labor representatives, court supervisors, managers, and senior management.

Responsibilities

• Develop and set new goals and objectives to enhance employee relations.
• Advise and train managers and supervisors in best practices in employee relations and effective strategies for managing supervisor issues and employee grievances.
• Act as a resource for managers and supervisors in understanding and implementing court policies related to leave, performance, discipline, and related topics.
• Assist in drafting and maintaining policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with applicable local, state, and federal law and collective bargaining agreements.
• Participate in contract negotiations and labor management meetings.
• Partner with managers and supervisors to perform administrative investigations.
• Assist in analyzing exit interviews, summarizing findings, and discussing trends with senior management.
• Assist in processing leave requests and payroll functions as needed.
• Participate in quality assurance activities.
• Help coordinate recruiting, hiring, and onboarding activities with senior management.
• Maintain an attitude and philosophy consistent with the 19th Judicial Circuit Courts standards.
• Perform additional tasks as assigned.

Requirements

• Strong oral interpersonal skills, including interviewing and active listening.
• Possess strong written communication skills.
• Demonstrate strong empathy and tact in dealing with sensitive situations.
• Ability to stay composed and unflappable in heated or confrontational situations.
• Capacity to comprehend, interpret, and apply appropriate sections of applicable laws, contracts, guidelines, regulations, and policies.
• Aptitude to prioritize tasks and delegate when appropriate.
• Experience working in both union and non-union environments.
• Knowledge of state and federal labor relations laws.
• Completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, preferably with major coursework in Business, Human Resources, or a related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years of Human Resource Experience.

Nice-to-haves

• PHR or SHRM certifications preferred.