Employee Relations Consultant

About the position

The Employee Relations (ER) Consultant III is one of two ER Consultants who provide consultation to employees and management of the divisions and facilities located in the central region of the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction (DAC). This includes the Second Judicial Division in the DAC Community Supervision Division and the central region of the DAC Institutions Division. The office for this position is currently located in Raleigh, NC (Wake County) and primarily requires travel to DAC divisions and facilities located throughout the central region of the state. Occasional travel to DAC work locations and facilities statewide may be necessary. The Employee Relations Consultant must utilize problem resolution and conflict management skills with the goal of facilitating a productive and effective working environment for employees, supervisors, and management. The position administers, provides interpretation, and communicates a wide variety of HR policies and procedures related to employee relations. This includes, but is not limited to, disciplinary action, grievances and complaints, separation due to unavailability, voluntary resignation without notice, investigatory leave with pay, reasonable suspicion drug and/or alcohol testing, fitness for duty and critical job functions assessments, and Employee Assistance Program referrals. In collaboration with staff from other sections, the Consultant may be involved in processes related to Reduction-In-Force, reasonable accommodation, workplace investigations, Criminal Justice Certification, etc. The position evaluates, analyzes, and makes decisions related to employee relations issues; consults with employees and all levels of management on sensitive and complex employee relations matters; provides guidance on progressive disciplinary action, including administration of written warnings; reviews and edits adverse disciplinary action letters for disciplinary suspension without pay, demotion, dismissal, and probationary separation for consistency, defensibility and to ensure compliance with the State Disciplinary Action Policy; provides guidance to management on coaching, counseling, performance feedback and corrective action discussions with employees; conducts workplace investigations of a sensitive and confidential nature; and serves as stand-by Consultant for internal mediations (which is step 1 of the employee grievance process). Additionally, this position is responsible for responding to inquiries as assigned. The nature of the inquiries may include complaints or concerns related to hiring practices, management, working conditions, or other HR related inquiries.

Responsibilities

• Provide consultation to employees and management regarding employee relations issues.
• Administer and communicate HR policies and procedures related to employee relations.
• Facilitate problem resolution and conflict management.
• Evaluate and analyze employee relations issues.
• Consult with employees and management on sensitive employee relations matters.
• Provide guidance on progressive disciplinary action.
• Review and edit adverse disciplinary action letters.
• Conduct workplace investigations.
• Serve as stand-by Consultant for internal mediations.
• Respond to inquiries related to HR policies and practices.

Requirements

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience interpreting, applying and communicating State and federal HR-related policies, laws, rules and regulations.
• Experience providing HR consultation to employees and management on HR policy and procedures, complaints and grievances, and disciplinary action administration.
• Experience performing fact-finding to identify deficiencies and areas for improvement.
• Experience conducting workplace investigations related to workplace violence policy violations and misconduct.

Nice-to-haves

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or related field.
• High school or GED diploma with 6 years of progressive experience in Human Resources.

Benefits

• Flexible/hybrid telework schedule under the State of NC Telework Program.
• Full-time position with State Benefits.