Senior Coordinator, Employee Relations

Chicago Transit Authority - Chicago, IL

Full-time - Mid Level

Chicago, IL

Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation

About the position

The Senior Coordinator, Employee Relations is a pivotal role within the organization, responsible for managing the full life cycle of employee-based investigations. This position operates under general direction and is tasked with designing, planning, and coordinating investigations while ensuring compliance with established procedures, policies, and relevant labor laws at the federal, state, and local levels. The Senior Coordinator will compile and analyze employee relations data to identify trends and recommend interventions that promote a positive work culture. This role is essential in fostering a fair and consistent approach to investigations, minimizing risks, and ensuring that all programs and procedures align with professional standards and regulatory requirements. In addition to conducting investigations into workplace issues, the Senior Coordinator will oversee the implementation of policies throughout the Authority and maintain updates to related CTA policies. This includes advising and training employees on these policies to enhance employee relations practices. The role also involves providing guidance to Authority managers on dispute resolution and training needs, conferring with management, union representatives, and legal teams to address employee issues, and coordinating investigations into complaints regarding the abuse of Authority rules. The Senior Coordinator will also be responsible for creating and developing training protocols that align with employee relations best practices, facilitating training sessions across various field locations, and evaluating the effectiveness of these training programs. Furthermore, the position requires maintaining and analyzing data related to employee relations complaints, ensuring that the organization remains compliant with all relevant laws and best practices. The role is dynamic and requires a proactive approach to identifying and addressing employee relations challenges, ultimately contributing to a positive work environment.

Responsibilities

• Investigates workplace employee relations issues concerning CTA policy violations and ensures proper follow-up and timely resolution.
• Fosters a fair and consistent approach to investigations and promotes a positive work culture while minimizing risk.
• Ensures programs and procedures implemented are in compliance with professional standards, federal and state regulatory requirements, relevant laws, Authority guidelines and the Collective Bargain Agreements.
• Oversees the implementation and application of procedures and policies throughout the Authority.
• Maintains and proposes updates to related CTA policies and procedures. Advises, trains, and informs employees on related policies to promote positive employee relation practices.
• Directs and provides oversight to Authority managers in matters relating to dispute resolution and training as needed.
• Confers with Authority management, union representatives, labor relations, and/or legal team in addressing employee issues and proposing related resolutions.
• Coordinates with managers to investigate employee relations issues and complaints to properly address employees abusing Authority rules and guidelines.
• Provides advice and counsel to managers and supervisors regarding personnel practices, policy and employment laws.
• Conducts investigations and mediations, traveling to field locations throughout service area where incidents occur.
• Interviews involved parties and relevant personnel (employees/supervisors/witnesses, etc.).
• Gathers evidence, prepares and documents findings, and presents recommendations for resolution.
• Leads mediations between disputing parties and assists employees in reaching a mutual agreement.
• Creates and maintains records of past incidents, findings, and resolutions.
• Creates and develops training protocols for employee relations best practices, traveling to/from various Authority field locations to facilitate training sessions.
• Creates toolkits and manuals to supplement the trainings as needed.
• Regularly evaluates training needs and the success of training programs currently implemented.
• Evaluates and/or develops internal outreach initiatives and projects that support a positive work culture that align with the Authority's policies.
• Maintains and analyzes data for employee relations complaints related functions.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or a related field.
• Five (5) years of direct employee relations experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• HR related certification is preferred.
• Previous experience in generating and analyzing employee relations related reports for internal and external reporting purposes.
• Previous experience conducting full cycle employee relations-based investigations.
• Detailed knowledge of principles and methods of conducting investigations.
• Detailed knowledge of Local, State and Federal employment laws and or policies (i.e. EEOC, IDHR, DOL, ILRB, FLSA, etc.).
• Detailed knowledge of labor unions and contracts.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong listening skills, independent judgment, and decision-making ability.
• Strong research and analytical skills.
• Good Microsoft Office Suite skills (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.).
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to resolve conflicts, disputes, and negotiate with others.
• Ability to establish and maintain constructive and cooperative working relationships with others and maintaining them over time.
• Ability to analyze information and evaluate results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in employee engagement activities.
• Knowledge of best practices in promoting a positive work culture.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401k retirement plan
• Paid holidays
• Paid time off (PTO)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Professional development opportunities
• Flexible scheduling options
• Employee discount programs
• Wellness programs