Employee Relations Consultant

State of Indiana; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 61,000 - 74,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plan options

Vision and dental plans

Wellness rewards program

Paid holidays

Education reimbursement

LinkedIn Learning access

Free parking

Job summary

State of Indiana, one of the state’s largest employers, is seeking an Employee Relations Consultant to advise agencies on employee relations, compliance, and leave issues. You will conduct investigations and produce detailed reports for agency leadership, guiding decisions with HR best practices.

Leverage extensive knowledge of ADA, FMLA, FLSA, and civil service processes to support agency staff. This exempt role emphasizes training, policy advice, and cross-agency collaboration.

Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge of HR management and administration, including family and medical leave and Civil Rights laws.
• Broad knowledge of ADA, Title VII, Pregnancy Discrimination Act and related areas.
• Extensive knowledge of INSPD's mission and statewide HR goals.
• Strong understanding of laws, rules, and policies applicable to INSPD and state agencies.
• Excellent problem solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to conduct thorough research.
• Ability to formulate sound recommendations with impact awareness.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and negotiate resolutions.

Responsibilities

• Provide consultation and guidance to State agencies on leave administration and employee relations issues.
• Analyze Indiana code, rules, and policies for field staff within a shared services model.
• Troubleshoot and correct payroll and leave processing transactions and validations.
• Process extended absence requests and assist with general absence questions.
• Provide technical assistance for reasonable accommodations via the interactive process.
• Review and investigate civil service complaints and harassment/discrimination cases.
• Develop and present trainings and serve as SME for Learning and Development.
• Comply with state and federal employment regulations and communicate responsibilities.
• Review and recommend changes to policies and procedures.
• Maintain knowledge base on court cases, legislation, and best practices.

Skills

HR management

FMLA/FLSA knowledge

Harassment investigations

ADA accessibility

Policy interpretation

Training development

Confidentiality

Decision making

Analytical reasoning

Communication skills

Job description

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Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

About the Indiana State Personnel Department (INSPD):

As an agency operating a shared services model, we provide the executive branch of state government with top-notch HR services. INSPD has a dedicated team of human resources professionals working in many capacities, including director-level, generalists and specialists in each discipline of human resources. Joining our team will open the door to many opportunities for lateral and upward mobility.

Role Overview:

As the Employee Relations Consultant, you will be responsible for functioning as a consultant to provide leadership, guidance, and counsel to various State agencies and facilities on State of Indiana laws, rules, and policies involving employee relations and compliance issues raised in employee complaints which may include such diverse concerns as family and medical leave, workplace harassment/discrimination, military and other leaves of absence, and health and safety. In this position, your counsel includes due consideration for the impact on (and from) other areas of human resources administration and the operational needs of State agencies. You will also provide guidance to Human Resource Directors and other field staff in the area of reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

This candidate will be conducting extensive investigations such as workplace violence, harassment, and discrimination issues as well as producing written and detailed case reports to agency leadership. Consultants will be making informed and detailed recommendations related to those investigations.

The salary for this position traditionally starts at $67,314.00 but may be commensurate with education and work experience. Use our Compensation Calculator to view the total compensation package.

A Day in the Life:

The essential functions of this role are as follows:

• Provide consultation and guidance to State agencies in the handling of layoffs, staff reductions and reorganization, performance management and evaluation, discipline and dismissal of employees, local employee relations issues, and application and interpretation of rules, regulations, and policies to such matters as reasonable accommodations under the ADA.
• Provide complex analytical, interpretive, and evaluative consultation on Indiana code, administrative rules, and standardized policies to field staff in agencies using a shared services model.
• Troubleshoot, analyze, and correct routine and non-routine transactions and processes related to leave administration in the state’s employee information and payroll system, including biweekly validations and items impacting payroll processing, investigating and resolving discrepancies in leave balances or accruals, making manual balance changes, and performing off-cycle and retro processing activities. Participate in testing for system updates and enhancements.
• Enter and process extended absence (FML & NPL) requests and assist employees and managers with general absence requests in the state’s employee information and payroll system. Serve as a main contact for callers answering questions on leave accruals, leave balances, and other leave policies or plans.
• Provide technical assistance to State agencies and employees involved in an interactive process to establish the need for and implementation of reasonable accommodations.
• Review and investigate civil service complaints.
• Investigate and review investigations concerning workplace harassment/discrimination allegations.
• Develop and present training to stakeholders throughout the State and serve as subject matter expert for INSPD's Learning and Development division and assist various State agencies in implementing training.
• Comply with relevant state and federal employment regulations and apprise agency personnel of their responsibilities under the regulations.
• Review and make recommendations on proposed changes to relevant policies and procedures.
• Maintain knowledge base with regular research into court cases, legislative changes, regulation interpretations, and new developments/best practices in the administration of various leave programs.
• Attempt to resolve disputes using knowledge of employment law, industry practices, applicable policies to help parties reach an expedient resolution to minimize loss of employee wages, interruption of normal business operations, and management liability.

The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time.

This position is exempt from overtime compensation for additional work hours which may be required to complete essential functions or other assigned work. Exempt employees may work more than 75 hours in a pay period without additional compensation and must report a minimum of 75 hours per pay period of work hours and/or paid leave taken to receive their base biweekly salary.

What You'll Need for Success:

Individuals in this role should minimally be able to articulate or demonstrate the following:

• Thorough knowledge of the principles, laws, regulations, theories, and practices of human resources management and administration including FMLA, FLSA, Civil Rights legislation and state policies and practices regarding harassment/discrimination investigations, employee relations, and the overall mechanics of the civil service system.
• Broad knowledge of the principles, laws, regulations, theories, and practices under the ADA, Title VII, Pregnancy Discrimination Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and related areas.
• Thorough knowledge of INSPD's mission, vision, and goals and how they relate to statewide HR mission, vision, and goals.
• Extensive knowledge of the laws, rules, regulations, and policies applicable to INSPD and the State agencies it serves.
• Excellent problem solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to conduct thorough research.
• Ability to formulate sound recommendations and make appropriate decisions with consideration of potential impact on agency/division/local office or facility/statewide.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to successfully negotiate resolutions to complex problems or situations.
• Ability to develop, implement, coordinate, and present training programs.
• Ability to analyze policies and procedures and then recommend improvements.

A degree is not required. However, at least 6+ years of comparable experience applying the outlined knowledge, skills, and abilities in a similar role may be considered.

Individuals should have the ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:

This role may be utilized in a supervisory capacity based on agency needs.

Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:

The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:

• Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
• Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
• Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
• Deferred compensation 457(b)account (similar to401(k) plan) with employer match
• Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
• A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
  • 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
  • Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
• Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
• 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Group life insurance
• Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Free Parkingfor most positions
• Free LinkedIn Learningaccess

The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at [e-mail] .