Employee Relations Manager II

nc; North Carolina; On-site; USD 71,000 - 138,000; Full time

Job summary

The North Carolina Department of Transportation is seeking an experienced Employee Relations Manager to lead the ER Section and ensure fair, consistent, and supportive workplace practices across the agency.

You will oversee complex disciplinary and grievance processes, coordinate employee assistance resources, and help shape policies that define NCDOT's workplace culture, impacting thousands of employees statewide.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of employee relations, HR policy, and investigation practices.
• Excellent judgment and communication skills for sensitive HR matters.
• Collaborative approach to guiding managers and supporting employees.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Employee Relations Unit, setting standards and guiding staff.
• Manage the disciplinary action process, ensuring actions are proportionate, compliant, and defensible.
• Administer the employee grievance process in partnership with mediation resources.
• Lead the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services and promote awareness of its offerings.
• Shape ER policy and program design to meet legal, policy, and organizational changes.
• Direct workplace violence investigations and coordinate related disciplinary recommendations.

Skills

Employee relations knowledge

HR policy

Investigation practices

Judgment

Communication skills

Collaborative leadership

Job description

Agency

Dept of Transportation Division Human Resources

Job Classification Title Agency HR Manager II (NS)

Position Number 60022302

Grade NC21

About Us

It's the mission of the NC Department of Transportation to connect people, products and places safely and efficiently with customer focus, accountability, and environmental sensitivity to enhance the economy and vitality of North Carolina. We encourage you to consider joining NCDOT where our work not only serves the citizens of North Carolina but has an impact on our world through all modes of transportation.

Description of Work

Please note that all positions close at 12:00 AM on the posted closing date. You must apply by 11:59 PM prior to the posted closing date.

This is a repost. Previous applicants must reapply to be considered.

Are you a strategic HR leader with a passion for building fair, consistent, and supportive workplace environments? The North Carolina Department of Transportation is seeking an experienced Employee Relations Manager to lead our Employee Relations (ER) Section and ensure the highest standard of employee support, accountability, and organizational integrity across the agency.

In this pivotal role, you'll guide a dedicated team, oversee complex disciplinary and grievance processes, coordinate crucial employee assistance resources, and help shape the policies that define NCDOT's workplace culture. Your work will make a meaningful impact on thousands of employees statewide.

What You'll Do

Lead and Develop the Employee Relations Unit

• Set program standards, priorities, and assignments for the ER Section.
• Review and assess complex cases, providing special guidance to staff.
• Coordinate case preparation for the Personnel Discipline Committee (PDC) Review Committee.

Manage NCDOT's Disciplinary Action Process

• Ensure all disciplinary actions are proportionate, consistent, compliant, and legally defensible.
• Review and approve written warnings, corrective actions, dismissals, and CDL-related disciplinary cases.
• Chair and facilitate the PDC Review Committee with representatives from Legal, HR leadership, and agency executives.
• Provide expert guidance to managers and supervisors on complex disciplinary issues.
• Oversee investigatory placements with pay, disciplinary inactivation processes, and case coordination in the Integrated HR/Payroll System.

Administer the Employee Grievance Process

• Deliver the agency's grievance process in partnership with the Mediation & Hearings Coordinator.
• Interpret employee relations policies and advise managers, employees, and hearing officers.
• Draft Final Agency Decisions and respond to discovery requests for advanced grievance cases.

Lead NCDOT's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Services

• Serve as EAP Coordinator and liaison to MYgroup.
• Approve supervisory and management-directed referrals and fitness for duty recommendations.
• Promote awareness of EAP services and approve content for monthly EAP communications.
• Maintain NCDOT's suicide prevention resources and coordinate statewide trainings.
• Provide grief, trauma, and crisis support resources for managers and staff following workplace incidents.

Shape Employee Relations Policy and Program Design

• Develop and adjust programs to meet legal, policy, and organizational changes.
• Evaluate the impact of legislation and litigation and recommend strategic solutions.

Direct Workplace Violence Investigations

• Oversee all workplace violence reports and determine appropriate investigative direction.
• Approve investigatory leave placements and review all investigative findings.
• Coordinate disciplinary recommendations and PDC Review Committee approvals for workplace violence cases.

What We're Looking For

• A strong, thoughtful leader with deep knowledge of employee relations, HR policy, and investigation practices.
• Exceptional judgment, communication skills, and confidence navigating sensitive and complex HR matters.
• A collaborative approach to guiding managers, supporting employees, and ensuring consistency across a large organization.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Salary Grade and Salary Range: NC21 $70,627 - $137,724

Management prefers applicants with the following:

• Experience interpreting State and Federal and Departmental employee relations laws, regulations, and other policies
• Experience communicating effectively and professionally verbally and in writing with people of various educational, vocational, and cultural backgrounds.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, prioritize, and manage the work of direct reports.
• Demonstrated ability to think analytically, exercise judgment, and maintain discretion in the application and development of ER policies, procedures and programs

Minimum Education and Experience Some st