Employee Relations Partner

State-of-Iow; Ames (IA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

IPERS Retirement

Paid time off

9 paid holidays

401A plan

Job summary

State of Iowa is seeking an Employee Relations Partner to provide trusted support to employees and leaders in Ames. You will listen, guide, and respond with empathy, helping people feel supported and fairly treated.

The role requires conducting fair investigations and offering ethical, clear recommendations. You will train leaders, share resources, and strengthen a culture of integrity and accountability in a mission-driven organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Combination of a total of four years of education and full-time experience in technical or professional HR work.
• Three years of full-time HR work experience in the state executive branch.

Responsibilities

• Deliver exceptional service to employees and leaders; build trust and provide support.
• Conduct fair, thorough investigations with interviews, documentation, and clear recommendations.
• Champion integrity by guiding leaders and employees through policies, codes, and laws with ethical advice.
• Share knowledge through coaching and training, creating tools that empower leaders to address challenges early.

Skills

Excellent communication

Customer focus

Problem solving

Integrity

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Be the reason people love where they work!

If you’re someone who thrives on helping others, loves digging into meaningful problems, and believes integrity is non-negotiable, the Iowa DOT wants you on our team. We’re looking for an Employee Relations Partner who brings curiosity, compassion, and professionalism to every interaction- someone who sees employee relations not just as a function, but as a way to improve everyday experiences for the people who make our mission possible.

At the Iowa DOT, our mission is Making Lives Better Through Transportation, and we live by our Core Values: Safety First, People Matter, Customer Focused, Servant Leadership, and Integrity Without Exception. Join a team where your voice is heard, your expertise is valued, and your work makes a real difference.

What You’ll Do:

Deliver exceptional service

You’ll be the go-to partner employees and leaders’ trust. Someone who listens closely, responds quickly, and brings empathy into every conversation. Whether answering questions or guiding a tough situation, you’ll help people feel supported and respected.

Conduct fair, thoughtful investigations

You’ll lead investigations that are thorough, consistent, and transparent. From interviews to documentation to final recommendations, you’ll help uncover the truth with professionalism and care, ensuring every step reflects fairness and our commitment to doing what’s right.

Champion integrity

Your guidance will help leaders and employees navigate policies, codes, and laws with clarity. You’ll provide balanced, ethical advice and help others make decisions rooted in honesty, values, and accountability.

Share knowledge that empowers others

You’ll build stronger leaders by teaching, coaching, and creating engaging training experiences. Whether in a classroom or one-on-one, you’ll make complex topics easier to understand, and easier to apply. You’ll also create tools and resources that help leaders feel confident addressing challenges early and effectively.

What You Bring:

• Outstanding communication skills and a passion for delivering high-quality work
• A customer-focused mindset that makes people feel heard and supported
• A love for solving problems- especially the complex ones
• An unwavering dedication to integrity and fairness
• A team-oriented approach and enthusiasm for collaboration

Why You’ll Love Working Here:

This is your chance to make a meaningful impact in a mission-driven organization. You’ll help create positive employee experiences, strengthen leader capability, and contribute directly to a supportive, ethical workplace culture. You’ll join a team that values your perspective, encourages growth, and celebrates the work you do every day.

Work Location

This position is required to be in person, full-time, at our Ames, IA office.

As a State of Iowa employee, you will be eligible for the following benefits:

• Competitive pay and benefits package including health, dental, flexible spending, and life insurance
• Insurance benefits start the first month following 30 days of employment, and costs can be reviewed here.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Paid time off effective immediately - biweekly vacation, separate sick leave, accruals rollover on a yearly basis, and 9 paid holidays per year.
• Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) Retirement Package with employer match
• Optional 401A plan with employer contributions.
• Employee Discount Programs from a variety of vendors (vision, cellular, fitness, recreation, season passes, travel, counseling; legal, financial).

We encourage you to learn more about the State of Iowa Employee Benefits and costs at the State of Iowa Employee Benefits Website!

You have the freedom to flourish in Iowa –

Iowa DOT complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact the EEO & ADA Officer at 515-689-1009 or via email at [e-mail].

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov.

1. Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a Bachelor's degree.
2. A combination of a total of four years of education and full-time experience in technical or professional human resources work, where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university course work equals one year of full-time experience.
3. Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes three years of full-time work performing technical human resources work.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.