Employment Relations Specialist

State of Wisconsin; Madison (WI); Hybrid; USD 78,000 - 86,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid remote work

Flexible schedule

Excellent benefits

Job summary

State of Wisconsin invites applications for an Employment Relations Specialist within the Division of Personnel Management to support DHS’s 7,000+ employees. The role emphasizes consultation through disciplinary investigations, grievance handling, guidance on performance management, and interpretation of state HR policies and codes.

Hybrid work with occasional office reporting is required, located in Madison, WI.

Qualifications

• Experience interpreting and applying applicable human resources laws, statutes, policies or procedures.
• Experience in a human resources setting providing consultation or guidance to HR professionals, managers or supervisors regarding employee relations matters, including workplace investigations, misconduct evaluation and disciplinary actions.
• Experience training, coaching, and advising management or supervisors on effective employee performance management techniques (e.g., SMART goals, feedback, evaluations).
• The letter of qualifications is limited to two (2) pages and your resume is limited to three (3) pages.

Responsibilities

• Provide consultation in the administration of employment relations activities for DHS work units, coaching management through disciplinary processes and handling grievances.
• Assist with information gathering on WERC and WERD cases and advise on performance management issues.
• Interpret policies and procedures, state statutes, and administrative codes governing employment relations functions.
• Provide program oversight and support to HR professionals in satellite offices and participate in workforce relations committee.

Skills

HR policies interpretation

Employee relations consultation

Performance management coaching

Job description

Introduction

Come join our team as an Employment Relations Specialist within the Division of Personnel Management. This position will support the State's second largest agency, the Department of Health Services (DHS), with more than 7,000 employees.

We offer a supportive and collaborative work environment, team-oriented atmosphere with a flexible work schedule which includes core work hours of 9am to 3pm Monday through Friday and a hybrid office remote work schedule. This position offers the majority of work days as remote. The position will be required to report occasionally to the office location at the DHS State Office Building in downtown Madison (201 E. Washington Ave, Madison, WI) or other work sites in Madison or the State of Wisconsin.

Position Summary

This position provides consultation in the administration of all employment relations activities for the assigned work units in DHS. Responsibilities include coaching and mentoring management through the disciplinary investigation process, administering grievance processes, assisting with gathering information on Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission (WERC) cases and Wisconsin Equal Rights Division (WERD) cases, providing guidance on performance management issues, and the interpretation of work unit and State of Wisconsin policies and procedures, state statutes, and administrative codes governing all employment relations functions.

This position will also provide program oversight and support to Human Resources professionals located in satellite offices throughout the state. The position will assist with training within their assigned work units and participate in the State of Wisconsin’s workforce relations committee.

Salary Information

• The starting pay is between $37.50 and $41.50 per hour (approximately between $78,000 and $86,320 per year) depending on qualifications, plus excellent benefits.
• A 12-month probationary period is required.
• This position is classified as an Employment Relations Specialist and is in pay schedule and range 81/03.
• Pay for current or former state employees is set based upon the rules that apply to compensation for the applicable transaction.

Job Details

• All applicants who may be appointed to this position will be required to allow DOA to conduct a background check to determine whether the circumstances of any conviction may be related to the job being filled.
• Employees must have access to both a private workspace and private and secure high-speed internet for a hybrid remote work option.
• DOA does not sponsor work visas for this position, thus, in compliance with federal law, selected candidates will be required to verify eligibility to work in the United States by completing the required I-9 form upon hire.

Qualifications

• Experience interpreting and applying applicable human resources laws, statutes, policies or procedures.
• Experience in a human resources setting providing consultation or guidance to human resources professionals, managers or supervisors regarding employee relations matters, including performing duties such as: consulting on conducting and managing workplace investigations, evaluating misconduct, recommending or administering appropriate corrective action and applying employer policies, work rules or procedures.
• Experience training, coaching, and advising management or supervisors on effective employee performance management techniques (e.g., writing SMART goals, providing feedback or coaching employees, writing effective performance evaluations or improvement plans, etc.).

The letter of qualifications is limited to two (2) pages and your resume is limited to three (3) pages.

Well-qualified applicants

• Experience interpreting and applying state and federal employment laws such as Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and/or other laws prohibiting employment discrimination and harassment.
• Experience leading investigations into employee violations of employer work rules or policies including conducting investigatory meetings, drafting reports or findings, and issuing discipline.
• Experience coordinating and training managers and supervisors in best practices and strategies for managing employee/supervisor conflicts.

DOA is an Equal Opportunity and affirmative Action employer. Veterans are encouraged to apply. For complete information on veterans' hiring programs with the WI Department of Veteran's affairs.

Deadline to Apply

The deadline to apply is Monday, October 19 by 11:59pm CT. Applicants are strongly encouraged to allow ample time to finalize their applications keeping in mind that technical assistance is only available Monday through Friday 7:45 am - 4:30 pm. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.