Human Resources Specialist (Title VII / Grievance)

DOTD-Administration; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) seeks an experienced Human Resources Specialist to lead the Internal Title VII Program and manage grievance matters for ~4,300 employees statewide. You will investigate discrimination and harassment, advise executives, coordinate EEO training, and maintain compliance records.

The role requires navigating confidential employee relations issues, sharing analyses, and interfacing with Civil Service, EEOC, and DOJ.

Qualifications

• Six years of human resources experience.
• Six years of full-time experience in any field plus three years of human resources experience.
• Bachelor’s degree plus three years of human resources experience.
• Advanced degree in HR or related field plus two years of HR experience.
• Experience substitution: 30 semester hours earned equals one year of experience, max 120 semester hours.
• SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP/PHR/SPHR may substitute for up to one year of required experience.

Responsibilities

• Serves as the agency’s subject matter expert for Internal Title VII matters.
• Oversees investigations involving discrimination and sexual harassment.
• Advises management on sensitive employee relations matters.
• Coordinates EEO-related training and tracks required training.
• Prepares reports detailing investigation findings and consults with legal.

Skills

Communicating Effectively

Displaying Expertise

Making Accurate Judgments

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR or related field

Advanced degree in HR, business/public administration, IO psychology, or JD

Job description

Employee Relations – Internal Title VII & Grievance Programs

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) is seeking an experienced Human Resources Specialist to serve in the Employee Relations Unit within the Office of Management and Finance, Human Resources Section. This position serves as the agency’s subject matter expert for DOTD’s Internal Title VII Program and provides advanced-level support for grievance matters, employee relations issues, and compliance-related HR activities.

This position independently manages the Internal Title VII Program for a workforce of approximately 4,300 DOTD employees statewide. The role includes overseeing and conducting investigations involving discrimination and sexual harassment complaints, advising management on sensitive employee relations matters, coordinating with federal and state agencies, and maintaining records and reports related to complaints, training, and compliance activities.

The position also supports DOTD’s Grievance Program by counseling employees, supervisors, and appointing authorities; reviewing grievance responses; providing procedural guidance; and preparing analyses and recommendations for executive review. This role is ideal for an HR professional who is comfortable working in a confidential, policy-driven environment and who can communicate effectively with employees, managers, executive leadership, legal counsel, State Civil Service, and external agencies.

Applicants with experience in employee relations, EEO/Title VII compliance, workplace investigations, grievance administration, Civil Service rules, policy interpretation, or public sector human resources are encouraged to apply.

Ideal Candidate: Competencies

• Communicating Effectively: The ability to convey information, ideas, and emotions using structured communication methods that promote understanding and engagement.
• Displaying Expertise: The ability to demonstrate specialized knowledge, skills, and experience to apply subject-matter expertise in diverse and evolving contexts.
• Making Accurate Judgments: The ability to assess options, weigh risks, and make sound decisions using available information and logical reasoning.

Please visit our DOTD Career Center for more information about our agency: https://dotd.la.gov/about/office-of-management-and-finance/human-resources/career-center/

Eligibility and Experience Requirements

• Six years of human resources experience; OR
• Six years of full-time experience in any field plus three years of human resources experience; OR
• A bachelor’s degree plus three years of human resources experience; OR
• An advanced degree in human resources, business administration, public administration, industrial and organizational psychology, organizational behavior, or a Juris Doctorate plus two years of human resources experience.
• EXPERIENCE SUBSTITUTION: Every 30 semester hours earned from an accredited college or university will be credited as one year of experience towards the six years of full-time work experience in any field. The maximum substitution allowed is 120 semester hours which substitutes for a maximum of four years of experience in any field.
• Designation as a Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) or Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP), Professional in Human Resources (PHR), or a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) will substitute for a maximum of one year of the required experience.

The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.

Job Duties

• Serves as the agency’s subject matter expert and point of contact for Internal Title VII matters.
• Oversees and conducts investigations involving complaints of discrimination and sexual harassment.
• Advises management and executive staff on sensitive and confidential employee relations matters.
• Coordinates EEO-related training and tracks employee compliance with required training.
• Prepares reports detailing investigation findings and consults with the DOTD Employment Attorney as needed.
• Interacts with State Civil Service, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the U.S. Department of Justice regarding applicable matters.
• Coordinates complaints filed by DOTD employees with the EEOC and recommends appropriate actions or solutions.
• Counsels employees, supervisors, and appointing authorities regarding grievance procedures and employee relations issues.
• Reviews and analyzes grievance allegations, responses, documentation, and supporting information.
• Prepares reports, maintains complaint records, and ensures documentation is retained in accordance with agency requirements.

Position Specific Details

Appointment Type: This position may be filled as either a probational appointment (open to all qualified applicants), a promotion (open to all statewide classified and Agency-wide permanent status employees), or by detail to special duty.

Compensation: This position has a Special Entrance Rate (SER) of $2,080.80. Additional compensation may be considered for applicants who possess extraordinary job-related qualifications or credentials in accordance with State Civil Service Rule 6.5(g) and DOTD policy. Any such consideration is subject to approval, verification, and applicable pay limitations.

Contact Information

Candace Rustad

Human Resources Manager

Office: 225-379-1239 | www.dotd.la.gov

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) is an equal employment opportunity employer and serves as a model employer for individuals with disabilities. DOTD does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, disability, age, or pregnancy, and prohibits harassment of any type.

Information on the Louisiana Workforce Commission, Louisiana Rehabilitation Services is available: https://www.laworks.net/workforcedev/lrs/lrs_rehabilitation.asp

Louisiana is a State As a Model Employer (SAME) that supports the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities.