SENIOR EMPLOYEE RELATIONS SPECIALIST

City of Houston; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Houston is seeking a Senior Employee Relations Specialist to lead and support HR practices that foster a positive work environment, advise leadership, investigate concerns, and ensure compliance across departments.

Responsibilities include coaching managers, reviewing corrective actions, handling grievances, conducting investigations, supporting ADA accommodations, and delivering trainings on HR policies and EEOC processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field is required.
• Minimum three years of professional HR experience.
• Experience with employee relations, investigations, and HR policy administration.

Responsibilities

• Build strong working relationships across departments to promote collaboration and communication.
• Coach and advise managers on corrective action strategies that support employee success.
• Review and process recommendations to ensure fairness, consistency, and compliance.
• Prepare HR documentation including reports, correspondence, and case summaries.
• Manage grievances and employee concerns with adherence to timelines and procedures.
• Conduct investigations into misconduct and recommend outcomes.
• Represent the department in hearings and appeals as needed.
• Develop and interpret HR procedures to support efficiency and compliance.
• Deliver training on HR policies, updates, and best practices.
• Coordinate responses to EEOC complaints and assist with ADA accommodations.

Skills

Employee relations

Investigations

ADA accommodations

Coaching managers

EEOC compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Social Science, Liberal Arts, or related field

Job description

Position Overview

Applications accepted from: All Persons interested

Division: Employee Relations

Reporting Location: 611 Walker Street & IAH (16922 John F. Kennedy Blvd) Multiple locations

Workdays & Hours: MONDAY – FRIDAY 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM* *Subject to Change*

Description Of Duties / Essential Functions

As a Senior Employee Relations Specialist, you will play a key role in fostering a positive, productive work environment for employees across the organization. You’ll serve as a trusted advisor, problem-solver, and subject‑matter expert on employee relations matters—helping leaders navigate complex situations while ensuring compliance, consistency, and care. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys building relationships, resolving challenges with empathy and professionalism, and strengthening organizational culture through thoughtful HR practices. You will lead and support a wide range of employee relations activities, including:

• Build strong working relationships across departments to promote collaboration, trust, and open communication.
• Coach and advise managers on positive corrective action strategies that support employee success.
• Review and process corrective action recommendations to ensure fairness, consistency, and compliance.
• Prepare and refine HR documentation including reports, correspondence, and case summaries.
• Manage grievances and employee concerns while ensuring adherence to established rules, timelines, and procedures.
• Conduct thorough investigations into allegations of misconduct and recommend appropriate outcomes.
• Participate in Indefinite Suspension and Medical Separation meetings.
• Represent the department in Civil Service Commission Appeals and Unemployment Hearings.
• Develop and interpret HR procedures to support operational efficiency and regulatory compliance.
• Deliver training to departments on HR policies, updates, and best practices.
• Coordinate responses to EEOC complaints and ensure timely, accurate submissions.
• Assist with ADA accommodations, supporting employees’ access to equitable workplace solutions.
• Perform additional HR duties as needed to support departmental goals.

Working Conditions

This position is physically comfortable; the individual has discretion about walking, standing, etc. There are no major sources of discomfort in a normal office environment.

Minimum Requirements

• EDUCATION REOUIREMENTS
  Requires a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Social Science, Liberal Arts, or a closely related field.
• Experience Reouirements
  Three years of related professional experience in human resources are required. Pertinent experience at the professional level may be substituted for the education requirement on a year-for-year basis.
• LICENSE REOUIREMENTS
  None

PREFERENCES

• Preference shall be given to eligible veteran applicants provided such persons possess the qualifications necessary For competent discharge of the duties involved in the position applied For, such persons are among the most qualified candidates For the position, and all other Factors in accordance with Executive Order 1-6.** Experience Assisting in ADA Accommodation is highly Preferred.

Preference will be given to candidates with demonstrated experience managing ADA interactive processes, evaluating accommodation requests, and applying ADAAA requirements in employee relations contexts.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Selection/Skills Tests Required

The selection process will involve application review and/or interview. Department may administer skills assessment test.

SAFETY IMPACT POSITION YES

This position is subject to random drug testing and if a promotional position, the candidate must pass an assignment drug test.

Pay Grade - 21

Salary Information

Factors used in determining the salary offered include the candidate’s qualifications as well as the pay rates of other employees in this classification.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Houston is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.