Employee Relations Specialist - Massachusetts Water Resources Authority

POSITION: Employee Relations Specialist

DIVISION: Administration

DEPARTMENT: Human Resources

UNION/GRADE: Unit 6C/Grade 9

BASIC PURPOSE:

Under the supervision of the Manager, Human Resources Operations, documents and tracks the status of and provides assistance on investigations into allegations or complaints of employee misconduct, rule or policy violations, and other unprofessional or inappropriate workplace behavior. May also provide support to the Associate Special Assistant, Affirmative Action on investigations alleging discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation based on an employee's protected class (e.g., gender, race, religion, etc.)

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Works under the general supervision of the Manager, Human Resources Operations. May receive some guidance from Associate Special Assistant, Affirmative Action.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

None.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Receives and documents initial complaints or concerns about workplace misconduct or other inappropriate behavior from Human Resources staff, managers, other employees, external parties, and unions. Consults with Manager, Human Resources Operations on next steps.
• Maintains an accurate confidential log of complaints and concerns, investigation status, and final outcome.
• Schedules initial and follow-up meetings or pre-disciplinary hearings on behalf of the Manager, Human Resources Operations.
• Serves as note taker in investigatory interviews and during pre-disciplinary hearings. Drafts questions as needed. Drafts interview summaries, witness statements, preliminary investigation reports, disciplinary notices, and other related documents.
• Immediately elevates and escalates concerns to Manager, Human Resources Operations when there are allegations of serious misconduct or complaints involving Non-Union Managers.
• Works with Manager, Training and Development or other appropriate managers to schedule training opportunities to remedy problematic behavior.
• Serves as a liaison to managers and supervisors to field inquiries on employee performance issues such as attendance, work performance, and other disciplinary issues.

SECONDARY DUTIES:

• Works on special projects as needed to support Human Resources Managers.
• Helps coordinate annual year of service awards ceremony and extraordinary service nominations.
• Performs other related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in labor relations, human resources, paralegal studies, business administration, public administration or a related field; and
• At least two (2) years of professional business or legal experience, including at least one year in workplace investigations, dispute resolution, case management or human resources; or
• Any equivalent combination of education or experience.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated knowledge of labor and employee relations, personnel administration, complaint resolution, workplace investigations, and disciplinary procedures.
• Experience in the public sector or a unionized environment preferred.
• Demonstrated analytical and research skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to exercise tact and discretion and maintain confidentiality when dealing with complex and highly sensitive employee relations issues.
• Ability to work with all levels within an organization.
• Ability to work in high pressure or time sensitive work environment.
• Solid judgment to deal with parties in dispute.
• Demonstrated proficiency of Microsoft Office Suite and web-based video conferencing and collaboration tools such as WebEx.
• Ability to travel to MWRA work sites as needed to attend in-person meetings.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

A valid Massachusetts Class D Motor Vehicle Operators License.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:

Office machines as normally associated with a professional office environment, including the use of telephones, personal computers, word processing and other software, email, videoconference applications, copiers, scanners, and fax machine.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to feel, finger, handle or operate objects, including office equipment or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee is regularly required to sit, and talk or hear.

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in an office environment.

The noise level in the normal work environment is quiet. This position may be eligible for up to 50% telework.

Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sex or gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or veteran status.