Employee Relations Manager

Description

Employee Relations Manager

Full Time | Permanent

Salary Range: $122,208 Annually

This is a telework/hybrid position. The candidate of choice may work from anywhere within the state of Washington with a reliable internet connection. Travel may be required.

This recruitment is open to current DOC Human Resources employees only.

The Washington State Department of Corrections is seeking a dynamic and experienced professional to join our Employee & Organizational Support (EOS) Division as an Employee Relations Manager (ERM)! The Employee Relations Manager position serves as a key advisor on complex and sensitive employee and labor relations matters across the agency. 

As an ERM, you will provide strategic consultation and guidance to leaders at all levels, ensuring compliance with collective bargaining agreements, employment laws, civil service rules, agency policies, and human resource best practices. Within the Human Resources team, this role plays a critical part in supporting the Department’s mission to improve public safety by positively changing lives. The Employee Relations Manager leads and develops HR professionals, serves as the agency’s primary labor and employee relations representative for a designated statewide region, and partners with executive leadership to address workforce challenges and drive consistent, legally compliant employment practices.

This is an outstanding opportunity for a collaborative leader with strong communication, relationship-building, and problem-solving skills who is passionate about supporting employees, leaders, and organizational success. Travel to correctional facilities, offices, and field locations throughout the state, including occasional overnight travel, is required.

A completed application packet will include:

Duties

We are looking for teammates who share our vision of public service, committed to an equitable and inclusive culture that fosters and inspires excellence, while promoting innovation, engagement, and safety, leading to better outcomes for our incarcerated population, our agency, and our community.

As an Employee Relations Manager, some of your duties will include: 

• Collaborate, consult, advise and provide professional level support to management, human resources staff, supervisors and other stakeholders regarding day-to-day and long-term complex labor relations and human resource issues having intra and interagency impact. 
• Serve as the Department representative in multiple arenas including pre-arbitration review meetings (PARMs)/mediation, grievance arbitration hearings, Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC) hearings, Unfair Labor Practices (ULP), Contract Negotiations, Demands to Bargain, Personnel Resources Board and Union Management Communication Committees (UMCC)
• Adjudicate contract violations, disciplinary and disability separation grievances, and probationary separation reviews with the designee of the Secretary of the Department of Corrections
• Ensure complex and sensitive employee investigations are conducted in accordance with Just Cause Standards
• Stay current and knowledgeable regarding employment laws and regulations, case law, WAC Chapter 357, DOC policies, and arbitration and PERC decisions and union agreements
• Prepare and present human resource and labor-related trainings
• Co-chair and coordinate Grievance Resolution Panel (GRP) meetings
• Analyze, process, and coordinate responses to requests for information and public disclosure requests
• Provides local and area Human Resources staff with advice, guidance, direction, leadership and assistance on all matters related to Human Resources and labor relations, policy guidance and interpretations and applicable laws.
• Manage and administer comprehensive HR programs in accordance with agency policy, WACs, CBA, and laws
• Supervise HR manager(s) of designated areas
• Respond to requests for information/service
• Represent the agency in appeals, grievances, or other similar meetings
• Provides assistance to human resources and leadership
• Participate as a member of the agency extended HR management team, which makes decisions about HR projects and initiatives; drafts and makes recommendations on agency policy
• Participate on teams, committees and work groups and ensures the involvement of HR staff members in same

Qualifications

What we need (required qualifications):

• At least five years of professional – level human resources experience, or other closely related field, which included experience in at least three of the following: employee and labor relations, contract negotiation, grievance administration and resolution, alternate dispute/conflict resolution; case investigation, analysis, preparation, and presentation; interpretation and application of rules and regulations; or corrective and disciplinary action
• At least one year supervising, leading or mentoring staff.  Experience may be gained concurrently with professional HR related experience
• Extensive working knowledge of all aspects of HR and professional trends
• Ability to provide consultation and direction on most complex issues and questions, especially in the areas of employee discipline, employee relations, labor relations, rule and/or contract application and interpretation, just cause principles, and global impacts (both internal and external) of interpretations and determinations.
• Knowledge of state and federal employment and labor laws, relevant court decisions impacting employers
• Ability to research, investigate and analyze information; define problems or objectives, formulate logical and objective conclusions, recognize alternatives, and make recommendations
• Excellent communication skills both orally and in writing, ability to work effectively with both employees and managers.  Able to convey a positive and professional image to all levels of employees and external contacts
• Strong influence, change management and relationship building skills
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage multiple complex tasks/projects, in a fast-paced and changing environment
• Work effectively with individuals or diverse groups on difficult and/or controversial issues, both internally and externally
• Familiarity and experience with computer programs to accomplish work including Microsoft Word, Outlook, Access, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Excel and Internet Explorer
• Must possess and maintain a vehicle operator’s license in the State of Washington

What will make your application stand out (preferred qualifications): 

• Two (2) years of professional experience specific to labor relations activities to include contract interpretation, arbitration preparation and presentation, collective bargaining, and/or alternate dispute resolution. PHR or SPHR Certification
• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Human Resources Management, Business or Public Administration, Social Sciences or related field, from an accredited college or university whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

Supplemental Information

Vision: Working together for safer communities.

Mission: Improving public safety by positively changing lives.

Our Commitment: To operate a safe and humane corrections system and partner with others to transform lives for a better Washington.

Our Core Values:

DOC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, honorably discharged veteran, veteran status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• DOC complies with the employment eligibility verification requirements for the federal employment eligibility verification form I-9. The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States consistent with the requirements of that form. https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents
• DOC does not use E-Verify; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM-Optional Practice Training (OPT). For information, please visit www.uscis.gov.
• This recruitment may be utilized to fill more than one position. 
• Please include a minimum of three (3) professional references with your application. A professional reference is defined as an individual who has been paid to supervise your work and can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job competencies. If you do not have any or sufficient professional references, please include non-related professionals, such as educators or other professional associates.
  **Please note:  Phone number AND email address are required for all professional references.
• A background check including criminal record history will be conducted prior to a new hire.  Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.
• Employees may work directly with or near incarcerated individuals in a potentially hazardous setting. Please consider this when deciding whether to apply. 
• We are committed to maintaining a drug and alcohol-free work environment, and our employees are expected to comply with all state and federal laws. A pre-employment drug test may be administered as part of the selection process, and applicants who test positive for any controlled substances, will be disqualified from consideration. 
• Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) is an aerosol pepper spray made available as a means of self-defense and/or de-escalation. Applicants with sensitivities or allergies are encouraged to ask about the level of exposure they could expect in this position. 
• Animal care projects are a common component of most Washington State prisons, including dog and cat programs. Applicants with animal sensitivities or allergies are encouraged to ask about the level of exposure they could expect in this position.
• Tuberculosis (TB) is a priority health issue for DOC employees. The successful candidate may be required to provide valid proof of a baseline TB skin test within 60 days from the date of hire.  When positive tests result, further information, testing and treatment will also be required. Employment is not contingent upon test results.
• Foreign equivalent degrees awarded outside the United States must have a credential evaluation report attached to your application. You may request the required evaluation/documentation from www.wes.org and www.aice-eval.org. Until this documentation is provided, you will not be selected to move forward in the hiring process.

Telework Details

This position may be allocated for telework. If authorized for the role, work may be performed from your home or another offsite location within the state of Washington using a reliable internet or cellular hotspot service at that time.  Employees are expected to perform assigned duties in a safe manner, to take proper care all state-issued equipment, and maintain confidentiality of all information in possession while working offsite.  Employees will be required to commute to a Department of Corrections facility or field office as business requires, to potentially include components of the onboarding process. Some offices will have a “drop in” area available, however, a dedicated workspace within a DOC facility will not be provided.

What We Offer: 

As an employee of the Department of Corrections, your work-life integration is a priority. Washington State employees are offered one of the most inclusive and competitive benefits packages in the nation. Besides comprehensive family insurance for medical, dental, and vision, these perks also may include:

• Remote/telework/flexible schedules (depending on position)
• Up to 25 paid vacation days a year
• 8 hours of paid sick leave per month
• 12 paid holidays a year
• Generous retirement plan
• Flex Spending Accounts
• Dependent Care Assistance
• Deferred Compensation and so much more!

PERS: State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS).  New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs.  For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

For questions about this recruitment, or to request reasonable accommodation in the application process, please email mackenzie.conley@doc1.wa.gov or call us at 509-630-9160. For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.