Employee Relations Specialist or Employee Relations Associate

Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)•Austin, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Service, Respect, and Connection are core to the individual and collective TRS experience. We know that great service rests on a foundation of relationships that connect us all to an empowering and rewarding career. At TRS, we’re inspired by our community who bring authenticity and commitment to our mission to improve the retirement security of public education employees and retirees throughout Texas. As a group of achievers, we tap collaboration and innovation to raise the bar in performance, administering and counseling pensions and healthcare benefits to ensure certainty for the future of our members. We invite you to join us, where both personal and career growth are respected and where you can make a difference in our members’ lives every day. The Employee Relations Specialist sits in a central role to support the internal foundation of relationships that connects employees to each other. We are looking for a dynamic, supportive human resources professional to oversee employee relations throughout our agency. This position is being posted at two levels. The applicant selected will be offered the role that aligns with their education and experience Employee Relations Specialist - $67,000 - $96,000 Employee Relations Associate - $62,113 - $77,640

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Human Resources or closely related field.
High school diploma or equivalent and additional full-time directly related human resources generalist experience may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis.
One (1) year of full-time directly related, progressively responsible experience in human resources or similar experience.
Three (3) years of full-time directly related, progressively responsible experience in coordinating employee relations activities, providing advice and consultation to all levels of management on employee relations issues.
Experience conducting internal employee relations investigations, which includes writing investigation reports.
Knowledge of: State of Texas employee payroll accounting statutes, policies, procedures, processes, and systems, including USPS and CAPPS
Texas Employees Group Benefits Program, deferred compensation, and other benefit programs administered by ERS, including relevant federal and state laws, regulations, policies, and procedures
Federal and state laws related to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and Workers Compensation
Thorough understanding of dispute resolution
Public administration and human resources management principles, practices, and procedures.
Principles and best practices of employee management.
Equal Employment Opportunity laws and regulations, unemployment claims process and employee relations.
Skills in: Providing direction, guidance, counseling, advice, and recommendations to managers and senior leadership.
Effectively communicating, both orally and written.
Principles, tools, and techniques of project management.
Critical thinking to identify problems, evaluate alternatives, and recommend effective solutions.
Personal computer and various software programs to include Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Ability to: Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information
Remain tactful, calm, and persuasive in controversial and/or confrontational situations
Communicate effectively both orally and in writing with a diverse workforce
To interpret and follow federal, State of Texas, and TRS policies, procedures and guidelines
Ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply the appropriate sections of applicable laws, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, and policies
Ensure agency is in compliance with State of Texas and federal laws, statutes, and regulations requirements
Resolve issues and when needed, escalate issues appropriately
Effectively evaluate, train and lead teams
Interpret policy and data of varying levels of complexity in a clear and concise manner
Manage difficult situations with tact and diplomacy
Lead projects and facilitate workgroups
Provide quality customer service
Establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with co-workers, agency staff, and external contacts
Work effectively in a professional team environment

Nice To Haves

Professional Human Resources certification (PHR, SHRM-CP) or Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR, SHRM-SCP).
Experience facilitating and/or mediating employee relations matters with employees and managers.
Experience developing curriculum or delivering employee relations related training.
Experience with Family Medical Leave Act and/or Americans with Disabilities Act.
Experience processing and managing unemployment claims.
Experience creating resource material for employees and management related to employee relations subjects.
Experience using and/or managing records using SharePoint.
Experience making presentations to all levels of staff.
Experience in employee relations.
Experience supporting investigations, inquiries, climate assessments, documentation, or exit interviews.
Familiarity with HR information systems, SharePoint or CAPPS.
Interest in pursuing HR certification (PHR, SHRM-CP)
Experience with application of state and federal laws (FMLA, ADA, PWFA, EEO, etc.)

Responsibilities

Provides support to management and employees on employee relations policies and procedures under direct supervision of employee relations specialist or manager.
Participates directly in workplace inquiries, investigations, and climate assessments by coordinating logistics, collecting and analyzing information, preparing written documentation, and participating in employee interviews under direct supervision of senior employee relations specialist or manager.
Tracks and manages assigned employee relations cases and inquiries, including intake, documentation, follow-up, and status updates.
Handles routine employee relations inquiries by providing information on established policies and procedures and identifying issues that require escalation.
Documents employee performance and conduct concerns using established tools, templates, and guidelines.
Prepares and processes corrective action and disciplinary documentation for review and approval by employee relations specialists or management.
Receives structured, on-the-job training in employee relations case management and investigations by actively participating in and progressively handling more complex inquiries and investigative tasks under supervision, including document review, interview participation, documentation, and case analysis.
Provides support to management and employees on employee relations policies, procedures, and programs.
Advises managers on employee relations matters to include assessing root causes, determining appropriate strategies for addressing problems, and coaching and supporting managers through execution of identified actions, including corrective actions as appropriate.
Recognizes potential statute violations in the workplace and leads or participates in investigations of such matters.
Conducts objective and thorough climate assessments and internal investigations of grievances and complaints, as directed.
Interprets historical, current, and projected data to identify problems, causes, and areas for which procedural or system changes to positively influence agency culture are indicated.
Advises management and employees on TRS policy.
Creates and conducts engaging training related to agency policies, federal/state laws, rules and regulations.
As needed, receives, reviews, and processes unemployment claims and participates in unemployment hearings.
Maintains and prepares employee relations records, files, and case documentation in compliance with confidentiality, privacy, and records retention requirements.
Maintains and updates case logs, trackers, and case management systems, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance.
Conducts exit interviews independently using standardized tools and prepares summaries identifying trends and recurring themes.
Processes unemployment claim documentation and supporting materials, coordinating with Employee Relations Specialists as needed.
Assists in the preparation of human resources reports to include gathering, compiling, and analyzing data.
Assists with and prepares/presents information related to employee relations matters.
Maintains employee relations files and ensures that the TRS records retentions standards are met.
Conducts exit interviews and maintains reporting related to information received from exit interviews.
Assists in planning, developing, reviewing, revising, and implementing human resources processes and activities related to employee relations activities.
Provides back-up support to department staff.
Performs related work as assigned