Employee Relations & Performance Specialist - Human Resources

TITLE

Employee Relations & Performance Specialist

JOB SUMMARY

The Employee Relations & Performance Specialist will be responsible for providing a variety of human resource responsibilities in the areas of employe relations, HR compliance, and performance management. This position will conduct highly complex investigations of alleged violations pursuant to anti-discrimination laws, including Title VII and Title IX, including interviewing relevant parties; gathering, compiling, and analyzing relevant documents and information; assessing witness credibility; reaching sound legal conclusions; presenting case information through effective oral and written communication; delivering timely reports. The incumbent will monitor compliance with anti-discrimination legislation, provide maintain and manage the staff performance management system and manage unemployment. Work is performed under minimal supervision and performance is based upon completion of assignments and results obtained. The performance evaluation is conducted through the performance evaluation system and in accordance with the University Policies & Procedures.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to: Manager, Employee Relations

Supervises: May supervise Student Assistants and Clerical Staff

ESSENTIAL DUTIES - May include, but not limited to the following:

• Serves as a point of contact for those seeking information or wanting to report allegations of harassment, discrimination, or misconduct, including Title VII, Title IX and ADA.

• Provides guidance on Human Resources policies and practices including, but not limited to, performance management, merit and disciplinary actions. Analyzes and recommends solutions to employee performance issues.

• Assists supervisors and employees with employee relations issues.

• Responsible for collecting the relevant facts related to the reported allegation and assessing the steps necessary to support compliance with University policy and applicable state and federal laws.

• Maintains a thorough and well-documented investigative process by gathering and documenting evidentiary material. Maintains accurate and thorough records and notes of investigatory process. Develops professionally written, comprehensive, unbiased written reports that include a summary of facts and recommended findings.

• Acts as a neutral party through all aspects of an investigation and promotes a fair and neutral process for all parties involved.

• Analyzes and logically comes to conclusions and investigative outcomes.

• Keeps apprised of new developments and best practices in the fields of discrimination investigations and other relevant federal and state legislation and regulations.

• Promotes organizational compliance with University policy and applicable laws.

• Assists in maintaining requested statistics and data for reporting purposes.

• Establishes timely communication with all parties, including those with a need to know in order to recommend/make appropriate and timely decisions.

• Maintains a high level of confidentiality on all office and investigation proceedings consistent with University policy and applicable law.

• Communicates and consults regularly with the Manager of Employee Relations and Department leadership on updates regarding the status of allegations, complaints received and investigations in progress.

• Works collaboratively with key partners in the University community to investigate and resolve complaints filed under applicable University policies.

• Processes, tracks, and participates in hearings for all unemployment claims for the university.

• Assists with website, develops training presentation and materials and assist with university education efforts as assigned.

• Leads the maintenance, tracking, and managing the Performance Evaluation Program for staff employees in Oracle.
• Supports Human Resources' efforts of the Merit Compensation Program.

• Maintains compliance with federal and state regulations, ensuring up-to-date knowledge of ever-changing regulations.

• Assists with development of statistical and narrative reporting requirements, data collection, database maintenance, data analysis, and reporting.

• Tests and confirms newly installed Oracle patches for impact on functionality in system.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES

• Performs other duties as requested.

EDUCATION

Bachelor's degree required.

EXPERIENCE

Two years of professional experience conducting investigations or performing human resources responsibilities. Higher Education experience preferred.

REQUIREMENT

Regular and reliable attendance at the University during regular scheduled days and work hours is an essential function of this position.

All employees share the responsibility of maintaining information security and privacy requirements within the university by adhering to Federal and State regulations, and TWU Policies & Procedures.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES - The following are essential:

• Demonstrates experience and ability in conducting investigations, composing clear, concise, timely and professionally written investigative reports, managing confidential information, and independently and efficiently managing a significant caseload.

• Demonstrates ability to determine and apply the appropriate legal standards in assessing and investigating allegations of discrimination.

• Demonstrated ability to exercise discretion, superior judgment and analytical skills and neutrality in highly sensitive situations involving allegations of discrimination in Title VII and Title IX policy violations.

• Knowledge of the federal and state laws pertaining to civil rights, discrimination, and harassment, as they apply to colleges and universities including the Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972 (EEO), Americans with Disabilities Act (Title II), Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII), Title IX of the Educational Amendments Act of 1972 (Title IX), the Jeanne Clery Act of 1990 (Clery Act), the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (VAWA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), all as amended where applicable, and other federal and state anti-discrimination laws and requirements.

• Demonstration of tact, discretion, professionalism, maturity and outstanding interpersonal, oral and written communication skills are required.

• Background knowledge and training in Title VII, Title IX and other federal and state non-discrimination laws.

• Working knowledge of the operation and administration of TWU's Oracle Cloud HCM system.

• Knowledge of the higher education environment and risk management concerns.

• Ability to work on complex and confidential issues utilizing judgment, tact, and resourcefulness.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with students, faculty, staff, and the public.

• Ability to organize work effectively, conceptualize and prioritize objectives and exercise independent judgment based on an understanding of organizational policies and activities.

• Ability to integrate resources, policies, and information for the determination of procedures, solutions, and other outcomes.

• Ability to communicate effectively -orally, by phone, in person, and in writing.

• Ability to provide presentations and outreach.

• Ability to use a personal computer and other office equipment, including related university software and email.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described in the Essential Duties and below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

The employee may be required to travel. The employee may be required to work evenings and weekends.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

All employees are responsible for maintaining an environment that is free from discrimination, intimidation, harassment, including sexual harassment. Work is normally performed in a typical interior work environment.

SAFETY

TWU promotes a safe working environment. Employees are responsible for completing assigned tasks safely and efficiently, and supervisors are responsible for creating and maintaining a safe work environment. Employees must report any unsafe work conditions or practices, as well as any near-miss incidents, to their supervisor and Risk Management. Supervisors and employees should ensure that injury/accident reports are submitted to the Office of Human Resources and Risk Management within 24 hours of the incident.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Texas Woman's University, an AA/EEO employer, provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected category, class or characteristic.

All offers of employment will be contingent on the candidate's ability to provide documents which establish proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States. Positions at Texas Woman's University deemed security-sensitive require background checks and verification of all academic credentials.

If you are a male between the age of 18 and 25, federal law requires that you must be registered with the U.S. Selective Service System, unless you meet certain exemptions under Selective Service law. Under HB 558, enacted by the 76th Texas State Legislature, if you are currently of the age and gender requiring registration with Selective Service, but knowingly and willfully fail to do so, you are ineligible for employment with an agency in any branch of Texas state government. For additional information regarding registration or status, you can contact the Selective Service System at 847-688-6888 or www.sss.gov.