Assistant Director of Employee Relations

Summary

This requisition expires on February 20, 2025, but may close earlier if the position is filled prior to the expiration date.

Responsible for providing responsive and practical advice on employment issues, including but not limited to, employment, compensation, benefits, leave of absence (LOA), reasonable accommodation, performance management, corrective action, terminations, traditional labor, reorganization reviews, contingent workers, and immigration. Oversee and directs the employee relations, civil service, ethics, and compliance functions of the Human Resources Department in accordance with the City of Denton’s mission, vision, policies, and objectives.

Essential Functions and Other Important Duties

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

DUTIES

• Oversee the implementation of Human Resources programs related to legal compliance and employee relations; identify opportunities for improvement, create and implement solutions, and evaluate program changes to ensure continuous improvements that resolve problems.
• Partner with City Attorney’s office on legal compliance and employee relation items, including but not limited to, investigations, training and other workplace or personnel related items that may lead to complaints or litigation; this is not an attorney position, but will serve as a liaison to City Attorney’s office to discuss and review human resources related issues requiring legal review and/or opinion.
• Investigate complaints including, but not limited to harassment, discrimination, ethics violations, and retaliation; analyze findings and provide recommended action, when necessary.
• Review termination recommendations, meet with stakeholders to discuss issues, as appropriate.
• Consult with stakeholders on personnel-related issues and workplace concerns; assist with making the most appropriate decision in compliance with Federal, State, and Local laws and regulations, as well as City of Denton policies.
• Provide advice and best-practice recommendations related to employment matters.
• Identify and recommend remedial measures, best practices, and other improvement processes and/or actions to further the City's employment-related compliance.
• Stay abreast of developments, amendments, and changes to laws and best practices affecting human resources and employer/employee relations.
• Direct the development, creation, maintenance, and compliance of policies, procedures, and standard operating procedures.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to develop formal training for managers, supervisors, and employees on human resources related laws and policies.
• Ensure compliance with applicable Federal, State, and Local laws and regulations through staff training, education, and performance assessment.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs); cascade performance measures for supervised areas to assess performance from the department to the individual level.
• Facilitate and lead interdepartmental teams to accomplish programs or special project(s) to meet established objectives and goals.
• Oversee the Civil Service Secretary, assist with Civil Service Director responsibilities, and serve as the Director of Civil Service in the absence of the Human Resources Director or when otherwise directed or needed.
• Research, gather data, analyze, and prepare reports, graphs, charts, presentations, and other materials to effectively communicate information to stakeholders.
• Establish and execute a communication plan including but not limited to established expectations and holding self/leaders accountable for division meetings and training sessions; routinely communicate reporting results and feedback with stakeholders.
• Review City of Denton employee job classifications to determine compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act, as needed.
• Review independent contractor job classifications to determine compliance with exemption rules under the Fair Labor Standards Act, as needed.
• Conduct review of responses to requests for reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and for leave under the Family Medical and Leave Act (FMLA).
• Coordinate and conduct review of internal agency investigations of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and other misconduct complaints, and partner with City Attorney’s office on City responses to such complaints.
• Participate in strategic planning for employee relations and internal investigations and preside over meetings, as needed.
• Assist with drafting, reviewing, and negotiating in-house contracts.
• Act as Human Resources Director, in their absence.

SUPERVISORY/BUDGET RESPONSIBLITIES

• Select,train,supervise, and evaluate staff; recommend assignment/assignment change, retention, discipline, and dismissal.
• Develop, manage, and monitor budget; maintain accurate budget reporting; ensure that operations are cost-effective, and funds are managed wisely.

OTHER DUTIES

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS

• Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Human Resources, Public Administration, or related field; and,
• Five (5) years’ experience in employee relations, employment law, or related field; and,
• Three (3) years’ experience in a supervisory capacity,

OR

• Any combination of related education, experience, certifications, and licenses will result in a candidate successfully performing the essential functions of the job.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Must pass a drug test, criminal history background check, and social security number verification.

CORE VALUES

• Inclusive
• Collaborative
• Service-Oriented
• Strategically Focused
• Fiscally Responsible

TOP TIER BENEFITS

• Medical, dental, vision, coverage in addition to life and disability insurance plans
• Employee Health Clinic
• Paid Vacation Days and Paid Holidays
• Retirement Plan

EEO STATEMENT

City of Denton is an equal opportunity employer. It is City of Denton’s policy to prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to any protected class, status, characteristic, or activity. All employment decisions, including decisions regarding recruitment, selection, hiring, compensation, benefits, training, advancement, discipline, discharge, and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment are made without regard to any lawfully protected class, status, characteristic, or activity.

ADA/EOE/ADEA

This job description is not an employment agreement, contract agreement, or contract. Management has exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice.

E-Verify:

The City of Denton participates in the federal E-Verify program in order to verify a new employee's authorization to work in the United States. Applicants must be lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. notice.