Employee Relations Manager

General Overview

Under the supervision of the Director of Employee Relations, leads and assists on complex employee relations and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) matters, including conducting informal HR inquiries, resolving employee workplace conflicts, and recommending appropriate action where necessary. Works with and coaches supervisory and management staff through issues of employee conflict. Takes a proactive approach to identify and propose potential opportunities for improvement to enhance a cohesive and professional work environment, in accordance with the Sheriff’s Office’s policies and procedures. Demonstrates and maintains the ability to exercise discretion and prudent judgment in carrying out assigned responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

Receive complaints of possible EEO violations, employee conflicts, and other workplace issues.

Conduct prompt and thorough informal HR inquiries into complaints made pursuant to the Sheriff’s Office’s Prohibition Against Discrimination and Harassment Policy to make an initial assessment of the relevant facts concerning the complaint. Additionally, determines the need for any immediate preventive or corrective action (e.g., temporary change in reporting structure).

Promptly and effectively communicates with complainant and others (e.g., supervisors) with relevant knowledge and information, as needed, to obtain necessary information to conduct / conclude an informal HR inquiry.

Perform due diligence in keeping detailed log and records of all complaints and HR inquiries. Ensures that tracking of complaints and documentation is completed in a timely and organized manner.

Assist in the resolution of employee workplace conflict complaints or concerns.

Recommend programs, strategies, and other collaborative activities to ensure policy compliance and prevent workplace conflict from occurring.

Mediate and utilize alternative resolution and problem-solving processes to resolve internal workplace concerns or complaints.

Take proactive steps to ensure compliance with the Sheriff’s Office’s Prohibition Against Discrimination and Harassment Policy, which may include but not be limited to training sessions or other collaborative efforts with supervisors, managers, other HR team members, and / or other internal departments (e.g., Department of Legal and Labor Affairs, Office of Professional Review, etc.).

Draft policies and procedures with prior approval by the Executive Director of HR and in consultation with necessary departments central to issues of employment and employee relations after identifying areas for organizational policy improvement.

Assist as needed to facilitate office-wide training for supervisors, managers, and employees to promote and help ensure effective communication between employees and management, compliance with relevant policies and procedures, and enhance a professional and collaborative workplace environment.

Educate staff on EEO issues, including discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, leadership development, and resolving workplace conflict in consultation with the Department of Legal and Labor Affairs.

Foster and maintain a strong and collaborative partnership with other internal departments, including but not limited to the Department of Legal and Labor Affairs and Office of Professional Review.

Perform and complete other duties and projects as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Demonstrated ability to work independently consistent with policies, procedures, training, and directives by the Director of Employee Relations, Executive Director of HR, and / or counsel by the Department of Legal and Labor Affairs.

Ability to appropriately escalate matters to, consult with, and apprise the Director of Employee Relations, Executive Director of HR, and / or the Department of Legal and Labor Affairs, as needed or appropriate.

Ability to prepare for meetings to present matters and / or communicate relevant information in a productive, effective, and articulate manner.

Ability to impartially conduct confidential and thorough informal inquiries into workplace complaints.

Ability to effectively communicate with staff in various situations via phone, questionnaires, on-site, or in conferences.

Possess strong communication (oral and written), mediation, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.

Ability to act professionally, remain calm, and maintain emotional intelligence under highly emotional situations.

Ability to act as a mediator between various department personnel and individuals and to effectively de-escalate situations, as needed.

Experience and skill in promptly and effectively handling and resolving workplace conflicts, complaints, and concerns with varying levels of complexity.

Must possess the ability to handle difficult and / or tense situations with tact and diplomacy.

Ability to communicate and interact effectively with diverse CCSO employees and wide range of management levels in order to explain policies and procedures.

Possess excellent writing skills and ability to write impartial reports, summaries, and / or notes based on information gathered during informal inquiries.

Skill and ability in conveying facts, analysis, conclusions, and recommendations in a concise and clear manner both oral and in writing.

Ability to handle a heavy complaint caseload and coordinate various projects in a timely manner while being attentive to details.

Strong analytical skills relative to the conflict resolution process and ability to elicit and evaluate information given by those involved.

Ability to facilitate training to front-line and supervisory / director level employees.

Excellent knowledge of applicable policies / procedures, best practices, and federal, state, and local laws and regulations concerning employment.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience preparing written reports and summary findings with supporting documentation that are fair, impartial, and represent the facts.

Experience in creating and implementing trainings / seminars for employees at all levels on harassment, discrimination, workplace conflict, and other related topics.

Experience inquiring about and resolving issues of workplace conflict (non-criminal), including but not limited discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, interpersonal, unprofessionalism, etc.

Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws and regulations applicable to areas of assigned responsibility, including EEO, Affirmative Action regulations, and other civil rights and employment laws.

Experience in mediation techniques / methods.

Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university supplemented by at least five (5) years of supervisory experience and at least seven to eight (7-8) years full-time professional experience resolving workplace employee conflict issues, including discrimination, sexual harassment and retaliation allegations as an EEO professional working in a large organization.

Possess a valid driver’s license, proof of insurance, and the ability to operate a motor vehicle.

Knowledge of MS Office applications including Word, Excel, Access, and Outlook and possess general typing, filing, and word processing skills.

Preferred Qualifications

A Juris Doctor from an accredited law school.

Experience working in governmental workplaces.

Experience working with unions and unionized employees.

Experience working with diverse employee populations.

SHRM or HRCI certification.

Professional certification(s) in Employee Relations.

The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee’s normal line of work.

• Article EE, Civilian Recruitment and Selection Process, of the Sheriff’s Employment Action Manual (SEAM), applies to this employment process and can be found at the following link :

Please note that there are no remote job opportunities, all positions are located onsite .

The Cook County Sheriff’s Office prohibits all unlawful discrimination in its hiring and promotional process.

All Cook County Sheriff’s Office employees must apply on the internal employment page to be considered; the application may be accessed via the SheriffNet site.

I Certify that no Political Reasons or Factors were considered in any decision I made or action I took related to this Employment Action.Further, I do not know of or have any reason to believe that anyone else considered or took action based on Political Reasons or Factors with respect to this Employment Action.

Salary : $76,194 - $90,678