DPS - IOD - Dispute Resolution Officer - 1605

PLEASE NOTE:
All applications must contain complete job histories, which includes job title, dates of employment, name of employer, supervisor's name and phone number and a description of duties performed. If this information is not submitted, your application may be rejected because it is incomplete. Resumes do not take the place of this required information.

SUBMITTED THROUGH WORK IN TEXAS: Work In Texas (WIT) applicants must complete the supplemental questions to be considered for the posting. In order to complete the supplemental questions please go to CAPPS Recruit to register or login and access your profile. Go to CAPPS Recruit to Sign In https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Performs highly advanced (senior-level) managerial work. The Dispute Resolution Officer is the designated independent, neutral, and impartial dispute resolution professional providing all employees, regardless of rank, position, or location, confidential and informal assistance. Advocates for fair processes instead of for any particular individual; serves as a source of information and referral; acts as an agent of change; and provides training and assistance in leadership development, communication, conflict management, and mediation. The Dispute Resolution Officer is not an ‘agent of notice’ for the department. Plans, assigns, and supervises the work of others. Work is performed under minimal supervision with extensive latitude for and expectation of the application of discretion, innovative, and independent judgment.

The following Military Occupational Specialty codes are generally applicable to this position.
https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_ProgramManagement.pdf
Applicants must fully complete the summary of experience to determine if minimum qualifications are met:

ESSENTIAL DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Direct activities of the Dispute Resolution Office and provide on-going education about the Dispute Resolution Office.

2. Provide impartial and confidential conflict resolution services to members of the department while remaining independent, neutral, and impartial.

3. Assist inquirers in obtaining and providing relevant information regarding department policies and procedures. When appropriate, provide the inquirer with referrals to other resources, such as Human Resource Management, Employee Assistance Program, Psychological Services, EEO Office, and Office of Inspector General.

4. Assist inquirers in clarifying issues and generating options for resolution. Facilitate the assessment of the pros and cons of possible options.

5. Engage in direct action, including informal information gathering, in appropriate situations as determined by the Dispute Resolution Officer with the inquirer’s expressed agreement and permission. This may include consulting with all parties involved to clarify and analyze the issues, facilitating communication and problem-solving, and assisting parties reach mutually satisfactory resolution.

6. Consult with department managers and other appropriate individuals to develop cooperative strategies for resolving concerns and complaints. Improve interactions and cooperation between management and employees.

7. Provide conflict coaching, informal facilitations, group facilitations, mediation, and other dispute resolution processes and procedures to department personnel.

8. Provide training in organizational leadership, communication, conflict management, interest-based negotiation and management, mediation, and related topics.

9. Serve as a resource for Department officials in formulating or modifying policy and procedures; raising issues that might surface as a result of a gap between the stated goals of the institution and actual practice.

10. Function as a sensor within the organization to identify problems or trends; recommend creative ways to address these concerns. Facilitate organizational change initiatives.

11. Provide early warnings of new areas of organizational concern, upward feedback, critical analysis of systemic needs for improvement, and make systems change recommendations.

12. Supervise office staff, including collateral mediators, facilitators, instructors, trainers, and coaches in their respective roles related to the Dispute Resolution Office.

13. Ensure the integrity of the DRO office is maintained by all staff and collateral duty personnel through independence, neutrality, impartiality, confidentiality, and timely attention to the resolution of issues while treating people with dignity and respect. Comply with relevant codes of ethics and standards of practice for neutrals and mediators.

14. Maintain active membership in relevant professional associations and continuing education in law, conflict management, mediation, ombudsmanship, and related areas.

15. Attend work regularly and observe approved work hours in accordance with agency leave and attendance policies.

16. Perform other duties as assigned.

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:

Education - Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with emphasis in business or public administration, pre-law, human resource management, communication, social science or similar discipline is preferred.

Experience – Minimum five (5) years’ progressively responsible experience in labor-intensive management or human resource management work involving constant compliance with federal and state employment laws and regulations including a minimum of two (2) years’ managerial experience. Specialized training in mediation, either as part of required education or separate from and in addition to the required education is required and must consist of a minimum of forty (40) contact hours of classroom study. An additional twenty (20) hours of laboratory practice of applying learned methods and techniques of mediation or evidence of conducting at least 10 mediated cases must be provided. A certificate of completion and course description of the conflict resolution classes taken must be provided if attained from a college or university studies. Knowledge of and experience in training others to become mediators based on the 40 hour criteria set by the Texas Mediators Trainers Roundtable is preferred.

Substitution Note: An advanced degree in business management, public administration, law, human resource management or a related discipline may substitute for one (1) year of the required work experience.

Regulatory knowledge - Considerable knowledge of statutes and regulations as set forth by Chapter 2009, Texas Government Code (Governmental Dispute Resolution Act); Chapter 154, Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code (Alternative Dispute Resolution Procedures); and department policy. Interpret and coordinate the development and implementation of policies and procedures. perform education, advocacy and outreach duties.

Conflict resolution knowledge - Principles of conflict management and dispute resolution, including the sources and dynamics of conflict, styles of conflict, and the impact of needs, power, communication, culture, values, structure, emotion, and history on conflict. Dispute systems design, organizational effectiveness, collaborative decision making, and the skill and ability to design and implement an integrated conflict management system. Ability and demonstrated skill in competently serving in the role of a neutral, including the ability to listen actively, remain impartial, effectively communicate, appropriately respond to strongly felt values and emotions, and identify any cultural dynamics involved. Demonstrated skill in using active listening and effective questioning techniques to determine underlying concerns and interests of individuals. Advanced problem identification and resolution skills; negotiation, facilitation, and mediation skills, especially in complex factual, value-driven, and emotional contexts.

Leadership skills - Strong leadership skills with the ability to direct and motivate others and maintain persuasive and credible presentation style at all levels of the organization. Exemplifies the Department's core mission to Protect and Serve Texas and DPS’ core values: Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Teamwork. Direct and organize program activities. Establish program goals and objectives that support the strategic plan.
Interpersonal skills - Must demonstrate an ability to exercise poise, tact, diplomacy and an ability to establish and maintain positive, working/professional relationships with internal/external customers. Must demonstrate

Technology - Proficiency with Microsoft Office and appropriate levels of proficiency with utilized software and systems (e.g. CAPPS, SharePoint) and be able to learn new software/systems

Presentation/Communication Skills – Must be able to construct and deliver clear, concise, and professional presentations, reports, briefings and/or communications to a variety of audiences and/or individuals, including developing training materials and planning an effective training program.
Organization skills - Ability to multi-task and prioritize in a high-stress, fast-paced, multi-demand environment, and the ability to make sound work-related judgments and decisions particularly during legislative sessions.

Confidentiality and Protected Information – Must demonstrate an ability to responsibly handle sensitive and confidential information and situations and adhere to applicable laws/statutes/policies related to access, maintenance and dissemination of information. Ability to make quick and accurate judgment calls regarding the need to provide information to Division personnel.

Travel and/or Schedule and/or Remote/Telecommuting work –May be required to work after hours and to travel up to fifty (50%) of the time, including overnight and weekends, throughout the state to carry out assigned duties.This position may have the ability to telecommute based on the business needs of the office.

PHYSICAL and/or ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS:

The physical and environmental demands described here are representative of those encountered and/or necessary for the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job; reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Environment: Office, Vehicles;
• Ambulatory skills, e.g. stand, walk, sit;
• Hand-eye coordination and arm/hand/finger dexterity;
• Ability to speak, hear, and exercise visual acuity;
• Ability to transfer weights of twenty (20) pounds anticipated for this position.
• Driving requirements: Occasional.

State of Texas Benefits and Retirement Information: https://www.ers.texas.gov/

DPS employee who is selected for a position in their current salary group and state title will be transferred with no salary change.

A DPS employee who is selected for a position in their current salary group with a new state title may receive an increase of no more than 3.4% over their current salary regardless of posted salary.

Salary is contingent upon qualifications and is subject to administration and budgetary restrictions.

DUE TO THE HIGH VOLUME OF APPLICATIONS WE DO NOT ACCEPT TELEPHONE CALLS. ONLY CANDIDATES SELECTED FOR INTERVIEW WILL BE CONTACTED.

State of Texas retirees may be rehired for full-time, non-commissioned positions only under very specific circumstances.