Are you an HR professional who can navigate complex people matters with objectivity, sound judgment, and professionalism? El Paso County is seeking an Employee Relations Specialist to handle sensitive employee relations issues and support a workplace rooted in our vision, purpose, and core values.
In this role, you will manage complex employee relations matters, including discharges, medical separations, and disciplinary actions arising from investigations. You will guide these cases from development through delivery, partnering closely with HR staff, department and office leaders, HR Business Partners, and the County Attorney's Office to ensure timely, well-supported, and consistent outcomes. You will prepare documentation that is clear, defensible, and aligned with investigative findings, County policy, prior practice, and legal requirements, while assessing risk and supporting sound decision-making.
Beyond case management, you will oversee several high-impact programs, including unemployment insurance claim processing, defending unemployment claims by attending hearings, administrative leave placements, preservation of files, EEO-4 reporting, and compliance with employment law posting requirements. Your knowledge of employment law and ability to apply it effectively will help protect the County from liability while supporting respectful treatment of employees during difficult workplace situations.
This role is ideal for someone with exceptional writing and proofreading skills, a strong compliance mindset, an understanding of employment law, and a collaborative, compassionate approach to working with others. If you are looking for an HR role where your work will make a meaningful impact across the organization, we would be excited to have you join our team.
Hiring Range: $77,000.00 - $82,000.00 annually
This position has an anticipated work schedule of Monday -- Friday, 8:00am -- 4:30pm; subject to change.
Please be advised this position may close without advance notice, should we receive a sufficient number of qualified applications.
Serves as the primary point of contact for discharges, medical separations, and disciplinary actions arising from investigations. This position manages these matters from development through delivery in partnership with HR staff, department/office leaders, and the County Attorney's Office to ensure timely, well-supported outcomes. Prepares documentation that is accurate, defensible, consistent with prior practice, and aligned with investigative findings, County policy, and legal requirements. This position also assesses risk and serves as backup to HR Business Partners on non-investigatory disciplinary actions, as needed.
Leads several high-impact employee relations programs, including unemployment insurance (UI), administrative leave placements, files preservation notices, EEO-4 reporting, and employment law posting compliance. This role supports trend analysis and contributes to the continuous improvement of Employee Relation (ER) services across the organization. Employment is subject to the terms, conditions, and policies detailed in the Personnel Policies Manual (PPM). This position requires regular in-person presence as an essential job function.
Essential Duties/Responsibilities
Serves as the primary point of contact for discharges, medical separations, and disciplinary actions arising from investigations; manages these matters from development through delivery in partnership with HR staff, department/office leaders, and the County Attorney's Office to ensure timely, well-supported outcomes. Prepares documentation that is accurate, defensible, consistent with prior practice, and aligned with investigative findings, County policy,and legal requirements. Assesses risk and serves as backup to HR Business Partners on non-investigatory disciplinary actions, as needed.
Drafts, reviews, and edits discharge, medical separation, and disciplinary documents; advises leadership on content and ensures documentation is supported by credible evidence/information and aligned with County policy and legal requirements.
Maintains, updates, audits, and safeguards confidential employee relations files, spreadsheets, records, and related documentation, ensuring accurate recordkeeping of sensitive ER matters and outcomes.
Coordinates employee placements on administrative leave related to investigations, disciplinary matters, or operational needs.
Audits and processes back pay reconciliations in collaboration with Payroll to ensure accuracy of retroactive payments.
Coordinates with employees and departments for the timely retrieval of County-issued assets following employee separations, discharges, or placement on administrative leave.
Prepares employee relations-related payroll documentation accurately and in a timely manner.
Manages the County's unemployment insurance (UI) claims process, including timely responses, documentation submission, appeal hearing representation, claim validation, invoice reconciliation, and trend monitoring to support compliance and reduce liability.
Works collaboratively with the County Attorney's Office to respond to charges of discrimination received from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Colorado Civil Rights Division (CCRD), and other agencies, as applicable.
Processes file preservation notices in collaboration with the County Attorney's Office, ensuring timely compliance and documentation integrity.
Participates in compiling and responding to requests for information, such as subpoenas, CORA requests, litigation, and other legal affairs, as directed.
Maintains in-depth knowledge of legal requirements related to the management of employees, reducing legal risks, and ensuring regulatory and policy compliance. Stays abreast of employment law changes and requirements; disseminates this information and takes action to implement as applicable. Partners with the Office of the County Attorney as needed/required.
Provides consultation and interpretation to County staff related to County policies and procedures; promotes and ensures compliance with County-wide and departmental policies, federal, state, and local laws.
Works with HR staff to prepare and timely submit the EEO-4 report of workforce demographic data.
Serves as the HR point of contact for employment law posting compliance across County worksites; monitors and updates postings in accordance with federal and state requirements.
Monitors, gathers, consolidates, and analyzes metrics and employee-related data to identify trends, develop solutions, and prepare reports for HR leadership in support of proactive planning and continuous improvement.
Performs other duties as required.
Supervision Exercised: This classification does not have supervisory authority; however, may be required to provide expertise or limited guidance or direction to employees, such as overseeing work quality, training, and guidance. Typically serves as a subject matter expert on the scope of functional area.
Supervision Received: Receives general supervision. This classification typically performs job duties by following established standard operating procedures and/or policies. Regular direction, guidance, and coaching from supervisor may be expected. There is a choice of the appropriate procedure or policy to apply to duties. Performance reviewed periodically.
Qualifications
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
In-depth knowledge and understanding of federal, state, and local employment-related law, including Title VII, Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act, Americans with Disab
