Human Resources Specialist - Employee Relations and Investigations

Position Summary

The Human Resources Specialist is responsible for managing employee relations and ensuring accountability through thorough investigations. This role serves as a primary back-up for the coordination of FMLA, ADA, and general leave processes. Additionally, the specialist provides essential support for HR generalist duties and may be assigned direct ownership of specific workgroups to optimize department efficiency and service delivery.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES

• Assists with the development and administration of programs, procedures, and guidelines to help align the workforce with the strategic goals of the district.
• Reviews, tracks and documents compliance with staff evaluations requirements.
• Take customer calls and provide accurate, satisfactory answers to their questions and concerns
• Call employees to discuss and provide information which is relevant to their situation
• Respond professionally and respectfully to Human Resources emails within 24 hours
• De-escalate situations involving dissatisfied employees, offering assistance and support
• Work one-on-one with applicants and employees in person and by email/phone
• Facilitate and track pre-employment requirements. Ie. background checks, drug screening, physicals
• Facilitate and coordinate the new employee orientation program
• Support and coordinate hiring events
• Assist Leave of Absence coordinator in managing leave of absence (LOA), including FMLA/ADA/Military and Workers Compensation
• Assist in developing and delivering appropriate training opportunities for leadership and staff to help increase awareness and understanding around HR-related programs, policies, programs, systems, compliance requirements & leadership best practices.
• Assist in managing employee relations by investigating, resolving, and communicating employee questions, issues, or concerns. Determine and take appropriate action to resolve issues in a timely, appropriate, and confidential manner.
• Prepares employee separation notices and related documentation.
• Assist in helping provide communication support and education around HR-related questions and topics for leadership and employees.
• Maintains awareness and understanding of collective bargaining agreements.
• Promotes and advances teamwork and continuous process improvements to achieve department and district objectives.
• Develop and maintain a high level of proficiency with our HRIS's (Infinite Visions) to optimize our workflows, communications, record keeping, productivity, and reporting.
• Lead continuous process improvement projects within functions, develop necessary documentation, & participate on other organizational projects to improve efficiencies.
• Other duties as assigned to help support the HR Team and department.
• Facilitate or participate in tough or fierce conversations
• Must maintain extremely high level of quality of work and attention to detail.
• Assist with back-up support for other positions in the department

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree required or equivalent combination of HR-related experience & education.
• Minimum of 2 years HR-related experience.
• Exceptional communication skills, both verbal and written with proven ability to communicate effectively at all levels.
• Project management, program management skills and ability to manage multiple tasks and projects at the same time.
• Ability to develop creative solutions using sound judgment, problem solving, decision-making and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to function independently and effectively multi-task and prioritize work.
• Ability to analyze how work impacts upstream and downstream stakeholders i.e. Payroll/Benefits/Accounting and to align work to flow optimally with the customer impact at the heart.
• Strong computer skills, demonstrating proficiency with both Google Workspace (G Suite) and Microsoft Office products.
• Solid data entry skills
• Proven and effective presentation skills.
• Must possess strong ethics with proven ability to exercise strict discretion regularly.
• Regular and reliable attendance is required in order to be successful in this position.
• Strong knowledge of recruitment practices.
• Customer-Focused mindset, with high level of professionalism and discretion.
• Self-directed and action oriented.
• Highly self-motivated with a strong attention to detail and an "all-in" team mentality.
• Learn quickly, open to change and experiment with trying new solutions.

CLASSIFICATION

Twelve (12) months per year.

Table B/ Non-Admin Meet & Confer Group

Hours Monday - Friday - The position requires the commitment of professional working hours that may require the employee to extend beyond a typical 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. workday.

Salary- $55,000 - $70,000

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation(s) may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Ability to read, analyze, interpret, and implement ideas contained in technical documents, reports, regulations, etc. Ability to effectively write reports and communications to administrators, colleagues, parents, students and staff. Ability to effectively present information orally and respond to questions from administrators, teachers, staff and students.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

Ability to perform basic mathematical functions. Ability to use spreadsheets and reporting documents that assist with the computation of data.

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to solve problems effectively. Ability to interpret and implement a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES:

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with administrators, colleagues, community members, staff and students. Ability to speak clearly and concisely both in oral and written communication. Ability to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements and Board of Education policies.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an 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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands and fingers to handle and/or feel objects, tools or controls; and talk and hear. The employee will frequently use hands and fingers to type/word process, file documents, manipulate papers, and use a copying machine. The employee frequently must squat, stoop or kneel, reach above the head and forward 0 -24 inches and on occasion up to 36 inches. The employee continuously uses hand strength to grasp items. The employee will frequently bend or twist at the neck and trunk while performing the duties of this job. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds 0 - 12 feet and occasionally up to 20 feet, such as office materials, desks, chairs, and boxes. The employee will sometimes push/pull items such as tables and carts. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision and the ability to adjust focus while working with computers, written materials, reports, assessment data, etc.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is often quiet but may become loud in large group settings. The position requires the commitment of professional working hours that will require the employee arrive and leave as directed and may require the employee to extend beyond a typical 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. workday. The employee will usually work in indoor temperatures but will be required to work occasionally in outdoor environments.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The Cedar Rapids Community School district is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The district does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, or disability.

Federal law obligates an employer to provide reasonable accommodation for the known disabilities of applicants, unless doing so would pose an undue hardship on the employer. If you or someone you know requires accommodation in the hiring process, contact the Chief Human Resource Officer at 319-558-2747.