Opening: Employee Relations Specialist, Ref. # 009062

 

OPEN                                    October 7, 2009

FIRST READ DATE             November 9, 2009

Applications received by the first due date will receive first consideration. Applications received after the first due date may be considered until the position is filled.

 

Bellevue College is committed to increasing cultural diversity among its professional staff. Applicants with multicultural experience and/or backgrounds, which will add cultural richness and diversity to Bellevue College, are encouraged to apply.

 

POSITION                                      EMPLOYEE RELATIONS SPECIALIST

                                                          EXEMPT, FULL-TIME POSITION, REF. #009062

                                                         

DEPARTMENT                              HUMAN RESOURCES

 

Bellevue College offers an outstanding benefits package including medical, retirement, vacation, holidays, sick leave, reduced tuition rate for classes, 10% discount on most Bookstore purchases, bus pass subsidy, on-site fitness and childcare centers, and free parking.

 

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Vice President of Human Resources, the Employee Relations Specialist supports the college’s mission and goal by focusing on employee relations. The ERS is responsible for facilitating multiple approaches to early intervention and conflict resolution, conducting internal investigation of complaints, and assisting in the development of training for all employees on a range of employment law related topics.  In addition, the position administers the college’s performance management and complaint investigation programs, is responsible to help ensure that the college’s Human Resources policies and procedures are up to date and in compliance with all federal, state and local laws and regulations, and collective bargaining agreements.  In collaboration with other HR professional staff, the Employee Relations Specialist develops and promotes positive working relationships through consultation with managers on discipline, organizational effectiveness, and the implementation and administration of processes and initiatives that improve performance, communication, and job satisfaction. 

 

COVER LETTER (maximum length – 3 pages)

Include a cover letter, addressing how you meet the Minimum Qualifications, Desirable Qualifications, and Core Competencies.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor’s degree with a focus on Human Resources, Business or Public Administration, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Organizational Development or a related field
  • Three years of increasingly responsible experience in a human resources or related setting which includes the following:  Applying various interventions for conflict resolution; conducting internal investigation of complaints and/or applying knowledge of employment laws and regulations.

 

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

  • Master’s Degree in human resources, industrial/organizational psychology, business or public administration, organizational development, or related field
  • Ability to manage highly sensitive information with confidentiality, diplomacy and professionalism
  • Strong relationship management and interpersonal skills to build rapport and trust throughout the organization
  • Excellent critical thinking skills are essential to identify and assess complex and sensitive issues and determine appropriate action(s)
  • Demonstrated knowledge and skills in change management, organizational design and organizational effectiveness
  • Superior verbal and written communication skills
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment with high levels of initiative, planning, organizational and time management skills
  • Proficient in MS Office: MS Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint
  • Demonstrated commitment to pluralism with the ability to advocate for it on campus and to work as a team member on a campus committed to inclusion
  • Completion of formal mediation or conflict resolution training
  • PHR or SPHR certification

 

CORE COMPETENCIES

  • Accountability – takes responsibility for the quality, accuracy, and timeliness of consultation and work products.  Can be relied upon to achieve excellent results with minimal oversight.
  • Analysis & Reasoning - Goes beyond analyzing factual information to develop a conceptual understanding of the meaning of a range of information. Integrates diverse themes and lines of reasoning to create new insights or levels of understanding for the issue at hand.
  • Creative & Innovative Thinking - Visualizes potential problems and solutions without needing tangible, “real-life” examples. Can discuss and project the aspects and impacts of issues and decisions.
  • Cultivating Understanding - Presents interests in ways that foster the understanding and resolution of problems. Seeks to understand others’ interests.  Seeks common interests and win/win solutions or mutually agreeable trade-offs.
  • Decision-Making & Judgment – Gathers data and input when making decisions.  Considers lessons learned from experiences, differing needs, and the impact of the decisions on others.
  • Ethics & Integrity - Respects and maintains confidentiality.  Tells the truth and is honest in all dealings.  Avoids situations and actions considered inappropriate or which present a conflict of interest. 
  • Gaining Voluntary Compliance - Clearly communicates the reasons for seeking compliance. Explains the regulation, standard, or policy within the context of the customer’s situation. Sees when the client fails to grasp key provisions of the law.
  • Influencing Others - Addresses issues in an open, constructive, professional manner, and persuades others to approach issues in the same manner.
  • Listening - Understands and learns from what others have to say.  Attends to verbal and non-verbal cues that create a deeper understanding of the message.
  • Managing Projects or Programs - Integrates the ideas and needs of others in developing feasible strategies to achieve goals. Obtains stakeholder acceptance of and support for those strategies.  Evaluates progress and success against performance standards.
  • Mediating Disputes - Maintains an objective, neutral stance. Shows respect for the needs and perspectives of all sides in the dispute.  Clarifies the issues, interests, and objectives of each party. Helps parties see things from each others’ perspectives.
  • Organizational & Political Savvy - Applies to issues knowledge of the mission, values, resources, culture, systems, and business strategies to find solutions that best serve the organization and its customers.  Knows the reasoning behind key policies, practices, and procedures, and seeks exceptions when needed to achieve goals.
  • Planning & Organizing - Identifies the sequence of tasks and the resources needed to achieve a goal, and prioritizes key action steps. Anticipates the impacts and risks of decisions and actions.
  • Problem Solving - Shows insight into the root-causes of problems. Generates a range of solutions and courses of action with benefits, costs, and risks associated with each.
  • Providing Consultation - Helps clients navigate complex or sensitive issues, keeping the client’s best interests in mind and advising on best practices.
  • Relationship Building - Maintains an open, approachable manner, and treats others fairly and respectfully. Preserves others’ self-confidence and dignity, and shows regard for their opinions.
  • Researching Information - Identifies, collects, and organizes data for analysis and decision-making.  Finds the trends and relationships in the emerging fact pattern, and identifies new or related lines of research that lead to more successful or complete conclusions.
  • Results Focus & Initiative - Focuses on results and desired outcomes and how best to achieve them.  Responds to setbacks with renewed and increased efforts; is persistent in the face of difficulty.
  • Tact - Diplomatically handles challenging or tense interpersonal situations.  Thoughtfully intervenes in conflicts to improve communication, diffuse tension, and resolve problems. Seeks to find common ground and preserve relationships.
  • Valuing Diversity – Helps create a work environment that embraces and appreciates diversity.  Seeks different points of view and leverages diverse perspectives in group processes and decision-making.  Checks own views against the views of others. 

 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

  • Facilitates multiple approaches to early intervention and conflict resolution.
  • Conducts investigations and administers the internal investigation process for discrimination, harassment and other employment related complaints.
  • Administers the organization’s performance management process, providing guidance and monitoring compliance. Develops and implements initiatives related to individual performance and job satisfaction
  • Partners with managers and others to assess disciplinary matters and determine appropriate action.  Participates in disciplinary and termination proceedings.
  • Conducts exit interview process.  Provides regular reporting of patterns, impacts and recommendations.
  • Consults with managers and others on organizational structure, change management and other initiatives to improve individual, team and organizational effectiveness
  • Monitors legislative updates and changes to case law to ensure compliance and assess impact on policies and procedures.
  • Ensures Human Resources policies and procedures are reviewed and amended based on changes to legislation and/or internal policies and practices.
  • Conducts research and benchmarking for employee relations related programs and practices; prepares reports, presentations and recommendations
  • Fosters a healthy work environment by promoting the Employee Assistance Program, encouraging flexible work options, collaborating with the Wellness Center, and actively supporting workplace safety standards.

 

SALARY

The salary range is $51,775 - $62,130 with placement based on education and related experience.

 

APPLICATION SUBMISSION MATERIALS

To qualify for consideration, applicants must meet minimum qualifications. The application packet includes:

      Bellevue College application form

      Letter of application addressing how the applicant meets the minimum and desirable qualifications and core competencies, no more than three (3) pages

      College transcript(s) – copies are acceptable

      Current resume

      Name, position, address, email, and phone number of three current professional references

      Applicant Data Form (optional)

For information or to request application materials, send an email to jobs@bellevuecollege.edu or call 425/564-2274. Application Materials can also be downloaded at www.bellevuecollege.edu/joblist .

 

RETURN APPLICATIONS TO         

Human Resources Department, A101, Bellevue College, 3000 Landerholm Circle SE Bellevue, WA 98007-6484.

Office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; closed weekends and holidays. Application materials can also be e-mailed to jobs@bellevuecollege.edu or faxed to 425/564-3173.

 

 

 

 

APPLICATION REVIEW DATE

Application materials postmarked or received in the Human Resources Department by 5:00 p.m. on November 9, 2009 will receive first consideration. Later applications may be considered. The position will remain open until filled. Processing of applications may take from six weeks to two months following the closing date.

 

BC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and operates under an approved Affirmative Action Plan, in accordance with applicable federal and state laws and regulations. BC reaffirms its policy of equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, or status as a disabled veteran, or Vietnam veteran. Bellevue College is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities.  For further information, please visit www.bellevuecollege.edu/equal.asp or contact Human Resources at Voice: 425/564-2274, TTY 425/ 564-4184, Fax 425/564-3173 or email hr@bellevuecollege.edu.

 

The college strongly encourages all qualified applicants to apply. The successful candidate must provide proof of U.S. citizenship or eligibility for employment in the United States.

 

Bellevue College complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request disability accommodation in the application process, employees and the general public should contact Human Resources contacts listed above.

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