Employee Relations Specialist

Salary Range:  92,000.00 - 110,000.00

Closing Date:  2/7/2025

The Office of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) provides operations support services and business solutions to the community of 10,000 House Members, Officers and staff. The CAO organization comprises more than 650 technical and administrative staff working in a variety of areas, including information technology, finance, budget management, human resources, payroll, child care, food and vending, procurement, logistics and administrative counsel.

This position is located in the Human Resources Immediate Office, Office of Human Resources (HR), Office of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), U.S. House of Representatives (House). The purpose of HR is to provide personnel services to the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), targeted programs to the Congressional community, and confidential counseling services and ADA assistance to Members. The HR Immediate Office is responsible for providing strategic human capital guidance and an array of human resource programs to CAO employees and applicants. This position serves as the Employee Relations Specialist.

Key responsibilities include serving as a liaison to CAO offices; providing first line HR support in ensuring consistent administration of the organization’s personnel policies, guidelines, and procedures regarding conduct, leave, employee performance, and workplace safety.

Grade level at time of appointment is determined by experience and designated level of responsibility. The position does not have day-to-day supervisory/managerial responsibilities.

This position has access to Personally Identifiable Information (PII).

The position does not have day-to-day supervisory/managerial responsibilities.

Primary Duties/Responsibilities:

• Investigates sensitive and/or complex employee relations matters from start to finish, including conducting thorough intake, leading effective investigations, documenting findings, and following up with all relevant parties.
• Compiles, prepares, and maintains relevant documentation to create timely and comprehensive written investigation reports that clearly identify the issues investigated, relevant organization/department policies, determinations and creates actionable, executive-level summaries.
• Logs cases in case management system, partners with other HR teammates to identify trends and offers recommendations for improvements to organization/department office culture.
• Maintains awareness of latest developments regarding the legal, policy, and process with respect to employment.
• Develops and sustains relationships with managers/supervisors and staff to ensure that timely and effective support is provided in assigned areas of HR.
• Maintains current knowledge regarding methods for managing information and ensuring confidentiality; recommends changes to processes and equipment/systems as needed.
• In conjunction with HR management, ensures CAO compliance with applicable provisions of the Congressional Accountability Act.
• Review policies based on case trends; draft and suggest policy changes as necessary to improve their effectiveness.
• Provides guidance, as needed, to other CAO HR teammates.
• Works with HR management on a wide variety of projects and long-range planning/ operational efforts; assists in the implementation of strategic and sustainable human capital initiatives; plans, manages, monitors, and oversees projects or tasks as assigned.
• Performs other official duties and special projects as assigned.

Knowledge, Skill, and Ability (KSA) and Competency Requirements:

• Knowledge of human resources topics such as performance management, employee and labor relations, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and organizational development.
• Ability to independently research, analyze, and interpret facts and data in order to plan, organize, and conduct personnel investigations of substantial scope and complexity.
• Ability to present complex and sensitive information, issues or concerns to officials at various organizational levels to effectively present findings and provide advice and guidance.
• Ability to analyze, review and develop procedures and reports regarding employee relations issues to present both orally and in writing.
• Ability to work with all levels of a multifaceted workforce as well as with sensitive, confidential, and complex projects/responsibilities.
• Ability to analyze problems, evaluate viewpoints and proposals, and make feasible, logical recommendations.
• Knowledge of various automated office systems and software programs.
• Ability to analyze various informational sources, draw conclusions, and prepare reports.
• Ability to exercise discretion.
• Ability to manage records and ensure compliance with relevant laws, rules, and regulations.
• Ability to manage, coordinate, organize, implement, and oversee projects.
• Knowledge of and ability to apply strategic communication methods and principles.
• All employees within CAO are expected to demonstrate the following general competencies: Accountability, Adaptability, Collaboration, Communication, Customer Orientation, Knowledge of Relevant Policies, Procedures, and Processes, Priority Management, and Problem Resolution.

Continued employment is contingent upon satisfactorily completing a criminal history records check (or other applicable security clearance) and a pre-employment drug-test (pre-identified position only).