Orlando Utilities Commission Hiring for Sr. Employee Relations Specialist at Orlando, FL Full Time

Sr Employee Relations Specialist

The Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC), The Reliable One is presently recruiting for a Senior Employee Relations Specialist to join our growing Employee Experience Team. We are looking for a dedicated, self-motivated, detail oriented professionals to achieve our vision of being an innovative solutions leader and the partner of choice.

We are seeking experienced employee relations professionals with excellent organizational, investigative and writing skills with strong consultative and coaching experience to enhance OUC workplace relationships and collaboration.

Why OUC? OUC is an industry leader and the second largest municipal utility in Florida committed to serving the community and the environment. We work hard every day to act in the best interest of our community through core values grounded simply in doing the right thing. Learn more about what we do.

OUC Total Rewards package includes to cite a few:
Competitive compensation

Low cost medical, dental benefits, and paid life insurance premiums with no probationary period

Retirement benefits include a cash balance account with employer matching along with a health reimbursement account

Paid vacation, holidays, and sick time

Educational and Professional assistance programs; Paid Memberships in Professional Associations; Paid Conference and Training Opportunities

Free downtown parking

• View our Benefits Summary here.

Job Purpose:
Develop, recommend, implement and administrate the employee relations program and employee advocacy. Implement and conduct process improvement audits and initiatives to maximize the effective use of technology in the administration of human resource activities. Collaborate in other areas of Human Resources activities. Maintain positive relationships with employees and retirees.

Primary Functions:
Identify, research, and implement requirements under the federal, state, and local regulations related to employee relations; ensure that reports are in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations and internal audit requirements; maintain awareness of all laws and regulations and understand the impact of changes affecting the programs;

Participate in modifying and updating policies and procedures as needed; explain and interpret company policies, procedures and programs to employees and management;

Serve as employee relations point of contact, coordinate and lead employee investigations to determine if any policy violations occurred and recommend appropriate action; assist management with, disciplinary action and conflict management issues;

Coordinate Employee Appeals to ensure appropriate and timely steps are taken in accordance with the adopted program; create, review and maintain the employee investigation and appeals records and reports;

Provide training, guidance, and support to employees and management in the use of the organization’s Employee Appeals and Employee Advocacy programs;

Conduct exit interviews, create and maintain reports, summarize findings and identify trends and concerns that may be affecting employee engagement and retention;

Handle inquiries and concerns to ensure quick, equitable, and courteous resolution;

Identify, research, and develop proposals for the implementation of new programs and program upgrades;

Initiate and lead the development, implementation and administration of Employee Advocacy Programs that promote strong relations with Business Units’ employees and management; participate in the creation of innovative programs, events, and campaigns to generate awareness, build strong employee relations, and improved employee engagement;

Initiate and lead, process improvement audits and initiatives to streamline operations, improve the use of technology, and improve benchmarking and accountability; reduce redundancies and improve quality, accuracy, and timeliness of information processing; recommend and implement programs to increase both operational effectiveness and efficiencies;

Manage vendors to include overseeing quality of their work, timeliness and responsiveness to delivery of services;

Negotiate vendor agreements and manage relationships with firms to ensure cost effective partnerships, quality of performance, and oversee interactions with vendors/suppliers to maintain service quality;

Develop effective working relationships with leaders at all levels of the organization providing thorough leadership focused on customer excellence;

Partner with the HR team to provide excellent strategic partnership and guidance, as well as to execute programs and initiatives with unmatched speed and quality; collaborate with the HR team in projects outside of the Employee Relations field;

Assist creating the departmental budget and manage costs;

Provide leadership, training and mentoring on all functions and processes related to the employee relations program and employee advocacy;

Perform other duties as assigned.

Education/ Certification/ Years of Experience Requirements:
Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Psychology, Business Administration, or Communications from a publicly accredited college or university; Master’s Degree preferred;

Minimum of five (5) years of experience in human resources exempt level responsibilities to include experience in conducting employee relations investigations, appeal and grievance procedures, and employee advocacy programs;

SHRM or HRCI Certified Professional (SPHR/PHR or SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP), Certificate in Employee Relations Law Seminar, or similar HR certification is highly preferred.

Demonstrated track record for successfully setting and achieving goals, building/leading a team, identifying opportunities, and driving process improvement;

Valid Driver’s License

Working knowledge of all, but not limited to, the following:
Drive efficiencies in the use of technologies, processes, and workflow;

Through knowledge of and ability to apply current federal, state, and local laws relating to employment matters, including regulations or guidance issued by the Department of Labor, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or other similar agencies.

Software Application (i.e., Cornerstone, Documentum, Docusphere, EnterpriseOne);

Familiarity with all, but not limited to, the following:
Related industry, organizational and departmental policies, practices and procedures; legal guidelines, ordinances and laws;

Software Application (i.e., case management software, NavEx Global);

Ability to:
Communicate clearly, concisely, and efficiently, both orally and in writing, with employees at all levels of the organization;

Exercise judgment and discretion in the development, implementation, and maintenance of HR programs;

Exhibit strong analytical skills;

Work in a team-oriented environment and provide support to the department through a strong work ethic, sense of commitment and a strong desire to succeed;

Make arithmetic computations using whole numbers, fractions and decimals, and compute rates, ratios, and percentages;

Use Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, Power Point, etc.) and standard office equipment (telephone, computer, copier, etc.).

OUC–The Reliable One is an Equal Opportunity Employer who is committed through responsible management policies to recruit, hire, promote, train, transfer, compensate, and administer all other personnel actions without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information and any other factor prohibited under applicable federal, state, and local civil rights laws, rules, and regulations.

OUC Offers a competitive compensation & benefits package which includes paid medical program for employee, free life insurance, retirement benefits including a cash balance account with employer matching along with a health reimbursement account, paid vacation, holidays, and sick time.

Salary Range: $76,000 – $95,000 per year commensurate with experience