Employee Relations & Engagement Specialist

Salary:  $47,982.94 - $63,351.55
Salary is commensurate with education & experience                           

Pay Grade:  L

Location: 2 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, Atlanta, GA (Twin Towers)
(Headquarters based: A minimum of 2 days per week in the office.  Additional days may be required on occasion).

Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning is responsible for meeting the child care and early education needs of Georgia's children and their families.  It administers the nationally recognized Georgia's Pre-K Program, licenses child care centers and home-based child care, administers Georgia Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS) program, federal nutrition programs, and manages Quality Rated, Georgia's community powered child care rating system.

The agency also houses the Head Start State Collaboration Office, distributes federal funding to enhance the quality and availability of child care, and works collaboratively with Georgia child care resource and referral agencies and organizations throughout the state to enhance early care and education.

Job Summary:  Under general supervision, the Employee Relations and Engagement Specialist provides human resources support services to the Human Resources department within the Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL).  This position reports to the Senior Human Resources Manager and is responsible for activities related to performance management, employee relations, training, and EAP process.  Assists with projects as needed. 

Job Description/Responsibilities:

• Serves as the first point of contact on employee relation issues associated with the agency.
• Guides employee on ER matters, ensuring that management is included in the situation as necessary to resolve issues timely and appropriately.
• Partners with the hiring manager and leadership to resolve issues. 
• Consults with the line supervisor as needed, and works with supervisors on developing work plans to address performance needs.
• Follows-up with supervisors to ensure that progressive disciplinary steps are being addressed in a timely manner.
• Attends disciplinary meetings as the HR representative.
• Maintains the ER log of concerns related to full time and temporary staff, and submits to the Sr. Human Resources Manager for review.
• Manages the exit interview process by collecting exit interview surveys via Survey Monkey and identifying trends.
• Coordinates the performance management program, to include the timely completion of performance documents within 45 days of hire and on an annual basis.
• Conducts training to staff members on designated topics, to include topics on employee relations, performance management with the purpose of enhancing performance effectiveness.
• Oversees the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) administered by Acentra Health.
• Works with the Sr HR Manager to  deliver programs that will enhance the skills, educate, and expand the talents and competencies of the DECAL workforce
• Ensures that the state-wide mandated training on Sexual Harassment Prevention training are delivered in a timely manner.
• Enhances the existing library of training videos and books with locally produced webinars of soft-skill training programs that can be accessed on-line by our DECAL employees.
• Works with the Sr. HR Manager to develop, support and maintain employee engagement program initiatives that reinforces the company’s goals and culture
• Assists with Special Projects as needed.

Minimum Qualifications:

Master's degree in a related area from an accredited college or university AND One year of related professional human resources experience in one or more of the areas of assignment OR Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university AND Three years of related professional human resources experience in one or more of the areas of assignment OR One year of experience required at the lower level HR Spec 2 (HRP021) or position equivalent. Note: An equivalent combination of education and job specific experience that provided the knowledge, experience and competencies required to successfully perform the job at the level listed may be substituted on a year-over-year basis.

Agency Preferred Qualifications:

• Two years of experience handling Employee Relations tasks. 
• Experience working as an HR Specialist or Generalist within a State of Georgia agency/department. 
• Working knowledge of Federal and State Laws, and State Personnel Board Rules. 
• PeopleSoft experience is highly desired. 
• Proficiency in the use of MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook). 
• Ability to analyze data and create reports from the data

Technical Competencies:

• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
• Ability to work and effectively communicate with all levels of the organization
• Excellent time management and organization skills, with the ability to set priorities
• Ability to effectively work simultaneously on multiple projects
• Ability to work independently with limited direction
• Demonstrated ability in creating and delivering presentations

Physical Requirements:

• Work is typically performed in an office environment and requires the ability to occasionally move about the office to access filing cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Must be able to remain in a stationary position up to two thirds of the time
• Ability to communicate clearly with the purpose of exchanging information and clearly expressing oneself is required.
• Will be required to occasionally use abdominal and lower back muscles with the purpose of moving objects
• Required to perform activities such as preparing and analyzing data and documents to ensure accuracy.
• Position requires the ability to perform data entry functions, and operate office equipment such as a laptop, phone, calculator, copier, and a printer.

Bright from the Start:  Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning is a family-friendly employer, offering flexible work schedules (at supervisory discretion) and a comprehensive compensation package, to include healthcare, retirement, 401-k match, and elective options for dental, vision, AD&D, short and long-term disability, and life insurance.  Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning is an equal opportunity employer and drug-free workplace.  A background check will be completed upon hire, which may consist of any or all of the following: criminal and employment histories, credit history (as applicable to the position), education credentials, and motor vehicle driving records.

If you are an individual with a disability who may require assistance or other reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the selection process for this position, you may contact our HR department at 404-656-3922. Due to the volume of submissions received by this office, information concerning application or interview status cannot be provided in writing, over the phone, or in person. All applicants who submit a complete application package will be considered but may not necessarily receive notification or an interview.  The job posting may be subject to being closed at any time without notice.  Only those qualified candidates who are selected for an interview shall receive notification upon the filling of this vacancy.

Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning is an equal opportunity employer.