EMPLOYEE RELATIONS OFFICER HR OFFICER II

Introduction GRADE 16 LOCATION OF POSITION DJS Headquarters, Office of Human Resources Baltimore, MD Main Purpose of Job Join Us in Making a Difference at DJS! The Maryland Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) is dedicated to transforming young lives, creating safer communities, and fostering equitable systems. We are seeking passionate individuals for the role of Employee Relations Officer (HR Officer II) , so come join our team and make a meaningful impact on youth and the community at DJS! As the Employee Relations Officer , you will serve as a Human Resources generalist specializing in employee relations and HR administration. In this position, you will provide expert guidance to agency leaders and employees on FMLA administration, employee grievances and disciplinary appeals, health benefits, the Undocumented Sick Leave Program, and the Managed Return to Work (MRTW) program. You will apply personnel laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and agreements to help ensure fair, consistent, and effective HR practices across the agency. In this role, you will have the opportunity to contribute in various ways, including : Leading Employee Relations and Workplace Resolution – Serving as a DJS hearing officer for employee disciplinary appeals and grievances; representing the agency at Department of Budget and Management (DBM) settlement conferences and the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH); interpreting and applying personnel-related laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs); and providing recommendations to supervisors and agency leadership on employee-related matters Managing FMLA Administration – Providing guidance to employees, supervisors, program managers, and agency officials on FMLA and sick leave; conducting training; reviewing and processing FMLA requests and certifications; maintaining required documentation and tracking systems; and ensuring the consistent and equitable application of State and Federal requirements Supporting Health Benefits Administration – Advising employees on health care options, researching and resolving coverage concerns, coordinating with the Office of Personnel Services and Benefits (OPSB) and benefits vendors, reviewing enrollment and change documentation, and maintaining health benefits records Administering the Undocumented Sick Leave Program – Providing guidance to supervisors and managers on policy implementation; coordinating and managing the program; and monitoring adherence to established policies and procedures Supporting Agency Operations – Completing required audits, reports, and other projects and performing additional duties as assigned to support agency operations Minimum Qualifications Experience : Six (6) years and six months of experience, two (2) years and six (6) months of professional HR experience involving recruitment and employment services, classification and compensation, employee relations, test development and validation job analysis, job evaluation, salary administration, HR program evaluation, or HR policy formulation and an additional four (4) years of professional HR management work experience in the areas of recruitment and selection, classification, salary administration, employee relations, test development and validation or as a generalist. Notes Candidates may substitute paraprofessional personnel work experience on a year-for-year basis for up to four (4) years of the required experience. Paraprofessional personnel work is defined as work involving the application of public sector personnel procedures, policies, rules and regulations to specific employment actions. Appropriate paraprofessional personnel experience includes responsibility for activities such as: preparing and maintaining employment records, calculating salaries, applying personnel-related rules and policies, preparing personnel-related reports, conducting employee orientation and counseling employees regarding benefits and obligations and responding to inquiries concerning employment procedures. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and two (2) years and six (6) months of professional HR experience involving recruitment and employment services, classification and compensation, employee relations, test development and validation, job analysis, job evaluation, salary administration, HR program evaluation, or HR policy formulation for the required experience. Candidates may substitute the possession of thirty (30) graduate credit hours from an accredited college or university in the fields of HR/personnel administration, human resources management, business administration, public administration, statistics, tests and measurements, psychology or a related field for up to six (6) years of the required experience. Transcript(s) should be submitted with the completed application as a single PDF by the closing date to receive proper credit. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in human resources management classifications or human resources management specialty codes in the human resources management field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience. Desired Or Preferred Qualifications The preferred candidate for this position may possess any of the following : Experience providing consultation and guidance to management on complex employee and labor relations matters, including investigations, disciplinary actions, grievances, and workplace concerns Experience administering employee leave programs, including FMLA, disability accommodations, and return-to-work processes Experience interpreting and applying employment laws, regulations, policies, and procedures within a public sector, unionized, or highly regulated environment Experience developing and delivering training or guidance on human resources policies, procedures, or workplace practices Familiarity with and/or experience with the State of Maryland’s State Personnel Management System (SPMS) and State Personnel Policy (SPP), or comparable public-sector human resources policies, systems, and procedures LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS Employees in this classification are required to obtain certification in State Personnel Management System policies and procedures and in the functionality of the Statewide Personnel System from the Office of Personnel Services and Benefits, Maryland Department of Budget and Management within six months from the time of appointment to the position. Employees are also required to obtain recertification every six months thereafter. Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland. SELECTION PROCESS Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your completed application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Candidates will remain on the certified eligible list for one (1) year. The resulting certified eligible list from this recruitment may be used to fill similar positions of the same classification in this or other State agencies. EXAMINATION PROCESS The assessment will involve a rating of your application based on your education, training, and/or experience as it relates to the position's requirements. Therefore, it is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Please report all relevant experience and education. For education obtained outside the U.S., you will be required to provide proof of equivalent American education, as determined b