Employee and Labor Relations (ELR) Specialist

This position is open only to Colorado state residents. 

An eligible list established with this recruitment may be used to fill other similar positions within the Colorado Department of Public Safety in the next 12 months.

Our Mission – Engaged employees working together to safeguard lives and to provide diverse public safety services to local communities

Our Vision – Creating safer and more resilient communities across Colorado

Our Core Values – Unity, Honor, Service

CDPS commits to cultivating an equitable, diverse, and inclusive work environment. We ensure that we recruit, retain, and promote engaged employees. Our approach to diversity is simple – it’s about embracing everyone! We strive to build and nurture a culture where inclusiveness is a reflex, not an initiative. Our strength is our promise to be inclusive with intentional strategies to welcome and uplift our employees to thrive – while building a more equitable workplace. CDPS is an equal opportunity employer. See our CDPS 2022 Equal Employment Opportunity Plan

Why Do I Love My Job at CDPS

At CDPS we nurture a centric culture driven by our commitment of creating a safer Colorado, an inclusive workplace where everyone can be their own authentic self. We model a culture of collaboration, support and growth to our employees. Our culture has public service focus, and we strive to provide innovative solutions and services to our fellow Coloradans! 

Careers with a purpose:

If you are passionate about public safety service, and are eager to dedicate your career to serving Coloradans, this is the organization you want to join!

We are committed to providing public safety services to our fellow Coloradans in their times of greater needs such as: safety on our roads, preparing and mitigating environmental disasters, disaster recovery, combating crime, school safety, and victim recovery. 

You’ll have the opportunity to challenge yourself and acquire new capabilities to build a rewarding and fulfilling career while making a difference in our community! 

When you join CDPS, you are joining a team of exceptional individuals and together you will be inspired, motivated and supported to become the best you can be. 

Unmatched Benefits: 

We highly value work life balance and offer excellent work-life programs, training and enriching professional development opportunities and a wide range of benefits.

• Medical and dental options are available for permanent employees and their dependents. We also offer short and long-term disability coverage, and life insurance that includes legal resources and discounts.
• State contribution into Health Savings Account when enrolled in HDHP.
• Job protected medical leave under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the State of Colorado Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program (FAMLI).
• Paid medical leave benefits provided by the State of Colorado.
• Eligibility for hybrid or other flexible work arrangements based on the nature of the role.
• We offer unmatched retirement benefits including mandatory PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus optional 401K and 457 plans. For information on mandatory employee salary deferral (in lieu of contribution to Social Security), visit Colorado PERA for details.
• CDPS provides generous time off including 11 paid holidays annually and accrued annual and sick leave and annual wellness days.
• The Employee Assistance Program (C-SEAP) is available in every region of the state. It is our effort to support the well-being of employees and the workplace. EAPs provide short-term counseling, referrals and resources, as well as training and organizational development services.
• Additional benefits offered include tuition reimbursement and reduced college tuition at CSU Global and DeVry University.
• Credit Union of Colorado membership eligibility.

To learn more about State of Colorado benefits, please visit State of Colorado benefits.

About the Work Unit

The Executive Director’s Office is the backbone of the Colorado Department of Public Safety, providing effective administrative and management services to the Department’s five operating divisions. 

The goal of the Employee Relations and Labor Relations unit is two-fold. The Employee Relations function seeks to promote collaborative employer and employee relationships and to solve challenging workplace issues at the lowest possible level in close collaboration with managers and employees. The Labor Relations function promotes the development and growth of collaborative Labor-Management relationships and to provide accurate and comprehensive guidance that will empower management to make informed decisions as labor challenges arise. The unit provides expert advice, technical guidance, and training to CDPS as well as advises on relevant policies and procedures particularly related to the Partnership Agreement. Activities may include advising, negotiations, problem-solving, training, and counseling, to further a mutually beneficial, high-performing workplace for employees and management. The unit has frequent contact with CoWINS staff and CDPS Stewards, members of every CDPS division, and executive management of the Department.

About the Job

The Employee & Labor Relations Specialist works collaboratively to provide labor relations training and consultation to supervisors, managers, and human resources representatives to further the proper administration of partnership and potential side agreements. Executes administrative processes such as employee designations and filing disputes and coordination of Labor Management workgroups. Provides advice and consultation on a broad range of employee issues including employee/ employer relations, conflict resolution, work conditions, partnership agreement compliance, and employee coaching.

Key Responsibilities 

Labor Relations Consultation & Interpretation

Serves as professional analytical level labor relations department consultant providing a broad scope of fully operational topics for all CDPS Division, regarding Labor Relations, The Colorado Partnership for Quality Jobs and Services Act, and Collective Bargaining Agreement 

Establishes effective working relationships with Appointing Authorities (AAs) by providing high-quality accurate, authoritative consultancy services and timely advice on a full range of labor relations issues and bringing both the management and employee perspective to relevant strategic initiatives.

• Determines the Labor Relations section process to track the status and timelines of disputes, 5.1 partnership agreement resolution meetings, employee relations matters, contract notifications, Informal resolution meetings, Level Is, IIs, IIIs under Article 9, and union communications.
• Tracks Employee and Labor Relations issues associated with the Partnership Agreement that come in as Employee Relations complaints and works with the Employee & Labor Relations Manager to resolve complaints in coordinating grievance procedures and fully working through the process with management and/or employees.
• Coordinates the Union’s access to CDPS facilities and employees per the Partnership agreements.
• Evaluates the Union coverage employee designations changes and determines if a 5.1 notification is necessary.
• Develops data and supporting materials for use in Union negotiations and disputes, in anticipation of Level I, Level II, and Arbitrations.
• Supports Step 1, Step 2, Step 3, and the Attorney General’s Office in the dispute resolution process.
• Writes rough draft communications and works to become proficient in drafting 5.1 notification, Partnership Agreement Resolution statements, Article 9 written settlements and denials.
• Responds to employee, DPA, and agency colleague inquiries as needed.
• Oversees relevant record keeping.
• Respond to CORA requests as needed.

Employee Relations Consultation and Advisement

Establishes effective working relationships with supervisors through the provision of high-quality, accurate, authoritative consultancy services and timely advice on a full range of labor relations issues; brings both the management and employee perspective to relevant initiatives. Utilizes an understanding of the nature of the work, business strategy, plan activities, including needs and barriers, in each unit/division, specifically how it ties to the overall CDPS mission, vision, and values and the interconnection with Employee & Labor Relations.

• Provides advice and assistance to CDPS Supervisors and Management within CDPS Divisions statewide on Employee Relations matters, processes, and procedures affecting employees covered and non-covered by the Partnership Agreement.
• Counsels staff on the interpretation of policies, procedures, and partnership agreements (and/or side agreements, if applicable).
• Develops skills in coaching supervisors and non-covered employees on how to increase positive employee-employer relations.
• Ensures compliance with federal, state, and CDPS policies, personnel rules, and partnership agreements.
• Partners on and approves communication and training plans and assists in their implementation once fully approved by CDPS E&LR Manager.

Coordination and Delivery of Employee & Labor Relations Training 

• Delivers neutrality training and other training specific to the Statewide Partnership Agreement and CDPS internal policy related to Employee & Labor Relations.
• Assists in the collection and analysis of data to determine learning outcomes.
• Ensures training is integrated throughout CDPS systems, Onboarding 1:1s, additional NEO efforts division wide and recordkeeping. Working in collaboration with HR Employee Engagement Teams to ensure efforts are not duplicated.
• Develops and presents formal and informal training programs for Supervisors and Management regarding labor agreement interpretation and applicability, including monthly NEO presentations.
• Ensures new employees are routed to the correct training and works with internal HR units to track attendance.

NOTE: To be considered for this position, you must meet one of the following options for consideration.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS 

Six years (6) of professional human resources experience that demonstrated a successful track record of managing complex employee relations issues, and providing employee consultancy services. 

OR

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in any field and OR two (2) of professional human resources experience that demonstrated a successful track record of managing complex employee relations issues, and providing employee consultancy services. 

OR

Advanced degree from an accredited institution in any field and one (1) year professional human resources experience that demonstrated a successful track record of managing complex employee relations issues, and providing employee consultancy services. 

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Requires successful completion of a background investigation that includes a polygraph exam, a fingerprint based criminal history search.
• Must be Colorado resident at the time of application

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Typical work hours 8 am-5 pm, Mon-Fri

Flexible work place arrangement possible, with at least two days in the office per week. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge, comprehensive understanding, and application of theories, principles, and best practices of human resource management and labor relations.
• Development and application of creative solutions to HR issues.
• Knowledge and experience with unionized environments.
• Previous experience with State and/or other government entities.
• Ability to partner with other professionals, managers and staff to find acceptable solutions within established law, rules and procedures.
• SHRM CP preferred.

APPEAL RIGHTS

If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for the position, you may protest the action by filing an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the date you receive notice of the elimination. Also, if you wish to challenge the selection and comparative analysis process, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the receipt of notice or knowledge of the action you are challenging. Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director’s Administrative Procedures, 4 CCR 801, for more information about the appeals process. The State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director’s Administrative Procedures are available at www.colorado.gov/spb. A standard appeal form is available at: www.colorado.gov/spb. If you appeal, your appeal must be submitted in writing on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative, and received at the following address within 10 days of your receipt of notice or knowledge of the action: Colorado State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director, Attn: Appeals Processing, 1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, CO 80203. Fax: 303-866-5038. Phone: 303-866-3300. The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination.

ARE YOU IN NEED OF AN ACCOMODATION? 

If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to Human Resources at cdps_hr@state.co.us .

EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION STATEMENT

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

Colorado Department of Public Safety is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our Human Resources department at cdps_hr@state.co.us .

NOTIFICATIONS

All correspondence regarding your status in the selection/examination process will be via email. Include your current working email address on your application and check your email frequently as you could receive time sensitive correspondence regarding this position. We highly recommend that you set up your email to accept messages from “state.co.us” and “info@governmentjobs.com” addresses. It is your responsibility to ensure that your email will accept these notices and/or review your junk mail and spam filtered email.

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY – RECRUITMENT TIMELINE INFORMATION

• Applications are considered complete and accurate at the time of submission. Therefore, additional information may not be solicited or accepted after your application has been received.
• All applications that are received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed against the Minimum Qualifications in this announcement. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications may proceed to the next step. Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process.

Read Full Description