Employee Relations Supervisor
Harris County Sheriff's Office, Houston, TX, United States
The Employee Relations Supervisor serves as a key resource within the Human Resources Division, responsible for overseeing and managing employee relations functions, including grievances, complaints, and workplace concerns. This position ensures fair, consistent, and legally compliant resolution of employee relations matters while maintaining neutrality and professionalism. The role also leads supervisor training initiatives related to employee relations and provides oversight and support for compliance functions, including Public Information Act (PIA) requests and Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) unemployment claims. This position works closely with HR leadership and the Legal Division to mitigate risk and promote consistent application of policies and procedures across the organization.
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
Employee Relations & Case Management
Manage and review employee grievances, complaints, and workplace concerns from intake through resolution
Conduct impartial fact‑finding and assessments related to employee relations issues
Ensure consistent application of policies, procedures, and civil service rules
Maintain neutrality while balancing organizational, supervisory, and employee perspectives
Investigations & Documentation
Conduct administrative reviews and support investigations related to misconduct, policy violations, and workplace conflict
Prepare clear, concise, and audit‑ready documentation, including summaries, findings, and recommendations
Partner with HR leadership and Legal to ensure appropriate handling of complex or high‑risk matters
Supervisor Training & Development
Develop and deliver training for supervisors on:
Employee relations fundamentals
Policy interpretation and application
Documentation standards and disciplinary processes
Handling workplace conflict and employee complaints
Promote consistent supervisory practices across divisions
Collaborate with internal stakeholders (e.g., Academy) to support training initiatives
Advisory & Guidance
Provide guidance and coaching to supervisors on employee relations matters, including performance management and disciplinary actions
Serve as a resource to employees seeking clarification or assistance with workplace concerns
Reinforce best practices in documentation, communication, and conflict resolution
Compliance Support (PIA & TWC)
Assist the HR Manager in supporting the team responsible for:
Public Information Act (PIA) requests related to employee records
Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) unemployment claims and responses
Provide guidance to ensure:
Accuracy and consistency of responses
Compliance with applicable laws, policies, and timelines
Support quality control and review of documentation related to employee records and claims
Compliance & Risk Mitigation
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, as well as civil service rules
Identify trends and recurring employee relations issues and recommend process improvements
Support consistent, fair, and legally defensible outcomes
Collaboration
Work closely with:
HR Division teams (Employee Relations, Benefits/Leave Administration, Recruitment)
Legal Division
Command Staff and supervisors across all bureaus
Support initiatives that promote a professional and accountable workplace culture
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business, Public Administration, or related field
Minimum of eight (8) years of progressive HR experience with focus on employee relations
At least three (3) years of experience at a Supervisory or Senior level overseeing complex employee relations matters, including conducting investigations, high‑risk workplace matters, providing audit‑proof documentation
Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities
Advanced knowledge of employee relations, employment law, and policy interpretation
Ability to maintain neutrality, discretion, and sound judgment in complex situations
Strong leadership, coaching, and facilitation skills
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities
Ability to ensure quality, consistency, and compliance across multiple functions
Experience in a public sector or civil service environment
Experience supervising staff or leading functional teams
Experience developing and delivering supervisor training programs
Knowledge of law enforcement or detention operations
HR certification (PHR, SPHR, SHRM‑CP, SHRM‑SCP)
An equivalent combination of education, executive‑level experience, and skills may be considered.
Work Environment & Physical Demands
This position operates primarily in a professional office setting, but frequent access to secure detention and operational areas is required to coordinate technology support, infrastructure assessments, equipment installations, and emergency response.
The role requires comfort working in controlled‑access environments, including housing units, intake, control rooms, and restricted law enforcement systems areas.
The employee must be able to respond on‑site in support of mission‑critical systems or outages impacting jail or law enforcement operations.
Standard use of computers, phones, printers, servers, and technical equipment.
Position Type and Typical Hours of Work
Position Type: Civil Service after 180‑day new hire probation – Full‑time, exempt
Work Schedule: Typically 8 hours a day Monday – Friday between 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Other Duties This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Management may, at its discretion, assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Reporting Relationships
Reports To Position: HR Manager
Supervises Positions: Professional Staff
Note
Applicant submission of the Job Request Packet does not guarantee an interview
To qualify for this position, the required experience, education, and skills must be clearly stated on your application's employment history
Resumes are welcome, but we do not use any information provided on your resume for qualifications
Experience obtained while in the military must also be included as part of your employment history on the application
Incomplete applications will not be considered Equal Opportunity Statement Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, or any other protected class in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.
Application Closing Policy Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date if sufficient applications have been received.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
Employee Relations & Case Management
Manage and review employee grievances, complaints, and workplace concerns from intake through resolution
Conduct impartial fact‑finding and assessments related to employee relations issues
Ensure consistent application of policies, procedures, and civil service rules
Maintain neutrality while balancing organizational, supervisory, and employee perspectives
Investigations & Documentation
Conduct administrative reviews and support investigations related to misconduct, policy violations, and workplace conflict
Prepare clear, concise, and audit‑ready documentation, including summaries, findings, and recommendations
Partner with HR leadership and Legal to ensure appropriate handling of complex or high‑risk matters
Supervisor Training & Development
Develop and deliver training for supervisors on:
Employee relations fundamentals
Policy interpretation and application
Documentation standards and disciplinary processes
Handling workplace conflict and employee complaints
Promote consistent supervisory practices across divisions
Collaborate with internal stakeholders (e.g., Academy) to support training initiatives
Advisory & Guidance
Provide guidance and coaching to supervisors on employee relations matters, including performance management and disciplinary actions
Serve as a resource to employees seeking clarification or assistance with workplace concerns
Reinforce best practices in documentation, communication, and conflict resolution
Compliance Support (PIA & TWC)
Assist the HR Manager in supporting the team responsible for:
Public Information Act (PIA) requests related to employee records
Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) unemployment claims and responses
Provide guidance to ensure:
Accuracy and consistency of responses
Compliance with applicable laws, policies, and timelines
Support quality control and review of documentation related to employee records and claims
Compliance & Risk Mitigation
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, as well as civil service rules
Identify trends and recurring employee relations issues and recommend process improvements
Support consistent, fair, and legally defensible outcomes
Collaboration
Work closely with:
HR Division teams (Employee Relations, Benefits/Leave Administration, Recruitment)
Legal Division
Command Staff and supervisors across all bureaus
Support initiatives that promote a professional and accountable workplace culture
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business, Public Administration, or related field
Minimum of eight (8) years of progressive HR experience with focus on employee relations
At least three (3) years of experience at a Supervisory or Senior level overseeing complex employee relations matters, including conducting investigations, high‑risk workplace matters, providing audit‑proof documentation
Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities
Advanced knowledge of employee relations, employment law, and policy interpretation
Ability to maintain neutrality, discretion, and sound judgment in complex situations
Strong leadership, coaching, and facilitation skills
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities
Ability to ensure quality, consistency, and compliance across multiple functions
Experience in a public sector or civil service environment
Experience supervising staff or leading functional teams
Experience developing and delivering supervisor training programs
Knowledge of law enforcement or detention operations
HR certification (PHR, SPHR, SHRM‑CP, SHRM‑SCP)
An equivalent combination of education, executive‑level experience, and skills may be considered.
Work Environment & Physical Demands
This position operates primarily in a professional office setting, but frequent access to secure detention and operational areas is required to coordinate technology support, infrastructure assessments, equipment installations, and emergency response.
The role requires comfort working in controlled‑access environments, including housing units, intake, control rooms, and restricted law enforcement systems areas.
The employee must be able to respond on‑site in support of mission‑critical systems or outages impacting jail or law enforcement operations.
Standard use of computers, phones, printers, servers, and technical equipment.
Position Type and Typical Hours of Work
Position Type: Civil Service after 180‑day new hire probation – Full‑time, exempt
Work Schedule: Typically 8 hours a day Monday – Friday between 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Other Duties This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Management may, at its discretion, assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Reporting Relationships
Reports To Position: HR Manager
Supervises Positions: Professional Staff
Note
Applicant submission of the Job Request Packet does not guarantee an interview
To qualify for this position, the required experience, education, and skills must be clearly stated on your application's employment history
Resumes are welcome, but we do not use any information provided on your resume for qualifications
Experience obtained while in the military must also be included as part of your employment history on the application
Incomplete applications will not be considered Equal Opportunity Statement Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, or any other protected class in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.
Application Closing Policy Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date if sufficient applications have been received.
#J-18808-Ljbffr