Employee and Labor Relations Specialist
Colorado Department of Transportation, Denver, CO, United States
Job Title
Employee and Labor Relations Description Of Job
About the Work Unit: The Office of Human Resources (OHR) provides strategic, tactical, and operational services to implement a comprehensive integrated departmental human resources (HR) program that maximizes productivity, diversity and inclusion, and a positive work environment while minimizing liability and risk in the department. Services include establishing and consulting on departmental talent management policies and processes (job evaluation, compensation practices, selection); interpreting and complying with the State Personnel System rules and policies as well as state and federal employment law; employee and labor relations (dispute resolution, performance management, discrimination complaints, and labor agreements); comprehensive talent acquisition (recruitment marketing, sourcing, recruitment, new employee experience), organizational development (workplace culture, inclusion, diversity, equity, & accessibility (IDEA), employee engagement, consulting), professional development (training, mentorships and career development, succession planning); time off and benefits administration; employee wellness and safety; and technical operational support (HR systems, onboarding/offboarding, transaction processing). What You Will Be Doing: The Employee and Labor Relations position plays a key role in fostering a respectful, equitable, and legally compliant workplace by managing relationships among employees, leadership, and union representatives. This position serves as a trusted advisor to supervisors and staff on workplace policies, performance management, conflict resolution, and corrective or disciplinary actions, ensuring consistency and fairness across the organization. Key responsibilities include interpreting and applying State Personnel Board Rules, the COWINS Partnership Agreement, and applicable federal and state employment laws, as well as internal policies and procedures. The role supports efforts to enhance employee engagement, mitigate organizational risk, and maintain compliance with regulatory requirements. This position is responsible for utilizing internal systems and processes to intake, track, investigate, and resolve employee and labor relations matters, including complaints, grievances, and workplace concerns. The role conducts or supports workplace investigations, prepares documentation, and provides recommendations for resolution. Additionally, the position collaborates closely with other Human Resources units, including Talent Acquisition, Total Worker Health and Benefits, and Organizational Development, to ensure a coordinated and effective approach to employee and labor relations management. This position administers and manages the department's unemployment insurance claims process which involves responding to claims, coordinating documentation, and representing the organization as needed. Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions Of Employment & Appeal Rights
Residency Requirement: This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application. Class Code & Classification Description: H4G3XX - HUMAN RESOURCES SPECIALIST III MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Experience Only: Six (6) years of relevant experience as an HR Generalist, HR Business Partner, or Employee Relations Specialist. OR Education and Experience: A combination of related education in a Human Resources discipline, such as Human Resources Management, Leadership and Organizational Development, or Business Administration, and relevant experience as an HR Generalist, HR Business Partner, or Employee Relations Specialist, equal to Six (6) years. ** This experience must be substantiated within the Work Experience section of your application. "See Resume" will not be accepted. In addition, part-time work will be prorated. A copy of your transcript must be submitted at the time of application (Unofficial transcripts are acceptable). Preferred Qualifications: Demonstrated ability to build trust with leadership and employees. Experience managing a high volume of concurrent employee relations cases. Demonstrated knowledge of employment law. Demonstrated skills in translating human resources best practices, employment laws, policies and procedures into actionable employee relations advice. Demonstrated strong sense of urgency with a service-focused mindset. Demonstrated strategic and critical thinking skills. Demonstrated experience across core HR disciplines. Knowledge of State Personnel Board Rules and Director's Administrative Procedures and the COWINs Partnership Agreement. Experience working with union stewards. Experience responding to employment charges from CCRD and EEOC. Experience conducting workplace investigations in harassment, discrimination, and retaliation claims. Experience managing unemployment claims and appeals. Experience with the Google suite of applications. Conditions of Employment: Pursuant to CDPHE policy, a background check is required for all positions at CDPHE. Appeal Rights: An applicant who has been removed from an employment list or removed from consideration during the selection process may request a review by the State Personnel Director. As an applicant directly affected by the results of the selection or comparative analysis process, you may file a written appeal with the State Personnel Director. Review of the completed, signed, and submitted appeal will be timely on the basis of written material submitted by you, using the official appeal form signed by you or your representative. This form must be completed and delivered to the State Personnel Board by email at dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgment of the Department's action. For further information on the Board Rules, you can refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov/board-rules. Supplemental Information
A complete application packet must include: A completed State of Colorado application. A Cover Letter. If using education to qualify, a copy of your college/university transcripts. Transcripts must be attached to your colorado.gov/jobs application. If you are a veteran, a copy of your DD214 attached to your colorado.gov/jobs application. E-Verify:
CDPHE uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities. ADAAA Accommodations:
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 Health and Environment 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 ADAAA Coordinator, at cdphe_benefits@state.co.us or call 303-692-2060. Toll Free Applicant Technical Support: If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (e.g. uploading or attaching documents to your online application) call NEOGOV technical support at 855-524-5627 Mon-Fri between 6 am and 6 pm (Pacific Time). Helpful hints: if you are having difficulty uploading or attaching documents to your application first- ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files, and second, close the document before you attempt to upload (attach) it.
Employee and Labor Relations Description Of Job
About the Work Unit: The Office of Human Resources (OHR) provides strategic, tactical, and operational services to implement a comprehensive integrated departmental human resources (HR) program that maximizes productivity, diversity and inclusion, and a positive work environment while minimizing liability and risk in the department. Services include establishing and consulting on departmental talent management policies and processes (job evaluation, compensation practices, selection); interpreting and complying with the State Personnel System rules and policies as well as state and federal employment law; employee and labor relations (dispute resolution, performance management, discrimination complaints, and labor agreements); comprehensive talent acquisition (recruitment marketing, sourcing, recruitment, new employee experience), organizational development (workplace culture, inclusion, diversity, equity, & accessibility (IDEA), employee engagement, consulting), professional development (training, mentorships and career development, succession planning); time off and benefits administration; employee wellness and safety; and technical operational support (HR systems, onboarding/offboarding, transaction processing). What You Will Be Doing: The Employee and Labor Relations position plays a key role in fostering a respectful, equitable, and legally compliant workplace by managing relationships among employees, leadership, and union representatives. This position serves as a trusted advisor to supervisors and staff on workplace policies, performance management, conflict resolution, and corrective or disciplinary actions, ensuring consistency and fairness across the organization. Key responsibilities include interpreting and applying State Personnel Board Rules, the COWINS Partnership Agreement, and applicable federal and state employment laws, as well as internal policies and procedures. The role supports efforts to enhance employee engagement, mitigate organizational risk, and maintain compliance with regulatory requirements. This position is responsible for utilizing internal systems and processes to intake, track, investigate, and resolve employee and labor relations matters, including complaints, grievances, and workplace concerns. The role conducts or supports workplace investigations, prepares documentation, and provides recommendations for resolution. Additionally, the position collaborates closely with other Human Resources units, including Talent Acquisition, Total Worker Health and Benefits, and Organizational Development, to ensure a coordinated and effective approach to employee and labor relations management. This position administers and manages the department's unemployment insurance claims process which involves responding to claims, coordinating documentation, and representing the organization as needed. Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions Of Employment & Appeal Rights
Residency Requirement: This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application. Class Code & Classification Description: H4G3XX - HUMAN RESOURCES SPECIALIST III MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Experience Only: Six (6) years of relevant experience as an HR Generalist, HR Business Partner, or Employee Relations Specialist. OR Education and Experience: A combination of related education in a Human Resources discipline, such as Human Resources Management, Leadership and Organizational Development, or Business Administration, and relevant experience as an HR Generalist, HR Business Partner, or Employee Relations Specialist, equal to Six (6) years. ** This experience must be substantiated within the Work Experience section of your application. "See Resume" will not be accepted. In addition, part-time work will be prorated. A copy of your transcript must be submitted at the time of application (Unofficial transcripts are acceptable). Preferred Qualifications: Demonstrated ability to build trust with leadership and employees. Experience managing a high volume of concurrent employee relations cases. Demonstrated knowledge of employment law. Demonstrated skills in translating human resources best practices, employment laws, policies and procedures into actionable employee relations advice. Demonstrated strong sense of urgency with a service-focused mindset. Demonstrated strategic and critical thinking skills. Demonstrated experience across core HR disciplines. Knowledge of State Personnel Board Rules and Director's Administrative Procedures and the COWINs Partnership Agreement. Experience working with union stewards. Experience responding to employment charges from CCRD and EEOC. Experience conducting workplace investigations in harassment, discrimination, and retaliation claims. Experience managing unemployment claims and appeals. Experience with the Google suite of applications. Conditions of Employment: Pursuant to CDPHE policy, a background check is required for all positions at CDPHE. Appeal Rights: An applicant who has been removed from an employment list or removed from consideration during the selection process may request a review by the State Personnel Director. As an applicant directly affected by the results of the selection or comparative analysis process, you may file a written appeal with the State Personnel Director. Review of the completed, signed, and submitted appeal will be timely on the basis of written material submitted by you, using the official appeal form signed by you or your representative. This form must be completed and delivered to the State Personnel Board by email at dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgment of the Department's action. For further information on the Board Rules, you can refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov/board-rules. Supplemental Information
A complete application packet must include: A completed State of Colorado application. A Cover Letter. If using education to qualify, a copy of your college/university transcripts. Transcripts must be attached to your colorado.gov/jobs application. If you are a veteran, a copy of your DD214 attached to your colorado.gov/jobs application. E-Verify:
CDPHE uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities. ADAAA Accommodations:
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 Health and Environment 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 ADAAA Coordinator, at cdphe_benefits@state.co.us or call 303-692-2060. Toll Free Applicant Technical Support: If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (e.g. uploading or attaching documents to your online application) call NEOGOV technical support at 855-524-5627 Mon-Fri between 6 am and 6 pm (Pacific Time). Helpful hints: if you are having difficulty uploading or attaching documents to your application first- ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files, and second, close the document before you attempt to upload (attach) it.