Senior Program Manager, Employee Relations - (24-P&T-500000-016)

Job Description

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties, locations, and responsibilities performed by incumbent(s) in this job. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties in this description, and incumbent(s) may be required to perform work-related tasks other than those specifically listed in this description. This job description is not a "contract" between the employee and the Authority. The job duties and essential functions may be changed at the discretion of the General Manager.

General

Job Title: Senior Program Manager, Employee Relations Job Code:

P0608

Supervises Directly: No New or Revised: New Regular or At-Will: At-Will Date Last Revised: 2/9/2024 Exempt or Non-Exempt: Exempt Compensation Approval Signature: Union/ Non-Union: Non-Union Department Name and Division: People & Talent Salary Schedule: Non-Union Salary Range Cost Center Code: 500000 Grade: NU18 Essential Position: No Reports To: Chief People Officer and Executive Vice-President, People & Talent EEO Code: Professionals Work Format Hybrid

Who We Are & What We Do:

At DC Water, we provide more than 700,000 District of Columbia residents and 24.6 million annual visitors with essential water, wastewater, and stormwater services. DC Water also provides wholesale wastewater treatment services for 1.8 million people in Montgomery and Prince George's counties in Maryland, and Fairfax and Loudoun counties in Virginia. We aspire to be known for superior service, ingenuity, and stewardship to advance the health and well-being of our diverse workforce and communities. To achieve this vision, we commit to our shared mission every day-exceeding expectations by providing high quality water services in a safe, environmentally friendly and efficient manner.

Role Description:

The Senior Program Manager, Employee Relations, is responsible for managing all aspects of employee relations programs, including legal compliance with employment laws and regulations. The role provides specialized consultation on employee relations, performance management, and employee discipline issues, and ensures consistency, and equity in employee relations applications across departments. The role also develops, directs, and partners in the implementation of training programs for managers, supervisors, and employees.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Develops and implements strategies, policies, and programs to promote positive employee relations at DC Water and foster a culture of trust, respect, and collaboration.
• Manages the interpretation and application of HR policies, procedures, to address employee inquiries, concerns, and grievances.
• Identifies and resolves employee concerns, facilitates conflict resolution processes, including mediation, and negotiation, to resolve workplace disputes.
• Provides guidance and support to supervisors and managers across departments on employee relations issues, performance concerns, disciplinary actions, and career development.
• Develops and manages the employee grievance process, including conducting investigations, documenting findings, and recommending resolutions in accordance with DC Water's policies and legal requirements.
• Ensures consistent application of the grievance procedures, promoting fairness and equity.
• Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, including discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and labor relations laws.
• Partners with HR leadership and management to address performance issues, misconduct, and policy violations through disciplinary actions, coaching, and corrective measures.
• Collaborates with and refers matters that may have an impact on union employees to Labor Relations.
• Conducts thorough and impartial investigations into employee complaints, allegations of misconduct, or violations of organizational policies, ensuring confidentiality, fairness, and objectivity throughout the process.
• Maintains accurate and confidential records of employee relations matters, including investigation reports, disciplinary actions, and grievance resolutions.
• Develops and delivers training programs on employee relations topics, including conflict resolution, harassment prevention, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and effective communication.
• Manages employee feedback surveys, analyzes results, and identifies trends or areas for improvement in employee relations practices and policies.
• Collaborates with HR leadership and legal counsel to review, update, and develop HR policies, procedures, and guidelines to ensure alignment with best practices and legal requirements.
• Interfaces with managers and supervisors on operational or organizational changes.
• Supports organizational change initiatives by providing guidance, communication, and support to employees and management during periods of transition.
• Performs other related duties and projects as assigned at the discretion of the supervisor.

Supervisory Responsibilities: N/A

Key Working Relationships: Interacts with high level officials, managers and supervisors throughout DC Water, partners with Labor and local union representatives, vendors, officials from other government and private agencies and organizations, etc.

Skills & Qualifications:

The qualifications listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and ability necessary for an

individual to perform each essential responsibility satisfactorily. Reasonable amounts of training are

provided.

Required Skills & Qualifications

Required Experience: Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible experience in employee or labor relations, with a focus on public sector employer-employee relations. Working knowledge of employment laws and regulations. Minimum Education Requirements: Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field from an accredited college or university; or a high school diploma and eleven (11) years of equivalent relative experience. Required Skills: Employee Relations Investigation & Grievance Redressal Critical Thinking Human Resource Management Leadership Skills Negotiation Conflict Resolution Problem Solving Communication Skills Required Licenses & Certifications: None Required Languages: English Physical Requirements: General office conditions

Preferred Skills & Qualifications

Preferred Experience: None Preferred Education Requirements: SHRM Certification or earned certificate in Employee Relations Preferred Skills: Performance Management Case Management Cross-functional Collaboration Decision Making

*The work environment characteristics described in the physical requirements section of the required skills & qualifications table are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities.

Your Experience at DC Water:

At DC Water, our people make us an industry leader. Join a group of thinkers, innovators, and problem solvers focused on protecting life's most precious resource in the nation's capital.

• Take pride in your work. We provide an essential service and do work that matters. A career at DC Water is an exciting opportunity to help improve the environment and make a lasting difference for the community.

• Connect to a strong culture. Everything we do is grounded in our shared values-accountability, trust, teamwork, customer focus, safety, and wellbeing.

• Be your true self. We are an inclusive organization that embraces diversity, and we recognize and celebrate employees' individuality and unique contributions.

• Build your skills and career path. We are committed to developing a future-ready workforce by helping our employees develop skills for the jobs of tomorrow.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V.

We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing

The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination against "qualified individuals with disabilities".

If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to

perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please

email [email protected].