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Job Title: Assistant Director - Employee Relations (12 Months)

Posting Date: June 27, 2012

Closing Date: October 22, 2012

Salary Range: $74,699.00 - $92,527.00 (annually)

Implements employee related policies and services to the district to promote and ensure the existence of a work environment free of illegal discrimination and harassment and compliance with work rules and related policies. Provides preventive training, investigation, handling and resolution of civil rights complaints. Provides review and administration of Detroit Public Schools work rules and policy pertaining to employee conduct. Provides consultation and support to principals and other worksite administrators with respect to the handling of civil rights complaints and employee disciplinary matters.

Job Type: Administrative

Benefits Eligibility: Successful candidates will be eligible for medical, dental, vision and life insurance coverage, as well as illness and vacation days.

Reports to: Executive Director, Employee Relations

Location: Employee Relations

Special Note:

KEY COMPETENCIES:

1. Thorough and comprehensive knowledge of federal and state employment laws relating to illegal discrimination and sexual harassment. Thorough knowledge of employment laws and statutes related to employee discipline, including understanding of due process matters. Ability to conduct thorough investigation to completion and analyze facts in accordance with related laws and applicable district policies; including applicable collective bargaining agreements. Specific areas include:
Investigation of Title VII, Title IX, Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act, ADA, and ADEA complaints.
Fact-finding and Resolution Conferences

Agency Complaints; Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Michigan Department of Civil Rights; including Agency Resolution and Settlement Conferences.

Training on Sexual Harassment and other Civil Rights Issues

State and Federal labor relations and employment law (Michigan Teacher Tenure Act, Michigan Revised School Code, FMLA)

Investigations of and hearings on charges of work rule violations
Training on Employee Discipline Issues

Collective Bargaining agreements in public sector employment

Policy Development and Implementation

2. Leadership/management/teamwork: Expert knowledge of leadership, management and teamwork principles, and demonstrated ability to effectively apply principles to support and advance organizational objectives. Proven ability to manage performance of, and develop assigned staff.

3. Business Orientation: Possesses a business orientation in the processing of employees complaints, handling of hearings and other matters. Must demonstrate ability to view and promptly handle each issue in a manner fair to individual involved, and moreover with a clear understanding of the business implications of each employment related decision on the entity as a whole.

Consistently exercises appropriate judgment and discretion in all job functions, even when clearly defined processes may not be in place. At all times, matters are handled in a confidential and objective manner, without undue consideration of the status or position of the individual involved. Identifies and makes recommendations for viable courses of action with Executive Director.

4. Process development, implementation and improvement project Management: Demonstrated ability to develop and implement sound, repeatable complaint/issue analysis process. Can appropriately identify core issues, viable business oriented solutions, and necessary resources. Ability to effectively operationalize defined processes. Demonstrated ability to structure, implement and manage to successful completion complex projects or issues.

5. Communication: Must have highly effective verbal and written communication skills. Must be able to communicate effectively with individuals at all levels of the organization, agency representatives, union representatives and other individuals external to Detroit Public Schools. Demonstrated ability to proceed in an objective and credible manner.

6. Technology: Working knowledge of current technology, case management software, legal research resources, and standard word processing.

7. Customer Satisfaction Orientation: Demonstrated ability to communicate and work effectively with employees at all levels. Can function as a team leader and team member as situation requires. Effectively negotiates timely handling of complaints and hearings from inception to completion, and at all times maintains on-going communication with claimant and other individuals interested in complaint outcome.

Qualifications

Education:

Education:
Juris Doctor Degree or graduate degree in Labor or Management Relations or related degree preferred. Bachelors degree in human resources, pre-law or related field required in combination with significant experience in Human Resoures law, employee or labor relations required

Experience:

Experience:
Five years progressively more responsible related experience, including a minimum of five years experience in the practice of law, or in human resources disciplines of labor or employee relations

Attendance:

Regular Attendance is critical; must have an exemplary attendance record.

Citizenship:

Must be able to verify whether U.S. citizen, resident alien, or otherwise authorized to accept employment in the U.S.

Physical Condition:

Must be physically able to perform the duties and responsibilities outlined with or without accommodations.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direction of the Executive Director, the Assistant Director will:

Essential Functions:

1. Monitor compliance with Title VII, Title
IX, ADA, ADEA to ensure a positive, productive, equitable work environment and to prevent discriminatory workplace practices.

2. Collaborate/provide consultation to managerial staff, labor groups, and Human Resources staff; including field/investigative complaint assistance to effectively monitor and resolve civil rights complaints, and advise with respect to disciplinary issues.

3. Receive process and manage investigation of internal discrimination complaints; including complaints of sexual harassment.

4. Receive referrals of work rule violations and hold disciplinary hearings.

5. Maintains appropriate files in a confidential manner consistent with federal and state regulations.

6. Handle discrimination/harassment complaints filed with Michigan Department of Civil Rights, U. S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, U. S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights, and other agencies with jurisdiction over such matters.

7. On-going review of federal and state law, district policy, work rules and labor-contract agreements to reach finding on discrimination/harassment issues.

8. Provide In-service training of staff on civil rights and disciplinary issues.

9. Assist administrators/supervisors in the interpretation of school district work rules, regulations, policies and procedures as they relate to employee conduct.

10. Prepare written hearing summaries and written recommendations for discipline.

11. Attend grievance and arbitration hearings as required.

12. Preparation of tenure charges for certificated teachers and implement statutory process.

13. Administer suspensions without pay in coordination with worksite administrator/supervisor.

14. Fulfills other duties and responsibilities as assigned or required by the Executive Director.

Security Clearance:

SECURITY

EXTERNAL APPLICANTS
If you are hired to fill a vacant position, you will be required to submit a Detroit Public Schools security clearance.

At point of offer to hire, please be advised that you will be responsible for a non-refundable payment of $62.75 by cashier's check, certified check or money order, payable to the I.I.S. (Identix Identification Services). DO NOT SUBMIT PAYMENT WITH APPLICATION.

There is an option to pay by MasterCard or Visa.

All fingerprinting appointments will be scheduled by Detroit Public Schools, Human Resources Department.

INTERNAL APPLICANTS
If you are a current Detroit Public Schools employee, presently employed with the district, you do not have to submit a fee related to obtaining the Detroit Public Schools security clearance.

Method of Application:

Applicants MUST apply through the online application system. ONLY applications submitted through the online application system will be considered for any posted position. All applicants are to attach a copy of their transcripts, most recent resume and cover letter. A copy of your valid teacher certification should also be attached if certification is required for the position you are applying for.

Applicants will receive an automated confirmation once they have successfully applied for a position.
Successful candidates are required to submit official transcript(s) at point of offer to hire. Service outside of the Detroit Public Schools must be verified by the applicant's employer(s) prior to hire.

It is the applicant's responsibility to provide all documentation (including copies) as requested. All documentation must be submitted along with the letter of interest. Due to the high volume of candidates applying for positions, we regret that we are unable to pull individual personnel files to retrieve/copy documents. Therefore, to assure the application process is not delayed, if you are applying for multiple positions with the district, we strongly encourage you to have available several photocopies of your credentials to be submitted for each position for which you apply. Documentation will not be accepted subsequent to the closing date of the announcement. Incomplete information will not be considered. Applicants requesting assistance during the application process should contact the Office of Recruitment and Employment Services at recruitment@detroitk12.org.

The Board of Education of the School District of the City of Detroit does not discriminate against, deny benefits to or exclude participation by any person in its programs, activities or employment on the basis of age, race, sex, color, national origin, creed, religion or handicap.