Manager of Employee Relations & Compliance

Position Summary

The Manager of Employee Relations & Compliance provides strategic leadership, oversight, and operational management for employee relations, workplace compliance, leave administration, accommodations, workers' compensation coordination, unemployment administration, and related Human Resources compliance functions. This position serves as a trusted advisor to County leadership, supervisors, managers, and elected officials on complex employee relations matters, policy interpretation, workplace investigations, disciplinary processes, performance management concerns, and employment law compliance. The Manager is responsible for ensuring organizational compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations while promoting fair, consistent, and legally compliant employment practices across Pueblo County. This position oversees workplace investigations, employee complaint resolution, leave and accommodation programs, policy administration, and compliance initiatives designed to reduce organizational risk and support a positive workplace culture. Reporting to the Director of Human Resource Operations, the Manager supervises assigned staff, develops employee relations and compliance training programs, monitors workforce trends and compliance metrics, and partners closely with County leadership and the County Attorney's Office on sensitive personnel matters. The position plays a critical role in advancing the County's One HR Team philosophy by promoting consistency, accountability, workforce flexibility, and exceptional customer service throughout the organization.

NOTE: Applications will not be collected electronically through this posting. If interested in applying, please email a Cover Letter and updated Resume directly to the Pueblo County Chief Human Resources Officer: Trish Turner at ***email_hidden***

Please use the follow email subject line: Application Submission - Manager of Employee Relations & Compliance

What You Will Do

• Provides guidance and consultation to supervisors, managers, and elected officials regarding employee relations concerns, workplace conflicts, policy interpretation, disciplinary processes, performance concerns, and documentation practices.
• Coordinates and conducts routine workplace investigations and fact-finding activities involving employee complaints, policy violations, workplace conflicts, and other employee relations concerns; partners with Human Resources leadership and the County Attorney's Office on complex, sensitive, or high-risk matters.
• Administers and monitors compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, including FMLA, ADA, PWFA, FLSA, EEO, COBRA, USERRA, and other applicable employment requirements.
• Exercises direct supervision over assigned compliance, leave administration, and employee relations staff; includes assigning work, monitoring performance, coaching employees, conducting evaluations, participating in hiring decisions, and approving leave requests.
• Oversees employee leave administration processes, including Family Medical Leave, ADA accommodations, paid leave programs, return-to-work coordination, and related compliance activities.
• Participates in cross-training activities across Human Resources functions and maintains a working knowledge of assigned HR disciplines outside of primary responsibilities. Provides support to other Human Resources operational areas as needed to ensure service continuity, workforce flexibility, employee development, organizational effectiveness, and uninterrupted service delivery.
• Coordinates workers' compensation administration activities, return-to-work efforts, employee communications, and collaboration with third-party administrators and departmental leadership.
• Coordinates unemployment claims administration, hearing preparation, documentation management, and responses to unemployment inquiries and proceedings.
• Maintains and assists with updates to Human Resources policies, procedures, compliance documentation, forms, and employee resources; provides guidance regarding policy interpretation and application.
• Develops and delivers employee relations, workplace compliance, harassment prevention, leave administration, and policy education training programs for supervisors and employees.
• Monitors employee relations trends, leave administration activities, accommodation requests, unemployment claims, compliance concerns, and workplace issues, and provides recommendations for process improvements and risk reduction.
• Partners with Human Resources leadership and County departments to promote consistent application of personnel policies, employment practices, and workplace standards across the organization.
• Supports the One HR Team philosophy by sharing knowledge, participating in cross-functional initiatives, and contributing to department-wide projects and operational support efforts.
• Attends meetings, classes, and trainings as required or requested by supervisor.
• Performs additional tasks as assigned, including filling in for other staff as necessary and/or required.

Education

WHAT YOU HAVE

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, Organizational Leadership, Employment Law, Law, Pre-Law, or a closely related field required
• Master's Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, Organizational Leadership, or related field preferred

Experience

• Minimum of five (5) years or more of p rogressively responsible Human Resources experience with responsibility for employee relations, leave administration, compliance activities, workplace investigations, policy administration, or related Human Resources functions required
• Supervisory, lead worker, or project leadership experience preferred
• Conducting workplace investigations and advising supervisors regarding employee relations concerns preferred
• Public sector or local government Human Resources preferred

Licenses/Certifications

• Professional in Human Resources (PHR) preferred
• Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) preferred
• SHRM-Certified Professional (CP) preferred
• SHRM-Senior Certified Professional (SCP) preferred
• Workplace Investigator Certification preferred
• Certified Employee Relations Professional (CERP) preferred
• Other related professional certifications preferred

*** Must successfully pass background check

What Pueblo County Offers

• Comprehensive Benefits package (medical, dental, vision, etc.) for full-time employees
• Generous Vacation and Sick Leave Accrual
• Remote & Hybrid working opportunities
• County Retirement Program
• Autonomy to grow and find your career path with supportive leadership
• Truly inclusive and diverse environment
• Fitness Center (Historic Pueblo Courthouse Building)
• May be eligible for up to 12-weeks Paid Parental Leave Benefit s (full-time employees)