Employee & Labor Relations Advisor

Position Details

Position Information

Position Title
Employee & Labor Relations Advisor

FLSA
Exempt

FT/PT
Full Time

Hours Per Week
37.5

Work Schedule
Monday-Friday 8:30am-5pm

Grade
16

Compensation Range
$75,367-107,398

Summary

Join the Human Resources team at Howard Community College as an Employee & Labor Relations Advisor, serving as an advanced professional resource to HR leadership, managers, and employees.

The Advisor independently manages assigned employee and labor relations matters, including workplace investigations, fact-finding, grievance administration, collective bargaining agreement interpretation, management consultation, conflict resolution, and preparation of substantive responses to regulatory agencies and other formal proceedings.

This position requires substantial independent judgment in evaluating evidence, analyzing employment policies and contractual obligations, identifying institutional risks, and developing well-reasoned findings and recommendations. The Advisor also contributes to employee relations training, case-management improvements, reporting, and the development of effective HR practices.

The successful candidate will be an exceptionally organized, analytical, resourceful, and technologically proficient professional who exercises sound judgment, communicates effectively, manages sensitive matters with discretion, and advances complex assignments with limited direction.

Working directly with the Associate Vice President of Human Resources, the Advisor will play a meaningful role in strengthening fair, consistent, and effective employee and labor relations practices across the College.

Essential Role Responsibilities

Essential Role Responsibilities

• Independently manages assigned employee and labor relations matters from intake through recommended resolution, referral, or escalation.
• Conducts substantive intake and fact-finding interviews; assesses credibility, urgency, risk, relevant documentation, stakeholders, and appropriate next steps.
• Leads workplace investigations within delegated authority, including investigation planning, witness interviews, evidence collection, document review, chronology development, factual analysis, and preparation of findings and recommendations.
• Advises managers on employee conduct, attendance, performance management, workplace conflict, corrective action, and disciplinary processes consistent with applicable policies and collective bargaining agreements.
• Independently facilitates appropriate conflict-resolution discussions, workplace interventions, and problem-solving meetings; develops and delivers employee relations training and manager education.
• Leads substantial portions of complex document productions and responses involving EEOC, MCCR, OHRE, grievances, subpoenas, litigation support, investigations, and other formal proceedings.
• Researches and analyzes College policies, procedures, collective bargaining agreements, employment laws, precedent, historical practices, and relevant records; develops well-reasoned recommendations for HR leadership.
• Independently administers routine labor relations matters within delegated authority, including grievance review, contractual interpretation, information requests, union communications, and monitoring of contractual obligations and deadlines.
• Prepares substantive grievance responses, investigation reports, disciplinary recommendations, management guidance, agency response materials, and labor-management briefing documents.
• Supports collective bargaining preparation, implementation of negotiated provisions, bargaining-unit reporting, labor-management meetings, and related compliance activities.
• Coordinates significant employee and labor relations deadlines, agency responses, hearings, investigations, grievances, and follow-up obligations; proactively identifies and escalates emerging concerns.
• Maintains accurate, comprehensive, and confidential case files, investigation records, evidence logs, chronologies, correspondence, and case-management documentation.
• Analyzes employee relations activity, grievances, complaints, investigations, disciplinary actions, outcomes, and recurring workplace concerns; prepares reports and recommends appropriate interventions or process improvements.
• Develops and improves employee relations procedures, case-management systems, investigative protocols, templates, reporting practices, and institutional knowledge resources.
• Uses approved AI-enabled tools and advanced workplace technologies to support research, analysis, document review, case organization, drafting, and workflow efficiency while independently verifying accuracy and protecting confidential information.
• Serves as a trusted professional resource to employees, supervisors, and institutional leaders, demonstrating sound judgment, discretion, responsiveness, resourcefulness, and effective problem-solving.
• Performs other employee relations, labor relations, compliance, investigation, case-management, and Human Resources responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Education Required
Bachelor's degree

Experience Required

Bachelor's degree in human resources, psychology, industrial/organizational psychology, legal studies, paralegal studies, business administration, public administration, organizational leadership, sociology, or a related field; and five years of progressively responsible experience in employee relations, labor relations, human resources, legal support, paralegal work, workplace investigations, compliance, litigation support, case management, or similarly complex professional work.

An equivalent combination of education and directly relevant professional experience may be substituted for the bachelor's degree requirement on a year-for-year basis.

At least one year of direct labor relations experience involving grievance administration, interpretation or application of collective bargaining agreements, labor-management relations, or comparable work in a unionized environment is required.

Applicants must also demonstrate:

• Experience independently managing confidential, complex professional matters requiring sound judgment, research, analysis, organization, and deadline management.
• Experience reviewing substantial volumes of information, identifying relevant facts and discrepancies, and developing defensible conclusions or recommendations.
• Ability to conduct structured intake, fact-finding, or investigative interviews.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills, including preparation of investigative summaries, professional correspondence, management guidance, and other sensitive documents.
• Advanced proficiency with electronic records, spreadsheets, PDF tools, document-management systems, and other workplace technologies.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment, maintain confidentiality, solve complex problems, and complete assignments with limited direction.
• Exceptional attention to detail, accuracy, and quality control in preparing professional work products.
• Ability to work a schedule established according to operational needs, including occasional evenings and weekends.

Minimum and Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

• Paralegal certificate, legal studies credential, Juris Doctor degree, SHRM-CP, PHR, SPHR, IPMA-HR, or other directly relevant professional certification or specialized training.
• Substantial experience supporting employment law, workplace investigations, litigation, administrative charges, regulatory proceedings, or complex legal document productions.
• Experience preparing responses or productions for the EEOC, MCCR, OHRE, courts, arbitrators, administrative agencies, or similar external entities.
• Experience in higher education, government, public-sector employment, or another unionized or highly regulated environment.
• Experience independently interpreting collective bargaining agreements, administering grievances, advising managers, or supporting collective bargaining activities beyond the minimum required experience.
• Experience developing case-management systems, investigative protocols, reporting tools, templates, or process improvements.
• Experience with mediation, facilitated conflict resolution, team effectiveness, public speaking, training, workshop design, or adult learning.
• Demonstrated ability to use approved artificial intelligence and emerging workplace technologies responsibly, efficiently, and with appropriate confidentiality safeguards.
• Professional proficiency in Spanish for workplace communication; proficiency in other languages is also valued.
• Military or veteran experience demonstrating transferable skills in investigations, documentation, compliance, leadership, conflict resolution, or personnel administration.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Advanced employee and labor relations judgment, including the ability to identify matters requiring escalation to senior HR leadership.
• Ability to formulate and communicate well-reasoned recommendations based on facts, policy, collective bargaining agreements, precedent, and organizational risk.
• Ability to conduct effective workplace investigations while maintaining neutrality, confidentiality, and appropriate professional boundaries.
• Exceptional organizational skills and ability to manage multiple sensitive matters with competing deadlines.
• Resourcefulness, persistence, and sound judgment in locating records, resolving information gaps, and navigating complex organizational structures.
• Strong technological proficiency, including advanced document preparation, spreadsheet analysis, electronic records management, PDF tools, and responsible use of approved AI-enabled applications.
• Ability to communicate clearly, credibly, and diplomatically with employees, supervisors, union representatives, and institutional leadership.
• Strong facilitation and presentation skills, including the ability to communicate sensitive or unwelcome information constructively.
• Commitment to responsive service, professional accountability, accuracy, thoroughness, and timely completion of assigned work.

Physical Demand Summary

This is a full-time position. The work schedule is established by Human Resources based on College operational requirements and employee-relations needs and is not independently determined by the incumbent. Regular on-campus presence is required. The position may occasionally require work outside normal business hours, including evenings or weekends, to support investigations, hearings, meetings, urgent matters, external deadlines, or other operational needs. The incumbent routinely handles confidential, sensitive, and at times emotionally charged matters.

Supervisory Position?
No

Division
Human Resources

Department
Human Resources

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number
B702P

Number of Vacancies
1

Best Consideration Date
11/25/2026

Job Open Date
11/11/2026

Job Close Date

Continuous Recruitment?
No

Job Category
Staff

Benefits Summary

At Howard Community College, we believe supporting our employees is essential to our success. HCC offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to promote financial security, professional growth, personal well-being, and work-life balance.

Benefits for eligible employees include:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance options for employees and eligible dependents.
• Retirement Security: Maryland State Pension System and Optional Retirement Program (ORP) options, subject to eligibility requirements.
• Generous Paid Leave: Vacation, sick and personal leave, paid holidays, and scheduled winter recess.
• Educational Benefits: Tuition waivers for eligible HCC courses and tuition reimbursement for approved coursework at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Growth: Training, leadership development, continuing education, and career advancement opportunities.
• Financial Protection: Employer-provided life insurance and short- and long-term disability coverage.
• Employee Wellness: Wellness initiatives, mental health resources, employee assistance services, and programs supporting physical and emotional well-being.

At HCC, you'll find more than a job-you'll find opportunities to grow professionally, contribute meaningfully, and thrive as part of a community dedicated to student and institutional success.

Benefits are subject to eligibility, plan provisions, and applicable College policies. For additional information, visit the HCC Employee Benefits page.

Applicant Instructions

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