Temporary Employee Relations Specialist

The City of Fairfax Human Resources Department is seeking a Temporary Employee Relations Specialist to provide hands-on support for employee relations matters. This is a full-time, temporary position with an anticipated hourly rate of $45-$55 per hour, commensurate with experience.

Performs professional-level employee relations work within the Department of Human Resources to support the administration of the City's personnel policies, procedures, and employee relations programs. Provides consultative assistance related to employee complaints, workplace investigations, disciplinary and grievance matters, and performance management issues. Work requires the application of established policies, procedures, and specific federal, state, and local employment laws — including verifying which regulatory framework or authority applies to a given situation before providing guidance.

This role also requires the ability to exercise sound professional judgment and apply general employment law principles and public-sector best practices to a wide range of situations, including those that require independent analysis beyond existing written guidance. Work involves analysis of sensitive and complex information and the exercise of sound judgment, discretion, and analytical rigor.

The position works under the general direction of the Director of Human Resources. This classification is temporary in nature and is intended to provide time-limited employee relations support based on operational needs.

• Conduct intake, assessment, and preliminary analysis of employee relations concerns, complaints, and inquiries.

• Plan and conduct workplace fact-finding and investigations, including interviewing employees and witnesses, reviewing documents, and analyzing information.

• Prepare clear, concise, and well-organized written materials such as investigative summaries, findings, advisory memoranda, and correspondence.

• Provide consultative guidance to supervisors and managers regarding employee conduct, performance management, corrective action, and grievance procedures.

• Assist with the administration of the City's disciplinary and grievance processes, including preparation of documentation and coordination of related activities.

• Analyze complex employee relations issues, verify the applicable policy or legal framework, identify risk considerations, and recommend appropriate options for resolution.

• Support the annual performance appraisal cycle by advising on performance management issues, documentation, and procedural requirements.

• Assist with the review and revision of personnel-related Administrative Regulations and related guidance, as assigned.

• Provide limited coaching to supervisors and employees on workplace expectations, communication, and conflict resolution.

• Maintain strict confidentiality and exercise discretion in handling sensitive and confidential information.

• Stay current on applicable federal, state, and local employment laws and public-sector human resources best practices.

• Perform related duties as assigned in support of Human Resources operations.

The duties listed above are intended only as an illustration of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in human resources, public administration, business administration, psychology, sociology, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Three (3) to five (5) years of professional-level experience with a primary focus on employee relations, including workplace investigations, disciplinary actions, grievance handling, or performance management.

Demonstrated experience applying personnel policies and specific federal and state employment regulations (e.g., FLSA, ADA, FMLA, Title VII) to resolve employee relations issues, including the ability to identify and cite the specific authority underlying a recommendation.

Demonstrated experience preparing written reports, summaries, or formal…