Human Resources Analyst - Employee Relations

We invite you to join Stafford County's Human Resources team and play a key role in fostering a respectful, legally compliant, and productive workplace. The Employee Relations Analyst serves as a trusted advisor to County leadership and employees by interpreting employment laws, applying County policies, and promoting positive employee-employer relationships. This position partners with departments to address workplace concerns, conduct impartial investigations, support conflict resolution, and provide guidance on performance management, employee conduct, and disciplinary matters.

The successful candidate for this position will be skilled in analyzing complex situations and making recommendations that exhibit sound judgment, professionalism, and discretion while ensuring compliance with federal and state employment laws, County policies, and human resources best practices.   Strong communication skills and the ability to build positive workplace relationships are key competencies that the candidate is expected to have.

Work is performed independently under general supervision.

The selected candidate will be offered a position within the HR Analyst career ladder based on their education and experience.
The hiring salary range for this position is $68,910.40 to $95,000.00 annually based on experience.
The full salary range for the Human Resources Analyst I is $68,910.40 to $120,598.40.
The full salary range for the Human Resources Analyst II is $73,736.00 to $129,043.20.
The full salary range for the Human Resources Analyst I is $78,915,20 to $138,112.00.

• Interprets and applies federal and state employment laws, County policies, administrative regulations, and human resources best practices to provide guidance and consultation to supervisors, managers, and employees.
• Serves as a trusted advisor to management on employee relations matters, including workplace conduct, performance management, corrective action, disciplinary processes, policy interpretation, and conflict resolution.
• Conducts prompt, thorough, and impartial workplace investigations involving allegations of misconduct, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, ethics violations, policy violations, and other employee relations concerns.
• Assists departments in resolving workplace conflicts through coaching, mediation, facilitation, and collaborative problem-solving techniques.
• Provides guidance throughout the employee grievance process and assists in resolving employee concerns in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Reviews disciplinary actions and employee relations decisions for consistency, fairness, and compliance with employment laws, County policies, and best practices.
• Conducts employee exit interviews to identify workplace trends, organizational strengths, and opportunities for improvement; prepares reports and recommendations for Human Resources leadership and County management.
• Compiles, analyzes, and interprets employee relations data, including workplace complaints, investigations, grievances, exit interview feedback, turnover trends, and other workforce metrics to identify recurring issues, assess organizational risk, and recommend proactive solutions.
• Develops reports, dashboards, and metrics that inform leadership of employee relations trends, emerging workplace issues, and opportunities to improve employee engagement, retention, and organizational effectiveness.
• Develops and delivers training for supervisors and employees on topics such as respectful workplaces, harassment prevention, conflict management, performance management, progressive discipline, workplace investigations, and employment law compliance.
• Maintains confidential employee relations files, investigative records, and documentation in accordance with applicable laws, records retention requirements, and County policies.
• Partners with Human Resources colleagues on accommodations, leave administration, employee performance issues, policy interpretation, and other human resources initiatives to ensure consistent application of employment practices.
• Remains current on employment law developments, regulatory changes, and emerging trends in employee relations and human resources.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

• Knowledge of employee relations principles, workplace investigations, conflict resolution, performance management, and progressive discipline.
• Knowledge of federal and state employment laws, regulations, and human resources best practices.
• Knowledge of investigative techniques, interviewing methods, evidence evaluation, and report writing.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and develop practical, legally compliant recommendations.
• Ability to analyze complex workplace situations and exercise sound judgment in resolving employee relations issues.
• Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal, facilitation, and presentation skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with employees and leaders at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to establish and maintain collaborative working relationships while building trust and credibility.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and handle sensitive information with professionalism and discretion.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work independently with minimal supervision.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and human resources information systems (HRIS).

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Human Resources Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, Organizational Development, or a closely related field, and three (3) years of progressively responsible professional human resources experience, with considerable experience in employee relations or workplace investigations preferred.

Professional human resources certification such as SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR, IPMA-HR, or equivalent is preferred.