The Attorney General is the chief legal officer of the State of Maryland. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has the general charge, supervision, and direction of the legal business of the State, acting as legal advisors and representatives of the major agencies, various boards, commissions, officials, and institutions of State Government.
As Maryland’s 47th Attorney General, Anthony G. Brown, leads the Office with a key focus on equity, justice, and fairness.
For more information on the agency, please visit our website.
Responsibilities
As an Employee Relations Manager at OAG, the incumbent is responsible for creating and maintaining an Employee Relations environment that fosters positive relationships, addresses workplace issues, and promoting a productive and harmonious work environment that aligns with the values and prestige of the OAG. Reporting to the HR Director, the Employee Relations Manager is responsible for overseeing various functions such as investigating & resolving manager and employee concerns, creating employee engagement initiatives, and performance management.
Employee Relations Investigations – 45%
Serve as the primary point of contact for resolving employee conflicts, grievances, and disciplinary issues. Conduct thorough investigations into complaints or conflicts, interviewing involved parties and gathering evidence as necessary. Analyze findings and recommend appropriate actions, such as mediation, coaching, or disciplinary measures. Act as a neutral mediator to help parties reach mutually acceptable resolutions. Provide guidance to managers on conflict resolution techniques and best practices.
Employee & Management Support – 40%
Offer confidential counseling to employees experiencing personal or professional challenges impacting their work performance. Assist employees with understanding their rights, benefits, and resources available within the organization. Advise managers on effective feedback delivery, performance improvement plans, and disciplinary actions. Assist in developing strategies for managing underperforming employees and facilitating constructive feedback sessions.
Policy Development & Implementation – 5%
Develop, review, and update employee relations policies & procedures. Collaborate with stakeholders including HR and Executive leadership to ensure policies & practices are in alignment with the Attorney General’s values and priorities. Provide guidance and training to the HR team, managers, and employees on policy interpretation and application. Monitor updates to federal, state, and local labor laws and regulations affecting the workplace. Conduct regular audits of HR policies, practices, and documentation for compliance.
Training & Development – 5%
In collaboration with the HR Director and Professional Development staff, Design training programs on topics such as diversity and inclusion, conflict resolution, and respectful workplace behavior. Customize training content to address specific organizational needs and challenges.
Documentation & Reporting – 5%
Compile data on employee relations trends, issues, and resolutions. Report findings to HR & Executive leadership to inform decision-making and identify areas for improvement.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will have at least eight (8) years of employee relations experience*. Candidates should have advanced experience in managing employee relations issues, conducting investigations, and resolving conflicts in a timely manner. Candidates should have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build a rapport and establish trust with employees at all levels of the organization. Candidates must have advanced problem-solving and conflict resolution skills, with the ability to remain calm and objective in challenging situations. Candidates should be well versed with HR policies, procedures, and best practices related to employee relations, performance management, and compliance. Candidates must be familiar with various ATS, HRIS, presentation, spreadsheet, email, calendar, and communications applications/software. Finally, candidates should be detail oriented, highly organized, and have excellent verbal and written communications skills.
Experience in the legal or government fields is preferred but not required.
HR certifications (SHRM, PHR, IPMA/PSHRA) are preferred but not required.
*A Bachelor’s degree can be substituted for three (3) years of experience.
Application Process
All applicants must submit an application (including a resume) and complete the supplemental questionnaire through the Department of Budget and Management here Maryland State Online Employment Center by April 14, 2024.
