employee relations lead

DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY

*Your Partner For A Stronger Arizona.

DES works with families, community organizations, advocates and state and federal partners to realize our collective vision: A thriving Arizona.

DES serves more than 3 million Arizonans. Our Mission is to strengthen individuals, families, and communities for a better quality of life.*
EMPLOYEE RELATIONS LEAD

Job Location:

Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS)

Human Resources Unit

1789 West Jefferson Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85007

Posting Details
Salary: $62,000 – $66,000 Annually

Grade: 24

Closing Date: 11/10/2025

Job Summary
Would you like to be part of an amazing team that helps Arizonans thrive? At the Department of Economic Security (DES) we strengthen individuals, families and communities for a better quality of life. DES is looking for individuals who are committed to service, community, and teamwork. To learn more about DES please visit ; or click on the link here to view 'Our DES' video. Come Join the DES Team

The Department of Economic Security, Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) Human Resources (HR) is seeking an experienced, dedicated and highly motivated individual to join our team as a Human Resources Analyst Advanced. Under the direction of the DAAS HR Business Partner, this position serves as a lead and is responsible for employee relations cases while performing work of considerable difficulty with high confidentiality. Must be able to work independently and exercise independent judgment in the coordination and administration of all aspects of employee personnel, classification, employee relations and staffing activities and functions. Provide exceptional customer service, provide support and guidance to Division management and employees in matters of performance, progressive discipline, investigations, complaints, mediating conflicts, employee rights, problem solving, conflict resolution, operations and organizational development. Serve as the lead to support lower-level HR staff providing guidance and reviewing work for completeness and accuracy for all human resource-related actions (Talent and Operations). Complete high-level projects, with time sensitive deadlines. Provides updates and reports to the HR Business Partner and Executive Leadership Team. Serve in supervisor's absence. Travel statewide to conduct workshops, HR presentations and coaching sessions related to best practices and procedures.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State's Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

Job Duties
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Serve as the point of contact for employee relations concerns.
• Conduct thorough employee relations investigations and provide guidance to managers/supervisors/ employees regarding employee relations issues, disciplinary actions, performance management, and conflict resolution.
• Work closely with HRA Employee Relations on more complex issues.
• Maintain the Division's internal tracking system and generate weekly reports of ER actions, status and outcomes.
• Develop and conduct state-wide training for management, supervisors and employees regarding employee relations guidelines, policies, attendance, discipline process and performance evaluations.
• Identify trends and develop and implement employee relations strategies to help develop countermeasures to address identified issues.
• Develop standard work documents and management tools in accordance with the Arizona Management System (AMS) supporting lean processes and practices
• Attend monthly Employee Relations meetings with HRA. Performs other personnel-related work as needed.
• Will serve as, or act on behalf of, the Division HR Supervisor in their absence.

Knowledge In
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

• Federal and state employment laws, statutes, rules and regulation.
• ADOA and DES rules, policies and procedures and guidelines relating to employment and human resources processes and procedures.
• Classification/Compensation principles, practices, techniques and guidelines.
• Employee relations investigative interviewing techniques and practices.
• Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Americans with Disability Act (ADA), Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and other employment related laws.
• Operational/programmatic structures.
• AZ360 screens and uses.
• Research and job interviewing methods and techniques.

Skilled In

• Oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Conflict resolution.
• Establishing priorities among conflicting needs.
• Researching, collecting, and analyzing data and reports.
• Researching, fact-finding, and investigative practice.
• Developing and implementing various improvement initiatives.
• Using a variety of computer software packages (e.g., Microsoft: Excel, Word, Visio, Adobe, PowerPoint, Google Suite, AZ360, Salesforces, etc.)

Ability To

• Comprehend, interpret and appropriately apply personnel statutes, rules, regulations and procedures providing timely and accurate advice.
• Analyze specific problem situations and determine acceptable solutions within the framework of laws, rules and regulations.
• Gather, compile and analyze data related to investigations.
• Negotiate and apply reason persuasively to resolve employee issues.
• Be unbiased, objective, and thorough when working with employee relations issues or conducting investigations.
• Have strong ethics, discretion in handling confidential and sensitive information with discretion and integrity, and the ability to build positive relationships.
• Write quality and accurate investigative reports and process all actions timely.
• Maintain a positive work environment.

Selective Preference(s)
The ideal candidate for this position will have:

• Bachelor's degree in human resources or closely related field and two years experience as a Senior Human Resources Analyst or equivalent experience, five years progressively responsible human resources experience in staffing, employee relations and classification required. Two years additional work experience substitutes for the degree.

Pre-Employment Requirements

• Travel may be required for State business. If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver's License Requirements. Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver's license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver's license record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver's license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R
• Successfully pass background and reference checks; employment is contingent upon completion of the above-mentioned process and the agency's ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions.
• All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).
• Candidates for this position shall be subject to a search of the Adult Protective Services Registry.

Benefits
The Arizona Department of Economic Security offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:

• Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
• Participation in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) and long-term disability plans
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
• Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly
• Deferred compensation plan
• Wellness plans
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Stipend Opportunities
• Infant at Work Program
• Rideshare and Public Transit Subsidy
• Career Advancement & Employee Development Opportunities
• Flexible schedules to create a work/life balance

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Retirement
State employees are required to participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS), the State sponsored retirement contribution plan and the Long-Term Disability (LTD) program after a 27-week waiting period. The ASRS defined benefit plan provides for life-long income upon retirement. You will also have the option to participate in a voluntary deferred compensation program to take advantage of tax-deferred retirement investments.

On, or shortly after, your first day of work you will be provided with additional information about the available insurance plans, enrollment instructions, submission deadlines and effective dates.

Contact Us
For questions about this career opportunity, please contact Shannon Ulmer at or email

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by contacting Shannon Ulmer at or email Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.