Senior Human Resources Specialist - Employee & Labor Relations

Senior Human Resources Specialist - Employee & Labor Relations

Salary

$58,614.40 Annually

Location

1 Courthouse Square, Kissimmee, FL

Job Type

Full-time

Job Number

02989

Department

HUMAN RESOURCES

Opening Date

08/10/2026

Closing Date

8/20/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

General Description of Duties

Position subject to close at any time

NOTE TO INTERNAL APPLICANTS: INTERNAL CANDIDATES IN THE SAME CLASSIFICATION AND/OR PAYGRADE AS THE POSITION POSTED WILL NOT RECEIVE A PAY ADJUSTMENT IF SELECTED.

Under general direction, performs professional and administrative work in support of the County's employee and labor relations functions. This position serves as a subject matter expert and primary point of contact for employee and labor relations matters, including the review and approval of disciplinary actions to ensure fair and consistent application across all departments, grievance administration, tracking of disciplinary matters and union-related activities, and participation in union meetings, negotiations, and related proceedings. The position also provides oversight and guidance on performance management processes. The position requires the exercise of sound judgment, diplomacy, discretion, and initiative, and involves regular engagement with department directors, supervisors, union representatives, employees, and legal counsel.

Essential Job Functions

The list of essential functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification. It is not necessarily descriptive of any one position in the class. The omission of an essential function does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment to the position.

• Reviews proposed disciplinary actions submitted by department managers and supervisors prior to issuance to ensure consistency, procedural compliance, and alignment with applicable policies, collective bargaining agreements, and past practice.
• Maintains a comprehensive disciplinary tracking system, including counseling records, written warnings, suspensions, and terminations, to support consistency reviews and trend analysis across departments.
• Provides guidance and coaching to supervisors and managers on the progressive discipline process, including development of performance improvement plans, corrective action documentation, and pre-disciplinary meeting procedures.
• Analyzes disciplinary history and comparable cases to advise management on appropriate levels of discipline, ensuring defensible and equitable outcomes.
• Manages the grievance procedure outlined in collective bargaining agreements and County policies; receives, logs, tracks, and monitors grievances through all steps of the process; maintains accurate records of all grievance cases.
• Receives, investigates, and resolves employee relations complaints, including allegations of discrimination, harassment, and workplace misconduct, in accordance with applicable law and County policy.
• Secures appropriate documentation during investigations, interviews relevant parties, and prepares written findings and recommendations for resolution.
• Participates in union-management meetings, labor-management committee meetings, and related proceedings as a management representative.
• Assists in the planning, preparation, and active participation in collective bargaining negotiations, including conducting wage and benefit research and costing proposals.
• Provides guidance on the administration and interpretation of collective bargaining agreements to managers, supervisors, and HR staff; ensures consistent application of contract provisions.
• Assists in the development, review, and implementation of Human Resources policies and procedures; recommends revisions to ensure legal compliance and alignment with best practices.
• Oversees the performance management process, including monitoring probationary evaluations, ensuring timely completion of annual performance reviews, providing guidance to supervisors on performance documentation, and advising on corrective action when performance deficiencies are identified.
• Develops and facilitates employee relations training programs for supervisors and managers, including mandatory policy trainings, supervisory practices, and discipline and discharge topics.
• Performs duties as assigned/necessary which are related, or logical in assignment to the position.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Human Resources, Labor Relations, or closely related field.

Experience: Three (3) years of current or recent experience performing at the level outlined in the essential job functions. An equivalent combination of experience, education, and/or training may be considered. Experience in a municipal, county, or other public sector environment is strongly preferred.

Miscellaneous: Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver's License.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of public sector Human Resources policies, practices, and procedures, including applicable
• federal, state, and local employment laws, regulations, and collective bargaining agreements.
• Knowledge of investigative principles, methods, and techniques related to employee conduct, workplace complaints, and policy violations, including case evaluation and disposition.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and regulatory requirements of public personnel administration.
• Knowledge of current information resources, research tools, and best practices applicable to employee and labor relations and special projects.
• Knowledge of administrative support functions, including records management, data analysis, report
• preparation, and document review.
• Skill in interpreting and applying employment laws, regulations, policies, and memoranda of understanding to complex employee and labor relations issues.
• Skill in researching, analyzing, and evaluating complex and sensitive matters; synthesizing information; and developing sound, defensible recommendations.
• Skill in conducting or overseeing investigations, including interviewing witnesses, reviewing
• documentation, and preparing findings and recommendations.
• Skill in preparing clear, concise, and professional written correspondence, reports, and presentations.
• Skill in the use of computers and standard office software applications, including Human Resources information systems and document management tools.
• Skill in operating standard office equipment such as computers, printers, copiers, and telephone systems.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and confidentiality in decision-making and in the performance of all assigned responsibilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and perform effectively in a fast-paced, high-accountability environment.
• Ability to organize work, establish priorities, meet deadlines, and follow through on assignments with minimal supervision.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with employees, supervisors, executive leadership, union representatives, legal counsel, and external stakeholders.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional, effective working relationships with County officials, management, employees at all levels, labor organizations, other government agencies, and the public.
• Ability to access, operate, and maintain proficiency in a variety of software applications and standard office systems.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion.
• Ability to read, interpret, update, and maintain various records and files accurately.

Physical Demands:

Physical Demand: Light

• 20 pounds maximum lifting.
• Rare lifting, carrying up to 10 lbs.
• If less lifting involved will require significant walking/standing.
• If mostly sitting is involved will require push/pull on arm or leg controls.
• Expressing or exchanging ideas by spoken word or perceiving sound by ear.
• Good eyesight for production or safety of self and others.
• Physical agility is required in kneeling, bending, stooping, and reaching.
• Required to have clear vision at distances of 20 inches or less.

Employee Benefits

Welcome to a workplace that values you. Osceola County offers a comprehensive benefits package to fit your needs and the needs of your family.

Join us in making a difference in our community, knowing we're here to support you every step of the way.

Group Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance

Medical and Dental Insurance at no cost to the employee. In addition, the County contributes 83.5% to the dependent(s) premium coverage.

Deductions Per Paycheck - HRA Base Plan

Coverage

Employee

Employee + 1

Family

Health-HRA Base

$0.00

$130.46

$202.93

HRA Buy-Up

$37.60

$174.33

$271.19

Dental Base

$0.00

$12.72

$23.42

Dental Buy-Up

$3.35

$19.24

$32.63

Vision

$3.42

$6.84

$9.15

Short-Term Disability

$0.00

N/A

N/A

Long-Term Disability

$0.00

N/A

N/A

Short-Term and Long-Term Disability

At no cost to the employee. The County offers Short-Term and Long-Term Disability at 60% of the employee's weekly base salary. The employee has the option to purchase an additional 10% coverage.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

EAP provides confidential counseling and referral services to employees and their family members at no cost.

Employee Wellness Program

Employee Wellness Program promotes a variety of activities to encourage total well-being including physical, emotional, and financial health. Rewards can be earned.

Gym Membership Reimbursement

Gym Membership Reimbursement, up to $20.00 per month.

Basic Life Insurance Policy

At no cost to the employee, equal to one time the employee's annual salary, rounded to the next thousand dollars. Employees can opt to buy additional Life Insurance.

Employee Health Center

The County provides a private health center for County Employees and eligible dependents. The Employee Health Center offers an array of primary care services, including sick visits, enhanced by x-ray services, pulmonary tests, lab work, and a dispensary offering over 200 generic medications onsite. Services at the Health Center are offered at no cost to the employees and their eligible dependents.

Employees who are enrolled on the County's Medical plan have access to the Employee Health Center on day one of employment. The Health Center is available to patients 8 years of age and older.

Vacation & Sick Leave Accruals

Service Time

Accruals Per Month

1 month - 5 years

8 hours

5 years and 1 month - 10 years

10 hours

10 years and 1 month - 15 years

12 hours

15 years and 1 month - 20 years

13.34 hours

20 years and over

16.66 hours

Sick Leave Accruals

Classification

Accruals Per Month

Full time employees

8 hours

Part time employees

4 hours

Paid Holidays

Paid Holidays + 1 Floating Holiday (to be chosen by the Employee)

• New Years Day
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Veterans Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Thanksgiving - Day After
• Christmas Eve
• Christmas Day

Administrative Leave

40 hours of Administrative Leave per fiscal year for Exempt employees.

Sick Leave Bank

Available to employees experiencing a catastrophic medical related event, with up to 240 hours per fiscal year. Enrollment required.

Vacation/Sick Leave Buy-Back Program

Eligible employees may sell back up to eighty (80) hours of accrued leave per fiscal year. (This program is subject to availability of funds and may be amended or terminated at any time without notice.)

Paid Bereavement Leave

Up to five (5) working days off.

Tuition Reimbursement

Up to $1,600 per Fiscal Year, for degree seeking employees. Degree must be related to employee's current position.

Membership in the Florida Retirement System

The County is a Florida Retirement System Employer! For Fiscal Year 2025, County contribution for Regular Class members is 13.63%, subject to a mandatory 3% employee contribution. Rates and Contributions are set by Florida Legislation.

A 457b Deferred Compensation Program

A 457b Deferred Compensation Program is also available to help employees boost their retirement saving goals, with pre-tax and post-tax contributions, as well as IRA plan options. Employee sponsored.

Employee Recognition Program

We see your hard work, and we celebrate it! Through our Employee Appreciation Committee and the "Youve Been Caught Doing Good" program, we recognize outstanding performance or accomplishments with prizes including monetary rewards and merchandise.

01

Do you possess a Bachelors Degree in Human Resources Management, Industrial/Labor Relations, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a closely related field. If yes, list degree type and major/concentration. If no, list N/A. (Education must be demonstrated in the "Education" section of the application)

02

Briefly describe and list your years of Human Resources experience, if applicable, with particular emphasis on employee relations and labor relations, including your experience interpreting and applying employment laws and collective bargaining agreements. If you do not have experience in these areas, list N/A. (Experience must be demonstrated in the "Work Experience" section of the application.)

03

Do you have experience working in a Florida public-sector environment including county, municipal, state, or similar governmental entity? (Experience must be demonstrated in the "Work Experience" section of the application)

• Yes
• No

04

Do you have experience interpreting and applying employment laws, regulations, policies, and memoranda of understanding to complex employee and labor relations issues? (Experience must be demonstrated in the "Work Experience" section of the application.)

• Yes
• No

05

Describe your experience, if any, reviewing proposed disciplinary actions prior to issuance to ensure consistency, procedural compliance, and alignment with applicable policies, collective bargaining agreements, and past practice. If you do not have experience in this area, list N/A. (Experience must be demonstrated in the "Work Experience" section of the application.)

06

Are you a U.S. Military Veteran?

• Yes
• No

07

Are you electing to claim Veterans Preference? (If electing to claim Veterans Preference, please make sure to complete the Veterans Preference Eligibility Form located on the home page of NeoGov.)

• Yes
• No

08

Do you possess a valid Drivers License? If so, from what State?

Required Question

Employer Osceola County

Address 1 Courthouse Square, Suite 4200

Kissimmee, Florida, 34741

Phone 407-742-1200

Website http://www.osceola.org