Deputy Director of Employee Relations

A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact.

As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.

What we offer

• Impact - The work you do here matters to millions. 
• Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it? 
• Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
• Benefits - We care about your well-being.

Agency Description

The Department of Labor builds partnerships between management and the labor organizations representing City employees. The department also oversees matters related to the City’s Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and workplace anti-harassment policies, FMLA, ADA, and other EEO areas. As the City’s main point of contact for the labor community, we:

• Handle negotiations between City unions and City management.
• Respond to unfair labor practice charges filed against the City.
• Investigate complaints of sexual harassment and discrimination from any City employees, applicants, former employees, or members of the public.
• Represent the City in union disputes.
• Make sure employers with City contracts pay prevailing wages.
• Resolve minimum-wage waiver requests.
• Administer and enforce the City’s worker protection laws.

The Department of Labor includes the Office of Employee Labor Relations, the Office of Worker Protections, the Office of Labor Standards, and the Living Wage Working Group.

Position Summary

The Deputy Director of Employee Relations is a member of the executive leadership within the Department of Labor, responsible for setting strategic vision, operations, and training for city-wide departments. 

Within the OELR, the Deputy is responsible for oversight of the initial training and ongoing development of employees within the Employee Relations Unit (ERU); and assigning and monitoring progress of complaint investigations. 

Externally, the Deputy is responsible for successfully engaging with, and communicating across, all City departments; providing counsel and support to City leaders and HR professionals on EEO, HR, ER, ADA and FMLA matters, including any interaction with labor relations issues; and providing guidance and feedback on department EEO investigations.

Work with other stakeholders to revise and develop city-wide policies and ensure messaging and actions are consistent with City policies and compliant with legal requirements. This role directs the work of staff within Employee Relations. Work is performed under the direction of the Department of Labor’s First Deputy Director, who is also Director of the Office of Employee Labor Relations (OELR).

Essential Functions

• Advise managers throughout the City government on EEO, HR, ER, ADA and FMLA matters, including any interaction with labor relations issues, and provide guidance and feedback on department EEO investigations.
• Advise Senior Administration Officials with respect to employee relations issues.
• Supervise staff members who conduct complaint investigations and review their subsequent reports.
• Conduct training sessions on employee and workplace investigations and related training for supervisors, managers, and HR professionals.
• Work with OELR’s Director to develop labor and employee relations policies, strategies, and initiatives; meet with Managers to identify problem areas and make recommendations to address those areas of concern.
• Serve on City’s Employee Protections Advisory Council.
• Collaborate with Law Department and outside attorneys on investigations and discovery production for legal proceedings against the City.
• Monitor and analyze workload demands across the ERU, ensuring effective distribution of tasks and prioritizing essential projects to maintain productivity. Step in to manage or complete tasks in cases of short-staffing, high workload, or unforeseen absences, supporting the team in meeting deadlines and quality standards.
• Assume accountability for the ERU’s output, ensuring the quality, timeliness, and accuracy of all reports, and guidance to departments.
• Develop and conduct training, advanced labor management training, and specialized department-specific employee relations training.
• All other duties as assigned.

Required Competencies, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge:

• Deep understanding of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) laws, regulations, and practices, including expertise in addressing and preventing workplace discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, and genetic information.
• Comprehensive knowledge of compliance management theory and practices.
• Knowledge of the functions, organization, and roles of local government.
• Familiarity with customer service principles and practices, emphasizing effective service delivery.
• Proficiency in computer systems and software, including Microsoft Office tools and applications.
• Knowledge of database management systems for the organization, storage, retrieval, security, and integrity of data.
• Awareness of data entry processes, electronic databases, and record-keeping practices.

Skills:

• Exceptional writing skills to create clear, concise, and organized written reports, including the development of standards and protocols for staff-generated reports.
• Strong analytical skills to review and analyze tracking data, identify trends, and apply findings to improve outreach and service delivery.
• Proficiency in managing and motivating staff, providing direction on goals and assignments, and establishing effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders, including Appointing Authorities, Human Resources Professionals, and internal stakeholders.
• Effective communication skills to present information to individuals and groups, including diverse audiences, and to ensure policy compliance and best practices in HR and employee relations (ER).
• Strong leadership skills to guide staff in the investigation of complaints and inquiries, ensuring adherence to timelines and reporting protocols.
• Skill in developing and implementing electronic record-keeping standards and protocols for organizational use.

Abilities:

• Ability to lead and manage junior staff, assign work, set performance goals, and motivate team members.
• Capacity to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals from varied backgrounds, demonstrating empathy, tact, cultural sensitivity, and respect for diversity.
• Ability to synthesize data and identify trends related to worker protection violations for organizational improvement.
• Capability to maintain accurate records and prepare comprehensive reports with written findings.
• Ability to communicate complex compliance policies effectively to City employees and other stakeholders.
• Aptitude for adapting to evolving compliance and HR practices to ensure organizational alignment with legal and ethical standards.

A Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration, Labor Relations, Human Resources, or related field.

At least six years of progressively-increasing responsibility investigating or litigating EEO based complaints, and/or providing training on EEO laws and policies, or related fields, with at least two years of which was in a management-level position.

We value diverse experiences and are open to flexible qualifications. If you are passionate about this role and meet some of the key criteria, we encourage you to apply.

TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter, resume, and references.

Salary Range: $105,000-$135,000

Discover the Perks of Being a City of Philadelphia Employee:

• Transportation: City employees get unlimited FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTA’s Key Advantage program. Employees can ride on SEPTA buses, subways, trolleys, and regional rail for their daily commute and more.
• Parental Benefits: The City offers its employees 8 weeks of paid parental leave.
• We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
• Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Generous retirement savings options are available
• Pay off your student loans faster - As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Join the ranks of hundreds of employees who have already benefited from this program and achieved student loan forgiveness.
• Unlock Tuition Discounts and Scholarships - The City of Philadelphia has forged partnerships with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities in the area, ensuring that our employees have access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Experience savings of 10% to 40% on your educational expenses, extending not only to City employees but in some cases, spouse and dependents too!

Join the City of Philadelphia team today and seize these incredible benefits designed to enhance your financial well-being and personal growth!

*The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

Effective May 22, 2023, vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical, non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result, only employees in positions providing services that  are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses, doctors, emergency medical personnel), must be fully vaccinated.

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to [email protected].

For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx