Senior Human Resources Advisor

Job Description

Puget Sound Energy is looking a Senior HR Advisor to join our team. PSE believes that our diverse workforce is our strength and diverse experiences promotes creative business solutions and a respectful and inclusive work environment helps us better serve our customers.  

PSE is undergoing a transformation to support our clean energy goals while maintaining our commitment to safety, reliability, affordability and equity, so agility, curiosity, and influence is essential for this role. In order to support and foster our relationships, this role needs to be able to able to pivot and execute on unique and strategic initiatives such as projects to retain top talent and supporting labor activities.  This role is key to ensure the employee experience is consistent.  

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated employee relations, labor relations, and performance management experience in a fast moving environment, which should include conducting complex investigations, leading grievance efforts, engaging in legal requests for information, and providing mentoring and guidance to other HR peers. They will possess strong influential capabilities with leaders and employees. Along with superb problem solving skills, this individual must exercise excellent judgement.  

Under general supervision, responsible for day-to-day administration of policies and programs supporting employee and labor relations. Provides assistance in facilitating workforce change, delivering/enforcing/implementing labor/employee relations and broader human resources department programs and activities, such as recruiting, compensation, and training. 

Demonstrates commitment to conduct business honestly, ethically and consistent with our core values and Code of Conduct. Ensures duties are performed in accordance with all regulatory compliance obligations. Upholds the safety compliance standards inherent in PSE’s operating and/or field procedures related to work responsibilities. Promotes and supports a culture of total safety.

Job Responsibilities

• Resolves employee/labor relations issues of moderate to high complexity working under the guidance of the Manager Employee Relations and the Labor Relations Program Manager. Conducts thorough investigations, presents findings, and makes suggestions to resolve complaints.
• Researches, documents and coordinates efforts associated with labor contract arbitrations, grievances, administration of discipline and labor/management meetings.
• Participates in the implementation of HR programs, processes, and other initiatives as assigned to build management capabilities in such areas as performance management and effective feedback. Builds tools and resources to support management effectiveness.
• Educates employees about company policies and guidelines, including compensation, benefits, leaves of absence, terminations, job postings, new employee orientation, training programs, and personnel records and transactions.
• Increases understanding and consistent application of company policies, procedures and practices through training, coaching, one-on-one communication and policy and contract interpretation. Guides employees and managers accordingly, including directing them to the location of relevant information and tools to assist them.
• Reviews and responds to unemployment claims.
• Requires ability to drive to multiple work locations with PSE’s service territory as needed to meet with employees, supervisors, and managers.
• Delivers HR or management related training programs as required.
• Ensures compliance with local, state, and federal employment laws and regulations.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field and 3 years related experience with emphasis in labor relations, employee relations, performance management, compensation, and training and development, or an equivalent combination of experience and education necessary to perform the job.
• Strong demonstration of high ethics and ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Solid understanding of local, state, and federal employment law.
• Ability to objectively coach employees and management through complex, difficult, and emotional issues.
• Proven customer relations skills including problem solving and conflict resolution. 
• Excellent communications skills (oral, written, listening).
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and changing environment.
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills.
• Group presentation and facilitation skills.
• Ability to coach, mentor and influence others.
• Ability to organize and prioritize work.
• Proficient in using Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint (Microsoft software).

Desired Qualifications

• Advanced degree (M.A.) or graduate work in HR-related field and/or PHR or SPHR certification.
• Five (5) years hands on experience in resolving labor contract disputes and grievances.
• Five (5) years related experience in HR including employee relations, performance management, compensation, and training and development.
• Organizational development and diagnosis skills.
• Previous managerial experience.
• Change management skills.
• Experience using SAP or other HRIS system.

Additional Information