Human Resources Consultant - Employee Relations

Human Resources Consultant

Join a dynamic Human Resources team that supports over 2,200 dedicated County employees across 29 departments serving our community. As a Human Resources Consultant in our Employee Relations Division, you'll play an essential role in promoting a positive, compliant, and supportive workplace. This position offers the opportunity to work across all areas of HR, with a strong focus on employee relations, including monitoring and responding to FMLA and unemployment requests and assisting with policy manual updates. If you're passionate about people, policy, and problem-solving, this role provides the perfect blend of collaboration, impact, and professional growth within a progressive organization.

Examples of Duties :

• Oversee the processing and monitoring of all FMLA requests, ensuring employees receive required forms promptly and submit completed documentation on time
• Review FMLA certification forms to verify eligibility, determine approval, and establish leave dates
• Track FMLA timelines and provide regular updates to employees and management regarding leave status and upcoming deadlines
• Maintain confidential medical and leave records in compliance with legal requirements and state mandated retention schedules
• Ensure accurate tracking of FMLA usage and generate reports as needed to support HR operations
• Assist supervisors in implementing Performance Improvement Plans (PIP) and improving performance through the county's progressive discipline process
• Monitor PIP progress, track timelines, and provide support for both supervisors and employees
• Provide guidance, recommendations, and best practices to address performance concerns and support employee development
• Review and track all unemployment claims to ensure accurate and timely processing
• Document relevant information, research claim details, and establish deadlines and timelines for response
• Prepare supporting materials for audits and appeals, ensuring compliance with county policies and state regulations
• Maintain clear records and follow the retention schedule in accordance with legal requirements and state mandates
• Coordinate with relevant departments to support claim resolution and reporting requirements

Minimum Qualifications :

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university and two (2) years of experience in personnel administration in the assigned area, or generalist capacity; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Management Preference : SPHR or PHR preferred.

Necessary additional requirements :

Candidates identified as highly qualified will be contacted by Human Resources via email to complete required testing. A minimum score of 35 net words per minute on the keyboarding assessment is required for further consideration. Candidates who successfully meet this requirement will then proceed to complete four additional Employee Relationsrelated assessments which include Sentence Clarity, Reading Comprehension, Business Correspondence, and Applying Policies.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities :

Conditions of Employment :

A formal transcript will be required. College transcripts may be submitted on-line via the attachment feature or mailed to Cumberland County Human Resources, 117 Dick St. Fayetteville, NC 28301.

In accordance with Session Law 2025-16, candidates selected for positions involving work with children in any capacity will be required to undergo a fingerprint-based criminal history check conducted by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI).

Successful candidates who receive a conditional offer of employment with Cumberland County must pass pre-employment screenings, including criminal history checks and drug screenings, as required by Cumberland County Policies and Procedures, prior to beginning work or receiving a final offer of employment. Refusal to submit to testing or testing positive for prohibited substances will result in the withdrawal of the conditional employment offer.

Cumberland County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind. All employment decisions at Cumberland County are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or any other status protected by applicable laws and regulations. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals and will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable law. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.