| Location | Chicago, IL |
This position requires a physical presence at the work location.
Please refer to Important Information at the end of the page.
The Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County
HR INVESTIGATOR
(Actively Recruited)
Job Summary
The HR Investigator is a full-time position within the Human Resources Department, reporting to the Director of Labor Relations. The HR Investigator supports the investigation of workplace complaints, alleged employee misconduct, policy violations, and other employment-related matters involving employees of the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County (Clerk's Office).
The HR Investigator coordinates and conducts interviews, gathers and reviews relevant documentation and other evidence, maintains accurate investigative records, and prepares objective written summaries and reports for review by Labor Relations and Executive Leadership. The HR Investigator is expected to conduct investigations in a fair, impartial, timely, and confidential manner and to interact with employees, management, union representatives, witnesses, and other stakeholders professionally and respectfully.
Essential Duties
Conducts and supports workplace investigations involving allegations of employee misconduct, workplace policy violations, attendance or conduct concerns, and other employment-related matters as assigned by the Director of Labor Relations, the Deputy Chief Human Resources Officer, or the Chief Human Resources Officer.
Reviews complaints, referrals, reports, and other information received by Human Resources and assists in identifying relevant issues, witnesses, documentation, and appropriate investigative next steps.
Coordinates and schedules investigative interviews with complainants, subjects, witnesses, supervisors, and other individuals who may have relevant information.
Conducts investigative interviews in a professional, neutral, and objective manner and prepares thorough and accurate interview notes and documentation.
Identifies, gathers, reviews, organizes, and analyzes relevant records and evidence, including correspondence, policies, personnel records, attendance records, electronic communications, video or other documentation, as applicable.
Evaluates information obtained during investigations to identify relevant facts, inconsistencies, corroborating information, and areas requiring additional inquiry.
Prepares clear, factual, objective, and timely investigative summaries, memoranda, timelines, reports, and other documentation for review by the Director of Labor Relations or other designated Human Resources leadership.
Maintains neutrality throughout the investigative process and avoids conclusions or recommendations based on personal opinion, assumptions, political considerations, or other non-job-related factors.
Maintains organized and confidential investigative case files and ensures investigative records are appropriately maintained and safeguarded.
Tracks assigned investigations and provides timely status updates to the Director of Labor Relations regarding outstanding interviews, documentation, deadlines, and other investigative activity.
Assists Labor Relations with gathering and organizing information related to employee discipline, grievances, workplace complaints, and other labor and employee relations matters, as assigned.
Reviews applicable Clerk's Office policies, procedures, collective bargaining provisions, work rules, and other relevant materials in connection with assigned investigations.
Coordinates with Human Resources staff, management, union representatives, General Counsel, Compliance, and other appropriate parties as directed by Labor Relations leadership.
Handles sensitive employee and workplace information with appropriate discretion and confidentiality.
Performs other duties as assigned or required.
The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee's normal line of work.
Minimum Qualifications
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in human resources, Labor Relations, Criminal Justice, or Psychology.
Two (2) or more years of full-time professional work experience in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Employee Relations, workplace investigations, or compliance.
One (1) year of full-time work experience working in a unionized environment and/or interpreting collective bargaining agreements.
One (1) year of full-time work experience working in a public-sector or government environment.
One (1) year of full-time work experience in a Shakman or Rutan environment.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics
Knowledge of basic principles and practices related to Human Resources, Employee Relations, Labor Relations, and workplace investigations.
Working knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local employment laws and workplace policies.
Ability to conduct interviews professionally, objectively, and respectfully.
Ability to gather, organize, review, and evaluate information from multiple sources.
Ability to remain neutral and impartial when reviewing allegations, conflicting accounts, and sensitive workplace matters.
Ability to distinguish factual information from assumptions, opinions, and unsupported conclusions.
Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills.
Strong written communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear, concise, factual, and well-organized investigative documentation.
Strong verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
Excellent organizational and planning skills with the ability to manage multiple investigations, assignments, and deadlines simultaneously.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise appropriate discretion when handling sensitive employee and personnel information.
Ability to interact professionally with employees at all levels of the organization, including management, union representatives, witnesses, and other stakeholders.
Ability to ask appropriate follow-up questions and obtain relevant information during investigative interviews.
Ability to follow established procedures and direction while exercising sound judgment within assigned responsibilities.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a Human Resources team.
Ability to maintain accurate case files, notes, records, and investigative documentation.
Ability to achieve goals and meet established deadlines.
Computer literacy and proficiency in entering, retrieving, organizing, and analyzing information and preparing professional reports.
Knowledge and proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams.
Ability and willingness to travel between Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County locations throughout Cook County as required to conduct interviews, investigations, meetings, or other assigned work.
Physical Requirements
Benefits Package
For further information on our excellent benefits package, please click on the following link: http://www.cookcountyrisk.com/
Important Information:
You must include all work experience in your application for it to be considered. Work experience included in your resume and not in your application will not be considered.
Proof of education, accreditation, certification, licenses, or other documents required under Minimum or Preferred Qualifications must be uploaded to your employment application or presented within five days of the interview request.
Degrees awarded outside of the United States with the exception of those awarded in one of the United States territories and Canada, must be credentialed by a foreign credential evaluation agency qualified by the Illinois State Board of Education (currently approved agencies can be found here). All documents will be reviewed for authenticity. Failure to provide required documents by time the posting closes will result in disqualification from the position.
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.
This position requires successful completion of post-offer tests, which may include a criminal background check, drug screen, and/or medical examination.
Falsification of any information in the application process or failure to comply with any of the requirements in the job notification will result in disqualification for the position, dismissal after hire, and/or placement on the Clerk's Office's Ineligible for Hire/Rehire List.
The Clerk of the Circuit Court does not hire for Non-Exempt positions based on Political Reasons or Factors.
For more information on how to apply, please visit https://www.cookcountyclerkofcourt.org/employment and follow the link to fill out an application. Only applications and resumes submitted on Taleo will be accepted.
All communications regarding application status and next steps will be sent from careers@cookcountycourt.com. Applicants are strongly encouraged to add this email address to their safe sender list to ensure timely receipt of messages, as emails may otherwise be filtered to spam or junk folders.
The Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or veteran status. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
Veterans Preference
When applying for employment with the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, preference is given in the application process to honorably discharged Veterans who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States for more than 180 consecutive days, or during War Time.
To take advantage of this preference a Veteran must:
The Cook County Department of Veterans Affairs can assist you with obtaining a certified DD214 and having it recorded for you at no charge. Please contact veterans.affairs@cookcountyil.gov