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Job Description
HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT - EMPLOYEE SERVICES DIVISION
Employee Engagement Specialist (Human Resources Specialist III) This role will be part of the Employee Engagement unit of Employee Services in Human Resources. This role will be responsible to drive employee engagement strategies citywide and foster a positive and productive workplace culture. We are looking for someone with strong situational awareness and the ability to communicate effectively and professionally across all levels of the organization from frontline staff to senior leadership, as well as critical thinking skills, creativity, project management and execution skills. This is a hybrid role requiring on-site work with occasional evening or weekend hours as needed.
DEFINITION OF CLASS
The Human Resource Specialist class includes all positions whose duties are to perform and support the application and execution of established policies, procedures and processes. The Human Resource Specialist must have a detailed understanding of the knowledge, and theory of Human Resources and Employee Services and how it applies to employees of the City of Detroit. They must understand, represent and apply pre-established initiatives to the full range of knowledge and ability. This is the senior technical level of this series in which an employee acts as a subject matter expert and/or in a leadership role. It is distinguished from the Human Resource Specialist II class by the performance of duties with a wider scope and impact. For example, a Human Resource Specialist III employee often performs duties which have City-wide impact and involve working with a wide variety of individuals and groups with different needs / concerns. The work of a Human Resource Specialist III is reviewed on an as-needed basis. Plan, coordinate, perform, support and oversee various employee engagement initiatives which include Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), citywide and department recognition, community engagement or volunteerism, survey data analysis, action planning, communications, employee discount program, etc. Organizing, implementation, management, communication and administration of work flow, policies, procedures and programs as well as some informal supervision of staff. Collaborates with others inside and outside the organization to develop and implement human resources engagement policies and programs in support of city-wide initiatives. Performs the more difficult and responsible technical assignments related to the work of the functional area. Instructs and trains staff on requirements, policies, procedures and best practices for provision of human resources services. Represents the department, division or section on departmental and/or City-wide committees and teams for special projects and initiatives. Assists with developing and coordinating the implementation of division plans and projects. Establishes and maintains relationships with key customer representatives. Conceptualizes and plans new or improved programs for business area, collaborates with senior management team on interdisciplinary programs. Answers questions as a knowledgeable resource in one or more functional areas. Applies established professional guidelines and performs research and/or analysis to make recommendations in solving problems. Demonstrates a good working knowledge of assigned business areas and the operating processes and procedures within the City. Works independently to define and meet customer needs, facilitating innovation and exploration of non-traditional ideas. Provides internal consulting services to constituents and work groups. Manages assigned special projects and programs. Proactively develops solutions; facilitates problem solving among different individuals/groups to reach effective outcomes. Proactively develops, manages, and evaluates programs and procedures that are responsive to the changing needs of the customer and the business environment. Identifies and collaborates with appropriate individuals and groups to develop and implement the changes.
ADDITIONAL JOB DUTIES
Responsible for the development, tracking, support and infrastructure of the Employee Resource Groups program, Employee Engagement Survey, implementation of city-wide recognition program initiatives and other initiatives assigned to the Employee Engagement team. Provide project management strategy, input, planning, execution and support on projects and special department and city events. Partner with HR Communications and the Employee Engagement Unit to develop communications plan for all employee engagement initiatives but more specifically for Employee Resource Groups, City-wide and department recognition, citywide and dept volunteerism, Public Service Recognition Week, employee discount program and input with the other Employee Engagement initiatives. Drive and support implementation of city-wide recognition programs from inception to full roll out and launch. Maintain relationships throughout the department contacts to ensure that all employees are being recognized appropriately based on the qualifications determined by the Employee Engagement team and the Department Heads. Ensure tracking of metrics and success of the program. Make adjustments to the program as needed based on feedback from key stakeholders. Coordinate Public Service Recognition week initiatives as well by partnering with key stakeholders throughout the departments for distribution of items and resources. Education Bachelor's degree with major in human resources, business, management, organizational development, or Human Resource . Human Resource Specialist III Advanced levels of responsibility and three to four (3-4) years of human resources experience in any combination of the following components: compensation, recruitment/staffing, benefits, human resources , employee Resource , training and development, and organizational development. Preferred Qualifications Masters degree Previous employee services and employee relations experience Previous experience as a team or project leader. Equivalency Equivalent combinations of education and experience that provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be evaluated on an individual basis.
Evaluation Plan Interview:
70%
Evaluation of Training, Experience & Personal Qualifications:
30% Total of Interview and Evaluation T.E.
P:
100% Additional points may be awarded for:
Veteran Points:
0 - 15 points
Detroit Residency Credit:
15 points
LRD:
04/17/2026
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Knowledge Of:
Human Resources Information Technology. Human Resources staff planning and employee progression and succession plans. Local government issues, operations and responsibilities. Management principles and practices affecting human resources administration. Quality management and process improvement principles. Regulations, policies and procedures pertinent to service areas. The laws, regulations and methods governing public sector human resources management.
Skill In:
Analysis, Collaboration, Confidentiality, Consulting and Advising. Customer and Client Focus. Decision making, Driving results, effective written and oral communication. Gathering, organizing and analyzing information. Human Resources Capacity and Human Resources information systems applications. Initiative and Self-Management, interpersonal relationship building. Organization, Policy administration, Policy / Planning. Problem Solving / Decision Making. Professionalism and Credibility. Project management, Teamwork, Thoroughness and attention to detail, Time Management.
Ability To:
Accurately secure, evaluate, analyze, and record facts. Collect, analyze and interpret statistical data. Communicate effectively in writing. Communicate effectively orally with tact and diplomacy. Compute mathematical calculations with speed and accuracy. Coordinate multiple priorities. Develop and maintain effective working relationships. Establish and maintain cooperative Resource and gain confidence of those contacted in the work environment. Establish and maintain effective relationships with customer base. Exercise appropriate judgment in answering questions and releasing information. Gather, analyze and present facts. Interpret and effectively communicate regulations, policies and procedures Organize and prioritize work. Prepare clear and succinct reports, graphs, correspondence, and statistical reports. Respond to workplace dynamics in a timely and pro-active manner. Respond to workplace dynamics in a timely, visionary and proactive manner. Secure cooperation of public officials, department managers, employee organization representatives, and others. Physical Demands The work is characterized as sedentary. Typically, Human Resource Specialists sit comfortably to do their work, interspersed by brief periods of walking, standing, bending, and extended periods requiring the use of computer terminals and technology to accomplish work objectives. The above statements describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to the class. Incumbents may be required to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification. Specific job duties may vary from position to position. The City of Detroit is an Equal Opportunity Employer. No applicant for employment shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or other criteria prohibited by City, State, or Federal law.
