Human Resources Generalist Senior

Department: Charlotte Area Transit System Department

Thank you for your interest in joining the team that keeps Charlotte moving, at a very exciting time for our organization. At the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS), we’re committed to delivering safe, reliable, and innovative transit services for our growing community, and we value employees who bring professionalism, passion, and a commitment to public service.

 

This position is currently employed by CATS, a department of the City of Charlotte. With the passage of the PAVE Act and last year’s sales tax referendum, CATS is preparing to transition from a City department to the newly created Metropolitan Public Transit Authority (MPTA). The MPTA was established to strengthen regional transit governance, improve accountability, and support long‑term investment in mobility. It’s an important and exciting step forward for transit in our region.

 

Employees hired into this role will remain City employees through December 31, 2026, and will transition to MPTA employment on January 1, 2027. Benefits and compensation will follow City provisions through 2026 and shift to MPTA provisions in 2027, with clear information shared in advance. Your core duties, reporting structure, and daily responsibilities will remain consistent, with no break in service. If anything delays the transition, your City employment, including compensation and benefits, will remain in place until the move to the MPTA occurs.

 

The creation of the MPTA positions us for a more modern, sustainable, and efficient transit system, one that can better support the Charlotte region for decades to come. We’re excited about what’s ahead and appreciate your interest in being part of it.

SUMMARY

The HR Supervisor, Employee Relations, provides operational leadership for employee relations activities across the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS). This role oversees ER case management, grievance and ESC hearing administration, and guides supervisors through workplace issue resolution. The position ensures consistent application of policies and regulatory requirements across a 24/7 transit workforce.
Reporting to the Manager of HR Risk & Employee Relations, the HR Supervisor leads a team of Employee Relations Specialists while serving as a primary resource for supervisors and managers addressing performance, conduct, attendance, and workplace concerns. The role combines staff supervision with hands‑on ER practice leadership, including coaching supervisors, reviewing corrective action documentation, overseeing investigations, and serving as the lead HR representative for grievance and ESC hearings.
The HR Supervisor supports organizational accountability, promotes proactive issue resolution, and strengthens workforce stability in a safety‑sensitive, union‑influenced transit environment.

Employee Relations Operational Leadership

• Oversee daily employee relations operations and assign casework to ER staff.
• Serves as primary escalation point for supervisors addressing workplace concerns.
• Guides resolution strategies aligned with policies, and transit operational requirements.
• Ensure consistent handling of ER matters across bus, rail, STS, maintenance, and administrative divisions.
• Monitors case progress and ensure timely, defensible resolution.
• Ensures consistent handling of employee relations matters across departments.

Grievance & ESC Hearing Administration (Lead Responsibility)

• Serves as the lead HR representative for all grievance and ESC hearings.
• Coordinates scheduling, documentation, and case preparation for hearings.
• Reviews supervisor documentation for completeness and defensibility prior to hearings.
• Prepares HR summaries, case briefs, and recommended outcomes.
• Ensures compliance with contractual timelines and procedural requirements.
• Represents HR during hearings, ensuring consistent application of policies and processes.
• Tracks outcomes, identifies trends, and recommends corrective actions or training needs.

Supervisor Coaching and Guidance

• Coaches’ supervisors and managers on performance management, corrective action, and documentation expectations.
• Assists leaders in preparing disciplinary documentation and improvement plans.
• Provides practical guidance on addressing conduct, attendance, and workplace behavior issues.
• Reinforces consistent application of policies and accountability standards.
• Supports early intervention to prevent escalation and reduce operational disruption.

Oversight and Participation

• Oversees workplace investigations conducted by employee relations staff.
• Reviews investigative plans, do