HR - Employee Relations Specialist

TITLE: EMPLOYEE RELATIONS SPECIALIST
STATUS: EXEMPT
REPORTS TO: DIRECTOR - EMPLOYEE RELATIONS PEOPLE AND CULTURE
DEPARTMENT: HR - EMPLOYEE RELATIONS
JOB CODE: 11784

PAY RANGE: $69,400.00 - $80,000.00 ANNUALLY

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

The Employee Relations (ER) Specialist is a critical role in supporting employees and ensuring the smooth operation of the Employee Relations team.  Acting as a key point of contact, this role provides guidance on various, HR matters while handling employee inquiries and managing complaint resolution. The ER Specialist works closely with HR Business Partners, contributing to organizational growth by creating a positive and inclusive work environment and driving key HR initiatives forward.

TASKS, DUTIES, FUNCTIONS:

1. Deliver exceptional HR service and act as a strategic partner to the Employee Relations team and organizational leaders offering proactive solutions and process improvements.
2. Address employee concerns and resolve conflicts through thorough investigations, ensuring fair and consistent outcomes.
3. Provide coaching and guidance to managers and employees to support performance improvements and achieve organizational goals including disciplinary documentation review and approval.
4. Conduct Climate Checks and Stay Interviews to provide actionable insights to HR Business Partners, addressing development needs and aligning with strategic initiatives.
5. In partnership with the HR Business Partners, utilize investigation outcomes to support training for early remediation.
6. Lead new hire orientations, ensuring a seamless onboarding process, completing HR documentation, and communicating key HR messages.
7. Stay informed of evolving federal and local legislation affecting HR functions, ensuring compliance and maintaining accurate employee records. Regularly follow up on mandatory compliance training completion.
8. Manage all off-boarding activities, including exit interviews and analysis of separation trends, sharing insights with HR Business Partners.
9. Maintain and analyze personnel data, generate reports on key HR metrics and trends to guide decision-making.
10. Ensures consistent application of policies and procedures by managing HR processes across all departments within the HR function.
11. Support and participate in employee engagement activities, including action planning progress tracking and employee recognition programs.

PHYSICAL SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND EXERTION UTILIZED IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THESE TASK:

1. Prolonged sitting throughout the workday with occasional mobility required.
2. Must possess sufficient manual dexterity to skillfully operate an on-line computer terminal and other standard office equipment, such as financial calculators, personal computer, facsimile machine, and telephone.
3. Corrected vision within the normal range.
4. Hearing within normal range.
5. Ability to lift 15 lbs. may be required.
6. Occasional movements throughout the department daily to interact with staff, accomplish tasks, etc.
7. Ability to travel for business, as needed.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTACTS & RELATIONSHIPS:

1. INTERNAL: All levels of staff and management.
2. EXTERNAL: Legal counsel and numerous vendors.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree in human resources or related field, or equivalent experience.
2. EXPERIENCE:  3 + years of HR experience, preferable in an employee relations or leadership role.
3. KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS:
   • Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to clearly articulate complex HR matters.
   • Excellent interpersonal and analytical skills, with commitment to maintaining confidentiality
   • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, balancing multiple priorities effectively.
   • A collaborative mindset with the flexibility to adapt to evolving organizational needs.
   • Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams & OneNote) and experience with HRIS platforms.

LICENSES / CERTIFICATIONS:

PHR or SHRM-CP a plus.

#LI-Hybrid

THIS JOB DESCRIPTION IN NO WAY STATES OR IMPLIES THAT THESE ARE THE ONLY DUTIES TO BE PERFORMED BY THIS EMPLOYEE. HE OR SHE WILL BE REQUIRED TO FOLLOW OTHER INSTRUCTIONS AND TO PERFORM OTHER DUTIES REQUESTED BY HIS OR HER SUPERVISOR THAT ARE WITHIN HIS / HER KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY AS WELL AS HIS / HER MENTAL AND PHYSICAL ABILITIES.

REV. 04/28/2025