Senior Employee Relations Specialist

Role and Responsibilities

The Senior Employee Relations Specialist will lead and champion initiatives that creates an environment in which the employees feel valued, can be successful and are engaged. They will provide guidance on matters involving performance, behavior, conflict prevention and dispute resolution, and hourly and salaried employment practices.

They will respond to and evaluate employee relations issues with a high level of customer focus and sensitivity.

Essential Functions

• Serves as a point of contact for addressing and resolving employee relations issues, including grievances, interpersonal conflicts, workplace concerns, and policy violations.


• Manages the full performance management process including annual performance evaluations, disciplinary actions and performance improvement plans. 


• Maintains job descriptions, including management of the job titles in the HRIS. 


• In partnership with HR leadership, assists with the development and implementation of employee relations policies, procedures, and guidelines.


• Track employee relations metrics and produce trend analysis to be able to recommend proactive solutions to strengthen culture and reduce risk

• Handles all Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and State Division of Human Rights (SDHR) complaints in conjunction with legal counsel and HR management.


• Administers the equal employment opportunity and affirmative action programs with the assistance from contracted preparer.

• Implements and monitors Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs) for employees requiring additional support, ensuring compliance with organizational policies and legal requirements.


• Conducts complex internal investigations related to employee concerns and escalate investigations to the Senior Director of Human Resources as needed.

• Conducts exit interviews, summarize findings, and prepare reports showing trends and concerns for management to review.

• Stays current on federal and state employment laws and regulations, proactively advising leadership on compliance, risk mitigation and emerging trends.


• Assists with recordkeeping related to hiring, termination, credentialing, transfer, and promotion, particularly as related to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), affirmative action, and diversity initiatives.


• Assist with Human Resources aspects of Department of Health audits.


• Investigate reported worksite incidents, prepare monthly reports for the Senior Leadership Team


• Participate in the Safety Committee


• Assists with leadership development training.


• Other duties/projects as assigned.

This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; and nothing in this herein restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources, Business, Labor Relations or related field required.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of progressive Human Resources experience in a Union and/or Non-Union environment.


• Certification for Human Resource Professionals (SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR) preferred.


• Working knowledge of Federal and State regulations.


• Proven ability to operate independently and maintain confidentiality. 


• Customer-focused attitude, with high-level of professionalism and discretion.


• Exceptional computer skills with MS Office proficiency.


• ADP Workforce Now experience preferred.


• Ability and desire to travel is required.


• Valid driver's license with satisfactory driving record within company required standards preferred.

Working Environment 

The Senior Employee Relations Specialist is primarily in an office setting and may be exposed to outdoor conditions. 

The working conditions are classified as light work: 

• Light work - Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Light work involves sitting most of the time.

Physical Requirements

The following is a description of the physical requirements on a daily basis for the Senior Employee Relations Specialist. While performing the duties of the job the employee is regularly expected to:

• Stand


• Sit


• Hear


• Walk


• Talk


• Stoop or kneel


• Repetitive motion

 This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, requirements or working conditions associated with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned.

EOE/AA Minority / Female / Disability / Veteran