Employee Relations Specialist

The Employee Relations Specialist is responsible for fostering a positive, productive, and compliant workplace environment. This role manages employee relations matters, conducts workplace investigations, advises managers and employees on HR policies, and ensures compliance with employment laws and Union’s standards in a thorough, neutral, respectful, and timely manner. The ideal candidate is a trusted advisor who demonstrates sound judgment, confidentiality, and strong conflict resolution skills.

Employee Relations Specialist

Pay Status and Classification: Exempt, Regular Full-time

Supervisor: Sr Director of Benefits & HR Systems

Essential Responsibilities and Duties:

Employee Relations & Conflict Resolution

• Serves as the primary point of contact for employee relations concerns.
• Investigates complaints related to policy violations and workplace conflicts.
• Conducts fair, thorough, and timely investigations; documents findings and recommends appropriate actions.
• Facilitates conflict resolution between employees and management.
• Provides coaching and guidance to managers on performance management and disciplinary processes.
• Maintains documentation and files for investigations, incidents, and programs as needed.
• Collaborates closely with the Director of Equal Opportunity & Title IX Coordinator to ensure employee matters related to discrimination, harassment, bias, or retaliation are responded to promptly and appropriately.

Policy Interpretation & Compliance

• Interprets and applies company policies consistently and fairly.
• Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
• Supports policy development, updates, and communication initiatives.
• Partners with legal counsel, when necessary, on complex employee relations matters.
• Processes unemployment claims and represents the College in unemployment hearings and proceedings.

Performance Management Support

• Guides managers through progressive discipline processes.
• Assists in drafting performance improvement plans (PIPs) and corrective action documentation.
• Supports termination processes to ensure compliance and risk mitigation.
• Assists with the preparation, launch, and training for the annual performance plan process.
• Provides support with coaching and training initiatives

Documentation & Reporting

• Maintains accurate and confidential records of investigations and employee interactions.
• Tracks and analyzes employee relations data to identify patterns and areas for improvement.
• Prepares reports, including Exit Questionnaire data, and summaries for HR leadership.

Qualifications:

• 3+ years of Employee Relations work experience.
• Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent experience.
• Ability to demonstrate tact and diplomacy and maintain a high level of confidentiality.
• Ability to demonstrate acute attention to detail.
• Ability to demonstrate excellent judgment and discretion when responding to employee relations requests and handling difficult or volatile situations effectively.
• Ability to provide guidance to managers and employees on complex and significant employee relations issues.
• Ability to prioritize tasks to meet established and variable deadlines, with the flexibility to respond to stressful situations and unexpected demands.
• Strong foundational knowledge of federal and state employment laws and regulations.
• Excellent writing skills to prepare clear, concise, and well-written documents.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel), Google Suite (Docs, Sheets) and familiarity with HRIS or ER case management tracking software.
• Excellent conflict resolution and mediation skills.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication abilities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 5+ years of Employee Relations work experience.
• Master’s degree or equivalent experience.
• HR certification (e.g., SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR).

Compensation:

The annual salary range for this position is $68,000-73,000.

Except for roles with a set rate of pay, the wage/salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The stated hiring rate/range represents the College’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the rate/range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Location: Schenectady, NY