Employee Relations Specialist

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Center is seeking a dynamic and compassionate professional to join the Center’s People team as an Employee Relations Specialist.

The Employee Relations Specialist handles employee complaints, disputes, and performance matters, ensuring fair treatment and compliance with organizational policies and employment laws.

The role also works in a preventative manner by providing training to managers and supervisors on topics including performance management and communication techniques, and by serving as a resource to managers and supervisors as well as to the People Department team.

This is a role within the Center’s People Department. However, for an interim period, the position will report to the Deputy General Counsel.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to :

• Identify and respond to employee complaints and potential violations of the Center's policies;
• Lead workplace investigations including the intake of complaints, planning investigations, interviewing, writing investigation reports, and communicating outcomes of investigations;
• Determine and initiate follow-up plans for investigations and other related matters;
• Maintain and manage administrative record-keeping related to workplace investigations, including any Sharepoint, Google or other folders and systems currently in use or that may be created for this purpose;
• Be a resource to managers and all staff on Employee Relations processes, policies, and best practices and ensure the proper implementation;
• Provide excellent customer service to staff by being proactive and responsive to employee inquiries;
• Develop and lead training and other supports to managers on topics such as giving feedback and communication techniques;
• Visit program site locations to connect with our staff to deepen relations with staff;
• After the role transitions to the People Department, continue to coordinate and consult with the Legal Team on investigations and other employee relations matters, as appropriate;
• After the role transitions to the People Department, assist with other projects as needed;
• Additional tasks as necessary.

Qualifications :

• A Bachelor's degree required;
• A minimum of 5 years as an HR Generalist or related HR experience required, including 3-4 years of experience conducting investigations in response to employee complaints particularly in relation to Equal Employment Opportunity, Anti-Harassment and Discrimination and Violence-Free Workplace policies;
• Excellent interpersonal communications skills, a collaborative approach to problem-solving, exceptional organizational and analytical skills, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment are required;
• Strong ability to work independently, prioritize work, efficiently complete tasks with multiple simultaneous projects, maintain confidentiality and discretion, and exercise good judgment; and
• Excellent verbal and writing skills.

Position Type : Full-Time.

Position Location : Hybrid with approximately three days onsite per week at our midtown Manhattan location with occasional travel within the five boroughs to other sites and Newark, New Jersey.

Compensation : The compensation range for this position is $75,000 - $90,000 and is commensurate with experience. The Center for Justice Innovation offers an excellent benefits package including comprehensive healthcare with a national network, free basic dental coverage, vision insurance, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, and flexible spending accounts including commuter FSA.

We prioritize mental health care for our staff and offer services like Talkspace and Ginger through our healthcare plans.

We offer a 403(b) retirement plan with a two-to-one employer contribution up to 5%.