Employee Relations Specialist

Job Description

We are seeking a skilled and motivated Employee Relations Specialist to join our Human Resources team. In this role, you will serve as a trusted advisor to managers and employees, contributing to a respectful, equitable, and compliant workplace environment. Reporting to the Employee Relations Manager, you will manage and resolve complex employee relations matters—including performance management, policy interpretation, conflict resolution, and workplace investigations—applying sound judgment, discretion, and a consistent approach aligned with institutional policies and practices. This position plays an important role in supporting organizational effectiveness, mitigating risk, and upholding the highest standards of confidentiality and professionalism.

This is a full-time, exempt, hybrid position requiring a minimum of three onsite days per week.

Primary Responsibilities

• Must possess demonstrated conflict resolution, influencing and negotiating skills.
• Must have in-depth understanding of the regulatory and legal environment as it applies to employers and federal contractors.
• Serve as a primary contact for employee relations issues, including workplace concerns, conflict resolution, and performance management.
• Conduct prompt and thorough fact-finding investigations related to employee complaints, policy violations, and workplace issues, with appropriate oversight.
• Document investigative findings and prepare case summaries and recommendations for review.
• Provide coaching and guidance to managers and employees on HR policies, practices, and conflict resolution strategies.
• Support the development and review of disciplinary documentation and performance improvement plans to ensure consistency and compliance.
• Facilitate conversations between employees and managers to support effective resolution of workplace conflicts.
• Partner with HR leadership to assess trends, recommend improvements, and proactively address workplace culture and engagement.
• Maintain accurate and confidential records of employee relations cases.
• Ensure adherence to federal, state, and company policies and procedures.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Psychology, or a related field required plus a minimum of six years of relevant experience; Master’s degree preferred. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
• Minimum of 4 years of demonstrated experience leading workplace investigations, guiding/counseling on performance management cases, and managing other employee relations matters.
• Experience conducting workplace investigations and managing employee relations cases.
• Solid working knowledge of federal and state employment laws and HR compliance requirements.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, facilitation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and sound judgment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Word).
• Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Word)
• Ability to influence and build trust with employees and managers across all levels of the organization.
• U.S. Citizenship.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.