Employee Relations & Engagement Specialist

Employee Relations And Engagement Specialist

This position reports directly to Deputy Director, Human Resources and Chief Culture Officer. The Employee Relations and Engagement Specialist will support a positive, inclusive, and high-performing workplace culture. This role serves as a trusted resource for staff, supervisors, and managers by providing guidance on workplace concerns, employee relations matters, performance management, and organizational policies.

The Employee Relations Specialist will play a key role in fostering a respectful and engaging work environment through proactive employee outreach, training and education, policy administration, conflict resolution, and collaboration with leaders across the organization. This position will also contribute to workplace safety initiatives, employee engagement efforts, and organizational culture-building activities.

The ideal candidate is a relationship-builder with strong communication skills, sound judgment, and a commitment to creating an exceptional employee experience.

Job Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Psychology, Organizational Development, or a related field.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in employee relations, human resources, organizational development, or a related discipline.
• Experience conducting workplace investigations and managing employee relations matters.
• Knowledge of employment laws and HR best practices.
• Strong interpersonal, conflict resolution, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and HR information systems.

Preferred:

• Experience working in nonprofit, arts, cultural, educational, or mission-driven organizations.
• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification.
• Experience facilitating training and employee development programs.
• Experience supporting employee engagement and culture initiatives.

Clearances: Criminal Background-National

Physical Activities to Perform Essential Functions: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Moving:

• Approximately 60%+ of time is spent sitting while working at a desk.
• Ability to occasionally transport up to 25 lbs. of files, equipment or supplies.
• Ability to access files, equipment, or supplies.

Vision Requirements:

• This position requires extended time on the computer.

Communication Requirements:

• Clearly communicate in person, by phone, and by video conference.
• Communicate with others in conversational and written English.

Working Conditions:

• Position operates in hybrid work setting comprised of the Barnes' Philadelphia campus and remote work setting indicated by the employee at their documented home address.
• Position requires extended time on the computer.

Job Responsibilities:

Employee Relations:

• Serve as a primary point of contact for employees seeking guidance on workplace concerns, policies, procedures, and employee relations matters.
• Partner with supervisors and managers to address performance, attendance, conduct, and workplace behavior issues.
• Provide coaching and guidance to managers on employee relations best practices, conflict resolution, and performance management.
• Assist in resolving employee concerns through informal mediation and problem-solving techniques.
• Conduct and document workplace investigations related to policy violations, employee complaints, and workplace misconduct.
• Maintain confidential employee relations files and documentation in accordance with organizational policies and legal requirements.
• Monitor trends in employee relations matters and recommend proactive solutions to address recurring issues.
• Proven expertise in end-to-end investigation methodologies (interviewing, evidence gathering, summary writing) and a strong foundation in US employment laws (FMLA, ADA, EEO, Title VII).
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust, exercise…