Job Description
Job DescriptionDescription:
Why One Family Illinois?
At One Family Illinois (Formerly SOS Children's Villages Illinois) we are committed to keeping brothers and sisters in foster care together by providing safe, stable, and loving homes. We do this by offering an innovative approach to traditional foster care. Our model of care provides a private, single-family home, access to a community center, and support from professionally trained Foster Parents and staff. With this, the children we serve benefit from the stability of remaining with their siblings as well as the support of neighboring One Family Illinois Foster Parents and the entire community.
· Work for an impactful organization with a purpose
· Corporate culture that supports diversity, equity, and inclusion
· Hybrid/flexible work options to help balance work and life
· PTO (paid time off in the form of personal days, sick time, vacation days, and paid company holidays
· Bonus Plan for Child Welfare Specialists
· Employee Referral Bonuses
Employee Well-Being Benefits
· Competitive Healthcare plans through BCBS for you and your dependents (eligible the first of the following month after 30 of FT employment)
· Vision/Dental/Life Insurance offerings
· Flexible PTO
· Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
· 403b Retirement Savings Plan (nonprofit version of 401K). Able to contribute immediately upon full-time employment. In addition, the organization will contribute 4% to your savings plan after 12 months of full-time employment regardless if you are contributing.
· Part of the federal student loan forgiveness program
· Access to financial advisors and financial education tools
· Tuition reimbursement options
· Opportunities for further education as well as time to attend trainings/workshops/etc. for personal/professional development
The Role: The Employee Relations & Benefits Specialist plays a key role in fostering a positive, compliant, and supportive work environment within our foster care agency. This position is responsible for managing employee relations matters, administering benefits programs, and ensuring HR policies and practices are aligned with organizational values, legal requirements, and our mission to serve children, youth, and families.
Responsibilities:
Employee Relations
- Serve as the first point of contact for employee concerns, conflicts, and workplace issues, ensuring fair and timely resolution in accordance with agency policies and employment laws.
- Investigate employee complaints, document findings, and recommend appropriate actions in consultation with HR leadership.
- Provide coaching and guidance to supervisors and employees on performance management, corrective actions, and workplace conduct.
- Promote a culture of respect, collaboration, and open communication in alignment with the agency’s mission and values.
Benefits Administration
- Administer employee benefit programs, including health, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, retirement plans, and leave programs.
- Act as liaison between employees and benefit providers, assisting with problem resolution, claims, and enrollment issues.
- Coordinate annual open enrollment process, including benefit plan communications, group meetings, and system updates.
- Maintain compliance with all benefits-related laws (ACA, FMLA, COBRA, HIPAA, ERISA, etc.).
Compliance & Documentation
- Ensure adherence to federal, state, and local labor laws as well as internal policies.
- Maintain accurate and confidential employee records in the HRIS and personnel files.
- Prepare reports and data analysis related to employee relations trends, turnover, and benefits usage.
- Assist in the development, implementation, and communication of HR policies and procedures.
Training & Engagement
- Partner with HR leadership to provide training for managers and employees on HR topics, including harassment prevention, conflict resolution, and benefits education.
- Support initiatives that promote employee engagement, retention, and wellness.
Requirements:
Education & Experience
- Bachelor's degree in human resources, human services, business administration, or related field, plus one (1) or more years of relevant experience.
- Experience in a non-profit or social services setting strongly preferred.
- Knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws and benefits regulations.
Skills & Competencies
- Strong interpersonal, communication, and conflict-resolution skills.
- High level of discretion, confidentiality, and professionalism.
- Ability to analyze situations, make sound judgments, and recommend solutions.
- Proficiency with HRIS systems (Paylocity) and Microsoft Office Suite.
- Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and trauma-informed workplace practices.
- Spanish/English Bilingual Capacity (read, write, and speak) preferred.
- Strong verbal, written, and presentation communication skills.
- Ability to relate to others in a sensitive, professional, and courteous manner.
- Ability to handle sensitive and confidential materials and to exercise discretion and independent judgement.
- Valid Illinois driver’s license with acceptable driving record, insured and reliable transportation.
Work Environment
- Primarily office-based with flexibility for hybrid work as appropriate.
- Occasional travel to agency sites, trainings, or meetings required.
- May occasionally work outside standard business hours to meet operational needs.
Other
- Ability to pass DCFS, requires criminal background checks including CANTS/SACWIS and SORS. Ability to provide required DCFS Medical Report/TB test, and proof of COVID-19 vaccination.
- Sensitivity to the cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients, community, and staff.
- Ability to work in an alcohol, tobacco, drug, and firearm-free environment.
- Commitment to One Family Illinois mission, vision, and values
ADA DISCLAIMER/STATEMENT: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the person assigned to this position. Position responsibilities are intended to describe those functions that are essential to the performance of this job. This position description does not state or imply that the above are the only duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Employees holding this position will be required to perform any other job-related duties requested by management. All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with a disability.
ONE FAMILY ILLINOIS is an equal opportunity employer. Employment, assignment, and promotion practices are carried out in accordance with all applicable laws, rules, regulations and orders without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, physical handicap, social handicap, sex, age, or ancestry.