Job Description
Job Description
The candidate must reside in San Antonio or within 25 miles the direct surrounding area.
PRIMARY FUNCTION/RESPONSIBILTY
The Employee Relations Specialist plays a critical role in supporting a positive and compliant workplace culture by providing guidance to employees and leadership on employee relations matters. This position partners closely with supervisors and HR leadership to address workplace concerns, ensure consistent application of policies, and support fair and respectful treatment of all staff while aligning with the organization’s mission and values.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Serve as a primary resource for employee relations matters, including performance concerns, attendance, workplace conduct, and policy interpretation.
- Provide guidance and consultation to supervisors and managers on corrective action, performance management, and conflict resolution.
- Review and assist in the preparation of corrective actions, performance improvement plans, and disciplinary documentation to ensure consistency and compliance.
- Conduct or support workplace investigations related to employee complaints, misconduct, or policy violations, ensuring timely, objective, and well-documented outcomes.
- Support leadership in addressing employee concerns proactively to promote engagement, retention, and a healthy workplace culture.
- Ensure employee relations practices align with applicable employment laws, regulations, and non-profit governance requirements.
- Provide training and guidance to supervisors on employee relations best practices, documentation standards, and respectful workplace expectations.
- Maintain accurate, confidential employee relations files and documentation.
- Assist with unemployment claims, appeals, and responses by preparing documentation and coordinating with external agencies as needed.
- Collaborate with HR colleagues on onboarding, offboarding, leaves of absence, and accommodations when employee relations issues arise.
- Develop and provide training and guidance to supervisors on employee relations best practices, documentation standards, and respectful workplace expectations.
- Willing and able to lead and support the termination process
- Identify trends in employee relations issues and recommend improvements to policies, practices, and supervisor training.
- Perform other related duties as assigned in support of the organization’s mission.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business Administration, Social Services, Non-Profit Management, or a related field required.
- Minimum of 3-4 years of experience in employee relations or human resources.
- Experience in a non-profit, social services, healthcare, or community-based organization preferred.
- Knowledge of employment laws, including FMLA, ADA, and applicable state and local regulations.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to handle sensitive matters professionally and compassionately.
- Ability to balance empathy with compliance and sound judgment.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Experience conducting workplace investigations is strongly preferred.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
- Strong knowledge of employee relations principles, employment law, and HR best practices.
- Excellent investigative, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including documentation and coaching conversations.
- Ability to influence and advise leaders at all levels.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple cases simultaneously.
- Demonstrated ability to remain neutral, objective, and professional in difficult situations
Preferred:
- HR certification (PHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, SPHR) preferred but not required.
Certifications/Licenses/Registrations:
- Valid Texas Driver’s License, safe driving record, ability to provide own transportation and proof of current automobile insurance.
PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS AND INFORMATION
- Full-time role with flexibility for on-site presence across multiple locations as needed.
- Occasional evenings/weekends may be required to support urgent investigations or training.
- Work involves handling sensitive and confidential information.
- May require extended hours during investigations or critical employee relation matters.
- Body mobility to stoop, kneel, bend, reach, walk briskly to interact with and monitor children.
- Must have the ability to communicate both verbally and in writing.
- Minimum 40 hours per week but it may necessitate additional time to complete assigned work, which would include evenings and weekends.
- Home-like settings with varying moderate to high degrees of background noise.
- Campuses are smoke-free, except on permitted campuses in designated areas.
DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIP/REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS
Supervised by: Sr. Director of Human Resources
Supervises: N/A