Employee Relations Specialist

Employee Relations Specialist

Classification: Exempt
Reports to: Director of Human Resources
Date: July 2025

Each day at Volunteers of America, we strive to exemplify our foundational pillar of Servant Leadership and Cultural Values of Communication, Compassion, Integrity, Respect, and Excellence.

At VOA we are committed to providing opportunities that help staff grow and enhance their skill sets.  As part of this commitment, we invest in on-the-job training to prepare employees for their new positions and offer professional development opportunities, coaching, and career pathways to promote our culture of helping staff advance their careers throughout the organization.

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­JOB DESCRIPTION

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Summary/Objective

The Employee Relations Specialist is a key member of the Human Resources team, providing expertise and proactive support in resolving employee issues and fostering a positive, compliant, and engaged workplace. This role partners closely with HR leadership and managers across the organization to address employee relations matters, ensure legal and policy compliance, and strengthen our people-management practices. The Employee Relations Specialist also supports core HR functions, including performance management, onboarding, payroll, and compliance reporting.

Essential Functions

• Provide consultation and support to managers and employees regarding employee relations policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Conduct thorough, fair, and confidential investigations into employee complaints or concerns, documenting findings and recommending appropriate action.
• Collaborate with HR leadership on sensitive employee issues to ensure risk mitigation and legal compliance.
• Support and facilitate conflict resolution processes, including coaching, mediation sessions, and other interventions as appropriate.
• Document employee relations cases accurately and maintain strict confidentiality and data integrity.
• Assist with performance management processes, including corrective actions, disciplinary procedures, and terminations.
• Provide training and coaching to managers on effective employee relations strategies and policy enforcement.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, proactively monitoring changes and recommending policy updates.
• Assist with unemployment claims and hearings.
• Prepare and coach managers and supervisors on possible unemployment hearings.
• Accurately utilize the HRIS system and compile reports from the database.
• Perform various assigned human resources duties as instructed.
• Act as a backup for payroll processing.
• Act as a backup to the front desk and phones as needed.

Competencies

• Strong relationship-building and consulting skills with the ability to influence and advise all levels of staff.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication abilities.
• Sound judgment, ethical practice, and a high degree of professionalism and discretion.
• Deep HR expertise, with a strong understanding of employment laws, employee relations best practices, and conflict resolution techniques.
• Solutions-oriented mindset with proven problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and manage sensitive information with integrity.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, able to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Proactive, collaborative team player who also works well independently.
• Commitment to servant leadership, demonstrating humility, service, and alignment with our organizational values in all interactions.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities but may serve as a mentor to other positions within the organization.

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as laptops, photocopiers, and smartphones.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. This would require lifting files, opening filing cabinets, and bending or stooping as necessary.

Travel

This position may require travel within the organization’s geographic region,

Required Education, Experience, or Eligibility Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or three years of experience in the human resources field, or any similar combination of education and experience.
• Highly proficient with the use of Microsoft Suite applications and database software.

Preferred Education and Experience

• HR Professional Certification: SHRM-SCP, SHRM-CP, PHR, SPHR. 
• Four to seven years of human resource experience. 

EEO Statement

Volunteers of America Northern Rockies is committed to equal opportunity for all, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristics.  Volunteers of America Northern Rockies will make reasonable accommodations for known physical or mental limitations of otherwise qualified employees and applicants with disabilities unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business.  If you are interested in applying for an employment opportunity and feel you need a reasonable accommodation pursuant to the ADA, please contact us at 307-672-0475.