Senior Human Resources Generalist - ELR and Engagement

The Senior Human Resources Generalist, Employee Relations and Engagement, serves as the institution's lead resource for employee relations, labor relations support, disability accommodation administration, performance management, and employee engagement initiatives. This position partners closely with the Vice President of Human Resources to promote a positive workplace culture, ensure consistent application of policies and collective bargaining agreements, maintain compliance with employment laws and regulations, address workplace concerns, and enhance the overall employee experience throughout the employment lifecycle.

Essential Functions:

Key Responsibilities

• Serves as the primary HR resource for employee relations matters, including employee concerns, investigations, conflict resolution, corrective action, and performance management.

• Provides guidance and coaching to supervisors and managers regarding employee relations issues, workplace conduct, policy interpretation, performance improvement, and disciplinary actions.

• Supports labor relations activities, including contract interpretation, grievance administration, collective bargaining agreement compliance, and employee-management communications.

• Coordinates and administers the ADA accommodation process, including facilitating the interactive process, reviewing documentation, evaluating accommodation options, and maintaining required records.

• Conducts workplace investigations and prepares thorough, timely, and objective documentation, findings, and recommendations.

• Assists with the administration and monitoring of performance management processes, including performance evaluations, employee development planning, and corrective action procedures.

• Develops, coordinates, and evaluates employee engagement, recognition, retention, and culture-building initiatives designed to enhance the employee experience.

• Analyzes employee relations trends and engagement feedback and recommends strategies to improve workplace effectiveness, employee satisfaction, and retention.

• Partners with the Vice President of Human Resources to ensure compliance with federal and state employment laws, institutional policies, and collective bargaining agreements.

• Assists in the development, interpretation, communication, and implementation of human resources policies, procedures, and programs.

• Maintains confidential employee information and exercises sound judgment in handling sensitive and complex personnel matters.

• Participates in special projects, training initiatives, and other human resources activities as assigned.

Shared Administrative Responsibilities

• Provide front-line customer service to employees, applicants, retirees, and visitors.

• Monitor and assist with HR inbox coverage.

• Cross-train and provide backup coverage for essential HR functions during absences and peak workload periods.

• Support salary administration processes and compensation-related communications.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge

• Federal and state employment laws, including ADA, Title VII, FMLA, FLSA, and other applicable regulations.

• Employee relations principles, workplace investigations, disciplinary processes, and conflict resolution techniques.

• Labor relations practices and collective bargaining agreement administration.

• Performance management systems and progressive corrective action processes.

• Disability accommodation requirements and ADA interactive process procedures.

• Employee engagement, retention, and workplace culture initiatives.

• HR policies, procedures, and best practices.

• Higher education employment environments, including faculty, staff, and unionized employee populations, preferred.

Skills

• Strong investigative and fact-finding skills.

• Effective conflict resolution and mediation skills.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Strong interviewing and active listening skills.

• Ability to analyze complex employee relations issues and recommend appropriate solutions.

• Presentation and facilitation skills for training managers and employees.

• Strong organizational and case management skills.

• Proficiency with HRIS systems, Microsoft Office applications, and case documentation tools.

• Strong report-writing and documentation skills.

Abilities

• Maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment in sensitive situations.

• Manage multiple investigations and employee relations matters simultaneously.

• Interpret and apply employment laws, policies, and collective bargaining agreements.

• Establish trust and credibility with employees, supervisors, and leadership.

• Recommend and implement practical solutions to workplace challenges.

• Work independently while collaborating effectively with leadership and colleagues.

• Remain professional and objective during difficult conversations and investigations.

• Identify trends and recommend proactive employee relations and engagement strategies.
   

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, Organizational Development, or a closely related field.

• 2-5 years of human resources experience, specifically employee relations and workplace investigations.

• An equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience may be considered in lieu of a bachelor's degree.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a higher education setting and/or in a union environment.

• Experience with ADA administration.

• Knowledge and experience in Workday.

• PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP certification

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