Employee and Labor Relations Specialist

Title: Employee and Labor Relations Specialist

Unit: Human Resources

Reports to: Director of Employee Relations/Risk Management with dotted line to AVP, Human Resources

Status: Full Time; Regular; Non-Exempt

Salary Range: $37.36 - $40.66 per hour (approximately $68,000 to $74,000 annually)

Location: Long Island City, Queens

Organization Overview:

The Fortune Society, Inc. (Fortune) has been working for almost 60 years in service to our mission: to support successful reentry from incarceration and promote alternatives to incarceration, thus strengthening the fabric of our communities. The organization has evolved into one of the nation’s preeminent reentry and justice-informed service organizations, providing formerly incarcerated people with the skills and wrap-around services needed to break the cycle of crime and incarceration and to build productive lives in their communities.

Fortune has grown steadily over the years to an agency with over $100 million in annual budget with approximately 600 staff. We anticipate that we will keep growing, both in size and depth of service. Fortune has a dual mission: both advocacy and service. The advocacy portion of our mission focuses on building a more just criminal legal system and reducing the barriers to reentry into society. The service side of Fortune has evolved to encompass a broad range of programs that started with employment and education and now includes a robust array of services, among them: alternatives to incarceration, supervised release, court advocacy, discharge planning within correctional facilities, licensed outpatient substance use and mental health treatment, a housing continuum ranging from emergency and transitional through permanent congregate and scattered site housing, assistance in obtaining benefits, a care management unit, HIV services, a food and nutrition program, an arts program, lifetime aftercare, policy and advocacy through our David Rothenberg Center for Public Policy, and research through our Center for Research, Inquiry and Social Justice. Each service we provide is informed by the needs of the population we serve. Fortune currently serves approximately 20,000 people a year. Our program models are recognized, both nationally and internationally, for their quality and innovation. We have locations in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Employee and Labor Relations Specialist supports the area of employee and labor relations, internal investigations, creation and review of HR policies, as well as the full array of employee issues as they arise.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

The Employee and Labor Relations Specialist possesses the following core competencies which are key to the fulfillment of the requirements for the position:

Mission and Fit

Embodies Fortune’s mission and values and will be an effective member of the team in furthering both. The candidate should exhibit compassion and understanding for our participants (wherever they are in their re-entry process) and embrace Fortune’s core value that none of us should be measured against the worst things we have done.

Employee Engagement

The Employee and Labor Relations Specialist must have the capacity to engage all of our staff, which consists of a diverse and inclusive group of people of varied backgrounds, with many having lived experience with the criminal justice system. The Employee and Labor Relations Specialist shall have the necessary emotional intelligence to navigate complex investigative and employee relation matters all the while maintaining an objective and neutral fact-finding process.

Organizational Skills

The Employee and Labor Relations Specialist must be highly-organized and able to track multiple issues at the same time, ensuring that information is shared with the appropriate parties, documentation is prepared and preserved, and investigations and other Employee and Labor Relations issues move through the process.

Adaptive Capacity

The Employee and Labor Relations Specialist must be adaptive and proactive in supporting revolving/competing deadlines and must be anticipatory and efficient in response to the unpredictable nature of the work.

Employment Policy, CBA, and Regulation Resource

The Employee and Labor Relations Specialist must have a strong knowledge of the laws and rules governing the operations of Human Resources (Federal, State, Local laws, as well as ability to interpret and apply Fortune’s Handbook and policies, and collective bargaining agreements), and as such shall be a resource available to employees and supervisors. A law graduate with an ability and willingness to learn would be considered.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support the Director of Employee Relations/Risk Management and the AVP, Human Resources to develop strategies to address employee relations issues. Assist managers with properly documenting performance and conduct issues in accordance with applicable requirements and agency values. Advise and coach managers on policies, performance and conduct issues, discipline, and employee separations. Serve as a primary point of contact for employee and union concerns, workplace complaints, and labor relations matters.
• Facilitate conflict resolution, mediation, and employee engagement initiatives.
• Assist the Director of Employee Relations/Risk Management in managing the grievance process, including investigating employee grievances, preparing responses, and participating in grievance meetings and hearings.
• Support the Director of Employee Relations/Risk Management in investigating internal complaints, and, when appropriate, take the lead in conducting investigations, preparing reports of findings, and recommending disciplinary action in accordance with potential legal exposure and agency values.
• Support the administration and interpretation of collective bargaining agreements, including advising managers on contractual requirements, responding to union inquiries, and addressing potential contract compliance issues.
• Assist with labor-management meetings and other union-related matters, as needed.
• Support the Benefits Director in reasonable accommodation considerations and the leave administration process
• Support the Director, Training and Development in addressing performance concerns and identifying trainings as needed based on introductory and annual reviews.
• Support the Director of Employee Relations/Risk Management and the AVP, Human Resources in the review of policies and procedures related to employment practices that ensure agency compliance with federal, state and local employment and labor laws, as well as any collective bargaining agreement.
• In consultation with the Director of Employee Relations/Risk Management and the AVP, Human Resources, oversee recordkeeping of internal investigations and employee discipline.
• Serve as a liaison with union representatives, sharing information on employee changes and disciplinary action.
• Support the Director of Employee Relations/Risk Management and the AVP, Human Resources in employee discipline, including grievance hearings.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a concentration related to Labor or Human Resources preferred. PHR or SHRM or Law School graduate preferred;
• 2 to 3 years of relevant human resources experience, not-for-profit and/or unionized setting preferred, at least 1 year of experience in Employee/Labor Relations. Equivalent education or Juris Doctorate will be considered.;
• Experience with conflict resolution and/or mediation a plus.
• Possess excellent analytical, research, and oral and written communication skills;
• Possess ability to provide sound Human Resources advice, develop creative solutions, and exercise sound business judgement;
• Track record of demonstrating professional judgment and discretion in being of service to multiple teams and senior managers in a diverse and multi-faceted organization;
• Must possess solid knowledge and understanding of labor laws and regulations and ability to stay abreast of legal or regulatory changes affecting HR. A Law School graduate willing and able to come quickly up to speed on laws and regulations encouraged to apply;
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment; Ability to independently manage and multi-task with strong organizational and time management skills;
• Experience in performance management and employee relations; as well as investigation and documentation skills. It is expected that the right candidate will be able to independently conduct internal investigations and draft investigation reports after a period of orientation;
• Strong skills in MS Office including Excel and Word;
• Customer-focused with experience and ability to work with staff at a variety of levels and to coordinate multiple stakeholders and projects;
• Excellent self-direction, common sense, and ability to problem solve and work as a team.

We seek talented, dedicated individuals from all walks of life who possess a strong commitment to Fortune’s mission. Relevant personal experience is a plus.

Travel Requirements: Will require local travel to our program sites and citywide meetings, as needed.

Physical Demands:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily and to travel to various worksites. The responsibilities and requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skills, minimum education, training, licensing, experience and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

The Fortune Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of conviction history, race, religion/creed, citizenship status, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, victim of domestic violence status or marital status.

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