Employee Relations Specialist

Lifetime Assistance – Employee Relations Specialist Make an Impact. Create Joy. Shape the Future. At Lifetime Assistance, our mission is to foster independence, dignity, and respect for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Working with us goes beyond just a job—it’s a chance to transform lives, including your own. Position Overview: Job Title: Employee Relations Specialist Location: Rochester, NY 14624 Department: Human Resources (HR), Employee Relations Reports To: Director of Employee Relations Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt Salary Range: $65,000 - $75,000/year Why You Should Work for Lifetime Assistance? No-Premium Health Insurance: Access comprehensive healthcare without added cost. Education Support: Tuition assistance, scholarships — 50% off tuition for two courses per semester plus up to $3,000 scholarship per semester — plus micro-credential stipends up to $750 and SUNY partnerships. Paid Training & Coaching: Receive hands-on onboarding with a Success Coach, immersive learning, e-learning, and ongoing paid training. Career Growth: Clear pathways to advancement, leadership training, and coaching support. Work-Life Harmony: Generous paid time off and supportive scheduling. Join a Caring Culture: Be part of a compassionate, mission-driven team that values every person — both those we support and our employees alike. Your Core Responsibilities: Employee Relations & Employee Support Serve as an initial point of contact for employee concerns, complaints, and workplace issues. Respond to employee and supervisor inquiries with professionalism, compassion, and sound judgment. Conduct intake conversations, gather relevant facts, and accurately document employee relations matters. Promote a respectful, inclusive, and supportive workplace culture. Build rapport and maintain effective working relationships with employees and leaders throughout the agency. Policy Guidance & Corrective Action Provide interpretation and guidance regarding HR policies and applicable employment regulations. Review written warnings, corrective actions, and termination notices for consistency and compliance. Guide supervisors through disciplinary processes, documentation expectations, and policy requirements. Support leaders with coaching, policy education, and scripting for difficult or sensitive employee conversations. Help promote consistent application of employee relations practices across the agency. Case Management & Risk Escalation Maintain organized, accurate, timely, and confidential employee relations case documentation. Recognize higher-risk employee relations matters and appropriately escalate concerns involving harassment, discrimination, retaliation, or other significant workplace issues to Employee Relations leadership. Maintain the highest standards of confidentiality when handling sensitive employee and organizational information. Support accurate tracking and follow-up of employee relations matters. Offboarding & Employee Records Support and manage employee offboarding processes. Track voluntary resignations and maintain accurate related documentation. Maintain the Employee Relations master tracker and other applicable records. Review and appropriately file employee relations documentation, including corrective actions and termination notices. Leadership & Organizational Support Partner with supervisors and leaders to provide practical employee relations guidance and support. Help leaders prepare for challenging conversations and address workplace concerns appropriately. Support continuous improvement of Lifetime Assistance’s talent and employee relations priorities. Participate in Employee Relations projects, process improvements, and other initiatives as assigned. Perform additional ad hoc duties and projects as needed. What You Bring: Education & Experience Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business Administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience , required. Two (2) or more years of Human Resources experience with exposure to employee relations and corrective action review. Experience in healthcare, nonprofit, or human services settings preferred. PHR, SHRM-CP, or another relevant HR certification preferred. Employee Relations & HR Knowledge Strong understanding of HR best practices and foundational employment law. Familiarity with employee relations processes, corrective action, policy interpretation, and workplace issue resolution. Ability to recognize concerns that may present increased organizational or employee-relations risk and require escalation. Ability to apply policies and HR practices consistently while considering the circumstances of individual situations. Communication & Relationship Building Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Strong documentation and active listening skills. Ability to build rapport and collaborate effectively with employees, supervisors, and leaders from diverse backgrounds. Ability to approach sensitive or challenging conversations with professionalism, compassion, and respect. Ability to provide clear, practical guidance to supervisors navigating employee relations matters. Problem-Solving & Judgment Strong problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills. Ability to gather and assess relevant information before determining appropriate next steps. Strong professional judgment and the ability to recognize when matters require escalation. Ability to balance employee support with agency policies, expectations, and compliance requirements. Confidentiality & Professionalism Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive employee information with discretion. Commitment to maintaining the highest standards of confidentiality. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail when maintaining employee relations documentation and records. Ability to maintain professionalism and objectivity when navigating sensitive or emotionally charged situations. Our Mission & Culture: Mission-Driven Work: Empowering individuals to live with independence and purpose—here, your work truly matters. Inclusive & Supportive: A workplace built on respect, dignity, and a shared vision of inclusion. Community Impact: Join efforts that reflect Lifetime Assistance’s dedication to community partnerships and enhanced quality of life for all. Are You Ready to Begin? If you’re an HR professional who combines sound judgment with empathy, communicates confidently through difficult situations, and believes strong employee relations can help create a better workplace for everyone, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today and help foster a respectful, supportive, and consistent employee experience across Lifetime Assistance. Equal Opportunity Employer Lifetime Assistance is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to inclusive hiring practices without regard to race, religion, gender, age, disability, or other protected characteristics. “I am part of something bigger… Being a Lifetime Assistance employee means everything to me.” — Kimberly C, Family Coordinator of Community Services, celebrating her 30th year with us