Senior Employee Relations Specialist

Senior Employee Relations Specialist

The Senior Employee Relations Specialist serves as the Chief Personnel Officer's primary professional Human Resources partner and provides day-to-day support in the administration of employee relations, labor relations, recruitment, compliance, and strategic Human Resources initiatives. Working under the direction of the Chief Personnel Officer, this position provides responsive consultation and coaching to district administrators, conducts workplace investigations, assists with labor contract administration, supports recruitment and retention initiatives, and promotes the consistent application of district policies, collective bargaining agreements, and employment laws. The Senior Employee Relations Specialist expands the district's Human Resources capacity by providing day-to-day operational leadership and professional Human Resources support while allowing the Chief Personnel Officer to focus on executive leadership, strategic workforce planning, collective bargaining, organizational development, and Board and Superintendent priorities.

Major Duties & Responsibilities

• Employee Relations: Serve as the day-to-day Human Resources partner for principals, supervisors, and district administrators regarding routine employee relations matters. Conduct workplace investigations involving employee complaints, misconduct, policy violations, harassment, discrimination, and other personnel matters under the direction of the Chief Personnel Officer. Prepare investigative reports, findings, and recommendations. Coach administrators regarding performance management, attendance concerns, documentation, conflict resolution, and progressive discipline. Draft disciplinary correspondence, counseling memoranda, performance improvement plans, and settlement documentation. Assist administrators in resolving workplace conflict while promoting positive employee relations. Escalate complex, high-risk, or legally sensitive matters to the Chief Personnel Officer.
• Labor Relations: Assist the Chief Personnel Officer in administering collective bargaining agreements. Interpret labor contracts and provide day-to-day guidance to administrators regarding contract language. Assist in responding to grievances and preparing supporting documentation. Participate in grievance meetings and labor-management meetings. Support collective bargaining preparation through research, costing, data collection, and implementation of negotiated agreements. Monitor compliance with collective bargaining agreements.
• Recruitment & Talent Acquisition: Partner with administrators throughout the recruitment and selection process. Coordinate recruitment efforts for instructional, administrative, and exempt staff positions. Participate in interviews and selection processes. Develop recruitment strategies to address hard-to-fill positions. Support executive-level recruitment. Coordinate onboarding for new employees in collaboration with the HR Coordinator. Evaluate recruitment effectiveness and recommend process improvements.
• Workforce Planning & Retention: Analyze workforce trends including vacancies, turnover, retirements, and staffing patterns. Conduct exit interview analysis and identify retention opportunities. Assist in developing recruitment and retention strategies. Support succession planning initiatives. Prepare workforce analytics and reports for district leadership. Assist with employee engagement and recognition initiatives.
• Leadership Support: Serve as a trusted advisor to principals and department leaders on routine Human Resources matters. Provide day-to-day guidance regarding employment practices, district policies, and personnel procedures. Assist in developing and delivering administrator training related to employee relations, investigations, documentation, supervision, and labor contract administration. Partner with district leaders to proactively identify and resolve employee concerns.
• Compliance & Risk Management: Assist in the administration of ADA accommodations and the interactive process. Coordinate FMLA, Workers' Compensation, and other employee leave programs. Monitor compliance with employment laws, Board policy, administrative guidelines, and district procedures. Maintain confidential personnel records and employment documentation. Assist with state reporting and compliance requirements.
• Strategic Human Resources: Prepare Human Resources reports, Board reports, staffing analyses, and workforce metrics. Assist with implementation of Human Resources initiatives aligned with the district Strategic Plan. Participate in policy review and development. Recommend improvements to Human Resources processes, procedures, and systems. Participate in special projects assigned by the Chief Personnel Officer.
• Department Operations: Prepare HR Board reports, staffing reports, and required state reports. Track administrator certifications and district compliance requirements. Coordinate executive and administrative hiring processes. Oversee implementation of HRIS contract changes and assist with system troubleshooting. Coordinate special HR initiatives and grant-related personnel projects. Support onboarding of instructional and administrative staff. Collaborate with Payroll, Business Services, and district leadership regarding personnel actions. Perform other duties as assigned by the Chief Personnel Officer.

Qualifications

• Required: Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field. Minimum five (5) years of progressively responsible professional Human Resources experience. Demonstrated experience conducting workplace investigations. Experience providing employee relations guidance and coaching to supervisors. Experience interpreting and administering collective bargaining agreements. Experience in a unionized environment. Knowledge of federal and state employment laws. Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, conflict resolution, and organizational skills. Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain strict confidentiality.
• Preferred: Master's Degree. Legal Coursework SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification. Public school Human Resources experience. Collective bargaining experience.

Terms of Employment

12-month position, 261 days. Some evening work required for Board meetings, grievance meetings, negotiations, or special district events. Salary $49,970.88-$74,174.40 hiring range. NIS Members are also eligible for a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including health/dental/vision/life and long-term disability insurance. Membership in the Michigan Public Schools Employee Retirement System

Application Procedure: External Applicants: Click on the Apply button to initiate the application process. Please electronically attach or send the following materials: Cover Letter, Resume, Copy of your transcripts.