Employee Relations and Compliance Specialist

ArborWorks, LLC; Oakhurst (CA); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid or in-office work environment

Job summary

ArborWorks LLC is seeking an Employee Relations & Compliance Specialist to join our HR Shared Services team. The role supports employees and leaders across multi-state operations, handling employee relations, investigations, leave administration, ADA accommodations, and compliance.

You will partner with operations leadership, HR, and legal counsel to promote consistent HR practices, mitigate risk, and ensure compliance across a field-based workforce.

Qualifications

• Requires 3–5 years in employee relations, labor relations, leave administration, and/or HR compliance.
• Experience supporting employees across multiple states and strong knowledge of California employment law.
• Experience conducting workplace investigations and preparing written findings.
• Experience managing ADA accommodations and complex leave programs.

Responsibilities

• Advise managers on employee relations, performance, attendance, conflict, policy interpretation, and terminations.
• Conduct thorough workplace investigations and prepare findings and recommendations.
• Coach managers on performance management, documentation, discipline, and conflict resolution.
• Support labor relations, including CBA administration and grievance meetings.
• Administer leave programs (FMLA, CFRA, ADA, PDL, Paid Sick Leave, workers’ comp).
• Manage ADA interactive process, accommodations, medical certifications, and return-to-work.
• Ensure compliance with federal/state/local employment laws and multi-state leave rules.
• Collaborate with legal counsel on claims, inquiries, subpoenas, and litigation holds.
• Maintain and update HR policies and handbook content.

Skills

Strong communication

Conflict resolution

Organizational skills

Documentation skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

HRIS platforms

Case management systems

Job description

Employee Relations & Compliance Specialist

About ArborWorks

ArborWorks LLC is a nationwide leader in professional vegetation management, specializing in utility line clearance, fire remediation, and large-scale environmental projects. Since 2003, we’ve built our reputation on safety, quality, innovation, and exceptional service. We offer a fast-paced, team-oriented environment where employees can grow their careers while helping create safer communities.

About the Role

The Employee Relations & Compliance Specialist is a key member of our HR Shared Services team, supporting employees and leaders across multi-state operations. This role manages employee relations, workplace investigations, labor relations, leave administration, ADA accommodations, and employment compliance.

You will partner closely with operations leadership, HR, employees, and legal counsel to promote consistent HR practices, mitigate risk, and ensure compliance across a diverse, field-based workforce.

What You Will Do

• Advise managers on employee relations matters, including performance, attendance, workplace conflict, corrective action, policy interpretation, and terminations.
• Conduct thorough and impartial workplace investigations and prepare findings and recommendations.
• Coach managers on performance management, documentation, progressive discipline, and conflict resolution.
• Support labor relations, including collective bargaining agreement (CBA) administration, union grievances, disciplinary actions, and grievance meetings.
• Administer employee leave programs, including FMLA, CFRA, ADA, PDL, Paid Sick Leave, Workers’ Compensation coordination, and state-specific protected leaves.
• Manage the ADA interactive process, accommodation requests, medical certifications, and return-to-work requirements.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, including FLSA, FMLA, ADA, FEHA, CFRA, Title VII, wage and hour requirements, and multi-state leave regulations.
• Partner with legal counsel on employment claims, agency inquiries, subpoenas, litigation holds, and other employment-related matters.
• Maintain and update HR policies, procedures, and handbook content based on legal and operational changes.
• Support HR compliance audits, unemployment claims, employee separations, and related documentation.

What You Will Bring

• 3–5 years of experience in employee relations, labor relations, leave administration, and/or HR compliance.
• Experience supporting employees across multiple states.
• Strong knowledge of California employment law and multi-state HR compliance.
• Experience conducting workplace investigations and preparing written findings.
• Experience managing ADA accommodations and complex leave programs.
• Strong communication, conflict-resolution, organizational, and documentation skills.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive matters with discretion and sound judgment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, HRIS platforms, and case management systems.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting unionized environments and grievance administration.
• Experience in utility vegetation management, construction, field operations, or other high-volume workforce environments.
• Experience supporting remote and field-based employees across multiple locations.
• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or equivalent HR certification.
• Full-time position supporting multi-state operations.
• Hybrid or in-office work environment based on business needs.
• Occasional travel for investigations, grievance meetings, training, and operational support.
• Fast-paced environment requiring effective management of competing priorities and time-sensitive matters.

Equal Opportunity Employer

ArborWorks LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to an inclusive workplace. We do not discriminate based on any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.