Employee Relations Associate

Empire State University; City of Saratoga Springs (NY); Hybrid; USD 72,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Empire State University in Saratoga Springs, NY seeks an Employee Relations Associate to serve as a trusted advisor to supervisors and staff. You will handle performance management, ADA accommodations, and employee and labor relations, aligning HR practices with policy and law while supporting a respectful, equitable work environment.

Collaborating with HR leadership, you will manage intake, document cases, coordinate investigations, and track progress.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with HR experience required or equivalent.
• Experience supporting performance management, employee relations, or related HR functions.
• Knowledge of ADA, employment laws, and HR principles.
• Ability to manage confidential information with discretion.
• Strong intake, interviewing, documentation, and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Handle intake of employee and labor relations matters and escalation.
• Support AVP HR with case management and documentation.
• Guide supervisors on policies, agreements, and best practices.
• Assist with implementing a new case tracking system and data governance.
• Maintain confidential case files and generate reports for leadership.
• Track activities and deadlines; provide status updates.

Skills

Performance management

Employee relations

Discretion

Intake & case management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

MS Word

MS Excel

HRIS systems

Job description

Employee Relations Associate

Empire State University, Office of Human Resources, is currently seeking qualified applicants for the position of Employee Relations Associate. The Employee Relations Associate (ERA) serves as a trusted advisor and resource to supervisors and employees across the university. This role provides consistent, responsive support in performance management, disability accommodation, and employee and labor relations. The ERA partners with Human Resources leadership to promote effective people practices, ensure alignment with university policies and applicable laws and agreements, and support a respectful, equitable, and productive work environment. In partnership with HR leadership, the ERA plays a critical role in aligning HR practices with the university's strategic plan, advancing its mission, values, and long-term objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Employee and Labor Relations

• Conduct the initial intake of employee and labor relations matters, document concerns, gather preliminary information, and identify matters requiring timely escalation.
• Assist the Associate Vice President for Human Resources with the management of employee and labor relations cases, including information gathering, documentation, meeting coordination, correspondence, and follow-up.
• Provide guidance to supervisors on the consistent application of university policies, collective bargaining agreements, and sound employee relations practices, in consultation with Human Resources leadership.
• Assist the Associate Vice President for Human Resources with the implementation of a new employee and labor relations case tracking system, including workflow development, data entry standards, record migration, testing, documentation, and user support.
• Maintain complete, accurate, organized, and confidential case files and tracking records.
• Monitor case activity and deadlines and prepare reports or summaries to support case management and continuous improvement.

Performance Management

• Track performance management activities, timelines, completion status, and required follow-up.
• Review performance improvement and development plans for clarity, completeness, appropriate content, measurable expectations, and alignment with university policies and practices.
• Review employee evaluations for completeness, consistency, and appropriate documentation; identify areas requiring clarification or follow-up before finalization.
• Provide training, coaching, and consultation to supervisors on goal setting, feedback, documentation, evaluations, performance improvement, and related performance management practices.
• Maintain accurate and confidential performance management records and prepare status reports or trend information for Human Resources leadership.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accommodations

• Conduct the initial intake of employee accommodation requests and gather relevant information and documentation in a timely, respectful, and confidential manner.
• Assist with the interactive process by coordinating communication among the employee, supervisor, Human Resources leadership, and other appropriate parties.
• Support the review, documentation, implementation, and follow-up of reasonable accommodations in accordance with applicable law and university policy.
• Maintain confidential accommodation records and track cases, deadlines, communications, and outcomes.

General HR Business Partnership

• Build effective working relationships with supervisors, employees, union representatives, and Human Resources colleagues.
• Interpret and communicate Human Resources policies, procedures, collective bargaining agreement provisions, and applicable employment requirements within the scope of the role.
• Identify recurring concerns and recommend training, process, policy, or communication improvements to Human Resources leadership.
• Support Human Resources audits, policy reviews, training initiatives, and other projects as assigned.
• Handle sensitive information with discretion and maintain appropriate confidentiality.

Job Requirements:

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and at least three years of progressively responsible Human Resources experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience supporting performance management, employee relations, labor relations, workplace accommodations, or related Human Resources functions.
• Working knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act, employment laws, and Human Resources principles and practices.
• Ability to manage sensitive and confidential information with sound judgment and discretion.
• Strong intake, interviewing, documentation, case management, analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, track deadlines, and maintain accurate records with close attention to detail.
• Excellent written, verbal, consultation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and web-based Human Resources or case management systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in human resources, business administration, labor relations, organizational psychology, public administration, or a related field.
• Human Resources certification, such as SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR.
• Experience working in higher education, a public-sector environment, or a unionized workplace.
• Experience interpreting collective bargaining agreements and supporting employee or labor relations cases.
• Experience implementing or administering a case tracking or Human Resources information system.
• Knowledge of New York State and federal employment regulations and laws.

Special Information

• This position is located in Saratoga Springs, NY and is eligible for a hybrid remote work schedule.
• Occasional travel may be required to fulfill departmental, divisional, and university-wide commitments.
• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. VISA sponsorship is not available for this position.
• SUNY Empire provides employees with robust remote and flexible work options to meet the needs of students, faculty, and staff in a dispersed work environment.

Additional Information:

• We are pleased to offer our employees an excellent benefit package which includes NYS health insurance, free dental and vision, competitive retirement options, and generous vacation, sick and holiday accruals; and a strong emphasis on work-life balance. We also offer professional-development activities for professionals and support staff.
• SUNY Empire is an AA/EEO/ADA employer. The University actively seeks applications from women, veterans, individuals with a disability, members of underrepresented groups or anyone that would enrich the diversity of the University. SUNY Empire is committed to fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students, as well as ensuring equal educational opportunity, employment, and access to services, programs, and activities, without regard to an individual's race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, familial status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, or criminal conviction. Employees, students, applicants, or other members of the university community (including but not limited to vendors, visitors, and guests) may not be subjected to harassment that is prohibited by law or treated adversely or retaliated against based upon a protected characteristic.
• SUNY Empire provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities, veterans, or wounded warriors where appropriate. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at [phone].
• In accordance with the Title II Crime Awareness and Security Act, a copy of our crime statistics is available upon request by calling [phone]. It can also be viewed online at our Safety and Security website.

Rank/Salary:

Management-Confidential / $72,000-$80,000, dependent on experience and qualifications.