Employee Relations Specialist

Bering Straits Native Corporation; Alaska; On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Bering Straits Native Corporation (BSNC) seeks an Employee Relations Specialist in Alaska to guide employees and managers on HR matters, investigate issues, and ensure policy compliance. The role emphasizes fostering positive relations, leaving management, and staying current with employment laws.

Preferred candidates hold an Associate’s degree in HR or related field with 2–3 years of relevant experience; PH/SHRM credentials are a plus.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in human resources, business administration, or related discipline from four-year college or university preferred.
• 2-3 years of relevant employee relations/work experience in a human resources role or legal firm.

Responsibilities

• Provide timely guidance, support, and consultation to employees and managers on sensitive HR matters.
• Partner with management and employees to foster positive working relationships and resolve workplace concerns.
• Conduct prompt, thorough investigations into employee complaints and policy violations.
• Communicate and reinforce company policies and employment practices for consistency and compliance.
• Maintain knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws and best practices.
• Develop and deliver training and workforce development initiatives for staff and leaders.
• Conduct exit interviews and present trends and recommendations to management.
• Demonstrate a positive, professional attitude aligned with company mission and standards.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Counseling

Conflict resolution

Negotiation

Independent work

Discretion

Communication skills

Time management

Attention to detail

HR laws knowledge

Leave management knowledge

Microsoft 365 proficiency

Education

Associate’s degree in HR/Business

4-year college preferred

Tools

Microsoft 365

Job description

Bering Straits Native Corporation (BSNC) offers world-class expertise and resources to help our customers succeed. As an Alaska Native Corporation (ANC), BSNC provides a unique opportunity to partner with an Indigenous organization whose mission goes beyond business. BSNC’s vast number of highly qualified companies include many 8(a) and HUBZone Certified businesses.

About the Employee Relations Specialist

The Essential Duties and Responsibilities are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed for this position and are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job. Other duties may be assigned. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform each essential duty. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

• Provide timely guidance, support, and consultation to employees and managers on sensitive and complex human resources matters.
• Partner with management and employees to foster positive working relationships, resolve workplace concerns, and proactively mitigate disputes and escalations.
• Conduct prompt, thorough, and impartial investigations into employee complaints, workplace concerns, and potential violations of company and/or client policies.
• Communicate, interpret, and reinforce company policies, procedures, and employment practices to ensure consistency and compliance.
• Maintain current knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws, regulations, and emerging HR best practices.
• Develop and deliver ongoing training, educational resources, and workforce development initiatives for employees, project teams, and operational leaders.
• Conduct exit interviews, analyze feedback, and present trends, insights, and recommendations to management to support employee retention and organizational improvement.
• Demonstrate and promote a positive, professional attitude that reflects and supports the company's mission, values, and standards of excellence.

Required (Minimum Necessary) Qualifications

• Education Requirements: Associate’s degree in human resources, business administration, or related discipline from four-year college or university preferred.
• Level of Experience Requirements: 2-3 years of relevant employee relations/work experience in a human resources role or legal firm,

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics

• Demonstrated ability to establish credibility and build trusted relationships with employees, colleagues, and organizational leadership.
• Exceptional interpersonal, counseling, conflict resolution, and negotiation skills.
• Proven ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and manage competing priorities effectively.
• Strong attention to detail and a high degree of discretion in handling sensitive and confidential information.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation communication skills.
• Actively contributes to a collaborative and high-performing Human Resources team environment.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to consistently meet deadlines and manage multiple responsibilities.
• Comprehensive knowledge of human resources laws, regulations, compliance requirements, and industry best practices.
• Subject matter expertise in leave management and employment law compliance, including FMLA, ADAAA, Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave (MA PFML), California Family Rights Act (CFRA), and Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs).
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem‑solving abilities, with a data‑driven approach to decision‑making.
• Proficient in Microsoft 365 applications and related HR technologies and software platforms.

Preferred

• PHR/SHRM-CP or SPHR/SHRM-SCP.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position will not have supervisory responsibilities.

DOT Covered/Safety‑Sensitive Role Requirements

This position is not subject to federal requirements regarding Department of Transportation “safety‑sensitive” functions. You may delete this line if it does not apply to the job.

Necessary Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this role. Employees must always maintain a constant state of mental alertness. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential and marginal functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for bending, stooping, sitting, walking, or standing for prolonged periods of time; most of time is spent sitting in a comfortable position with frequent opportunity to move about.

The work environmental characteristics described here are representative of those that must be borne by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the role. Employees must always maintain a constant state of situational awareness. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The job is performed in an office setting with exposure to computer screens and requires extensive use of a computer, keyboard, mouse, and multi‑line telephone system. The work described herein is primarily a modern office setting. Occasional travel may be required.

Additional Qualifying Factors

As a condition of employment, you will be required to pass a pre‑employment drug screening and have acceptable background check results. If applicable to the contract, you must also obtain and maintain the appropriate clearance levels required and must also be able to obtain access to military installations.

Shareholder Preference

BSNC gives hiring, promotion, training, and retention preference to BSNC shareholders, shareholder descendants and shareholder spouses who meet the minimum qualifications for the job.

Bering Straits Native Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any status protected by state or federal law, or any other basis prohibited by law.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.