Employee Relations Specialist

Bowdoinham Country Store; Brunswick (ME); On-site; USD 75,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Retirement Plan

Life and Disability Insurance

Paid Time Off

Parental Leave

Access to facilities

Job summary

Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine seeks an Employee Relations Specialist to provide high‑level HR administrative, operational, and project support to the Associate Director of Employee Relations & Engagement. You will help coordinate employee engagement initiatives, orientation for new hires, and maintain confidential records with discretion.

The role serves as a point of contact for employees and managers, guides performance management resources, and supports training, recognition, and

Qualifications

• Two to four years of administrative, human resources, project coordination, or office management experience; 4+ years experience preferred.
• Background in addressing and investigating employee relations concerns, preferably in an education setting or similar work environment.
• Deep knowledge of employment policies, procedures, and best practices, as well as state and federal employment related regulations.
• Experience with maintaining confidentiality of all sensitive human resources information—including personnel records, payroll data, medical documents, and employee relations issues—in compliance with employment laws.

Responsibilities

• Maintains confidential employee relations records and documentation in accordance with organizational policies.
• Provides guidance on HR resources and tools related to performance management to managers and leads throughout the campus.
• Maintains HR systems related to employee engagement and employee relations initiatives, including employee engagement surveys.
• Coordinates HR training programs, employee engagement activities, events, and recognition/appreciation initiatives.
• Process and respond to unemployment claims, verifying separation details, and providing wage and benefit information as requested.
• Participate in phone hearings as appropriate.
• Coordinates HR training programs and employee engagement activities, while supporting existing employee recognition and appreciation initiatives and other HR-sponsored events.

Skills

MS Office

HRIS Workday

Data analysis

Communication skills

Confidentiality

Education

Assoc degree in HR / Business / Communications

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

Workday

Job description

Title

Employee Relations Specialist

Posting Number

S01609JP

Department

Human Resources

Job Summary

As a key member of the Human Resources team, the Employee Relations Specialist provides high-level HR focused administrative, operational, and project support to the Associate Director of Employee Relations & Engagement. This position assists with coordinating employee engagement initiatives and new employee orientation, supporting employee relations processes, organizing training and recognition programs, file management, maintaining confidential records, and preparing reports.

The successful candidate has general HR knowledge, is highly organized, detail-oriented, customer-service focused, and capable of handling sensitive information with discretion. This role serves as a point of contact for employees, managers, and internal stakeholders while supporting efforts that promote a positive employee experience and workplace culture.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assists with employee relations documentation including review of performance check-in’s and departure questionnaires. Maintains confidential employee relations records and documentation in accordance with organizational policies.
• Provides guidance on HR resources and tools related to performance management to managers and leads throughout the campus.
• Maintains HR systems related to employee engagement and employee relations initiatives, including employee engagement surveys. Compiles data and prepares reports on program participation, employee feedback, and departmental activities.
• Coordinates of HR training programs, employee engagement activities, events, and recognition/appreciation initiatives.
• Process and respond to unemployment claims, verifying separation details, and providing wage and benefit information as requested. Participate in phone hearings as appropriate.
• Coordinates HR training programs and employee engagement activities, while supporting existing employee recognition and appreciation initiatives and other HR-sponsored events.

The hiring range for this position is expected to be: $74,500-79,500 annually.

BENEFITS AND PERKS

• A variety of health insurance plans (Medical, Vision, Dental)
• Generous Retirement Plan – 401(a) and 403(b)
• Life and Disability Insurance
• Paid Time Off: 20 days of vacation per calendar year, 12 days of personal/sick time
• Paid Parental Leave (Available after one year of service)
• Household access to many of the College’s facilities including the gym and pool

Associate’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Communications, Public Administration, or a related field; Bachelor’s degree preferred.

PHR , SPHR , SHRM -CP preferred.

• Proficient in using computer software including MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and HRIS systems, preferrable Workday.
• Ability to work effectively at both a strategic and tactical level.
• Ability to utilize and analyze data to guide decision-making.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills with all constituent groups.
• Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize work, manage multiple tasks simultaneously, and meet deadlines.
• Superior interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain relationships with colleagues, managers and executives.

Experience Requirements and/or Equivalents

Two to four years of administrative, human resources, project coordination, or office management experience; 4+ years experience preferred.

• Background in addressing and investigating employee relations concerns, preferably in an education setting or similar work environment.
• Deep knowledge of employment policies, procedures, and best practices, as well as state and federal employment related regulations.
• Experience with maintaining confidentiality of all sensitive human resources information—including personnel records, payroll data, medical documents, and employee relations issues—in compliance with employment laws.

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications in this posting to be considered for hire.

Standard Work Days and Hours

Standard administrative hours are 8:30am – 5:00pm. This is a full-time position working 40 hours/52 weeks, (1.00 FTE ). Exempt positions require the time commitment necessary to complete the essential duties of the position.

This is an on-site role, and candidates must be able to work in person on the Bowdoin College campus in Brunswick, Maine. A hybrid schedule may be discussed after 6 months of employment, based on performance.

We regret that Bowdoin College is unable to provide visa sponsorship for staff positions

Employment at Bowdoin College is contingent upon satisfactory completion of applicable background checks including but not limited to: criminal records, educational verifications, driving records (when job-related), and/or credit history (when job related).

About Bowdoin

Bowdoin embraces diversity in all forms, and the College is home to talented students, faculty and staff—with a variety of racial, ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds; religious beliefs; and gender identities, among other factors.

We encourage applications from candidates committed to the support of an inclusive campus community and those who will enrich and contribute to the College’s multifaceted diversity. We value a community in which individuals of all backgrounds are warmly welcomed and encouraged to succeed.

Founded in 1794, Bowdoin has maintained its commitment to the liberal arts for well over 200 years. Bowdoin’s reputation as a preeminent liberal arts college rests on the excellence of its faculty, students, and staff; intimate size; strong sense of community; and connections to the people, history, and natural beauty of Maine.

Bowdoin’s campus is situated in a beautiful natural setting. Located in Brunswick, Maine, a town of approximately 20,000, the College is a short drive from the Maine coast, twenty-five miles from Portland and 120 miles from Boston.

Employment Category

Full Time Year Round

FTE

1.00

Benefits Eligible

Yes

Pay Type

Background Check Package Requirements Faculty/Administrative

Is driving a vehicle (e.g. Bowdoin vehicle or off road vehicle, rental car, personal car) an essential function of this job?

No

Is a pre-placement physical required for this position?

No

Posting Date

09/09/2026

Applications Accepted Until

Open Until Filled No

Type of Posting

Internal/External

EEO Information

Bowdoin College complies with applicable provisions of federal and state laws that prohibit unlawful discrimination in employment, admission, or access to its educational or extracurricular programs, activities, or facilities based on race, color, ethnicity, ancestry and national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, marital status, place of birth, genetic predisposition, veteran status, or against qualified individuals with physical or mental disabilities on the basis of disability, or any other legally protected statuses.