Employee Relations Specialist

Randstad USA; New York (NY); On-site; USD 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Center for Urban Community Services (CUCS) seeks an Employee Relations Specialist to uphold fair, consistent HR practices across CUCS programs. You will lead impartial workplace investigations, advise managers and staff, and ensure compliance with internal policies and the CBA.

Based in New York, NY, you will partner with HR and Legal to analyze trends, draft clear documentation, and support corrective actions while maintaining confidentiality and empathy in all employee matters.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in employee relations and conducting formal workplace investigations.
• Strong knowledge of employment practices, policy interpretation, and union/CBA environments.
• Exceptional interpersonal, interviewing, and written communication skills.
• Ability to handle sensitive matters with empathy, neutrality, and sound judgment.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end, impartial investigations into complaints, misconduct, harassment, and retaliation.
• Provide guidance to managers and employees on performance, conduct, and policy interpretation.
• Draft and review counseling and disciplinary documentation to support employee development.
• Ensure consistent application of HR policies and CBA requirements, including union-related processes.
• Partner with HR leadership and Legal/Compliance to identify ER trends and training needs.
• Maintain accurate case records in HR systems and support audits and projects.

Skills

Employee Relations

OSHA

Basic Software Skills

Written Communication

Investigations

Performance Management

Compliance Law

Education

High School

Job description

Join Our Team: Employee Relations Specialist Location: New York, NY | Organization: Center for Urban Community Services (CUCS)

Are you an HR professional skilled at navigating workplace concerns, conducting thorough fact‑finding, and fostering a fair, supportive work environment? CUCS is seeking a dedicated Employee Relations Specialist to join our dynamic Human Resources team.

About CUCS

CUCS is a premier NYC human services nonprofit with a $100M+ budget and 700+ employees dedicated to transforming lives. We empower thousands of individuals each year through integrated housing, health, and social services, addressing homelessness, poverty, and mental illness.

The Role

As our Employee Relations Specialist, you will play a pivotal role in promoting fair, consistent, and thoughtful HR practices across all CUCS programs. You will serve as a trusted resource for employees and managers, lead objective workplace investigations, and ensure compliance with internal policies and collective bargaining agreements.

Key Responsibilities

• Workplace Investigations: Lead end‑to‑end, impartial investigations into complaints, misconduct, harassment, and retaliation. Interview key parties, analyze evidence, and author clear factual reports.
• Manager & Employee Advisory: Provide guidance on performance management, conduct, workplace conflict, and policy interpretation.
• Documentation & Corrective Action: Draft and review clear counseling and disciplinary documentation to support employee development.
• Compliance & CBA Alignment: Ensure consistent application of HR policies and support union-related processes in compliance with collective bargaining agreements.
• Trend Analysis & Legal Support: Partner with HR leadership and Legal/Compliance to identify ER trends, recommend training, and support legal inquiries.
• HR Operations: Maintain accurate case records in HR tracking tools and assist with broader HR department projects, audits, and operational needs.

What We’re Looking For

• Proven experience in employee relations and conducting formal workplace investigations.
• strong knowledge of employment practices, policy interpretation, and union/CBA environments.
• Exceptional interpersonal, interviewing, and written communication skills.
• Ability to handle sensitive matters with empathy, neutrality, and sound judgment.

Responsibilities

• Investigations: Conduct timely, objective, and confidential workplace investigations into complaints, misconduct, harassment, and discrimination. Develop investigation plans, interview witnesses, collect evidence, assess credibility, and write detailed factual reports with recommendations.
• Employee & Manager Guidance: Act as an HR resource for employees and managers regarding workplace concerns, performance, conduct issues, conflict resolution, and the interpretation of CUCS policies and procedures.
• Documentation & Corrective Action: Assist leadership with preparing and reviewing counseling and corrective‑action documentation to ensure clear communication of expectations and standards.
• Policy & CBA Compliance: Support the consistent application of HR policies and Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) requirements, ensuring union representation rights are met.
• HR Partnership & Analytics: Collaborate with HR peers on leaves, accommodations, and attendance. Identify recurring ER trends to inform manager training and policy updates.
• Case Management & Legal Support: Maintain accurate case records in tracking systems. Assist HR leadership and Legal/Compliance with data gathering for administrative charges or litigation as needed.
• Departmental Support: Provide general administrative assistance to the HR team, including recordkeeping, audits, system updates, and coverage during peak workloads.

Essential Functions

• working in a smoke free environment

Skills

• Employee Relations
• OSHA
• Basic Software Skills
• Written Communication
• Investigations
• Performance Management
• Compliance Law

Qualifications

• Years of experience: 0 years
• Experience level: Experienced

Equal Opportunity Employer: Race, Color, Religion, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, National Origin, Age, Genetic Information, Disability, Protected Veteran Status, or any other legally protected group status.

If you require a reasonable accommodation to make your application or interview experience a great one, please contact [e-mail].

salary: $50,000 - $64,999.96 per year

shift: First

work hours: 9 AM - 5 PM

education: High School

Experience

• Experienced

Education

• High School (required)