Employee Relations Specialist

Kids for the Future; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

YMCA of Greater San Francisco is seeking an Employee Relations Specialist to manage investigations, advise leaders, and ensure compliant leaves and accommodations. You will partner with HR, Legal, and operations to mitigate risk and support a positive work environment.

The role emphasizes data-driven ER practices, cross-functional collaboration, and proactive problem-solving in a dynamic nonprofit setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Labor Relations, or a related field or equivalent professional experience.
• Ideally 5-7 yrs of experience in Employee Relations or HR Business Partner roles.
• Subject matter expertise in employment laws and regulations (e.g., Title VII, FEHA, EEOC, ADA, FMLA, FLSA).
• Proven experience conducting workplace investigations and producing thorough documentation.
• Experience supporting diverse workforces (hourly and salaried employees).
• Experience in nonprofit, human services, or similarly complex operational environments preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct employee relations investigations including interviewing employees and stakeholders, analyzing information and developing findings and case summaries.
• Partner with HR Business Partners and Risk and Legal to assess risk and determine outcomes.
• Make recommendations and oversee corrective, disciplinary, and remediation actions.
• Maintain accurate, compliant case documentation and closure processes.
• Oversee and support the administration of leaves, including FMLA, CFRA, ADA and applicable state/local leaves.
• Lead and support the interactive process for reasonable accommodations with employees and providers.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Analytical abilities

Influencing skills

Collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Labour Relations, or a related field or equivalent professional experience

Job description

• Base Pay $95,000.00 - $115,000.00 / Year
• Job Category Employee Relations
• Employee Type Salaried - Full Time

Description

Careers by Empowering Futures, Building Communities

Imagine going to work each day knowing that your efforts positively impact individuals and communities. As a global movement and the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility, the YMCA of Greater San Francisco offers more than just a job—we offer a career with a future and the opportunity to make a lasting difference in your community. At the Y, you can uncover your passion and build a lifelong career addressing some of the nation's most pressing social issues.

Our Organizational Culture

At the YMCA of Greater San Francisco, we are committed to demonstrating values that aim to building strong communities where you can Be, Belong and Become. With Truth & Courage, we strive to understand and act on individual and societal truths. We ensure a safe and inclusive environment with Authenticity & Accessibility, allowing everyone to participate according to their needs. Our approach is Dependable & Creative, as we respond to community needs through strong partnerships. Above all, we embody Dignity & Empathy, treating everyone with respect and compassion, and recognizing the inherent dignity in all individuals.

Qualifications

· Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Labor Relations, or a related field or equivalent professional experience.

· Ideally 5-7 yrs of experience in Employee Relations or HR Business Partner roles

· Subject matter expertise in employment laws and regulations (e.g., Title VII, FEHA, EEOC, ADA, FMLA, FLSA)

· Proven experience conducting workplace investigations and producing thorough documentation

· Experience supporting diverse workforces (hourly and salaried employees)

· Experience in nonprofit, human services, or similarly complex operational environments preferred

· Strong interpersonal, communication, and influencing skills

· Excellent organizational and analytical capabilities

· Ability to collaborate cross-functionally across HR, Legal, Operations, Risk, and Safety

· Demonstrated problem-solving, coaching, and facilitation expertise

Preferred Qualifications

· SPHR or certification in Employee Relations expertise.

Summary

Position Summary

This position supports employee relations processes, case management, and workplace issue resolution, while also helping ensure compliant and effective administration of leaves of absence and workplace accommodations. The role requires sound judgment, strong analytical skills, and interpersonal effectiveness to address workplace concerns, support leaders and employees, and help mitigate organizational risk.

The Employee Relations Specialist partners closely with HR, Legal, and organizational leaders to help foster a positive, compliant, and inclusive work environment across the YMCA of Greater San Francisco. This role supports the consistent application of employee relations practices and regulatory requirements, including coordination of complex leave scenarios and participation in the interactive process for reasonable accommodations. The position also assists with identifying trends, recommending policy or process improvements, and addressing workforce issues to support organizational effectiveness and employee well-being.

This position requires periodic travel to various branch locations and worksites to conduct investigations, support employee relations matters, and respond to urgent or escalated situations, sometimes on short notice. The individual must be able to move between locations and occasionally adjust schedules to meet operational needs.

Key Responsibilities

Employee Relations Case Management & Investigations

· Conduct employee relations investigations which include interviewing employees and stakeholders, analyzing information from HR systems and other sources and developing findings, documentation, and case summaries

· Partner with HR Business Partners and Risk and Legal to assess risk and determine outcomes

· Make recommendations and oversee corrective, disciplinary, and remediation actions

· Maintain accurate, compliant case documentation and closure processes

Employee Relations Strategy, Insights & Risk Mitigation

· Recommend employee relations strategies aligned with organizational values and operational needs

· Review data, patterns, and employee feedback to find root problems and areas for improvement and recommend proactive action plans to mitigate workplace issues before escalation

· Support continuous improvement of ER practices and programs

Partnership

· Provide guidance to managers where necessary with employee behavior concerns and progressive discipline and terminations

· Support managers on ER best practices, policies, and organizational philosophy

· Confer with VP of Human Resources on best manner in which to support leaders in handling employee situations with sound judgment

· Take and execute direction received from VP of Human Resources to be a thought-partner with department and branch management and leadership. Align on case strategy, compliance considerations, and organizational priorities

· Contribute to enterprise-wide initiatives impacting employee experience

Leaves of Absence Management

· Oversee and support the administration of employee leaves, including:

· FMLA, CFRA, ADA leave, pregnancy disability leave, and applicable state/local leaves

· Partner with HRBPs, managers, and leave administrators to:

· Ensure timely processing and compliance

· Maintain appropriate documentation and tracking

· Provide guidance to leadership on employee eligibility, job protection, and return-to-work requirements

· Address complex or escalated leave issues, including intermittent leave, misuse concerns, and policy interpretation

Workplace Accommodations

· Lead and support the interactive process for reasonable accommodations which may include assessing requests, engaging with employees and medical providers and evaluating reasonable options in partnership with business leaders

Work Environment & Physical Demands

The Employee Relations Specialist operates in a dynamic, fast-paced environment that requires managing sensitive and complex workplace situations with professionalism and discretion. The position regularly involves prolonged periods of sitting, working at a computer, and participating in virtual and in-person meetings. Frequent communication with employees, managers, and cross-functional partners is required, necessitating strong verbal and written communication skills. The role also requires the ability to analyze information, review documentation, and manage multiple priorities simultaneously.

While the role does not typically involve strenuous physical activity, it may require standing, walking, and engaging with employees in diverse settings to effectively support organizational needs.

Disclaimers

· Must successfully complete a background screening, including criminal and employment verification. Some positions may also require a credit check.

· All duties and responsibilities are essential job functions subject to reasonable accommodation. The YMCA of Greater San Francisco promotes an equal employment opportunity workplace, which includes reasonable accommodation for otherwise qualified disabled applicants and employees. Please contact your manager if you have any questions about this policy or these job duties.

· This job description may not be all-inclusive, and employees are expected to perform other duties as assigned by management. Job descriptions and duties may be modified by management as needed.

· Job offers are conditional and contingent upon background clearance. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance and CA Fair Chance Act, we will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment.

Salary Description

The Employee Relations Specialist position offers an annual compensation range of $95,000 to $115,000. The rate is based on salary benchmarking for similar roles and is aligned with budget approvals and requirements for the position.