HR Specialist

RWJBarnabas Health; Short Hills (NJ); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Retirement Plans

Medical and Prescription DrugInsurance

Dental and Vision Insurance

Disability and Life Insurance

Tuition Reimbursement

Flex Spending Accounts

Wellness Programs

Voluntary Benefits

Job summary

RWJBarnabas Health seeks an Employee Relations Specialist to support Human Resources partners across the system, addressing policy violations, performance issues and workplace disputes. You will conduct investigations, draft findings, and recommend remedial actions to strengthen organizational fairness and compliance.

The role requires a strong understanding of federal and state employment laws, experience with HR software, and ability to train staff through educational materials and workshops.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• PHR, SPHR or related, preferred.
• 4–6 years general Human Resources experience; at least 3 years directly managing complex employee relations issues.

Responsibilities

• Provide guidance across the system to HR partners, Directors, and CHROs on policies, laws and regulations.
• Conduct timely internal investigations; prepare clear, concise reports with findings and remedial actions.
• Coaching and collaboration with site HR to identify employment risks and foster a culture of respect and equity.
• Record, analyze and report data; develop training materials and sessions for employees and leaders.
• Travel within the region as required and stay current with applicable laws and standards.

Skills

Legal knowledge

HR investigations

Excel

PowerPoint

Word

PeopleSoft

HR Acuity

Communication

Emotional intelligence

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

HR Acuity

PeopleSoft

Excel

PowerPoint

Publisher

Word

Job description

HR Specialist

• Location: 95 Old Short Hills Road, West Orange, NJ 07052
• Facility: RWJBarnabas Health Corporate Services
• Department: Employee Relations
• Pay Range: $99,900.00 - $129,900.00 per year
• Pay Transparency: The above reflects the anticipated annual salary range for this position if hired to work in New Jersey. The compensation offered to the candidate selected for the position will depend on several factors, including the candidate's educational background, skills and professional experience.
• Shift: Day
• Status: Full-Time
• Category: Human Resources
• Req #: 0000267753

The Employee Relations Specialist is a member of a Center of Excellence (CoE) at RWJBarnabas Health, the largest academic healthcare system in New Jersey.

As a key member of a ER Center of Excellence, the ER Specialist provides support and guidance across the System to Human Resource Business Partners, Directors, and CHROs in addressing violations of System policies, performance management challenges, workplace disputes, compliance complaints, EEO issues, and ADA guidance.

Serving as a neutral party, the ER Specialist conducts timely internal investigations; writing clear, concise, accurate written reports of findings and proposed remedial actions.

The ER Specialist coaches and collaborates with site Human Resources in identifying and mitigating employment risks and fostering a culture of respect, inclusion, fairness and equity.

They also support the accurate recording, analysis and reporting of data and increasing the understanding of employees and leaders through training sessions and educational materials.

The position requires the ability to operate in the gray as well as superior attention to detail, communication, creativity, critical thinking, empathy, facilitation, mediation, objectivity and organizational skills.

A typical day as an Employee Relations Specialist looks like:

• Delivers expertise, consultation, guidance and coaching to HR Business Partners and Managers throughout the health care system on best practices, laws, policies and regulations
• Triages cases/complaints according to risk/urgency
• Conducts timely, thoughtful, thorough investigations; identifies policies, documents, media, etc. to be reviewed and analyzed; identifies complainants/participants/subject‑matter experts/witnesses and schedules/conducts interviews
• Prepares investigatory reports; findings/recommendations
• Enters data in accordance with policy
• Prepares and provides periodic, and ad hoc, reports, as required
• Identifies workplace trends and collaborates with the affiliated Human Resources Department to address
• Partners with senior leadership and/or internal or outside employment counsel as required
• Maintains confidentiality throughout the process and in handling documentation
• Delivers presentations, conducts workshops and prepares educational materials to increase the understanding of employees and stakeholders
• Participates on designated System committee/work groups
• Remains current with applicable laws, regulations and/or standards Federal, State and Local
• Travel within the region required
• May perform other duties as assigned or directed by management

You may be a fit for this role if you have:

• Knowledge and understanding of Federal and State employment laws eg. ADA/ADAAA, ADEA, Civil Rights Act of 1964 & 1991, Equal Pay Act, FMLA, GINA, NJCEPA, NJFLA and NJLAD
• Knowledge and understanding of HIPAA and related privacy laws and regulations
• Proven proficiency in Employee Relations/Human Resources software eg HR Acuity, PeopleSoft
• Proven proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher and Word
• Experience in conducting complex, internal investigations and writing investigatory reports
• Experience in preparing educational materials and delivering high quality, effective presentations to large and small audiences
• Demonstrated emotional intelligence; ability to set effective boundaries
• Strong communication skills ability to interact and relate to individuals of diverse disabilities and backgrounds
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills
• The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed.
• They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required.

To be considered for this role you must have:

Bachelor s degree in a related field. PHR, SPHR or related, preferred. Experience Required: Four (4) to six (6) years general Human Resources experience; at least three (3) years directly managing complex employee relations issues

Benefits and Perks:

At RWJBarnabas Health, our employees are at the heart of everything we do. Driven by our Total Wellbeing promise, our market‑competitive offerings include comprehensive benefits and resources to support our employees' physical, emotional, financial, personal, career, and community wellbeing. These benefits and resources include, but are not limited to:

Paid Time Off including Vacation, Holidays, and Sick Time
Retirement Plans
Medical and Prescription Drug Insurance
Dental and Vision Insurance
Disability and Life Insurance
Paid Parental Leave
Tuition Reimbursement
Student Loan Planning Support
Flexible Spending Accounts
Wellness Programs
Voluntary Benefits (e.g., Pet Insurance)
Community and Volunteer Opportunities
Discounts Through our Partners such as NJ Devils, NJ PAC, and Verizon
....and more!

Choosing RWJBarnabas Health!

RWJBarnabas Health is the premier health care destination providing patient‑centered, high‑quality academic medicine in a compassionate and equitable manner, while delivering a best‑in‑class work experience to every member of the team. We honor and appreciate the privilege of creating and sustaining healthier communities, one person and one community at a time. As the leading academic health system in New Jersey, we advance innovative strategies in high‑quality patient care, education, and research to address both the clinical and social determinants of health.

RWJBarnabas Health aims to truly make a unique impact in local communities throughout New Jersey. From vastly improving the health of local residents to creating educational and career opportunities, this combination greatly benefits the state. We understand the growing and evolving needs of residents in New Jersey‑whether that be enhancing the coordination for treating complex health conditions or improving community health through local programs and education.

Equal Opportunity Employer #LI‑SK1

At RWJBarnabas Health, our market‑competitive Total Rewards package provides comprehensive benefits and resources to support our employees physical, emotional, social, and financial health.

• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Medical and Prescription Drug Insurance
• Dental and Vision Insurance
• Retirement Plans
• Short & Long Term Disability
• Life & Accidental Death Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Health Care/Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Wellness Programs
• Voluntary Benefits (e.g., Pet Insurance)
• Discounts Through our Partners such as NJ Devils, NJ PAC, Verizon, and more!

RWJBarnabas Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer