Labor & Employee Relations Senior Specialist

Southern Poverty Law Center; United States; Remote; USD 71,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The Southern Poverty Law Center is seeking a Labor & Employee Relations Senior Specialist committed to social justice. This remote role involves providing guidance on policies, conducting investigations, and fostering a collaborative workplace culture. Candidates should have significant HR experience and a commitment to equity and inclusion.

Qualifications

• Minimum three (3) years’ experience in human resources.
• At least two (2) years’ experience conducting investigations in a unionized environment.
• Demonstrated experience working with HRIS systems and case management software.

Responsibilities

• Provide counsel to management and employees to resolve employee relations issues.
• Conduct investigations and resolve employee complaints/grievances.
• Develop and implement employee recognition and retention programs.

Skills

Credibility

Problem-Solving

Communication

Confidentiality

Education

High School Diploma or GED

HR certification(s) preferred (PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP)

Tools

HRIS systems

Case management software

Microsoft Office products

Job description

Labor & Employee Relations Senior Specialist

Remote

The SPLC is seeking a Labor & Employee Relations Senior Specialist who is passionate about social justice!

The Employee Relations Senior Specialist will proactively build relationships with all staff and provide guidance and direction on policies, procedures, the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and employment laws. They will assist with employee relations related matters, including investigations to resolve issues and they will support managers with the performance management process for their direct reports. They will work to nurture a transparent and collaborative workplace and uphold Southern Poverty Law Center’s (Center) values of justice, diversity, equity and inclusion.

Who You Are

Credible & Trusted. Skilled in establishing credibility throughout the organization with management and employees to be an effective listener and problem-solver of people issues. Adheres to strict confidentiality to maintain integrity and trustworthiness.

Problem-Solver. Ability to objectively coach employees and management through issues that may be complex, difficult and emotional. Ability to make recommendations to effectively resolve problems or issues by using judgment that is consistent with policies, regulations, and government law.

Knowledgeable. Working knowledge of multiple human resource disciplines including employee relations, performance management, compensation practices, and federal and state employment laws.

Communicative. Regularly communicates with leadership and staff. Exceptional interpersonal, teamwork and collaboration skills. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Proficient. Demonstrated experience working in HRIS systems, case management software and Microsoft Office products.

Mission, Vision & Culture Alignment.Demonstrated awareness for SPLC's mission and vision; and a commitment to ideals of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion and fostering an anti-racist work culture.

What You'll Do

Provide counsel to both management and employees to resolve employee relations issues.

Conduct prompt and thorough investigations, resolve employee complaints/grievances, and update HR leadership regularly.

Participate in grievance meetings, provide recommendations and draft grievance responses.

Perform exit interviews and provide timely summaries for all investigations.

Periodically visit offices and provide guidance and feedback as needed.

Build and sustain credibility with both employees and management across the organization.

Develop and implement employee recognition, retention and mentoring programs.

Support and participate in recruitment, on-boarding and training.

Make recommendations to effectively resolve complaints by using judgment consistent with Center policies and employment laws.

Uphold ideals of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion and are committed to challenging racism with unwavering determination and an unshakable belief in the power of unity and justice.

Perform other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties in this job classification.

Minimum Qualifications

We are committed to equitable hiring practices, therefore you must meet the minimum qualifications to be considered for the role.

• Minimum three (3) years’ experience in human resources;
• At least two (2) years’ experience conducting investigations and responding to grievances in a unionized environment;
• HR certification(s) preferred (PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP); and
• High School Diploma or GED.

This is an exempt role, and the minimum starting salary is $71,682 annually. Salary will be commensurate with experience.

Clickhere to view the benefits available to SPLC staff.

Where & How You'll Work

This role the following work designations options:

• Local Remote: Will work remotely, but is expected to attend work-related activities that occur at the SPLC offices or in the states in which the SPLC operates.
• Telework: Will work at an SPLC office at least three days per week and may work two days per week from an alternative work location.
• Distant Remote: Will work remotely and are not expected to work in the states in which the SPLC has an office or in an SPLC office. They may be required to attend occasional meetings or activities in the states in which the SPLC has an office or elsewhere.
• This role reports to the Labor & Employee Relations Manager.

Other Special Considerations

This job is performed under general office conditions and is not subject to any strenuous physical demands or dangerous conditions. Travel is expected up to 20% within assigned region.

Disclaimer:

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position. These statements are notintended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of a person in this position.

An Equal-Opportunity Employer with a Commitment to Diversity

Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and as an organization committed to diversity and the perspective of all voices, we considerapplicants equally without regard to age, caregiver status, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, marital status, national origin, on the basis ofgenetic information, political affiliation, pregnancy, or veteran status.

Apply for this job

*

indicates a required field

First Name *

Last Name *

Email *

Phone *

Resume/CV *

Enter manually

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Enter manually

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Education

School Select...

Degree * Select...

Select...

Are you able to work from one of the locations listed in the job description? * Select...

Please upload one document that contains the name and contact information of three (3) professional references. Please include former colleagues and at least one supervisor. *

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

How did you hear about this job? * Select...

Are you related to a current employee of the Southern Poverty Law Center? * Select...

SMS Consent: Do you agree to receive mobile messages from us in relation to this job application? Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt-out of future messaging. Reply HELP for help. * Select...

Will you now or in the future require SPLC to commence (“sponsor”) an immigration case in order to employ you (for example, H-1B or other employment-based immigration case)? This is sometimes called “sponsorship” for an employment-based visa status

Please share what your specific involvement in resolving grievances in unionized environments has been with either your current or former employer(s). *

What labor unions have your work with? *

Optional Demographic Information

SPLC does not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, religion, disability, or other identity characteristic. In order to track the effectiveness of our recruiting efforts and ensure we consider the needs of all staff, please consider answering the following optional questions. These questions are optional, and the information will only be used in its aggregate form and will not be tied to any individual.

What are your preferred pronouns? Select...

How do you describe your gender identity? Select...

Do you consider yourself a member of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and/or Queer (LGBTQ) community? Select...

Do you identify as transgender or non-cisgender? Select...

Which categories describe you? Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in Southern Poverty Law Center’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.

Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability

Form CC-305

Page 1 of 1

OMB Control Number 1250-0005

Expires 04/30/2026

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability

Form CC-305 Page 1 of 1 OMB Control Number 1250-0005 Expires 04/30/2026
Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp .

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

• Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
• Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
• Blind or low vision
• Cancer (past or present)
• Cardiovascular or heart disease
• Celiac disease
• Cerebral palsy
• Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
• Diabetes
• Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
• Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
• Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
• Intellectual or developmental disability
• Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
• Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
• Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
• Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
• Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
• Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
• Short stature (dwarfism)
• Traumatic brain injury

Disability Status Select...

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.