Senior Human Resources Specialist (Recovery Services Bureau)

Boston Public Health Commission; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The Boston Public Health Commission seeks a Senior Human Resources Specialist in the Recovery Services Bureau to advance anti-racism and health equity in its programs.

You will partner with HR and the Office of Labor and Employment to ensure policy compliance, conduct investigations, and support training, staffing, and accommodations across the Mattapan Campus and related programs.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of public health roles in addressing racism and health equity.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience in unionized work environments and with CBAs.
• Experience with HR investigations and internal policy review.
• Ability to work with diverse populations and urban settings.
• Experience with HRIS and Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Advance anti-racism standards and policy adherence within RSB.
• Investigate policy violations with factual interviews and written summaries.
• Coordinate with HR and OLE on staffing, accommodations, and compliance.
• Serve as information liaison to HR and OLE; participate in hearings.
• Develop staff training and oversee license/certification records.
• Support orientation and onboarding for new employees.

Skills

Communication skills

HR investigations

Unionized environment experience

Bilingual and bicultural

Policy compliance

Analytical skills

Microsoft Office / HRIS

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree or MBA/MPA substitution

Job description

Senior Human Resources Specialist (Recovery Services Bureau)

#2791

Mission Statement

The mission of the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) is to work in partnership with communities to protect and promote the health and well-being of all Boston residents, especially those impacted by racism and systemic inequities. The BPHC sets an expectation that all staff and leadership commit, individually and as part of the BPHC team, to hold ourselves accountable to establishing a culture of anti-racism and advance racial equity and justice through each of our bureaus, programs, and offices.

Job Description

PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION:

The Recovery Services Bureau (RSB) provides comprehensive programs and resources designed to reduce the harms associated with substance use, support recovery, and prevent substance use among youth. RSB operates across the continuum of care, offering outreach and engagement, harm reduction and drug user health services, overdose prevention and naloxone distribution, treatment navigation and referrals, residential treatment, recovery support services, community prevention, and other supports for individuals and families.

With 150 staff working across over 10 programs, RSB serves individuals at different stages of substance use and recovery throughout Boston. The Mattapan Campus is home to several residential substance use disorder treatment programs that provide structured treatment and support to individuals and families.

Harm reduction principles and practices are integrated throughout RSB’s programs and levels of care, recognizing that people may enter services with different needs, goals, and experiences. Through its programs, partnerships, and services, RSB works to reduce overdose and other substance-related harms, improve access to care, strengthen pathways to recovery, and reinforce the message that recovery is possible.

Duties

Works to help BPHC advance as an antiracist organization by meeting or exceeding the standards set by the Boston Public Health Commission’s Anti-Racism Policy.

Human Resources

• Works closely with the Boston Public Health Commission’s (BPHC) Human Resources (HR) department and Office of Labor and Employment (OLE) to ensure RSB staff are in compliance with BPHC policies.
• Investigates reports of policy violations involving RSB staff and management. This includes conducting fact-finding witness interviews, collecting supporting evidence, and providing a written summary with recommendations.
• Communicates with staff regarding compliance with policy requirements, including but not limited, to annual influenza vaccination requirement, annual residency verification requirement, annual policy distributions, and other matters involving personnel administration.
• Works with HR Recruiting team and payroll team as needed regarding RSB matters.
• Represents assigned Bureaus at internal employee hearings and external unemployment hearings.
• Supports Human Resources in reviewing and responding to requests for reasonable accommodations.
• Serves as the RSB information officer and liaison to HR and OLE.

Office of Labor and Employment

• Conduct investigations of alleged violations of BPHC policy, including the Anti-Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation policy, when assigned.
• Ensures RSB compliance with applicable collective bargaining agreements.
• Assists the Labor and Employment and General Counsel offices in gathering information related to internal investigations.
• Serves as a management representative on labor-management committees as assigned.
• Attends grievance and arbitration hearings, and represents management in grievance and arbitration process, including but not limited to hearing and adjustment of employee grievances.

Staff Training /Professional Development

• Works with RSB directors and managers to identify and provide training for program staff.
• Partners with HR to oversee staff compliance and tracking of required trainings.
• Develop system for monitoring up-to-date records of required licenses and certifications.
• Trains, assists, or ensures training RSB staff on applicable BPHC policies and procedures as needed including the BPHC’s Anti-Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation and Sexual Harassment Policies.
• Participates and helps coordinate RSB New Employee Orientation with RSB Leadership.

Other

• Expected to exercise sound judgment and professional discretion to support RSB management and staff.
• Participates in committees and in special projects regarding RSB personnel, as assigned.
• Make and recommend management and personnel decisions for, including but not limited to promotion, transfer and assignment of staff, and imposition of discipline.
• Perform other duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Knowledge of or willingness to learn about the role of public health in addressing racism, the social determinants of health, and inequities in health outcomes as well as strategies to advance racial justice and health equity.
• Bachelor's degree and 4 -6 years of relevant managerial experience or a Master's degree in human resources, MBA, MPA may be substituted for 2 years of experience.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience in unionized work environments and proficient understanding of collective bargaining agreements.
• Experience with HR investigations to review violations of internal policies and procedures.
• Ability to interact sensitively and professionally with persons from diverse cultural, socio-economic, educational and professional backgrounds.
• Ability to develop and manage administrative policies and procedures that maximize effectiveness and efficiency of direct service programs.
• Demonstrated experience working in urban environments and with diverse client and provider populations.
• Prior experience working with local, state and/or federal government.
• Knowledge of Boston community and neighborhoods is desirable.
• Able to follow directions and work harmoniously with staff.
• Bilingual and bicultural skills are desirable.
• Experience in crisis management a plus.
• Strong analytic skills.
• Previous experience in Microsoft Office and HRIS database.

Additional Information

• City of Boston residency is required; Allston, Back Bay, Bay Village, Beacon Hill, Brighton, Charlestown, Chinatown, Dorchester, Downtown, East Boston, Fenway-Kenmore, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Mattapan, Mid-Dorchester, Mission Hill, North End, Roslindale, Roxbury, South Boston, South End, West End, West Roxbury, Wharf district.
• A Criminal Offenders Records Information request must be completed for this position. However, a record is not an automatic bar to employment but is reviewed in relation to the job applied for.
• Certain immunizations will be recommended and/or required prior to commencement of employment duties.
• Any position that requires an advanced degree will be subject to education verification.
• Certain positions at the BPHC may be Grant Funded.
• The Boston Public Health Commission is an EEO Employer and all applicants meeting the minimum requirements are eligible to apply.
• Certain positions at the BPHC may require Child Protective Service Background verification.
• The advertised shift and schedule are subject to change at the department's discretion.

Shift

35 hours/week, Monday – Friday, 9 AM - 5 PM

This position is not dependent on grants / external funding sources.

Pay Range

$85,000 - $95,000 annually