The Senior Employee Relations Specialist plays a pivotal role in fostering a positive and inclusive workplace environment by focusing on employee relations, conflict resolution, and supporting organizational culture. This position is responsible for promoting a healthy workplace culture, ensuring compliance with state, federal, and county requirements, and aligning decisions regarding employee relations with organizational goals. Additionally, this role is committed to Community Bridging & Engagement creating a workplace where all employees feel valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their best.

Learn more about YMCA Community Support Service programs CLICK HERE

For more on Employee Perks, click on this link: Employee Benefits | YMCA of San Diego County (ymcasd.org)

WORK DESIGNATION:

• Hybrid - frequent San Diego County wide travel 
  • Please note that the work designation may change based on business needs.

PROGRAM SUMMARY:
As the social services branch, YMCA Community Support Services (CSS) is committed to offering equitable access to opportunities, connections, and support people need to learn, grow, and thrive. We believe our community is strongest when everyone – regardless of age, income, or background – is provided the opportunity to reach their fullest potential. That’s why we advocate for positive change and offer a wide range of programs and services related to child care, child welfare, education, housing, economic stability and mobility, and mental and behavioral health.

What we offer and how we offer it, represents our community’s voice, diversity, experience, and unique needs. At the foundation of our multidisciplinary approach is the understanding that by providing supports that decrease the impact of stress and increase resilience, we can help our community thrive.

• Conduct thorough investigations into employee complaints, grievances, and concerns, ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations and policies
• Serve as a resource for employees and supervisors on matters related to workplace dynamics, conflict resolution, and employee relations, ensuring that responses and solutions are equitable and inclusive
• Collaborate with departmental leaders and provide guidance and support to address employee relations issues while adhering to organizational goals and requirements
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation of all employee relations activities, ensuring confidentiality and compliance with legal standards, while also monitoring and addressing any disparities or inequities
• Monitor and analyze trends in employee relations issues, identifying areas for improvement and proactively recommending and/or implementing solutions
• Write comprehensive, factual reports of findings resulting from assigned investigations for use in decision-making
• Support content creation and deliver training for employees and supervisors on topics such as conflict resolution, employment law, communication skills, and compliance with organizational policies
• Stay informed about changes in employment law and best practices in employee relations, advising leadership on potential impacts and strategies for compliance
• Collaborate with HR leadership to develop and refine policies, procedures, and practices related to employee relations and workplace culture
• Demonstrates proficiency and thorough understanding of HR policies and procedures and knowledge of Federal and State regulations including EEO laws and regulations

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

• This position must have access to reliable transportation to travel regularly throughout San Diego County.

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Organizational Psychology, or a related field or equivalent work experience required
• Seven years of progressive HR experience in employee relations, conflict resolution, or related HR function
• Active certification from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI), Association for Workplace Investigations (AWI), or other relevant certifications required
• Strong understanding of employment law and regulatory requirements
• Certification in conflict resolution, mediation, or related areas is a plus
• Fluency in both English and Spanish is preferred

JOB COMPETENCIES:

• Proficiency in HRIS software and Microsoft Office suite
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport, negotiate, and conflict resolution
• Strong working knowledge of labor laws
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills, with a focus on monitoring and addressing disparities and inequities
• Proactive approach to identifying and addressing employee relations issues
• Ability to facilitate engaging and informative training sessions for employees and supervisors
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, demonstrating flexibility and adaptability in a fast-paced and dynamic environment
• Commitment to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace culture
• Ability to tune in to your feelings, thoughts, and actions and how those impact your work
• Demonstrate flexibility, adaptable and openness to growth and learning and sharing your strengths in this role

PRE-HIRE CONTINGENCIES:

• Licensing, state law and our funders require that applicants of critical positions within Community Support Services be fingerprinted, prior to reporting to work, and include subsequent arrest notifications
• CPR/AED, and First Aid Certification, must include Adult and Child/Infant, within 30 days of hire, and must be from one of the following certifying organizations: American Red Cross, American Heart Association, or American Safety and Health Institute
• Position may require additional clearances in order to comply with all program, licensing, state law, and funding requirements:
  • Exclusion and Debarment checks prior to first day and monthly thereafter

YMCA will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the San Diego County Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if the YMCA is concerned about conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the opportunity to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Ordinance by visiting the San Diego County Office of Labor Standards and Enforcement.