Employee & Labor Relations Specialist (3352)

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF NEWARK•Newark, NJ

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction of the Human Resources Director, the Employee & Labor Relations Specialist coordinates and supports employee relations, labor relations, performance management, and disciplinary processes to ensure consistency, compliance, and organizational accountability. This role serves as a key resource to supervisors and managers regarding progressive discipline, documentation standards, labor agreement interpretation, workplace concerns, and performance-related matters. The position supports grievance coordination, maintains related records, reviews employee relations trends, and helps strengthen workforce accountability processes. All activities support the Human Resources Department's mission to provide responsive, accurate, and consistent HR services that enable the Newark Housing Authority to meet its operational goals and deliver high-quality service to constituents. The Specialist also performs other related duties as required.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Public Administration, Business Administration, or related field required.
Minimum of four years of progressively responsible human resources experience, with direct experience in employee relations, labor relations, performance management, and disciplinary processes required.
Minimum of four years of experience supporting supervisors and managers with documentation, discipline, grievance preparation, and performance management matters.
Knowledge of employee relations principles, documentation standards, progressive discipline, and performance management practices.
Knowledge of labor relations practices and ability to assist with collective bargaining agreement interpretation and grievance coordination.
Ability to review documentation for consistency, completeness, and risk exposure.
Ability to communicate professionally with employees, supervisors, managers, union representatives, and leadership.
Ability to manage sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
Ability to organize and maintain logs, files, and documentation systems related to employee and labor relations matters.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret policies, procedures, collective bargaining agreements, governmental regulations, and employment-related documents.
Ability to prepare clear written summaries, correspondence, and documentation.
Ability to calculate basic figures and amounts such as percentages, dates, timelines, and other information needed to support employee relations tracking and reporting.
Ability to define problems, collect information, establish facts, evaluate documentation, and draw reasonable conclusions.
Ability to handle sensitive and competing priorities with sound judgment.
Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
Ability to learn HRIS, payroll, document management, and tracking systems as required by the position.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in a unionized, public-sector, housing authority, municipal, nonprofit, or similarly regulated environment strongly preferred.
SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, or HRCI PHR, SPHR, or related certification preferred.

Responsibilities

Coordinates employee and labor relations matters, including grievances, disciplinary actions, investigations support, and related documentation.
Reviews disciplinary documentation for consistency, completeness, and compliance with Authority policy and collective bargaining agreements.
Assists supervisors and managers with progressive discipline processes and performance-related concerns.
Provides guidance regarding documentation standards, corrective action procedures, and workplace conduct expectations.
Supports the administration and tracking of grievance procedures and labor-related matters.
Assists with interpretation and application of collective bargaining agreements in partnership with HR leadership.
Reviews termination-related documentation and supporting records to ensure completeness and compliance.
Identifies and escalates potential employee relations and claims-related risks.
Assists with employee investigations, fact gathering, and documentation preparation, as assigned.
Supports performance management processes, including coaching supervisors on documentation and follow-up expectations.
Maintains accurate employee relations files, logs, and related records.
Partners with HR leadership to strengthen consistency, accountability, and responsiveness across workforce management practices.
Assists with development and standardization of employee relations forms, templates, and procedures.
Performs other duties as assigned.