Employee Relations Specialist - Human Resources

Commonwealth of Massachusetts•Boston, MA

14h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS), the public defender agency of Massachusetts, is seeking a full-time Employee Relations Specialist to support the Chief Human Resource Officer and two Directors of Human Resources to address a broad range of employee relations issues. In this role, you would join a strong, experienced HR team supporting an organization of passionate professionals providing legal services to indigent clients in Massachusetts. This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule with a minimum of two days per week in our Boston Office and will require frequent travel to offices throughout the Commonwealth. CPCS is committed to protecting the fundamental constitutional and human rights of our assigned clients through zealous advocacy, community-oriented defense, and the fullness of excellent legal representation. We are dedicated to building and maintaining strong professional relationships, while striving to accept, listen to and respect the diverse circumstances of each client, as we dedicate ourselves to meeting their individual needs. It is our CPCS mission to achieve these goals, and in furtherance thereof, we embrace and endorse diversity, equity and inclusion as our core values as we maintain a steadfast commitment to: (1) Ensure that CPCS management and staff members represent a broad range of human differences and experience; (2) Provide a work climate that is respectful and supports success; and (3) Promote the dignity and well-being of all staff members. CPCS leadership is responsible for ensuring equity, diversity, and inclusion. The ability to achieve these goals with any level of certainty is ultimately the responsibility of each member of the CPCS community. CPCS is the state agency in Massachusetts responsible for providing an attorney when the state or federal constitution or a state statute requires the appointment of an attorney for a person who cannot afford to retain one. The agency provides representation in criminal, delinquency, youthful offender, family regulation, guardianship, mental health, sexually dangerous person, and sex offender registry cases, as well as in appeals and post-conviction and post-judgment proceedings related to those matters. The clients we represent are diverse across every context imaginable and bring many unique cultural dimensions to the matters we address. This reality creates a critical need for CPCS staff to be culturally competent and able to work well with people of different races, ethnicities, genders and/or sexual orientation identities, abilities, and limited English proficiency, among other protected characteristics. The Human Resources Department for the Committee for Public Counsel Services strives to provide exceptional service for our clients and our staff. We aim to uphold an environment which maximizes our employees’ experience, foster personal and professional growth, and enhances our staff’s mastery of the general practice of the law. By ensuring that CPCS provides an inviting and supportive atmosphere for our employees, we can best ensure superior representation for our clients. The Human Resources Department encompasses three main practice areas: Benefits and Wellness, Payroll, and Recruiting and Hiring. The Employee Relations Specialist is a new position in the Human Resources Department that will play a pivotal role in advancing the mission of the agency by working with managers and employees to address a broad range of employee relations issues. The Employee Relations Specialist will work with the Directors of Human Resources to support managers and employees in all Employee Relations matters. The Employee Relations Specialist will report to a Human Resource Director. This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule with a minimum of two days per week in our Boston Office and will require frequent travel to offices throughout the Commonwealth.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or related field and at least four (4) years of human resources or related work in employee relations, or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and skills
Access to an automobile in order to travel
Access to home internet access sufficient to work remotely
Proven experience in employee relations roles, preferably within HR
In-depth knowledge of employment and labor laws, regulations, and best practices
Strong communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills, including conflict resolution and negotiation experience
Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
Proficiency in HRIS software and Microsoft Office Suite
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport and trust with employees and diverse stakeholders
Passion for public defense and a commitment to social justice

Nice To Haves

SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP preferred
Masters degree preferred

Responsibilities

Acting as a primary point of contact for managers and employees regarding ER issues, including providing timely guidance and support, and fostering positive outcomes
Ensuring compliance with CPCS policies, procedures and monitoring feedback on agency policies
Aligning employee relations processes with agency policies to avoid confusion and ensure employees are treated fairly across the organization
Investigating misconduct, policy violations, or harassment incidents, including interviewing witnesses, reporting findings, and recommending appropriate disciplinary actions or corrective measures as needed
Drafting investigatory reports and other documents related to employee relations matters
Helping managers decide on appropriate disciplinary actions for employee misconduct or performance issues and documenting the process
Implementing initiatives to promote employee engagement, satisfaction, retention, and to enhance workplace culture
Collaborating with the Learning and Development team to develop ER-related training for managers and employees
Assisting in the performance evaluation and management processes, including coaching managers on performance-related issues
Engaging in open, proactive communication and support and encouraging honest feedback from staff, and addressing concerns promptly
Maintaining accurate records of ER cases, investigations, and outcomes, preparing reports, and analyses for management review
Keeping abreast of relevant laws, regulations, and industry trends related to employee relations
Other duties as assigned