Employee Relations Specialist

Indygo • Indianapolis, IN

1d • $60,000 - $70,000 • Onsite

About The Position

We are IndyGo, a Municipal Corporation of Indianapolis–Marion County, and we’re proud to be the largest public transportation provider in the state of Indiana. We operate transit routes throughout the county, providing millions of passenger trips a year. IndyGo is committed to expanding mobility options to improve connectivity with the company’s mission, vision, and goals.

As the largest public transportation provider in Indiana, we believe driving people from one place to another is much more than just moving riders: it’s about helping our riders reach their hopes and dreams, education and careers, families and friends, and health and well-being. IndyGo is focused on meeting three objectives as we operate nearly 30 transit routes throughout Marion County, and provide millions of passenger trips each year. They include protecting frontline workers, increasing ridership and prioritizing long-term stability. We are moving the city forward to become a better place of opportunity and community.

IndyGo's mission is to connect our community to economic and cultural opportunities through safe, reliable and accessible mobility experiences. Our vision is to be at the forefront of making Indianapolis a resilient, prosperous and equitable community for all.

Accountability: We are legally, ethically, and morally committed to utilizing all resources responsibly with integrity and transparency.
Adaptability: We adapt to disruptions through technology, workforce and ridership innovations, so we can meet the evolving needs of our community.
Workplace Culture: We offer an empowering workplace to meet the needs of our teammates and riders.
Compassion: We promote, embrace and value all individuals, treating each other with dignity and respect.
Communication: We value open and honest conversations with each other, our riders and the community.
Excellence: We are proud of who we are and the work we do and will continue to exceed customer expectations.
Responsibility: We will be good stewards of our resources.
Results: We make things better today than they were yesterday.
Safety: We ensure safe and secure environments.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business Administration, Organizational Leadership, Psychology, or a related field required. Equivalent experience may be considered in lieu of education.
• Minimum of three (3) years of progressive experience in employee relations, human resources, workplace investigations, operations support, labor relations support, or a related field.
• Strong employee relations and workplace investigation skills.
• Ability to build trust and credibility with employees and leaders at all organizational levels.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, mediation, and conflict resolution abilities.
• Demonstrated emotional intelligence, professionalism, sound judgment, and discretion.
• Ability to identify patterns, trends, and opportunities for proactive intervention and workplace improvement.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment while managing sensitive and confidential information.
• Strong listening and relationship-building skills with a highly approachable and proactive style.
• Ability to coach and influence leaders effectively in operational environments.
• Ability to effectively represent the organization during unemployment compensation hearings and administrative proceedings.
• Strong interviewing, documentation review, investigation, and case preparation skills.
• Knowledge of employee relations principles, workplace investigations, employment practices, and labor relations fundamentals.
• Working knowledge of federal and state employment laws including FMLA, ADA, FLSA, Title VII, PWFA, and related regulations.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to build effective working relationships across diverse employee populations.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, HRIS systems, and case management documentation practices.

Nice To Haves

• Experience conducting workplace investigations and resolving employee concerns preferred.
• Experience supporting unionized, operational, transportation, manufacturing, logistics, or similarly complex work environments preferred.
• Experience representing employers in unemployment compensation hearings or claims administration strongly preferred.
• Experience working in public sector or unionized environments preferred.
• Knowledge of public sector labor relations principles is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a visible and approachable HR presence across IndyGo facilities by regularly walking operational and administrative locations to build relationships and understand employee sentiment, concerns, successes, and workplace dynamics.
• Develop strong working relationships with frontline employees, supervisors, managers, and operational leadership to foster trust, communication, and employee engagement.
• Proactively identify workplace trends, morale concerns, communication gaps, operational challenges, and emerging employee relations risks and elevate insights to HR leadership and business leaders.
• Respond to employee concerns and workplace issues in a timely, professional, and confidential manner.
• Conduct fair, objective, and impartial employee relations investigations involving workplace conduct, attendance, interpersonal conflict, policy violations, employee complaints, and other workplace concerns as directed.
• Gather facts through interviews, documentation review, and evidence analysis and prepare clear, objective investigative summaries.
• Maintain thorough, accurate, and confidential case documentation and investigation records.
• Support a proactive employee relations model focused on early intervention, conflict resolution, and issue prevention.
• Resolve employee concerns informally where appropriate while ensuring consistency, non-discrimination, proper documentation, and compliance with company policies and applicable law.
• Partner with leaders to improve workplace communication, build trust, strengthen team dynamics, and reduce escalation of employee concerns.
• Assist with performance management and employee accountability processes, including documentation coaching and corrective support.
• Support consistent application and interpretation of company policies, procedures, workplace expectations, and collective bargaining agreements.
• Support attendance management programs and partner with operational leaders regarding attendance trends, policy application, and corrective action processes.
• Escalate matters appropriately to the HRBP, Director of Employee Experience, Legal, or Labor Relations leadership when necessary.
• Support the interactive process for accommodation requests in partnership with HR leadership, Benefits, Safety, and operational management.
• Help coordinate and support employee engagement activities, recognition initiatives, appreciation events, and culture-building programs across IndyGo locations.
• Conduct stay interviews and retention conversations to better understand employee experience, engagement drivers, workplace concerns, and retention risks.
• Gather employee feedback through informal interactions, surveys, focus groups, and engagement initiatives and identify actionable opportunities for improvement.
• Partner with HR leadership and operational leaders to strengthen employee connection, workplace morale, communication, and organizational culture.
• Identify and celebrate positive employee and team contributions to strengthen engagement and reinforce organizational values.
• Support onboarding and employee transition experiences to help employees feel welcomed, informed, and connected.
• Develop and deliver training for supervisors regarding investigations, documentation standards, performance management, workplace expectations, and employee relations best practices.
• Coach supervisors and managers on employee relations best practices, workplace communication, conflict resolution, accountability, documentation, and employee engagement strategies.
• Provide guidance to leaders on handling workplace concerns consistently, professionally, and proactively.
• Support leaders in strengthening team effectiveness, improving employee interactions, and addressing concerns before escalation occurs.
• Reinforce leadership accountability for maintaining respectful, inclusive, and productive work environments.
• Partner with Labor Relations leadership and operational teams to support positive labor-management relationships.
• Assist with grievance fact gathering, documentation collection, and workplace issue review related to represented employees.
• Help identify emerging workforce issues, employee concerns, operational challenges, and workplace trends that may impact labor relations or employee engagement.
• Provide operational insight and workforce observations to HR and Labor Relations leadership to support proactive decision-making and issue prevention.
• Support consistent interpretation and application of collective bargaining agreements in partnership with HR and Labor Relations leadership.
• Manage unemployment compensation claims processes on behalf of IndyGo, including reviewing claims, gathering supporting documentation, coordinating with operational leadership, and preparing responses.
• Serve as IndyGo’s representative during unemployment compensation hearings and proceedings, presenting factual information and documentation professionally and effectively.
• Partner closely with supervisors, managers, and HR leadership to assess claim circumstances, prepare testimony, and ensure consistent application of employment practices and documentation standards.
• Monitor unemployment claims trends and provide recommendations regarding documentation practices, policy adherence, and risk mitigation opportunities.
• Maintain organized and confidential records relating to unemployment claims, investigations, and employee relations matters.
• Support preparation of employee relations metrics, trend analysis, and reporting.
• Assist with HR communications, employee education efforts, and policy rollout support.
• Participate in special HR projects and initiatives as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Voluntary medical, dental, and vision coverage (effective on the first of the month following 30 days of employment)
• On-site wellness clinic for employees and their families
• Retirement plans (401A and 457B)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Free IndyGo transportation for employees and their families
• Eligibility for the Federal Loan Forgiveness Program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level