HR Employee Engagement Specialist

Southwestern Oregon Community College•Coos Bay, OR

12h•Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction of the Director of Human Resources, the HR Employee Engagement Specialist is a strategic and operational partner who fosters a positive, inclusive, and high-performing workplace culture. The position designs, implements, evaluates, and manages employee engagement initiatives, recognition programs, professional development opportunities, and organizational culture strategies in support of the college’s mission, values, and strategic goals. The role leads employee engagement work, including onboarding initiatives, employee feedback collection and analysis, Caring Campus initiatives, leadership and staff development, retention metrics, employee communications, recognition programs, and a comprehensive wellness program. It also coordinates onboarding activities, prepares employment letters and forms, enters new-hire information into college systems, and supports orientation and faculty onboarding. The specialist also performs general HR functions, including maintaining confidential personnel and recruitment records, coordinating staff development, supporting collective bargaining with HR policy and workforce analysis expertise, responding to employee inquiries, assisting with workforce-change processing, and providing backup support within the HR department. The position is based at the Coos Bay Campus, is listed as 1.0 FTE, and reports to the Director of Human Resources.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Business Administration, Education, Psychology, or a related field, or three or more years of human resources experience as a substitute for the required education.
Three or more years of progressive experience in employee engagement, organizational development, talent development, training, or a related field.
Experience planning and implementing employee programs and events.
Experience facilitating training, workshops, or professional development activities.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing in English, with or without an interpreter.
Ability to communicate with groups and individuals and work positively, empathetically, and professionally with peers, the public, and the community.
Ability to read and interpret federal and state laws, college policies, collective bargaining agreements, HR practices, and professional literature.
Ability to work effectively and sensitively with people from diverse cultural backgrounds, perspectives, and abilities.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to address complaints, de-escalate difficult situations, and gain cooperation.
Knowledge of human resources theory, practices, and procedures, including recruitment administration, HR policies and procedures, wage and hour laws, and federal and state employment laws and regulations.
Computer proficiency with office procedures and equipment and software for word processing, spreadsheets, databases, correspondence, documents, and reports.
Ability and willingness to manage a flexible schedule with self-discipline, including travel, varied hours, possible weekends or evenings, and workdays at other college locations.
Ability to receive and process information professionally, sensitively, confidentially, and promptly.
Ability to model and support diversity and cultural competency, including respect for and inclusion of cultural differences.
Computer literacy with Word, Excel, Access, NEOGOV for recruiting and applicant tracking, and Jenzabar or comparable college information systems.

Nice To Haves

Human Resources certification through SHRM, HRCI, or another related organization.
Knowledge of departmental computer applications, currently NEOGOV and Jenzabar.
Public-employer experience, preferably in higher education.
Experience working in a union setting.
Advanced presentation, facilitation, or end-user training experience.

Responsibilities

Design, implement, evaluate, and manage employee engagement programs, including onboarding initiatives, in partnership with campus leadership.
Conduct employee satisfaction surveys, focus groups, and exit interviews; report findings and use feedback to inform programs and initiatives.
Serve as the point person for Caring Campus initiatives to support positive cultural change.
Assist the HR Director with organizational leadership development needs and develop and deliver employee engagement and development programs.
Track and report turnover and retention metrics, identify trends, and make recommendations.
Develop and maintain communications that keep employees informed and connected.
Help organize training sessions, forums, and workshops; recommend strategies to improve employee-group communications and expand development programs.
Implement organization-wide recognition and appreciation programs, including years-of-service and retirement recognition.
Build opportunities for employee networking, committee participation, and celebrations.
Implement and manage a comprehensive wellness program with activities, assessments, training, and engagement opportunities.
Contribute to internal communications and event and program materials, including newsletters and websites.
Work with stakeholders to improve the employee onboarding experience.
Assist the Recruitment & Onboarding Specialist with onboarding communications, processes, and training.
Perform initial hiring tasks, prepare employment letters and forms, enter new-hire information, and complete employee setup in college systems.
Manage an onboarding program that supports new employees through their first 90 days and aligns with the college’s strategic plan.
Design, implement, evaluate, and manage new employee orientation for all hires.
Collaborate with the Office of Instruction and Student Services on faculty onboarding, professional development committee support, and in-service program development.
Maintain official employee personnel and recruitment records in accordance with applicable laws and bargaining agreements, protecting confidentiality.
Coordinate staff development programs with the HR Director, including supervisory training; prepare materials, notify staff, present items, and respond to questions.
Provide HR subject-matter expertise during collective bargaining negotiations and analyze workforce data and operational impacts of proposed contract provisions.
Assist with employee inquiries and day-to-day HR tasks, and provide backup for the HR Analyst and Recruitment & Onboarding Specialist as directed.
Maintain customer-service relationships with students, employees, community members, and other constituencies; respond respectfully to requests and concerns.
Support a welcoming, supportive, and respectful work environment and maintain strict confidentiality of sensitive information.
Assist with monthly roster reviews and enter personnel action forms (PAFs) as needed to ensure timely workforce-change processing.
Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.