Labor and Employee Relations Specialist

Fordham University Portal•Rose Hill, VA

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Labor & Employee Relations Specialist role will join a dynamic and supportive LER team, where we work collaboratively to support each other’s case workload. The LER Specialist will demonstrate an understanding of the University’s Jesuit mission by providing caring and compassionate attention to LER matters, enhancing the overall customer experience, and fostering a culture of excellence among the workforce. Reporting to the Director of Employee and Labor Relations, the Labor & Employee Relations Specialist serves as a key resource in supporting positive employee and labor relations across the University. The Specialist assists in the administration of employee relations programs, workplace investigations, labor relations activities, performance management matters, disciplinary processes, conflict resolution, policy interpretation, and compliance initiatives. Due to the nature of employee and labor relations matters, this position may require occasional evening and weekend work to support investigations, labor negotiations, employee meetings, emergency response activities, and other operational needs.

Requirements

Demonstrate an understanding of the University’s Jesuit mission by providing caring and compassionate attention to LER matters, enhancing the overall customer experience, and fostering a culture of excellence among the workforce.
Serve as a key resource in supporting positive employee and labor relations across the University.
Assist in the administration of employee relations programs, workplace investigations, labor relations activities, performance management matters, disciplinary processes, conflict resolution, policy interpretation, and compliance initiatives.
Support investigations, labor negotiations, employee meetings, emergency response activities, and other operational needs.
Interpret and administer collective bargaining agreements, grievance processes, labor-management meetings, and contract compliance.
Ensure departmental policies, practices, processes, and guidelines comply with laws and regulations.
Draft, implement, and interpret policies, procedures, and guidelines at the departmental level.
Conduct workplace investigations involving allegations of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, misconduct, policy violations, and other employee relations concerns.
Interview complainants, respondents, and witnesses; analyze findings; prepare investigative reports; and recommend corrective actions and remediation measures.
Assist department leaders in matters relating to stakeholders’ feedback (e.g., students or special programs) and recommend strategies to improve the implementation and creation of successful departmental programs.
Draft and present training programs, workshops, and educational resources related to performance management, employee conduct, workplace investigations, labor relations, conflict resolution, and policy compliance.
Utilize data analytics, reporting tools, automation technologies, and emerging AI solutions to improve operational efficiency, case management, trend analysis, documentation practices, and overall service delivery within Labor and Employee Relations.
Provide administrative and project support to the Director of Labor and Employee Relations.
Record accurate minutes during workplace investigation meetings, labor/employee relations conferences, union contract negotiations, etc.
Support the implementation, administration, and continuous improvement of labor and employee relations case management and tracking systems, ensuring data integrity, reporting accuracy, and compliance with record retention requirements.
Conduct research and evaluate technology solutions that enhance productivity, reporting capabilities, knowledge management, and employee relations operations.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a unionized environment and higher education setting is preferred.
SPHR , PHR , SHRM - SCP , SHRM -CP, and/or certifications in Employee Relations and Investigations.

Responsibilities

Coordinates the intake and initial assessment of employee relations matters, providing actionable recommendations to leadership on performance counseling, dispute resolution, and disciplinary actions in accordance with University policy and collective bargaining agreements.
Supports positive labor-management relationships by assisting with the interpretation and administration of collective bargaining agreements, grievance processes, labor-management meetings, and contract compliance.
Ensures that departmental policies, practices, processes, and guidelines comply with laws and regulations; assists with drafting, implementing, and interpreting policies, procedures, and guidelines at the departmental level.
Conducts workplace investigations involving allegations of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, misconduct, policy violations, and other employee relations concerns.
Interviews complainants, respondents, and witnesses; analyzes findings; prepares investigative reports; and recommends corrective actions and remediation measures.
Assists department leaders in matters relating to stakeholders’ feedback (e.g., students or special programs) and recommends strategies to improve the implementation and creation of successful departmental programs.
Drafts and presents training programs, workshops, and educational resources related to performance management, employee conduct, workplace investigations, labor relations, conflict resolution, and policy compliance.
Utilizes data analytics, reporting tools, automation technologies, and emerging AI solutions to improve operational efficiency, case management, trend analysis, documentation practices, and overall service delivery within Labor and Employee Relations.
Provides administrative and project support to the Director of Labor and Employee Relations.
Records accurate minutes during workplace investigation meetings, labor/employee relations conferences, union contract negotiations, etc.
Supports the implementation, administration, and continuous improvement of labor and employee relations case management and tracking systems, ensuring data integrity, reporting accuracy, and compliance with record retention requirements.
Conducts research and evaluates technology solutions that enhance productivity, reporting capabilities, knowledge management, and employee relations operations.