Overview
Senior Associate, Employee Relations
The Opportunity
The Employee Relations Senior Associate (Senior Associate) works closely with the Deputy Director, Legal and Compliance and the Employee Experience and the Legal and Compliance teams to facilitate the resolution of personnel concerns and issues across the organization and to ensure our organization operates in a manner compliant with local, state, and federal regulatory requirements and laws especially with respect to employment.
The Senior Associate helps to manage employee issues in a fast-moving environment, focusing on timely and personalized conflict prevention and resolution. Their primary areas of responsibility are: (i) conducting thorough internal investigations of employee complaints relating to, for example, discrimination or harassment; (ii) respond to requests for reasonable accommodations by program participants, candidates and employees; (iii) provide thorough documentation of all investigations and findings; (iv) communicate with staff and managers, as relevant; (v) perform trainings and potentially visit sites to address specific concerns. The Senior Associate provides these services in a professional and efficient manner with prompt assistance to achieve high levels of employee satisfaction.
As part of our mission, we strongly encourage individuals who have lived experience of incarceration or involvement in the justice system to apply for this role.
CEO’s Staff Vaccination Policy
CEO has implemented an org-wide vaccination requirement that requires all new staff to be fully vaccinated before their first day of work. We have made this decision for the safety of our participants and employees and to enhance our ability to continue to provide the vital services we offer to our participants. As part of the onboarding process, new hires will be asked to submit proof of vaccination status prior to their first day of employment.
If you are unable to get vaccinated against COVID-19 for medical or religious reasons, you can request a reasonable accommodation. An interactive meeting will be scheduled to discuss your request.
CEO does not discriminate against individuals with actual or perceived infection with COVID19 or based on an actual or perceived history of such infection nor based on any protected status.
Who We Are
The Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) provides employment services to people with recent criminal convictions. Across the United States, over 6,000 people participate in CEO each year, transitioning to employment that supports themselves, their families, and their communities.
What began as a demonstration project of the Vera Institute of Justice in the 1970s to address employment barriers facing the formerly incarcerated following release in New York City has grown into the leading reentry employment organization in the country, where over 25,000 formerly incarcerated individuals have secured full-time employment since 1996. In 2016, CEO embarked on a 5-year strategic plan to grow to serve 9,000 participants annually.
Who You Are
- You have strong conflict resolution and problem solving skills
- Your strong organizational skills and detail orientation enable you to juggle leadership of numerous projects and your flexible nature enables you to respond quickly and positively to shifting demands and opportunities
- You have excellent communications skills, in particular strong writing skills
- You listen, learn, and strive to understand diverse perspectives
- You have strong interpersonal skills, and ability to communicate and build relationships with stakeholders of all levels
- You actively help identify challenges and facilitate solutions
- You exercise sound judgment to support working with sensitive and confidential information
- Strong Google Suite skills preferred
- You have experience with facilitation, or are interested in learning how to facilitate group trainings and presentations
- You have 3-5 years in Employee Relations ,or labor relations, or investigation
- You have experience diagnosing, isolating and resolving complex issues and recommending effective solutions to resolve problems
- You have the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines in a dynamic work environment
- You have strong computer skills or high comfort level with Google Suite
What You’ll Be Responsible For
These responsibilities are representative, but not all-inclusive, of the responsibilities of this role:
- Promote a positive environment and supportive culture for employees by maintaining an open door policy for all levels of staff and promoting open dialogue between all staff
- Respond to program participant and employee concerns about working conditions, harassment/discrimination claims, conflicts with colleagues or management, policy violations and other issues
- Communicate with and escalate issues to appropriate managers as needed
- Draft well-written investigation related documents such as talking points, Close Out letters and written warnings with little supervision
- Use knowledge of employment law to manage requests for reasonable accommodations and support HR team with leave requests as needed
- Provide thoughtful consultation to employees and managers regarding the interpretation of policies, corrective actions, and effective problem-resolution to maximize employee performance
- Support managers by objectively reviewing and editing corrective actions and termination letters, and assist managers with involuntary separations
- In partnership with Legal and Compliance and Employee Experience teams, support management in the delivery of fair, consistent and meaningful notice of performance improvement plans; verbal and written notices; and performance evaluations
- Perform Exit Interviews as may be required from time to time
- Work with managers and payroll in preparing for unemployment hearings and represent the organization at hearings. Provide required documentation/information for the effective and cost-efficient management of unemployment compensation claims
- Design and conduct engaging employee relations trainings and communications; track participation
- Track, log and analyze employee relations related information and data to support the organization in understanding where there is potential need for additional training, supports, and/or resources
- Design, collect, and analyze multiple levels of employee feedback; partner with the Employee Experience team in analysis, distribution, and action planning
- Light to moderate work-related travel
- Additional related duties and special projects as assigned by Deputy Director, L&C
- Provide general support to Deputy Director, L&C and EX Team, if and as needed
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $57,600-72,500 annually CEO’s compensation philosophy considers a variety of factors including experience, internal equity, and the labor market associated with the city in which the position is located. The labor markets associated with the cities in which CEO is based are variable, and the salary range included here reflects this. Our salary offer will fall within this range and will be reflective of the labor market of the city in which the position is based, as well the other factors named above.
We recognize that salary is a part of the overall compensation package and are happy to provide a comprehensive benefits package, including medical and dental coverage, and professional development opportunities to our staff.
We also offer paid parental leave, participation in a retirement plan, sick and vacation leave, paid holidays and more. We are a workplace that promotes continual learning and teamwork, offering lunch and learns, team outings, holiday gatherings and more for our staff.
More About Us
The Center for Employment Opportunities believes that everyone deserves the chance to shape a stronger future for themselves, their families, and their communities. Our commitment to being an anti-racism organization that is inclusive across all identities and experiences drives us forward every day. We exist to create greater opportunities for people who face multiple barriers to personal and professional success, and we’re passionate about being agents of change who promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and access to opportunities for all.
People who are justice involved, people of color, people who identify as LGBTQ+ , and people with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply for vacant positions at all levels. CEO’s commitment to DEI aligns with the CROWN Act, creating an open space where our employees can present as their true authentic selves. We are an equal employment opportunity for all regardless of race, color, citizenship, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran or reservist status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.
Please note that due to the volume of resumes received, we are unable to contact each applicant regarding the status of each position or reply to candidates’ inquiries via phone or email.
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