Employee Performance Specialist jobs in Rochester, NY

Job Description

The Employee Relations Specialist plays a key role within Goodwill of the Finger Lakes People Resources team, reporting directly to the Chief People & Culture Officer. This role is responsible for managing and administering workplace policies, employment law compliance, and the progressive discipline process. The Specialist applies extensive knowledge of employment law and organizational policies to address complex workplace issues, including employee conduct, performance, and procedural compliance. In this position, the Employee Relations Specialist serves as a trusted resource, offering expert guidance and support to employees on a wide range of employee relations matters. This role requires high emotional intelligence, impartiality, and confidentiality, as well as a strong alignment with Gulfstream’s mission, values, and vision.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Responsibilities

• The Employee Relations Specialist is responsible for the implementation of human resource policies, practices, procedures and services, including but not limited to EEO, employee discipline, coaching, legal compliance, and investigations.
• All duties are to be performed within the guidelines of the Goodwill of the Finger Lakes policies and procedures, standard operating procedures, and within the mission and values of the organization.
• Advise management and employees on disciplinary actions, performance problems, and other issues to resolve disputes in the progressive discipline process.
• Conduct investigations and interviews to develop solutions to resolve employee relations issues in a timely manner.
• Facilitate exit interviews to identify recurring issues/concerns and provide recommendations for solutions.
• Establish and maintain working relationships with managers/supervisors, and employees to proactively stay abreast of current and future employee relations issues.
• Maintain knowledge of federal/state workplace employment laws, including but not limited to, equal employment opportunity, affirmative action guidelines/laws, and the Americans with Disabilities Act
• Interpret policies and standard operating procedures to ensure consistency in practice and update accordingly to ensure compliance as required.
• Develop, execute and deliver training programs as necessary regarding workplace policies, employment law, and compliance.
• Assemble and review records, reports and documentation of disciplinary and performance actions to ensure compliance and consistency.
• Assist the Employee Relations Administrator, as may be appropriate, in and referring employees to the Employee Assistance Program
• Counsel Managers and supervisors regarding Human Resources policies and procedures
• Provide exceptional customer service to all internal and external customers, and communicate in a pleasant, friendly and professional manner, upholding the organization’s values.
• Maintain a professional work environment with supervisors, managers and employees.
• Meet the attendance guidelines of the job and adhere to regulatory, departmental and organizational policies.
• Attend all necessary meetings, including required in-person and virtual.
  
  

OTHER DUTIES:

Attend and participate in monthly employee meetings and any scheduled employee retreats or outings.

Other duties as assigned. May include cross-functional team responsibilities as needed.

Qualifications/Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in, Human Resources or related field, plus two years of related experience required.
• Working knowledge of Federal and State regulations.
• Attention to detail, excellent organizational and problem-solving skills required
• Proven ability to operate independently and maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to travel to multiple site locations, within the Finger Lakes region is required.
• Experience managing multiple competing priorities and demands.
• Keen critical thinking and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication skills and high emotional intelligence.
• Exceptional computer skills with MS Office proficiency.
• Scheduling Requirements: This is a full-time position during standard days and hours of work. Some weekends and evenings may be required.
  
  

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Able to read and write reports, compile data as needed. Communicates effectively with others and provides essential customer service duties either verbally or via computer e-mail.

REASONING ABILITY:

Able to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Able to interpret instructions furnished in written, oral or diagram form.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

While performing the duties of this job the employee is usually working in a combination of a warehouse and retail store environment. At times this employee may be exposed to the outside environment. The noise in this environment will be moderate to loud. Is expected to periodically travel within Goodwill of the Finger Lakes territory. Occasional travel to other states or Goodwill territories as well.

AVAILABILITY:

Must have open/flexible availability and be willing to work evenings & weekends as needed/scheduled.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

While performing this job's duties, the employee is regularly required to sit or stand for extended periods of time and work extensively with computers. The employee will be required to occasionally lift and/or move up to 5 – 20 pounds. The employee needs to have reasonable mobility.