Public Relations Specialist jobs in Syracuse, NY

Description

Syracuse Regional Airport Authority (SRAA) is committed to fostering a positive work environment where every employee feels valued, respected, and supported. To work towards our vision of Syracuse Hancock International Airport being recognized as a best-in-class airport, we prioritize compliance with employment laws and regulations while promoting fair and equitable treatment for all team members. We are currently seeking a dedicated Employee Relations and Compliance Specialist to join our HR team and uphold our commitment to excellence in employee relations, compliance management, and diversity, equity and inclusion.

The Employee Relations and Compliance Specialist will play a key role in managing employee relations matters, ensuring compliance with company policies and procedures, union contracts and promoting a culture of fairness, respect, and accountability within the organization. This position requires a strong understanding of employment laws and regulations, interpretation of union contracts, excellent communication skills, and the ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.

Under the general supervision of the Director of Human Resources, this position will help to identify, evaluate and make recommendations to improve recruitment of under-represented groups in certain job classifications, provide accommodations, and respond to complaints and conduct investigations. This position will provide additional human resources support and related work as required. 

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES

Employee Relations

• Conducts investigations of complaints of alleged discrimination and harassment in the workforce and prepares written responses on the findings of such investigations with recommendations on the appropriate corrective action to be implemented or imposed.
• Works with leadership, supervisors, and other human resources staff to determine ways to improve employee relations.
• Provides interpretation or clarification of personnel rules, regulations, procedures, and benefits to employees and supervisors.
• Assists with development, implementation, and analysis of employee surveys to improve employee relations.

Labor Relations

• Assists in administration of collective bargaining agreements and employment policies.
• Assists in preparation for and conduct of collective bargaining and negotiations.
• Assists in discipline and grievance procedures, including investigation and preparation of background and fact gathering, and correspondence with management and union leadership.

Compliance

• Develops, reviews, and updates the Authority’s Affirmative Action Plan in accordance with Federal regulations.
• Conducts pre-employment background checks, including police-officer background checks as required by DCJS.
• Functions as the ADA coordinator for the Authority by chairing the Airport Accessibility Committee, investigating, and responding to complaints involving unequal access and/or disability issues, completing Authority’s triennial ADA self-assessment, training employees on accessibility issues, and providing guidance to other staff and tenants on matters concerning accessibility. 
• Functions as the Title VI coordinator for the Authority by ensuring compliance with the Title VI, LEP, and CPP plans as required by the FAA Department on Civil Rights, including training employees and tenants on Title VI requirements, and responding to complaints involving unequal access and/or discrimination issues.
• Prepares the bi-annual EEO-4 Report and any Affirmative Action reports required by law or requested by management.
• Prepares forms and documents to Civil Service to ensure compliance with county and state regulations.
• Prepares, tracks, and renews 211 waivers for retirees.
• Assists with compliance of New York State and Local Retirement System reporting.
• Stays up to date on Federal, State and Local labor laws, and makes recommendations for updated polices, and updates posters as required.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 

• Coordinates annual DEI training for all Authority employees, and may assist in annual harassment prevention training.
• Liaison to the SRAA DEI committee, assisting in coordinating DEI and multi-cultural events at the Airport.

Other Human Resources Functions

• Assists in developing hiring strategy designed to create a more diverse and inclusive workforce, working closely with department supervisor and other human resources staff in implementation.
• Assists hiring managers and human resources staff in the recruitment and retention of employees.
• Assists in employment policy development, creation of job descriptions, and development of succession planning.
• Assists in general human resources correspondence to employees, including employee newsletter.
• Establishes, coordinates, and participates in the assembly, analysis, and application of numerical and narrative data. 
• Manages records retention for human resources department
• Conducts internal audits of human resources procedures.
• Prepares various reports and related correspondence.

Requirements

• Good knowledge of the theory and practice relating to affirmative action, equal employment opportunity, and diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
• Good knowledge of Federal, State and Local employment law.
• Knowledge of NYS Civil Service law dealing with recruitment, testing and the hiring process.
• Ability to plan, organize, and conduct investigations, including interviewing and analyzing complaint information.
• Ability to organize and analyze facts, and to draw logical conclusions.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to understand and interpret various labor contracts, labor and employment laws, and employment policies.
• Good knowledge of Microsoft 365, including SharePoint, Teams, Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Good knowledge of standard office terminology, procedures, and equipment.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective professional relationships with diverse management, employees, tenants, and vendors.
• Excellent people skills, including emotional intelligence and customer service.
• Ability to identify and resolve personnel problems.
• Ability to work independently and to organize workload efficiently and to meet critical deadlines.
• Able to maintain confidentiality with the highest level of integrity.
• Able to perform the physical requirements of the position with or without a reasonable accommodation, to include:   

1.   remaining in a stationary position, often sitting or standing, for prolonged periods of time
2.   communicating with others to exchange information. 
3.   using a computer 
4.   repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers. 
5.   operating office machinery such as copiers, telephones and printers
6.   assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned
7.   may occasionally have to lift up to 25 lbs.

Minimal Qualifications

A. Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with a baccalaureate degree and two (2) years of professional level work experience, or its part-time equivalent, in personnel management, human resources, employee/labor relations, DEI program development, affirmative action plan development, workforce development or a closely related field; or

B. Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with an associates degree and four (4) years of professional level work experience, or its part-time equivalent, in personnel management, human resources, employee/labor relations, DEI program development, affirmative action plan development, workforce development or a closely related field; or

C.  Six (6) years of professional level work experience, or its part-time equivalent in personnel management, human resources, employee/labor relations, DEI program development, affirmative action plan development, workforce development, or a closely related field; or

D.  An equivalent combination of education and experience as defined by the limits of A, B, and C above.

Special Requirements

Must obtain and maintain Security Identification Display Area (SIDA) clearance 

*Any offer of employment is contingent on passing a pre-employment background check and security clearance

 **This is a Civil Service provisional position. The incumbent will be required to take an open/competitive exam given by Onondaga County Civil Service and be reachable on the certified list to obtain permanent civil service status and retain the position. 

Benefits

• Comprehensive salary and benefits package, including medical/dental/vision coverage upon date of hire, Flexible Spending Accounts 
• Generous paid time off
• New York State deferred compensation (457b)
• Employee Assistance Program 
• Membership in the New York State Local and Employee Retirement System.  
• Opportunity for professional development opportunities
• Exciting work environment at a leading airport with opportunities for growth and collaboration

To learn more about our organization, visit: https://syrairport.org/ 

Application Instructions

If you are passionate about employee relations, compliance, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and promoting a positive workplace culture, we invite you to apply for this exciting opportunity to join our HR team. Help us continue to build a workplace where every employee can thrive and contribute to building a best-in-class airport. 

Interested candidates should apply online, and submit their resume, cover letter detailing relevant experience and qualifications, and include 3 professional references. We look forward to hearing from you!  

SRAA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, dedicated to developing a diverse and inclusive workforce that is representative of the people and region we serve, and encourages people from all backgrounds to apply.