Employee Relations Specialist - LifeLong Medical Care

LifeLong Medical Care has an exciting new opportunity for an Employee Relations Specialist to provide subject matter expertise for Employee Relations issues. Provide subject matter expertise for Employee Relations issues. Responsible for investigating and responding to staff complaints and handling other complex, sensitive employee relations cases. Responsible for building and maintaining effective programs to positively support staff and leadership team in the areas of performance management, employee retention, conflict resolution, and complaint response.

This is a full time, exempt, benefit eligible position in Berkeley, CA.

LifeLong Medical Care is a multi-site, Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) with a rich history of providing innovative healthcare and social services to a wonderfully diverse patient community. Our patient-centered health home is a dynamic place to work, practice, and grow. We have over 15 primary care health centers and deliver integrated services including psychosocial, referrals, chronic disease management, dental, health education, home visits, and much, much more. LifeLong Medical Care is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from women, people of color, and bilingual and bicultural individuals and members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, marital status, medical condition, or any other protected classification.

Benefits

Compensation: $70,000 - 75,000/year. We offer excellent benefits including: medical, dental, vision (including dependent and domestic partner coverage), generous leave benefits including nine paid holidays, Flexible Spending Accounts, 403(b) retirement savings plan.

COVID-19 Vaccine Policy

In accordance with LifeLong Medical Care's commitment to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards, we have adopted a Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccine Policy to safeguard the health of our employees and their families; our patients and visitors; and the community at large from infectious diseases, that vaccinations may reduce. This policy will comply with all applicable laws and is based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Order of the California State Public Health Officer. Unless a reasonable medical or religious accommodation is approved, all employees must receive COVID-19 vaccinations.

• Serve as employee advocate by being responsible for investigating and responding to all internal complaints in a timely and objective manner.
• Immediately identify when the organization has been put on notice and conduct prompt and objective investigations. Keep all parties involved appropriately informed throughout the process. Communicate to corresponding parties when investigations have been closed.
• Provide consultation, guidance, and coaching to leadership team to address employee behavior and performance concerns; provide guidance and assist with the development and delivery of appropriate feedback or corrective action while following both industry best practices and LifeLong’s standard processes.
• Provide mediation support to assist management with conflict resolution needs.
• Maintain required documentation including intake and investigative notes, supporting documents, and final reports.
• Assess investigations findings, provide a conclusion, and recommendations.
• Develop an employee relations case tracking system and include metrics in HR dashboard.
• Implement and execute performance management process to track compliance with 90 day introductory period and annual evaluation processes.
• Partner with Learning and Development Manager and Operations leadership to facilitate training across the organization on a variety of topics related to employee relations.
• Work with Human Resources and Labor Relations Specialist on all employee relations areas that impact roles represented by the unions.
• Administer the separation process for exiting employees, conduct exit interviews, provide aggregate data for the Human Resources dashboard, identify trends, and make recommendations for improvement.
• Respond to all internal and external requests for information as it relates to Employee Relations.
• Partner with Director of Human Resources, outside legal, and consulting resources when appropriate.
• Research and explain laws and legal affairs concerning employment to leadership team and employees.
• With the support of Human Resources leadership, interpret company policy and provide guidance to Operations leadership.
• Perform other duties and projects as assigned.

• Exceptional interpersonal, problem solving, counseling, and negotiation skills with particular ability to handle sensitive issues in a positive and professional manner.
• Demonstrated strong mediation and conflict resolution skill set.
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of Human Resources principles and practices as well as current labor laws.
• Demonstrated outstanding computer skills, including Microsoft Office and Human Resources Information System.
• Influence and persuasion skills.
• Ability to work with a sense of urgency and maintain confidentiality.
• Demonstrated ability to have courageous conversations.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or related area or commensurate work experience
• Minimum of five years recent experience handling Employee Relations and workplace investigations preferably in a non-profit or healthcare environment.
• Experience with diverse employee populations and multi-location organizations a plus.
• Experience with union and labor relations.
• HR certification preferred.