Employee & Labor Relations Specialist

Employee & Labor Relations Specialist

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF NEWARK - 5.0

Newark, NJ Job Details $70,000 - $85,000 a year 18 hours ago Qualifications HR department experience Computer literacy Performance management Personnel records management Bachelor's degree Labor contracts Full Job Description SUMMARY Under the direction of the Human Resources Director, the Employee & Labor Relations Specialist coordinates and supports employee relations, labor relations, performance management, and disciplinary processes to ensure consistency, compliance, and organizational accountability. This role serves as a key resource to supervisors and managers regarding progressive discipline, documentation standards, labor agreement interpretation, workplace concerns, and performance-related matters. The position supports grievance coordination, maintains related records, reviews employee relations trends, and helps strengthen workforce accountability processes. All activities support the Human Resources Department's mission to provide responsive, accurate, and consistent HR services that enable the Newark Housing Authority to meet its operational goals and deliver high-quality service to constituents. The Specialist also performs other related duties as required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The below statements describe the general nature and scope of work being performed by this position. This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties and skills required. Other duties may be assigned. Coordinates employee and labor relations matters, including grievances, disciplinary actions, investigations support, and related documentation. Reviews disciplinary documentation for consistency, completeness, and compliance with Authority policy and collective bargaining agreements. Assists supervisors and managers with progressive discipline processes and performance-related concerns. Provides guidance regarding documentation standards, corrective action procedures, and workplace conduct expectations. Supports the administration and tracking of grievance procedures and labor-related matters. Assists with interpretation and application of collective bargaining agreements in partnership with HR leadership. Reviews termination-related documentation and supporting records to ensure completeness and compliance. Identifies and escalates potential employee relations and claims-related risks. Assists with employee investigations, fact gathering, and documentation preparation, as assigned. Supports performance management processes, including coaching supervisors on documentation and follow-up expectations. Maintains accurate employee relations files, logs, and related records. Partners with HR leadership to strengthen consistency, accountability, and responsiveness across workforce management practices. Assists with development and standardization of employee relations forms, templates, and procedures. Performs other duties as assigned.

COMPETENCIES

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

Judgment and Professionalism:

Exercises sound judgment, maintains confidentiality, and approaches sensitive matters objectively.

Effective Communication:

Conveys information clearly and effectively orally and in writing; listens effectively and ensures key information reaches appropriate stakeholders.

Responsiveness and Accountability:

Holds oneself responsible for work quality, follow-through, and timely issue resolution.

Customer Service:

Recognizes employees, supervisors, and colleagues as internal customers and responds with professionalism and respect.

Conflict Management:

Navigates sensitive workplace situations constructively while maintaining fairness and consistency.

Operational Excellence:

Uses structure, documentation, and process discipline to support consistent employee and labor relations practices. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Education and/or Experience Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Public Administration, Business Administration, or related field required. Minimum of four years of progressively responsible human resources experience, with direct experience in employee relations, labor relations, performance management, and disciplinary processes required. Experience working in a unionized, public-sector, housing authority, municipal, nonprofit, or similarly regulated environment strongly preferred. Minimum of four years of experience supporting supervisors and managers with documentation, discipline, grievance preparation, and performance management matters. SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, or HRCI PHR, SPHR, or related certification preferred. Job Competencies Knowledge of employee relations principles, documentation standards, progressive discipline, and performance management practices. Knowledge of labor relations practices and ability to assist with collective bargaining agreement interpretation and grievance coordination. Ability to review documentation for consistency, completeness, and risk exposure. Ability to communicate professionally with employees, supervisors, managers, union representatives, and leadership. Ability to manage sensitive and confidential information with discretion. Ability to organize and maintain logs, files, and documentation systems related to employee and labor relations matters. Language Skills Ability to read, analyze, and interpret policies, procedures, collective bargaining agreements, governmental regulations, and employment-related documents. Ability to prepare clear written summaries, correspondence, and documentation. Mathematical Skills Ability to calculate basic figures and amounts such as percentages, dates, timelines, and other information needed to support employee relations tracking and reporting. Reasoning Ability Ability to define problems, collect information, establish facts, evaluate documentation, and draw reasonable conclusions. Ability to handle sensitive and competing priorities with sound judgment. Computer Skills Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint. Ability to learn HRIS, payroll, document management, and tracking systems as required by the position.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.