Job Description
Employee Relations Associate/Senior Associate
Detroit, MI
Hybrid
Anticipated deadline to submit application: June 15 at 3:00pm EST. Position may close early if application limit is met. Apply promptly for full consideration.
The Opportunity
The Employee Relations Associate works closely with the Deputy Director, Legal and Compliance works to ensure that employees understand their rights and CEO’s responsibilities with respect to their employment. The Employee Relations Associate is responsible for CEO’s compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and/or any local or state disability rights that exceed the federal requirements. This role partners with employees, participants, managers, Employee Experience and Legal and Compliance teams to resolve workplace concerns, conduct interviews, and support policy and legal compliance while maintaining confidentiality.
The Senior Associate fully leads the employee relations process for creating content and delivering quality training to staff and managers; determining potential solutions to reasonable accommodation requests, partnering directly with staff & managers on implementation, leading mid-high level investigations, and performance management. They operate with less supervision, proactively utilizing and consulting their manager as needed on matters of increasing complexity, regularly exercising discretion and independent judgment.
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.
Who We Are
The Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) provides employment services to people recently released from incarceration. Across the United States, 8,000-9,000 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 30,000 formerly incarcerated individuals have secured full-time employment since 1996.
Who You Are
- You have strong verbal and written communication skills, specifically with written memos
- You have a working knowledge of federal, state and local employment laws
- You have experience with facilitation preferred (interest in learning how to facilitate group trainings and presentations required).
- You have strong organizational skills and detail orientation; able to juggle leadership of numerous projects and flexibility to support quick response and shifting course when needed
- You have proficiency in listening and striving to understand diverse perspectives
- You have strong interpersonal skills; ability to communicate and build relationships with stakeholders of all levels
- You are proactive in identifying challenges and facilitating solutions
- You have sound judgment and confidentiality with sensitive and confidential information
- You have 2+ years in Human Resources field such as employee relations or labor relations (experience in employee relations and/or investigations preferred)
- Associate: You have 2+ years in Human Resources field such as employee relations or labor relations (experience in employee relations and/or investigations preferred)
- Senior Associate: 3+ years of experience in the areas above, with concrete experience and increasing leadership in employee relations and investigations
What You’ll Be Responsible For
Key responsibilities of the Employee Relations Associate include but are not limited to:
Reasonable Accommodations
- 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
- Use knowledge and understanding of company structure and of employment law & regulations to manage requests for reasonable accommodations
- Collaborate with the Benefits & Well-Being & Injuries teams to ensure company compliance with leave regulations as needed
- Comply with relevant State and or Federal laws regarding the interactive process, documentation and determinations
Internal Investigations
- Support and facilitate low- to mid-level internal investigations in response to employee relations concerns and reports.
- Analyze investigation findings and provide recommendations for follow-up actions with the Legal & Compliance team and leadership.
- Conduct employee relations investigations and interview relevant parties to gather information, assess concerns, and support resolution efforts
- Draft clear, detailed, and comprehensive reports documentation investigation findings and determinations, and recommended resolutions of the issues raise
- Conduct close-out meetings to share investigations findings and next steps with complainants, leadership, and involved parties.
Growth Opportunities:
- Low level Performance Management issues eg. time and attendance, documentation issues
- Facilitate and Support ER training with the support of Senior Associate & DED/Manager
Training Content and Delivery
- Perform needs assessment for the types of employment trainings needed, determine best means of delivery; Design and conduct engaging employee relations trainings (individualized or group) and communications of available materials & training schedule
- Serve as point person on relevant employment relations education and training inquiries and requests
- Work with managers and Program Support to prioritize trainings
- Update training materials based on developments in legal requirements, internal policies and procedures and research further issues that may arise
- Ensure that national training calendar is consistently updated
- Create an open-communication climate with employees to gather feedback and suggestions for improvements and potential trainings and to develop follow up processes, as relevant; partner with the Employee Experience team in analysis, distribution, and action planning
- Facilitate positive, energizing and inviting learning environments
Training Related Responsibilities/Follow up to Trainings
- Ensure training meets objectives and evaluate how learning impacts performance or behavioral change; develop related quizzes or other materials for knowledge checks
- Track 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
- Utilize data and best practices in the field to enhance and continuously refine trainings
- Identify areas for improvement for employees during training providing additional support as needed, reporting back observations to supervisors, and systematizing any common additional support needed
Team Support
- Light to moderate work-related travel
- Provide general support to Deputy Director, L&C and EX Team, if and as needed
- Additional related duties and special projects as assigned by Deputy Director, L&C
For Senior Associate - builds on the above responsibilities:
Performance Management
- Performance Management
- Supporting Managers
- Reviewing and Offering Feedback and Conflict resolution
Compensation and Benefits
Associate
The salary range for this position is $66,800- $69,000/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 also provide a comprehensive benefits package, including medical and dental coverage, as well as 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.
Senior Associate
The salary range for this position is $62,500 - $79,000/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 also provide a comprehensive benefits package, including medical and dental coverage, as well as 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
Center for Employment Opportunities believes that everyone deserves the chance to shape a stronger future for themselves, their families, and their communities. People who are justice involved are highly encouraged to apply for vacant positions at all levels. CEO is committed to the CROWN Act, and creating an open space where our employees can present as their true authentic selves.
All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, gender, gender identity, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, citizenship status, current employment status, caregiver status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law. We value diverse experiences, including with regard to educational background and justice system contact.
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.
