Job Description: Human Resources Generalist - Employee Relations
Reports To : Head of Human Resources
Status: Full-Time, Exempt
Takes Direction From : Executive Team, Strategic Leadership Team
Calendar: Administrative Calendar
Job Summary:
The HR Generalist – Employee Relations serves as a key Human Resources partner responsible for supporting employee relations, workplace investigations, performance management, corrective action, manager coaching, conflict resolution, and workplace culture across ASUA.
This position partners with employees, school leaders, and Human Resources leadership to address workplace concerns in a timely, fair, and consistent manner while reinforcing expectations related to professionalism, accountability, collaboration, and student-centered service.
The successful candidate will bring a strong foundation in Human Resources and practical Employee Relations experience. The position is designed for an HR professional who can independently manage routine employee relations matters while appropriately recognizing when complex, high-risk, or legally sensitive matters require escalation to the Head of Human Resources.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Leadership, Employee Relations, or related field preferred.
- Minimum of 2–3 years of progressive Human Resources experience preferred, with demonstrated exposure to Employee Relations.
- Experience conducting or supporting workplace investigations, performance management, corrective action, conflict resolution, or manager coaching strongly preferred.
- Working knowledge of federal and Pennsylvania employment laws and HR best practices.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong documentation, interpersonal, and conflict-resolution skills.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and approach sensitive employee matters objectively.
- Experience within education, behavioral health, healthcare, human services, nonprofit, or another highly regulated or employee-intensive environment preferred.
- SHRM-CP or comparable recognized Human Resources certification strongly preferred or willingness to obtain within a designated timeframe
- Candidates with equivalent demonstrated HR expertise and relevant professional credentials may also be considered.
- Experience with HR data analysis, reporting tools, or HRIS systems preferred
Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Employee Relations
- Serve as an HR resource for employee relations questions and workplace concerns.
- Conduct employee relations intake meetings and gather relevant information.
- Support resolution of workplace conflict and communication concerns.
- Provide employees and managers with guidance regarding policies, procedures, and workplace expectations.
- Identify recurring employee relations trends and recommend interventions.
- Promote respectful and professional workplace practices.
- Escalate complex, high-risk, or legally sensitive matters to the Head of Human Resources.
Workplace Investigations
- Conduct routine workplace investigations with appropriate HR leadership oversight.
- Gather and review relevant documentation and evidence.
- Conduct employee, leadership, and witness interviews.
- Maintain objective, confidential, and well-organized investigation records.
- Draft investigation summaries, findings, and recommendations for Head of HR review.
- Participate in more complex investigations as experience and proficiency develop.
Performance Management & Corrective Action
- Support managers in addressing employee performance, attendance, conduct, and workplace concerns.
- Coach leaders in preparing for performance conversations.
- Draft coaching documentation, written warnings, performance improvement plans, and corrective actions.
- Participate in corrective action and performance meetings.
- Reinforce consistent documentation and performance-management practices.
- Track performance and conduct trends and identify opportunities for proactive intervention.
Manager Coaching
- Provide day-to-day Employee Relations guidance to managers.
- Coach leaders on documentation, feedback, accountability, conflict resolution, and workplace communication.
- Help leaders address employee concerns timely and consistently.
- Support leadership training initiatives related to performance management and employee relations.
- Partner with the Head of Human Resources on complex employee and leadership matters.
Employee Experience & Workplace Culture
- Support initiatives focused on employee engagement, retention, communication, and workplace culture.
- Assist with analysis of employee feedback and Employee Relations trends.
- Promote respectful, equitable, inclusive, and neurodiversity-affirming employment practices.
- Partner with other members of Human Resources on employee experience initiatives.
HR Partnership
- Maintain accurate Employee Relations case documentation and tracking.
- Partner with the HR Generalist – Compliance & Leave Administration when matters involve FMLA, ADA, workers' compensation, protected leave, unemployment compensation or other regulatory considerations.
- Partner with the HR Coordinator regarding attendance, timekeeping, onboarding, and workforce information relevant to Employee Relations matters.
- Participate in HR projects, policy implementation, training, and departmental cross-training.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Strong interpersonal and conflict resolution skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication abilities
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise professional judgment
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
- Knowledge of employment practices, workplace investigations, and HR processes preferred
- Ability to build positive working relationships across multiple departments and leadership levels
Organizational Relationships & Supervisory Responsibilities
- Directly accountable to the supervisor listed above and, in the absence of that individual, to the Chief Executive Officer
- Provide direct and indirect supervision to the Human Resources Coordinator, Human Resources Administrator, Human Resources Assistant, Executive Assistant- HR and Finance
Core Competencies
- Employee Relations & Conflict Resolution
- Professional Judgment & Discretion
- Communication & Documentation
- Accountability & Follow-Through
- Collaboration & Teamwork
- Organizational & Time Management
- Policy Reinforcement & Consistency
Work Environment Requirements:
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
- Ability to move between multiple school and administrative locations as needed
- Ability to participate in meetings, investigations, and employee support discussions throughout the workday
- Ability to maintain professionalism in emotionally sensitive or high-pressure situations
- Ability to maintain strict confidentiality
- Moderate degree of physical stamina, with frequent lifting of up to 25 pounds and the possibility of lifting and/or carrying up to 50 pounds
- Frequent standing, walking, sitting, and bending
- Ability to move through the physical space of the building which may or may not require stairs, distances, and the operation of doors and gates
- Moving light furniture may be required
- Adequate vision and hearing ability for monitoring the verbal and non-verbal responses of students
- Exposure to noise and activity of a special needs school setting
- May involve exposure to communicable diseases and other adverse conditions
- Knowledge of universal hygiene precautions
Equipment/Material Handled
The individual in this position shall be assigned a variety of resources and materials which are to be appropriately stored and accounted for. All media resources and borrowed material are to be judiciously used, and are to be maintained in a reasonably unsoiled and non- damaged fashion. Must know how to properly operate or be willing to learn to operate all multimedia equipment including current technology.
ASUA reserves the right to update, revise, or change this job description and related duties at any time.
Pay: From $75,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 403(b)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Professional development assistance
- Vision insurance
Education:
Experience:
- Human Resources: 2 years (Required)
License/Certification:
- SHRM Certified Professional (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
