GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
The Employee Engagement Specialist supports employee experience initiatives throughout the employee lifecycle, including onboarding, employee relations, performance management, compensation processes, employee recognition, leave administration, and engagement activities. This position provides guidance and support to employees and supervisors while promoting a positive workplace culture, employee satisfaction, compliance, and organizational effectiveness.
The Employee Engagement Specialist works closely with the Human Resource Business Partner and Human Resources Specialist to implement employee engagement initiatives, performance management processes and employee recognition efforts within the Head Start and Early Head Start programs. This position also supports the Human Resource Business Partner in employee relations matters, including workplace investigations, fact-finding processes, documentation, follow-up actions, and the implementation of corrective and preventive measures as needed.
ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
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Serve as a resource for employees regarding HR policies, procedures, and workplace concerns.
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Support the Human Resource Business Partner in employee relations matters, investigations, conflict resolution efforts, and documentation processes.
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Assist in maintaining accurate and confidential employee records and personnel documentation.
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Prepare reports, correspondence, and documentation related to employee relations activities.
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Promote positive employee-supervisor relationships through coaching, guidance, and support initiatives.
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Coordinate and implement employee engagement, wellness, recognition, and appreciation initiatives across the program.
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Support the administration of the Employee Recognition Program and other retention initiatives.
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Assist in planning and coordinating employee events, staff meetings, trainings, celebrations, conventions, and organizational activities.
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Conduct employee satisfaction surveys, engagement assessments, and assist in the development of action plans.
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Promote organizational values, culture, and employee experience initiatives.
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Coordinate and facilitate the onboarding process for newly hired employees.
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Prepare onboarding materials, welcome communications, orientation schedules, and employee documentation.
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Conduct new employee orientation sessions and ensure completion of required onboarding activities.
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Monitor onboarding effectiveness and gather feedback to improve employee integration and retention.
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Support employees during transitions, transfers, promotions, and other employment status changes.
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Leave Administration & Employee Benefits Support
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State Insurance Fund (Fondo del Seguro del Estado)
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Support the Hr Business Partner with Temporary Disability Claims
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Maintain records and follow-up documentation associated with leave administration processes.
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Coordinate communication between employees, supervisors, and external agencies as needed.
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Support the administration of the performance evaluation process, including timelines, documentation, tracking, and reporting.
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Assist supervisors and employees with performance management tools, forms, and processes.
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Monitor completion of evaluations and provide follow-up to ensure compliance with organizational deadlines.
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Maintain performance management records and reporting metrics.
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Support compensation-related processes including employee bonuses, recognition awards, salary adjustments, incentives, and other compensation programs.
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Assist in maintaining compensation documentation, approvals, tracking logs, and records.
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Coordinate communications related to compensation and employee recognition programs.
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Support compensation analysis and reporting efforts as requested by the Human Resource Business Partner.
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Maintain updated job descriptions and coordinate annual reviews.
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Assist with HR compliance audits, personnel file maintenance, and document management.
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Support training, professional development, and staff participation tracking.
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Generate HR reports, dashboards, and workforce metrics as assigned.
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Provide administrative and operational support to the Human Resource Business Partner and Human Resources Specialist.
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Support recruitment and staffing activities when necessary, including interview coordination, onboard preparation, and employment documentation.
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION, SKILLS, AND KNOWLEDGE:
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Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in human resources management, Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Business Administration, or a related field from an accredited college or university.
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One (1) to three (3) years of experience in Human Resources, Employee Relations, Employee Engagement, Talent Management, or a related area.
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Experience supporting onboarding, employee relations, performance management, employee engagement initiatives, leave administration, and HR compliance activities preferred.
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Experience in a nonprofit, educational, or Head Start environment is preferred.
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Knowledge of Puerto Rico employment laws and human resources practices.
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Experience working with HRIS systems, employee records, and performance management processes.
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Strong interpersonal, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
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Ability to maintain confidentiality and manage sensitive employee information.
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Bilingual (English and Spanish) preferred.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORK ENVIRONMENT:
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The work is primarily performed in a standard office environment, with regular travel to Head Start and Early Head Start centers, administrative offices, and other organizational locations as needed.
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This position requires frequent interaction with employees, supervisors, leadership, and external agencies while maintaining professionalism and confidentiality.
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Duties may require extended periods of sitting, standing, walking, bending, and operating standard office equipment, including computers, printers, and telephones.
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The position may require lifting and carrying materials, files, supplies, and event-related items up to 15 pounds.
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Occasional attendance at employee events, training, meetings, and organizational activities outside of regular business hours may be required.
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The Employee Engagement & Relations Specialist must be able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment while maintaining accuracy, organization, and attention to detail when handling sensitive and confidential information.
ORGANIZATIONAL COMPETENCIES:
LEADERSHIP: Ability of each individual to contribute to the organization’s strategic alignment by acting in an agile, people-centered, and strategic manner. It involves fostering a resilient and participative culture, making evidence-based decisions, and proactively adapting to changes in the environment, regardless of the role held.
DETERMINATION: Ability to act with broad vision, creativity, and courage, grounding actions in reliable data and rigorous analysis. It promotes a culture of responsible autonomy, informed decision-making, and continuous improvement, where each individual assumes their role with commitment, protects the organizational purpose, and seeks innovative solutions that transform reality.
COLLABORATION: Ability to build and maintain trusting relationships within and outside the organization by aligning efforts, generating synergies, and strengthening a shared vision. It involves teamwork, effective communication, and strategic cooperation to maximize collective impact.
FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: Ability to manage financial and non-financial resources ethically, efficiently, and strategically within the workplace. Each individual contributes to collective wellbeing and organizational sustainability by ensuring that decisions and actions are aligned with the mission of service, maximizing impact while avoiding unnecessary use of resources.
ORGANIZATIONAL VALUES:
CREATIVITY: We promote an environment where new ideas flourish, encouraging imagination, curiosity, and the ability to create solutions that transform lives and communities.
JOY: We live each day with enthusiasm and optimism, recognizing joy as a force that inspires, motivates, and builds genuine connections among people.
INTEGRITY: We act with transparency, ethics, and consistency at all times. Our commitment is to do what is right, even when no one is watching, serving as an example for future generations.
INNOVATION: We continuously adapt and evolve, seeking innovative and effective ways to positively impact the lives of our participants, families, and communities.
PASSION FOR SERVICE: Our vocation is transformation. We serve with dedication, empathy, and deep commitment to the children, youth, and families of Puerto Rico because we believe in their potential.
WELLBEING: We promote balance between mind, body, and emotions as the foundation for full development. We foster healthy and safe environments that encourage self-care, mental health, and collective wellbeing.
DISCLAIMER: Due to the nature of the position and potential changes in the requirements established by the Office of Head Start, the information presented describes the general nature and level of work expected of employees within this classification. It is not intended to contain, nor should it be interpreted as, an exhaustive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and objectives required of employees assigned to this position.
