Senior HR Specialist- Employee Relations

Philadelphia, PA, United States

Community Legal Services (CLS) is recognized as one of the leading legal services programs in the country and our mission is to fight poverty, challenge systems that perpetuate injustice, and change lives through cutting-edge advocacy and exceptional legal representation.

CLS is Philadelphia's largest public interest law firm, with three office locations and an ever-growing diverse workforce. CLS has ten legal units covering a wide range of civil legal services. CLS's Human Resources Department is a dynamic team of individuals who support the people and culture of CLS by providing a wide variety of essential services to our 180+ employees.

We are seeking a Senior HR Specialist in Employee Relations to join our HR/Operations team. The Senior HR Specialist, working in close collaboration with and reporting to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), will act as a strategic thought partner in helping to plan, direct, coordinate, and oversee many HR/operations activities in the organization, ensuring we adopt and strengthen best practices, develop and implement efficient systems to meet current and future needs of the organization and assist the COO in managing complex employee and personnel matters. The Senior HR Specialist will also take the lead in HR's role in the organization's performance management system and process. We are looking for someone who enjoys being part of a team and is a strong team player, understands CLS's mission and our work, thrives in a fast-paced environment and has experience working with a diverse and unionized workforce.

The Senior HR Specialist will also assist in managing our hiring committees and take a direct role in managing the life cycle of a hire, manage our performance evaluation system, provide support as needed in union matters, and help the COO navigate complex personnel matters and operations needs. The role demands a collaborative work style, excellent interpersonal and communication skills, outstanding organization and attention to detail, and demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and to the mission of justice for low-income people. We are looking for a candidate who will be a reliable and considerate team player and someone who will approach personnel matters with empathy and integrity.

This position will need to have a presence at all CLS's office locations as needed although it will primarily be housed at our Center City office. CLS is currently working in a hybrid environment and this position will have remote work opportunities along with in office presence of at least two days per week, or more as determined by the COO.

RESPONSIBILITES:

In close collaboration with the Chief Operating Officer, this position will: Take an active role with the COO in all personnel and union matters, including matters involving union disputes, grievances, CLS's personnel policies, union policies, disciplinary matters and any other personnel issues that arise.

Assist with preparation of documents and records required for contract negotiations, meetings, and negotiations with employee labor unions.

Participate in grievance hearings, negotiate resolutions in conjunction with the COO, draft written reprimands in collaboration with managers and act as a thought partner with the COO in resolving workplace disputes.

Serve as the initial contact and liaison for intake and assessment of employee complaints.

Conduct initial interviews and gather information for employee relations matters such as harassment complaints, personnel policy disputes and workplace complaints, or other concerns; informs the COO when additional investigation is required.

Oversees CLS's annual employee evaluation process in coordination with the HR team and the Director of Supervision and Professional Development.

Assist with recordkeeping related to hiring, termination, leave, transfer, and promotion particularly as related to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), affirmative action, and diversity initiatives.

Assist with hiring committees and actively screen and interview candidates for open job positions at CLS, focusing primarily on non-attorney positions. This position will also help negotiate employment terms directly with candidates and finalize job offer letters.

Support the COO in providing guidance to legal managers in their people management tasks, such as performance improvement plans, the progressive discipline process, and other needs as identified by the COO.

Support the HR team in onboarding and offboarding tasks.

Performs other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS: Minimum 7+ years' experience in human resources and/or operations field.

Significant experience in employee dispute resolution matters in a nonprofit setting, preferably in a unionized environment.

Demonstrated experience handling sensitive, confidential situations and information.

Track record of effective working relationships with diverse employees at all levels.

Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of performance management systems and processes and related HR best practices.

Experience with managing workplace investigations.

Strong commitment to ensuring diversity, equity and inclusion at CLS.

High levels of emotional intelligence, empathy, and self-awareness.

Experience working in small teams where team members wear many hats at any given time; openness to always learning from others.

Commitment to and passion for CLS's mission.

Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills, both written and spoken.

A strategic thinker and doer. Strong negotiating skills.

Ability to work both remotely and in person effectively and ability to travel between local offices.

Proficiency in Microsoft applications to include Word, Excel, PowerPoint, familiarity with any common Human Resources database systems and knowledge of Alchemer a plus.

Experience in a legal setting strongly preferred.

To Apply: CLS will accept applications on a rolling basis until the position has been filled. However, priority consideration will be given to applicants who apply by Friday July 19, 2024. You can submit your application on CLS's website online at: https://clsphila.org/careers/ OR submit your application below by clicking "Apply Now"

What to Include in your application: Please include a cover letter, resume, and three professional references from current or former supervisors/managers. References from peers and co-workers will be accepted but will not be influential in the hiring decision.

CLS values a diverse work environment, and continually strives to build an organization that elevates inclusion and justice both internally and through our work. CLS strongly encourages women, people of color, people who identify as LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, people who have experienced poverty or homelessness and people who have had prior contact with the juvenile, criminal, or child welfare systems to apply. CLS invites all applicants to include in their cover letter a statement about how your unique background and/or experiences might contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our staff and legal services practice.

Salary will be negotiable and commensurate with experience, but the salary range for this position will be $75,000 - $90,000 annually. CLS takes pride in offering a very generous and competitive benefits package including 100% employer paid medical, life and short/long term disability benefits, dental benefits with employee contribution, a 403(b) retirement plan with employer match and generous PTO.

Community Legal Services, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer . CLS does not discriminate in the selection of employees on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, sexual identity, genetics, age, national origin, disability, or veteran status. In addition to federal law requirements, CLS complies with all applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall and transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

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