Employee Relations (Labor) and Workforce Compliance Manager (Finance)

Birch Family Services is a leading provider of education, employment, and community support services for individuals with autism and developmental disabilities and their families in New York City. Every year, the organization supports more than 2,000 people across 31 locations in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. From preschool to graduation, employment, housing, and beyond, Birch Family Services provides fully integrated programs and services to support individuals in achieving their goals across their lifetime.

Position Objective:

Under the direction of the Director of Human Resources, the Employee Relations and Workforce Compliance Manager will manage all employee and labor relations activities and assist in compliance management for Birch Family Services. Job responsibilities include assisting in the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements, union and non-union grievances, internal and external investigations, Justice Center investigations/inquiries, agency and program compliance reviews, assessments, and other regulatory audits.

This role requires effective interpersonal skills including, written, oral, listening, presentation, group facilitation, influencing, and negotiation. This person will have interpersonal contact and daily communication with Executives, Managers, Legal counsel, and outside stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Employee Relations

• In conjunction with the Director of Human Resources, this role will oversee and manage the administration of labor contracts, the interpretation of labor contracts to managers and employees, direct processes for review and resolution of employee grievances and investigations. Counsel managers and employees on sensitive labor and employee relations matters, including performance issues and disciplinary actions.
• Provide ongoing mentoring and coaching to senior and program managers, advise and assist managers in identifying issues and facilitate ongoing communication and working relationships with employee union organizations and their representatives.
• Maintains current knowledge of employee and labor relations trends, legal rulings, and statutory changes; conducts research when necessary to support contract negotiations and regulations/laws regarding employee-related matters.
• Oversee, conduct, and manage all investigations, including informal and formal grievances, draft investigation outcome reports, provide guidance to management on investigation outcomes and recommendations.
• Support department and program managers in the development of written performance management corrective action plans (verbal and written warnings); coach and assist in the delivery of plans and employee feedback.
• Lead for investigations and complaints from the Department of Labor (DOL), Justice center (JD), and other regulatory agencies.
• Provides information, advice, and assistance to HR department employees and staff regarding the application of statutes, regulations, contracts, and labor practices.
• Monitor ADA compliance, Worker's Compensation, and EEO censuses for injuries, leaves, and other mandated compliance reporting.
• Coordinate processing of received requests for accommodation, termination appeals, EEO complaints, and settlement of such claims or requests with the Director of Human Resources. Promotes training and advice to management in preventing and addressing such claims.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Compliance

• Conduct bi-weekly (NSO/Foundations) training for newly hired employees on compliance/confidentiality and other Human Resources/Labor regulatory training items.
• Review and execute external document requests to 3 rd -party entities (legal subpoenas, court orders).
• Assist with school visits and reviews for agency and employment compliance (completed quarterly).
• Gather and review documents for program compliance reviews.
• Attend Compliance and IRC meetings.

Minimum Job Requirements:

Educational:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Industrial Relations, Human Resources, Public Administration, or other related discipline providing a broad understanding of general business and Human Resource Management practices and techniques is required.

Experience:

• Five (5) to ten (10) years of professional-level Human Resources experience are required, including employee relations and collective bargaining experience.

• Thorough knowledge of employee and labor relations principles and practices, collective bargaining, employment laws, and demonstrated skill in the practical application of employment laws. Ability to reconcile labor relations issues in the context of existing labor agreements, and desired future labor/employee relations matters for Birch Family Services.

Skills:

• Demonstrated strong interpersonal skills, including written and oral communications, listening, presentation, group facilitation, influencing, and negotiations.

• Demonstrated skills in the effective use of mediation and conflict resolution techniques, practical application of employment law, and processes for influencing performance management.

• Use of computerized systems for word processing, spreadsheet applications, and databases to retrieve and analyze data and create reports.

• Effective project and time management skills, ability to manage multiple complex projects concurrently.

Physical Requirements:

Generally, minimal physical exertion is required. Occasional lifting of heavy boxes and presentation materials may occur.

EEO Statement

Birch Family Services provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements. Birch Family Services complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Birch Family Services expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.

Additional Statements:

Per New York State Law, Birch Family Services will NOT seek any past salary history from any applicant or job candidate. Birch Family Services holds the right to inquire about an applicant or job candidate salary expectations for any Birch Family Services advertised job, position, and/or role.

The position description is a guide to the critical duties and essential functions of the job, not an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, qualifications, physical demands, and work environment conditions. Position descriptions are reviewed and revised to meet the changing needs of the agency at the sole discretion of management.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions unless this causes undue hardship to the company.