Employee Relations Specialist

Overview

Samaritan Daytop Village provides life-changing services in mental health, addiction recovery, housing, and more to help individuals and families across New York rebuild their lives. We serve over 33,000 clients annually at more than 60 locations throughout the five boroughs, as well as Suffolk, Rockland, Sullivan, Westchester, and Ulster Counties.

The Employee Relations Specialist serves as a strategic partner to management and employees by fostering a positive work environment, ensuring consistent application of company policies, and supporting the resolution of employee concerns. This position conducts workplace investigations, provides guidance on corrective actions, promotes compliance with employment laws, and supports initiatives that enhance employee engagement and organizational culture.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee concerns and workplace complaints

• Advise and coach managers on policies, performance issues, discipline, and separations

• Facilitate conflict resolution, mediation, and employee engagement initiatives

• Conduct thorough, impartial investigations into misconduct, harassment, and policy violations

• Analyze evidence, document findings, and determine consistent corrective actions

• Interpret, apply, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local labor laws

• Develop, update, and communicate workplace policies while protecting confidentiality

• Design and deliver leadership training on performance management, legal compliance, and workplace conduct

• Maintain complete records, track employee relations trends, and report key HR metrics to leadership

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business Administration, Psychology, or a closely related field

• 3–5 years of progressive HR experience, anchored by deep expertise in employee relations and sensitive workplace investigations

• Experience in healthcare, human services, behavioral health, or nonprofit sectors preferred

• Strong mastery of employment law, conflict resolution techniques, and formal investigation practices

• Demonstrated tact, exceptional judgment, and an uncompromising commitment to confidentiality

• Persuasive written and verbal communication skills with the ability to engage and influence stakeholders across all organizational levels

• Proficiency in using MS Office Suite and enterprise HRIS platforms

• Professional HR certification (SHRM-CP/SCP or PHR/SPHR) preferred

• Willingness to travel occasionally between organizational sites as needed

Additional Information

This is a full-time exempt role with a salary of $73,000-$85,000. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, 25 days of paid time off, access to a retirement account with an employer match, and tuition reimbursement.

This role is based out of our Briarwood, Queens headquarters with at least 3 days of in-person work required per week. Willingness to travel occasionally to programs in NYC and NYS State is required.

The regular schedule for this role is Monday-Friday 9am-5pm.

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