Employee Relations & Engagement Specialist

SOME (So Others Might Eat) provides material aid and comfort to our vulnerable neighbors in Washington, DC, helping them break the cycle of poverty and homelessness through programs and services that save lives, improve lives, and help transform the lives of individuals and families, their communities, and the systems and structures that affect them.

Our more than 30 programs throughout the district provide comprehensive services that lead to mental and physical health, continued sobriety, job training, living-wage employment, and affordable housing. We meet immediate needs with food, clothing, and healthcare, and offer the tools one needs to live with hope, dignity, and greater independence.

Compensation: We offer our employees a competitive compensation and benefits package that reflects our organizational culture, mission, and core values. The salary range for this position is $78,644 to $80,000 and may be commensurate with experience.

Position Description: The Employee Relations & Engagement Specialist is responsible for supporting employee relations, engagement initiatives, performance management, policy development, workplace investigations, and organizational compliance. This position partners with leaders throughout the organization to resolve workplace concerns, promote positive employee relations, strengthen employee engagement, and mitigate organizational risk while ensuring the consistent application of employment laws, Human Resources policies, and organizational procedures.

The Employee Relations & Engagement Specialist serves as a trusted advisor to managers and employees by guiding performance management, employee conduct, workplace conflict resolution, corrective action, policy interpretation, and employment-related matters. This position conducts workplace investigations, facilitates mediation and conflict resolution, develops and maintains Human Resources policies and procedures, and supports compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws.

In addition, this position leads employee engagement initiatives by administering employee surveys, conducting stay and exit interviews, analyzing workforce trends, and recommending strategies that enhance employee satisfaction, retention, and organizational culture. The Employee Relations & Engagement Specialist also supports performance management processes, Human Resources systems, reporting and analytics, audit activities, and continuous improvement initiatives that promote operational excellence and an exceptional employee experience.

Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm; This is a hybrid position. Must work onsite up to (3) days per week, (2) days remote.

Required: Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Psychology, Organizational Development, or a related field is required; Minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible Human Resources experience, including employee relations, investigations, or performance management.

Preferred: Professional in Human Resources (PHR) or SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) certification preferred; Experience conducting investigations, writing policies, facilitating difficult conversations, and supporting performance management strongly preferred.

Required License/Certification: N/A

Expected Contributions: Employee Relations & Workplace Investigations

• Maintain an employee relations caseload supporting approximately twenty (20) organizational programs by providing guidance and support to managers and employees on workplace concerns, policy interpretation, and employee relations matters.
• Conduct workplace investigations, gather and analyze facts, interview involved parties, and prepare comprehensive investigative reports with recommendations.
• Prepare, review, and submit employee termination requests and supporting documentation for management approval, ensuring compliance with organizational policies, employment laws, and established procedures.
• Facilitate mediation sessions and restorative discussions to resolve workplace conflicts and promote positive working relationships.
• Prepare Performance Success and/or Improvement Plans, corrective actions, disciplinary documentation, and other employee relations correspondence.
• Coach managers on employee relations matters, performance management, corrective action, policy interpretation, documentation standards, and the development of Memorandum of Expectations and other employee communications.
• Support employee relations case tracking, documentation, and records management while ensuring confidentiality and compliance.
• Identify employee relations risks and recommend proactive strategies to minimize legal exposure while fostering a respectful and inclusive workplace.
• Review employee relations documentation for completeness, consistency, and compliance prior to implementation.
• Coordinate and facilitate employee separations, including voluntary resignations, involuntary terminations, layoffs, and retirements, ensuring compliance with organizational policies, legal requirements, and established procedures.

Performance Management

• Coordinate the organization's performance management program, including the ninety (90)-day introductory evaluation process, annual performance evaluations, calibration activities, and administration of the performance management system.

Employee Relations & Retention

• Conduct employee pulse surveys, stay interviews, exit interviews, and focus groups to assess employee engagement and organizational culture.
• Analyze employee engagement data and workforce trends to identify opportunities to improve retention, morale, and the employee experience.
• Collaborate with Human Resources leadership to develop and implement employee retention initiatives based on engagement survey results, workforce trends, and organizational needs.
• Participate in planning and supporting the organization's Annual Meeting and employee morale events.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Knowledge of employee relations principles, workplace investigations, conflict resolution, and progressive discipline practices.
• Skilled in conducting workplace investigations, interviewing employees and witnesses, gathering evidence, and preparing clear, objective investigative reports.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, professionalism, and discretion when handling highly confidential and sensitive employee information.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, including the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) laws, unemployment insurance regulations, and other applicable employment laws.
• Strong conflict resolution, mediation, and problem-solving skills with the ability to facilitate productive workplace discussions.
• Ability to independently manage multiple employee relations matters while maintaining accuracy, attention to detail, and responsiveness.
• Knowledge of performance management principles, employee coaching, corrective action processes, and organizational development practices.
• Excellent coaching and consultation skills with the ability to advise managers on employee relations, performance management, and workplace best practices.
• Ability to interpret and consistently apply employment laws, organizational policies, collective workplace practices, and Human Resources procedures.
• Knowledge of Human Resources policies, procedures, records management, and compliance requirements.
• Strong facilitation, presentation, and training skills for delivering manager and employee development programs.
• Ability to analyze employee relations and engagement trends, identify root causes, and recommend practical, data-driven solutions that improve organizational effectiveness.
• Knowledge of employee engagement strategies, retention initiatives, survey methodologies, and organizational culture best practices.
• Ability to prepare clear, accurate, and legally defensible documentation, reports, and employee communications.
• Ability to facilitate difficult conversations, mediate workplace conflicts, and promote positive employee and management relationships.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and Human Resources technology, including HRIS, performance management, and case management systems.
• Ability to perform mathematical calculations related to employee separations, final pay, merit increases, leave balances, and other compensation-related transactions with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet competing deadlines.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities while maintaining a high level of customer service and collaboration in a fast-paced Human Resources environment.

Reports To: Employee Relations & Engagement Manager

Physical Demands: Must be able to lift up to 30 pounds. Must be able to travel off-site using his or her own transportation methods. Requires looking at a computer screen for several hours a day. May be required to sit for long periods. This position may be active and requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing.

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

To Apply: Go to our career page at https://www.some.org/careers/open-opportunities and click on the search icon to locate this position. Follow the instructions to complete your online application profile to be considered. No phone calls, please.

SOME, Inc. is a proactive equal-opportunity employer. We ensure that all qualified applicants are considered for employment without discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

SOME, Inc. is deeply committed to ensuring the job application process is accessible to all users. If you require assistance or have any concerns about the accessibility of our website or the application process, please feel free to contact us at onlineaccommodations@some.org. This contact information is specifically for accommodation requests and does not pertain to application status inquiries.

To read our EEO Policy Statement, please click here. To view our notices to employees and applicants for employment, click on their corresponding link: EEOC Know Your Rights Notice and E-Verify Program Notice.