Employee Relations Specialist

About Children’s Specialized ABA

Children’s Specialized ABA is designed to address the comprehensive needs of children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). By leveraging the expertise of the Children’s Specialized Hospital Autism Center of Excellence, the program aims to expand access to innovative and compassionate care, empowering children diagnosed with autism to thrive. Children’s Specialized ABA offers home-based, community-based, and center-based ABA therapy.

At Children’s Specialized ABA, we envision a future where every child diagnosed with autism has access to innovative and compassionate care, empowering them to thrive and reach their full potential. Our vision is built on four core values:

• Inclusivity: We celebrate the diversity within the Autism spectrum and are committed to creating an inclusive environment that respects and values each person’s individual strengths and differences.

• Innovation: We foster a culture of creativity and collaboration, exploring new ideas to develop personalized solutions that enhance quality of life for all children with Autism.

• Connection: We actively engage with the health systems and broader community to coordinate services and care for people with Autism.

• Quality and Safety: We invest in research and training to provide cutting-edge, effective, safe, and personalized services tailored to the unique needs of those we serve.

Join Us as an Employee Relations Specialist

The Employee Relations Specialist supports a multi-state workforce within the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) field by fostering a fair, respectful, and compliant workplace. This role addresses employee concerns, conducts workplace investigations, supports annual performance management processes, and advises leaders on employee relations matters across multiple jurisdictions. The Employee Relations Specialist partners closely with field leadership, HR, and legal counsel to mitigate risk, ensure consistent application of policies, and support high-quality clinical and operational outcomes.

What You'll Do:

Employee Concerns & Workplace Investigations

• Receive, assess, and respond to employee concerns, complaints, and workplace issues in a timely and professional manner

• Work with employees and their managers to understand perspectives and guide them toward resolution of conflicts or workplace issues

• Conduct impartial workplace investigations related to employee relations matters, including harassment, discrimination, retaliation, policy violations, and field-based concerns

• Investigate internal employee complaints and recommend solutions to management, the Director of Human Resources, and the VP of Human Resources, including consistent corrective action or termination, while weighing legal risk factors to the organization

• Interview employees and management, gather evidence, and maintain detailed and confidential documentation

• Document investigation findings, recommendations, and resolutions in accordance with company policy and employment law

Policy Interpretation & Compliance

• Interpret and apply company policies, employee handbooks, and state specific addendums across multiple states

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws applicable to multi-state employers

• Monitor state-specific requirements related to wage and hour, leave laws, training, and disciplinary practices

• May assist in the creation and refinement of company-wide HR policies and collaborate and consult on non-HR policies

• Partner with legal counsel and senior HR leadership on high-risk or complex employee relations matters, including those involving licensed clinicians and direct care staff

Performance Management & Annual Review Support

• Support and administer the annual performance management process for field-based and administrative employees across multiple states

• Manage and oversee annual performance reviews within the HRIS system and ensure timely and accurate completion

• Coach managers and clinical leaders on performance management best practices, including progressive performance management, performance improvement plans (PIPs), exit strategies, and involuntary separations

• Review performance documentation for consistency, fairness, and compliance across locations and job roles

• Provide guidance on corrective action tied to performance outcomes, including coordination with credentialing or licensure considerations where applicable

Leaves of Absence & ADA Accommodations

• Complete and manage leave of absence requests in compliance with federal, state, and local laws

• Administer the ADA interactive process, including intake, documentation review, and determination of reasonable accommodations

• Partner with managers, employees, and healthcare providers to assess accommodation needs and operational feasibility

• Ensure timely, consistent, and legally compliant accommodation

  determinations and ongoing monitoring

• Maintain confidential records related to leaves and ADA accommodations

Documentation & Risk Management

• Maintain accurate, confidential employee relations case files and case management tools

• Support the rollout and adoption of employee relations processes, templates, and case management systems

• Identify trends from case data and escalate systemic issues or risks to HR and organizational leadership

• Track and report on employee relations trends, identifying areas of risk and

  opportunities for improvement

• Prepare documentation to support audits, unemployment claims, and potential litigation

• Respond to unemployment claims thoroughly, accurately, and in a timely manner

What You'll Need

• Bachelor’s Degree, preferably in HR or related area

• PHR, SPHR, or SHRM-CP designation preferred

• Minimum 3 years of Employee Relations or HR Generalist with a heavy focus on employee relations experience; Proven experience conducting workplace investigations

• Strong working knowledge of employment laws affecting multi-state employers, including wage and hour, leave laws, ADA, FMLA, and anti-discrimination regulations

• Excellent written and verbal communication and documentation skills

• Strong organization skills and project management skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite; Word, Excel, PowerPoint

• Proficiency with human resource information systems (HRIS)

• Previous experience with Paylocity strongly preferred

Work Location & Hours:

This is a full-time position in a hybrid work setting, working one day per week in any of our NJ EI Centers (Jackson, Voorhees, Newark). The core hours are 8:30am to 5:00pm.

Why Work With Children’s Specialized ABA?

We’re an amazing ABA provider! We take a whole-child, whole-caregiver approach. Our integrated model combines ABA therapy with speech, occupational therapy, and behavioral health support. You’ll be part of a deeply collaborative, mission-driven team.

Here’s what you can expect:

• 
  Up to 24 paid days off in your first year (including PTO, sick time, and holidays); earned on an accrual basis, paid time off increases with tenure

• Comprehensive benefits.

• Free 50k life insurance policy.

• Free Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

• 401(k) retirement savings plan

• Company discount program – discounts of amusement parks, memberships, cruises, movie tickets, spas, sports ticks and more.

Reasonable Pay Estimate

A reasonable estimate of the pay range for this position is $75,000.00 to $80,000.00 per year. There are numerous factors taken into consideration in determining the actual offered rate of pay, including but not limited to: job-related qualifications, experience, skills, education, geographic location, and consideration of internal and experience equity.

Children’s Specialized ABA provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. 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.