Employee Relations Specialist

About the role

You serve as a primary employee relations resource for managers, employees, HR team members, and operational leaders across Mullins Mechanical and the broader Kelso Industries network. You own the end-to-end management of complex employee relations cases, from initial intake and impartial investigation through resolution and post-closure follow-up. You design, develop, and continuously improve employee-relations and performance-management processes, standards, policies, and investigation resources to ensure consistent, high-quality practices. You analyze case activity and workforce data to identify trends, root causes, and high-risk areas, then recommend and implement proactive solutions. You coordinate responses to EEOC charges and other agency matters while partnering closely with Kelso HR, Legal, and outside counsel. You facilitate conflict resolution and mediate workplace issues to prevent escalation and foster a respectful environment. You build trusted relationships with leaders through regular consultation and periodic travel to job sites and other company locations.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Serve as the central point of contact for managers and employees seeking guidance on employee relations matters across multiple operational sites.
• Conduct prompt, fair, and thorough workplace investigations involving conduct, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, policy violations, employee complaints, and other workplace concerns.
• Plan investigations systematically, interview involved parties and witnesses, evaluate evidence, and document findings and recommendations objectively and impartially.
• Facilitate conflict resolution, mediation, and other interventions that address workplace issues before they escalate or recur within diverse operational settings.
• Advise leaders and HR partners on employee conduct, attendance, performance concerns, corrective action, terminations, and other employment decisions to ensure consistency and compliance.
• Design, develop, implement, and continuously improve employee-relations and performance-management processes, standards, policies, documentation templates, investigation resources, job aids, and escalation procedures.
• Maintain accurate employee relations case files, supporting documentation, action items, and closure records in accordance with company requirements and regulatory standards.
• Monitor post-resolution actions, employee communication, and retaliation concerns to support complete and sustainable case resolution.
• Coordinate responses to EEOC charges and other agency matters and support employment-related claims and lawsuits through fact-gathering, document collection, case summaries, timelines, witness coordination, and draft responses.
• Manage pre-adverse and adverse action processes and resolve hiring-related discrepancies involving background-check results, employment information, onboarding records, candidate disputes, and other pre-employment requirements.
• Analyze case activity, workforce data, exit feedback, and recurring concerns to identify trends, root causes, and high-risk areas across the organization.
• Recommend and implement proactive solutions that reduce recurring issues and improve the overall employee experience and engagement.
• Develop and deliver practical manager training on respectful workplace expectations, conflict resolution, documentation, performance conversations, corrective action, investigations, anti-retaliation, and escalation procedures.
• Partner with HR Business Partners, Recruiting, Safety, Operations, Payroll, Benefits, Kelso Centers of Excellence, and Legal on matters that cross functional areas and impact multiple sites.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
• Five or more years of progressive human resources or employee relations experience; construction, manufacturing, or multi-site experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience conducting fair and thorough investigations and analyzing complex employee relations issues.
• Proven ability to advise management on employment decisions, corrective action, and termination processes.
• Strong knowledge of employment laws, regulations, and best practices related to employee relations and anti-retaliation measures.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to translate complex concepts to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to build trust and maintain confidentiality in sensitive situations with employees at all levels.
• Strong organizational, project management, and time-management skills to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Nice to have

• Experience in industrial, manufacturing, automotive, chemical, distribution, warehouse, or large commercial facility environments.
• Background supporting unionized environments or collective bargaining processes.
• Familiarity with design-build project environments and field operations coordination.
• Experience with case management software, HRIS systems, and data analysis tools.
• Demonstrated success in developing and delivering adult learning training programs.

Practical notes

This role may require travel to job sites and other company locations as needed.