Employee & Labor Relations Specialist

Description

Full-Time | Up to 25% Travel Required
75% Remote role (candidate MUST live in Portland metro area)
Salary Range: $80,000 - $90,000 DOE

About Cascadia Healthcare

Cascadia Healthcare is a leading provider in the skilled nursing industry, driven by a shared commitment to service and doing good for others. With operations across Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Montana, and Arizona, our mission is to be a Force for Good, for our residents, our employees, and the communities we serve.

We are seeking an experienced Employee & Labor Relations Specialist to join our Cascadia Services team and support facilities across our growing organization. This role serves as a trusted advisor to leaders and employees, providing expertise in employee relations, labor relations, workplace investigations, conflict resolution, and employment law compliance.

This is an excellent opportunity for a relationship-focused HR professional who thrives in complex environments, enjoys navigating challenging workplace situations, and is passionate about fostering positive employee experiences while supporting organizational success. The ideal candidate brings a high level of integrity, strong communication and investigative skills, labor relations expertise, and the ability to build trust and credibility at all levels of the organization.

This is a remote role, but our ideal candidate resides in the Portland, Oregon metro area. This role requires up to 25% travel.

About the Role

The Employee & Labor Relations Specialist partners closely with facility leadership, Human Resources, and operations teams to provide expert guidance on employee relations matters, labor relations issues, workplace investigations, conflict resolution, and compliance. This role is highly visible and requires a strong ability to build trust, navigate sensitive situations, and influence positive outcomes across multiple locations.

The successful candidate will bring integrity, sound judgment, exceptional communication skills, and a collaborative approach to resolving workplace concerns while supporting both union and non-union environments.

What You’ll Do

• Conduct workplace investigations involving employee complaints, policy violations, misconduct allegations, harassment concerns, and other employee relations matters.
• Partner with facility leadership to resolve employee concerns and workplace conflicts.
• Support labor relations activities, including grievance administration, contract interpretation, and labor agreement compliance.
• Coach managers on employee relations issues, performance management, corrective action, and best practices.
• Monitor workplace trends and identify opportunities to improve employee engagement, morale, and retention.
• Educate leaders and employees on company policies, procedures, and employment law requirements.
• Travel regularly to facilities to provide on-site support, conduct investigations, and build strong working relationships.

Key Responsibilities

Employee Relations

• Investigate employee concerns, complaints, and allegations in a fair, objective, and timely manner.
• Conduct interviews with employees, supervisors, and witnesses to gather facts and assess situations.
• Analyze workplace issues and recommend practical, compliant solutions.
• Support conflict resolution efforts and facilitate productive conversations between employees and management.
• Monitor employee relations trends and proactively identify opportunities to improve workplace culture, engagement, and retention.
• Maintain accurate documentation, investigation files, and employee relations records.

Labor Relations

• Assist leaders in interpreting and administering collective bargaining agreements.
• Advise management regarding labor relations practices, grievance responses, and contract compliance.
• Investigate, document, and support the resolution of employee grievances.
• Prepare reports and summaries regarding labor relations activities, trends, and outcomes.
• Support labor negotiations, mediation efforts, and arbitration preparation as needed.
• Monitor compliance with labor agreements, the National Labor Relations Act, Fair Labor Standards Act, and applicable federal and state regulations.

Compliance & Investigations

• Conduct thorough and legally compliant workplace investigations.
• Ensure consistent application of company policies, procedures, and employment practices.
• Educate leaders on compliance requirements and risk mitigation strategies.
• Partner with HR, operations, and legal resources when appropriate to address complex employment matters.
• Support audits, corrective action initiatives, and regulatory compliance efforts.

Leadership Support & Workforce Engagement

• Coach and support leaders in handling employee concerns, workplace conflict, communication challenges, and performance issues.
• Build strong relationships with employees, facility leaders, HR teams, and union representatives.
• Gather feedback regarding employee morale, workplace concerns, and organizational effectiveness.
• Help implement initiatives that improve employee engagement, communication, and workplace culture.
• Support special projects and organizational initiatives as assigned.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Labor Relations, Organizational Leadership, or a related field preferred.
• Three (3) to five (5) years of experience in employee relations, labor relations, workplace investigations, Human Resources, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience conducting workplace investigations and managing sensitive employee relations matters.
• Experience working with collective bargaining agreements, grievance administration, and labor relations processes.
• Strong understanding of federal and state employment laws, labor regulations, and compliance requirements.
• Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Proven ability to establish credibility, influence stakeholders, and navigate difficult conversations with professionalism and tact.
• High level of integrity, discretion, and sound judgment when handling confidential information.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities across numerous locations.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and HR-related systems.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 50%.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Healthcare, skilled nursing, post-acute care, rehabilitation, or long-term care experience.
• Experience supporting multi-site operations.
• PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, or related professional certification.
• Experience participating in labor negotiations, mediation, or arbitration proceedings.

Benefits & Perks

• Salary Range: $80,000 - $90,000 DOE
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off, paid holidays, and sick leave
• Company-paid life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Mileage reimbursement for business travel
• Professional development and career growth opportunities
• Collaborative and supportive leadership culture
• Opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a mission-driven healthcare organization

Why Join Us?

As an Employee & Labor Relations Specialist, you'll play a critical role in strengthening workplace culture, supporting leaders through complex employee matters, fostering positive labor relations, and helping ensure Cascadia continues to be an employer of choice. Your work will directly impact employee engagement, organizational effectiveness, and the experience of teams across multiple communities.

Apply today and become part of our mission to be a Force for Good.