Employee Relations Specialist

GFT is seeking an Employee Relations Specialist to join our Human Resources Team! This role follows a hybrid work model, requiring regular attendance in the office. Candidates can be located in Maryland or Pennsylvania.

The GFT Strategic Services team, which includes Human Resources, Legal, Accounting & Finance, Office Operations, IT Services and Marketing & Communications, are essential for managing and supporting the company's global operations. Strategic Services is part of a broader strategy to transform the business and improve efficiency. The support of this amazing team of professionals is the backbone of our ability to deliver infrastructure consulting and design services.

What you’ll be challenged to do:

As an Employee Relations Specialist, you will serve as a trusted advisor to employees and leadership, ensuring consistent, fair, and legally compliant workplace practices. This role manages complex employee relations matters, conducts investigations and supports conflict resolution to mitigate risk and strengthen organizational culture. Working in close partnership with the Director, Employee Relations, this position also plays a critical role in enterprise-wide risk management efforts, including candidate screening, incident response, threat assessment, and compliance driven reviews. The Employee Relations Partner is a key contributor to cross-functional teams focused on employee safety, security, and regulatory compliance.

In this capacity, the successful candidate will be responsible for the following:

• Conduct and coordinate complex workplace investigations involving alleged policy violations, misconduct, discrimination, harassment, retaliation or unfair employment practices.
• Manage employee complaints and disputes, ensuring accurate, thorough, and compliant documentation.
• Develop corrective action plans and provide recommendations to leadership to minimize employee relations risks and employment liabilities.
• Review and assess questionable MVRs and background check results to determine hiring eligibility.
• Serve as primary or backup HR representative on the Insider Threat Working Group, supporting risk assessment, mitigation strategies, and case management.
• Act as primary or backup member of the Incident Response Team, including responsibility for reviewing and signing off on all incident reports submitted across the organization.
• In partnership with Legal, serve as primary or backup reviewer for international travel request exceptions, evaluating business necessity and compliance with company policy.
• Assist with the interactive process for return-to-work Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

What you will bring to our firm:

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration or related field required
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressive experience in human resources or employee relations.
• Demonstrated experience leading and resolving complex employee relations issues
• Proven knowledge and application of federal, state, and local employment laws, including EEO, ADA, FMLA, and related regulations.
• Ability to interpret policies, laws, and risk factors to make sound, defensible recommendations
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to present complex or sensitive information clearly and professionally
• Strong interpersonal and consultation skills
• Strong analytical, investigative, and critical-thinking skills with demonstrated sound judgment
• Ability to manage sensitive and confidential information with discretion and professionalism
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite

What we prefer you bring:

• Experience working with EthicsPoint or similar ethics/compliance reporting systems
• Experience working with Workday (HRIS)
• Exposure to incident management, threat assessment, or security related HR functions
• Familiarity with background screening adjudication
• Experience working within the engineering or professional services industry

Compensation: The salary range for this role is $67,000 - $99,000. Salary is dependent upon experience and geographic location.

Featured Benefits:

• Hybrid (in-person and remote) work environment.
• Comprehensive benefits package including wellness programs, parental leave, and pet insurance, in addition to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
• Tax-deferred 401(k) savings plan.
• Competitive paid-time-off (PTO) accrual.
• Tuition reimbursement for continued education.
• Commitment to professional development, access to internal and external training programs, and support of active participation in professional organizations
• Incentive compensation for eligible positions.

At GFT, a privately held AEC firm, we innovate where transportation, water, power, and buildings converge. We call this the Infrastructure of Life. We measure our success by the strength of our relationships - that’s why we’re the employer of choice for 5,000+ of the industry’s brightest engineers, planners, architects, inspectors, designers, and more.

Our clients choose us for our expertise and prefer us for our nimble approach, creativity, and personal touch. Backed by over a century’s experience, together we’re building a lasting legacy for future generations: stronger communities, a healthier planet, and better lives.GFT: Ingenuity That Shapes Lives™ is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veterans’ status or other characteristics protected by law.

Unsolicited resumes from third party agencies will be considered the property GFT.

GFT does require the successful completion of a criminal background check for all advertised positions.

Sponsorship not offered for this position.

Location: Mechanicsburg, PA, Philadelphia, PA; Pittsburgh, PA; Baltimore, MDCore Business Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Employment Status: Full-Time