Job Description

Primary Scheduled Hours: days, 80 hours per pay period

The Employee Relations & Culture Specialist is a people-centered HR professional responsible for fostering a positive, values-driven, and high-performing work environment at Newport Hospital and Health Services. This role combines hands-on employee relations practice with proactive culture, engagement, and wellness initiatives to ensure that trust, accountability, and connection are woven into the everyday employee experience.

The Employee Relations & Culture Specialist serves as a visible, approachable, and trusted HR presence across the organization — building relationships, supporting leaders, and ensuring that every employee feels heard, respected, and valued. This position conducts workplace investigations, manages conflict resolution, and supports corrective action processes under the oversight of the HR Manager, while simultaneously championing the programs and initiatives that make NHHS a place people want to work. This role ensures consistent application of HR policies while balancing compliance with culture and empathy, and actively monitors workplace climate to identify and address concerns before they escalate.

Essential Job Functions:

• Employee Relations & Workplace Investigations

  • Conducts employee relations matters including workplace investigations, conflict resolution, corrective action support, and performance concerns in a manner that is fair, consistent, and legally informed, with oversight from the HR Manager.
  • Manages the majority of day-to-day employee relations casework, escalating complex, high-risk, or sensitive matters to the HR Manager as appropriate.
  • Conducts thorough, well-documented investigations that are objective, timely, and defensible.
  • Maintains accurate and confidential documentation of all employee relations activities, investigations, and outcomes.
  • Supports responses to internal grievances, complaints, and sensitive workplace concerns with professionalism and care.
  • Ensures corrective action processes are applied consistently and in accordance with policy, progressive discipline standards, and applicable employment law.

  Leader Coaching & Performance Support

  • Coaches leaders on performance management, behavioral concerns, and corrective action processes, helping them navigate difficult conversations with confidence and consistency.
  • Partners with leaders to align team practices, expectations, and decision-making with organizational values and culture.
  • Provides daily advisory support to managers and employees on policy interpretation, workplace concerns, and HR guidance, balancing compliance with empathy and practical judgment.
  • Supports leaders in building high-performing, engaged teams through proactive coaching, feedback strategies, and accountability frameworks.
  • Identifies patterns in performance or conduct concerns and escalates systemic issues to the HR Manager with recommended solutions.

  Culture, Engagement & Wellness

  • Designs and implements employee recognition, engagement, and wellness initiatives — including events, programs, classes, and connection opportunities — that strengthen organizational culture and reinforce a sense of belonging.
  • Serves as the primary operational owner of culture and engagement programming, working within the strategic direction set by the HR Manager.
  • Partners with leadership and departments to develop and execute strategies that improve employee engagement, morale, and retention.
  • Monitors workplace climate, employee experience, and retention risk, providing proactive recommendations to maintain a healthy and engaged workforce.
  • Serves as a visible and trusted HR presence throughout the organization, building genuine relationships with employees at all levels.
  • Promotes a culture of psychological safety, inclusion, and respect in all programs, interactions, and initiatives.

Education Background and Experience Requirements

Minimum Education:

BA or BS Degree in related field or a minimum of 4 years of HR Experience

Required Experience:

At least 6 years of experience working in HR.

Preferred Qualifications:

HR within a Hospital setting.

PHR or SPHR preferred.

Professional Requirements:

• Maintain regulatory requirements
• Report to work on time and as scheduled; complete work within designated timelines.
• Demonstrates the ability to adhere to the mission, ethics and goals of the District.
• Demonstrates the ability to communicate with patients, guests and staff in a courteous, respectful and helpful manner.

Compensation/How We Care For You:

Successful candidates typically begin between the beginning and midpoint of the compensation range dependent on qualifications/experience and receive compensation in increments increases annually.

Comprehensive benefit package including:

• Medical/Dental/Vision
• Retirement with a 6% dollar for dollar employer match
• Life and Disability Insurance
• AFLAC
• Flexible Spending Account
• Employee Assistance Program
• Bonus, if eligible upon Board approval
• Gym membership
• Tuition Reimbursement and Student Loan Repayment Opportunities

Newport Hospital & Health Services (NHHS) is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. NHHS is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status.

NHHS employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

NHHS is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities.