The Employment Law & Labor Relations Specialist serves as the organization's internal employment law authority across a multi-state funeral and death care operation. This role provides proactive legal guidance to HR and operational leadership, ensures multi-jurisdiction compliance, and manages team member relations matters with a legally sound, risk-informed approach. The ideal candidate brings deep employment law knowledge, sharp analytical instincts, and the ability to translate complex legal requirements into clear, actionable guidance.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor, interpret, and advise on federal, state, and local employment laws across all operating jurisdictions (FMLA, ADA, FLSA, Title VII, ADEA, NLRA, WARN, and state equivalents)
• Conduct multi-state compliance audits and remediate gaps in HR practices, policies, and documentation
• Manage EEOC charges, state agency complaints, and demand letters in partnership with outside legal counsel; support litigation preparation as needed
• Advise on employment law implications of business decisions including RIFs, restructurings, acquisitions, and new state market entries
• Draft and maintain employment policies, handbook content, and state-specific addenda to reflect current law across all operating states
• Serve as subject matter expert on multi-state leave law (FMLA, state paid leave programs) and the ADA interactive accommodation process
• Conduct workplace investigations involving harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and policy violations; provide guidance on corrective action and terminations
• Deliver employment law training to HR staff and managers on wage and hour, harassment prevention, leave administration, and lawful discipline
• Maintain a multi-state compliance calendar covering posting requirements, mandatory notices, and regulatory deadlines
• Partner with legal counsel on severance agreements, separation packages, and state-by-state enforceability of restrictive covenants

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in HR, Business, Labor Relations, or related field
• 5+ years of HR experience with a heavy emphasis on employment law compliance and labor relations
• Demonstrated multi-state experience (5+ states strongly preferred)
• Strong working knowledge of federal employment laws and the ability to navigate varying state-level requirements
• Experience managing EEOC charges and agency complaints
• Excellent written communication skills; ability to draft clear policies and position statements
• High discretion and sound judgment in handling sensitive legal and personnel matters

Preferred:

• J.D. or paralegal certification
• PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP