Employee Relations & Engagement Specialist

Lakeshore Talent is in search of an Employee Relations and Engagement Specialist to support a growing organization in strengthening workplace culture, employee satisfaction, and trust. This is a contract opportunity with strong potential to extend and/or convert based on business needs and performance.

Position Details

• Contract Length: 12 weeks to start, with opportunity to extend and/or convert
• Pay Range: $30–$40 per hour
• Location: Sacramento, CA
• Work Arrangement: Remote with occasional onsite travel
• Travel: Less than 10%; occasional travel to California-based organizational sites
• Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM

Position Summary

The Employee Relations & Engagement Specialist is responsible for strengthening workplace culture by promoting employee satisfaction, recognition, and trust. This role focuses on building strong, transparent relationships between employees and leadership, addressing concerns early, and fostering a positive, collaborative environment. The specialist supports open-door practices, feedback mechanisms, and recognition programs to ensure employees feel valued, respected, and supported, while leaders receive timely guidance for employee-related needs.

Key Responsibilities

Employee Engagement & Satisfaction

• Conduct regular listening sessions, focus groups, and pulse surveys to identify trends, concerns, and opportunities for improvement
• Partner with leaders to develop and implement action plans in response to employee feedback
• Through onsite interaction, risk assessment, and observation, develop strategies that enhance employee satisfaction, belonging, and connection
• Collaborate with HR and legal teams to resolve employee relations matters effectively
• Monitor engagement metrics and recommend initiatives to improve morale and retention
• Perform other duties as assigned

Positive Employee Relations

• Serve as a trusted and approachable resource for employees seeking guidance, support, or conflict resolution
• Coach leaders on effective communication, fairness, and consistency in daily interactions
• Promote a culture of transparency, respect, and accountability
• Identify early indicators of workplace dissatisfaction and work proactively with leadership

Open-Door & Feedback Mechanisms

• Strengthen and promote the organization’s open-door philosophy
• Build and manage multiple feedback channels (digital, in-person, anonymous)
• Track, analyze, and report feedback themes while maintaining confidentiality
• Ensure timely follow-up so employees see meaningful outcomes from their input

Recognition & Appreciation Programs

• Partner with leaders to integrate recognition into daily operations
• Evaluate recognition program effectiveness and continuously improve based on feedback

Employee Relations Strategy

• Monitor workplace climate and intervene early with constructive solutions
• Reinforce direct communication and collaborative problem-solving between employees and leadership

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field
• Experience:
• 3–5 years of experience in employee relations, HR, engagement, or similar roles
• Proven ability to build and sustain a positive workplace culture
• Experience facilitating discussions, resolving conflicts, and coaching leaders
• Ability to analyze data, identify trends, and recommend actionable solutions
• High emotional intelligence, discretion, and a passion for employee wellbeing

Skills

• Strong analytical skills, including interpretation of employee relations risk data
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to conduct thorough, unbiased investigations
• Proficiency in conflict resolution and disciplinary guidance
• Ability to collaborate effectively with HR and legal teams

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced employee relations professional to make an immediate impact within a fast-paced organization while contributing strategic insight and hands-on expertise. If you are passionate about fostering positive workplace relationships, navigating complex employee relations matters, and partnering with leaders to drive effective outcomes, we encourage you to apply.