Staff Attorney, Labor Law Hr Department

STAFF ATTORNEY

Human Resources Department

REPORTS TO: CHRO

HOURS: Full-Time

CLASSIFICATION: Exempt

SUMMARY: Reporting to the Chief Human Resources Officer, the Staff Attorney will represent Step Up in legal matters involving the workplace. Working closely with Human Resources, will provide guidance and counsel to all business units regarding employment matters.

DUTIES: The following reflects essential functions for this job but does not restrict other tasks, which may be assigned:

• Investigate highly sensitive employee relations issues and perform investigations related to employment matters.
• Partner with human resources to advise and assist business units with restructurings, redundancies and layoffs.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support and maintain compliance with all relevant laws as it relates to company handbooks, policies and procedures, and affirmative action plans.
• Provide employment-related support on transactional matters including contract drafting and negotiation, acquisition-related advice, and review of compensation and benefits plans.
• Analyze casework trends to produce strategic, proactive recommendations to HR and the agency to proactively address and mitigate risk.
• Proactively monitor employment laws and provide and advise of developments that may affect the company.
• Represents the company in contract negotiations, mediations, and settlement meetings.
• In conjunction with the training and human resources department, develop and teach human resources legal training programs.
• Assist human resources in reviewing and implementing human resources compliance training programs such as sexual harassment and wage and hour.

SKILLS:

• Knowledge of all areas of employment and Labor Law including but not limited to compliance, workers’ comp, risk management, discrimination, wage and overtime standards, claims handling and procedures.
• Strict compliance with required confidentiality, discretion, and diplomacy.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication and prioritization skills.
• Ability to use judgment, tact, and discretion.
• Ability to quickly assimilate oral and written data, analyze facts, and draw logical conclusions.
• Ability to maintain records, and prepare reports and correspondence related to the work.
• Excellent attention to detail with the ability to multitask.
• Excellent telephone, writing, and proofreading skills.
• Outstanding organizational, interpersonal, and administrative skills.
• Must be self-motivated and able to meet deadlines under pressure.
• Strong technology and computer skills including PowerPoint, word processing and spreadsheet software, e-mail and database software programs; Ability to perform legal research.
• A high level of proficiency using Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint required.
• Knowledge of legal terminology, legal forms and documents, legal practices and procedures, litigation, and legal calendaring highly desired.
• Strong initiative and the ability to exercise independent judgment and discretion with regard to reporting functions.
• Strong analytical ability.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum 5 years of experience, preferably in a non-profit setting.
• Licensed and in good standing in California.
• Experience with all labor and employment matters in California and the ability to assist with matters in other States where not licensed.
• Experience working with Unions preferrable.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION: Work with people experiencing homelessness whether on the streets, in shelters or other places of habitation or services, may present inherent challenges and difficulties such as: exposure to bed bugs or other infestations, unpleasant smells or odors, individuals who may have poor hygiene or unclean homes due to homelessness, mental health symptoms, or poverty. Additionally, in working with our members, employees may encounter instances of profanity, sexually explicit or derogatory language, or verbal or physical expressions of anger and trauma. Very rarely do these situations ever escalate to physical contact, and negative or derogatory communication patterns can often be negotiated successfully. All direct care staff are provided adequate training to develop skills to deescalate crisis situations that may arise and Step Up has established procedural safeguards for all employees to mitigate (but not eliminate) these inherent risks of employment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands and fingers; handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk; and hear. The employee is frequently required to walk, balance, stoop, kneel, and/or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Keyboard data entry required.

Step Up utilizes the principles of trauma-informed care and mental health recovery. These principles inform our Core Values of Hope, Wellness, Voice and Choice, Respect, and Collaborative Relationships. As representatives of Step Up, employees agree to adhere to these values in their interactions with members, colleagues, supervisors, and associated community members.

STEP UP CORE VALUES

HOPE – We believe all people have the capacity for positive growth and change. We use hope to inspire and motivate ourselves, our members, our colleagues, and our community.

WELLNESS – We believe in promoting a culture that supports healthy and fulfilling lives. We use a supportive environment to foster well-being for ourselves, our members, our colleagues, and our community.

VOICE AND CHOICE – We believe in the right to choose and be heard. We use voice and choice to create meaningful outcomes and empowerment for ourselves, our members, our colleagues, and our community.

RESPECT – We believe in promoting interactions that are non-judgmental, transparent. We use respect to guide all of our words and actions with ourselves, our members, our colleagues, and our community.

COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIPS – We believe in forming partnerships to share resources, knowledge, and experiences. We use collaborative relationships to strengthen accomplishments for ourselves, our members, our colleagues, and our community.

Step Up is committed to providing quality services that adhere to the highest ethical standards and principles. All Step Up employees agree to adhere to the ethical policies and codes of conduct, as outlined in the Employee Handbook and those specified for this grant.

I can perform the functions of this job as described with or without reasonable accommodation.

Employee Name (Print):___________________________________________

Employee Signature: ________________________________________________

Date:_________________________________

Step Up provides equal employment opportunities without regard to age, ancestry, color, creed, mental or physical disability, marital status, medical condition, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws.

STEP UP IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER