Employee Relations Specialist

St. Charles Health System

Bend, OR

St. Charles Health System (www.stcharleshealthcare.org) is a private, not-for-profit health system that has transitioned from a group of individual community hospitals to a complex regional health system that serves more than 240,000 people in a 32,000 square mile area of Central and Eastern Oregon.  SCHS owns and operates the St. Charles Medical Centers in Bend and Redmond, leases Pioneer Memorial Hospital in Prineville, and provides management services for Mountain View Hospital in Madras.   In a recent study conducted by Thompson Reuters, SCHS was named one of the top 50 health systems in the nation for quality and efficiency. 

As the region’s largest hospital and health delivery system, SCHS is focused on meeting the needs of the growing population while still offering patients and caregivers the personalized care of local hospitals and medical centers.  SCHS has nearly 3,000 caregivers and, in addition, there are more than 350 active medical staff members and nearly 200 visiting medical staff members who partner with SCHS to provide a wide range of care and service.  Patients also benefit from SCHS’s “patient-centered care,” which recognizes that healing is multi-dimensional, and takes care of the whole patient – body, mind and spirit.

The CEO and other senior leaders recognize the important role that Human Resources plays in the organization’s ongoing success, and have identified “developing state-of-the-art human resources systems” as one of five key initiatives in the three-year strategic plan.  The SVP of HR, who reports directly to the CEO, has repositioned the HR function to better serve the needs of this dynamic and successful organization.

POSITION SUMMARY

Help build and maintain a healthy work environment by providing employee relations counsel, assistance and training to St. Charles Medical Center - Bend leaders and caregivers in support of the organization’s policies, practices and contractual agreements. 

DETAILED RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Coach, counsel and provide proactive employee relations advice and direction to managers and caregivers in order to limit liability and to ensure compliance with hospital policy collective bargaining agreement and labor/employment laws and regulations.
2. Respond promptly and appropriately to investigations of harassment, discrimination or other illegal actions.
3. Document fact-finding, provide recommendations to leadership, and ensure closure of the issue.
4. Assist in the development and implementation of employee relations strategies that proactively address SCHS and departmental needs.
5. Provide formal and informal training to leaders and caregivers on employment law, labor law, SCHS policies or related topics.
6. Collaborate with Organizational Development team in cases of significant team development needs or conflict issues.
7. Proactively collaborate with Human Resources team members in recruitment, compensation, benefits, education, organizational development to raise awareness of issues.
8. Assist with labor negotiation preparation and research.
9. Stay current with employment law and recommend appropriate policy and/or practice changes.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

1. Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management, Business Administration or related field required.  Master’s preferred.  PHR/SPH preferred.
2. High potential for continued professional development.
3. An excellent track record, with two to four years experience in employee relations, labor relations, or as an HR generalist with strong emphasis on employee relations gained in a complex and dynamic organization characterized by high volume and multiple priorities.
4. Very high energy.
5. Excellent customer service and teamwork skills.
6. Articulate, excellent listening skills, calm and persuasive in sensitive situations.
7. Very bright, with strong problem solving and analytical skills.
8. A passion for work coupled with appreciation for work/life balance.
9. Health care experience is not required, so this is a great opportunity for a talented HR/Employee Relations specialist to gain experience in this dynamic and growing industry.

LOCATION

Bend, Oregon.  Surrounded by U.S. Forest Service land and situated on the banks of the Deschutes River and at the foothills of the Cascades, Bend offers stunning scenery and year-round recreational activities:  downhill and cross-country skiing, mountain biking, rock climbing, golfing, kayaking, rafting and fishing.  Bend is a diverse and energetic culture with excellent educational and cultural opportunities and affordable housing.   With a population of about 80,000, Bend offers the advantages of a much larger city combined with a small-town atmosphere.

COMPENSATION

Competitive compensation and excellent benefits.

To learn more about this exciting opportunity, please contact:

Montgomery & Montgomery
Bend, OR
541-593-7780
http://www.montgomeryandmontgomery.com 

Jim Montgomery
jamesmmontgomery@mac.com
cell:  760-899-8867

Mary Montgomery
marye.montgomery@mac.com
cell:  760-989-3939