Job Details

Employee Relations Specialist

Position Number: 6283056
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Position Type: Human Resources

Employee Relations Specialist

Job Summary

Employee Relations Specialist
University Human Resource Management (UHRM) is committed to customer service, efficiency, and ensuring University leaders have the capacity to manage their respective units. This Employee Relations (ER) Specialist will report to a Human Resources Associate Director. This position will support a variety of departments across the University, such as academics and operations. The primary focus of the Employee Relations Specialist will be employee relations including corrective and disciplinary actions and liability management. The Employee Relations Specialist will also be the team's focal point for processes and procedures related to the annual evaluation process. This Employee Relations Specialist will engage in the implementation of employee relations policies and procedures, resolve or escalate complex workplace issues to ensure resolution, consistency, fairness, and legal compliance. They will advise and consult employees on policies, performance management, corrective action, and issue resolution.

This position may be filled as either an Employee Relations Specialist I or II dependent on the hired applicants' qualifications: Employee Relations Specialist I Requires basic skill set and proficiency. Conducts work assignments as directed. Closely supervised with little latitude for independent judgment. Employee Relations Specialist II Requires moderate skill set and proficiency in discipline. Conducts work assignments of increasing complexity, under moderate supervision with some latitude for independent judgment.
Engage in the development, planning, and implementation of employee relations policies and procedures. Advise, train, and consult employees on policies, performance management, corrective action, and issue resolution. Perform various employee relations duties including counseling.

This position will be a hybrid position working both remotely and in office. An employee hired into this role will be responsible for providing space, telephone, printing, networking and/or internet capabilities at the telecommute location and agree to the terms of the University of Utah Telecommuting Agreement while working remotely.

University of Utah offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

Excellent health, dental, and wellness coverage at affordable rates

14.2% retirement contributions that vest immediately*

Generous paid leave time

11 paid Holidays per year

50% tuition reduction for employee after completing probationary period, and spouse, and dependent children after three years

Flex spending accounts

Free transit on most UTA services

Employee discounts on a variety of products and services including cell phones & plans, entertainment, health and fitness, restaurants, retail, and travel

Professional development opportunities

A wellness program to promote health and quality of life
* For the majority of employees, the University contributes an amount equal to 14.2% of pay to a 401(a) Retirement Plan. If you previously worked for the University and were enrolled in a Utah Retirement Systems (URS) retirement plan, Utah law requires that you be re-enrolled in the same URS plan upon rehire. If you were enrolled in a URS plan with another employer and wish to be enrolled during your university employment, you must complete the Irrevocable Election (online at https://benefits.utah.edu/retirement-plan-election/) before your first paycheck. Only employees who are residents of the United States and those holding H-1B Visas are eligible for retirement benefits.
Learn more about the great benefits of working for University of Utah: benefits.utah.edu

The department may choose to hire at any of the below job levels and associated pay rates based on their business need and budget.

Responsibilities
Employee Relations Specialist Job Responsibilities:

Interprets and applies University of Utah Human Resources policies providing consultation to University administrators, supervisors, and staff regarding employee relations, staff performance, conduct and behavior, and performance management.
Ensures compliance with federal and state laws, as well as University regulations regarding Human Resource activities.
May perform special projects.
Provides advice and consultation to University administrators and staff regarding Human Resources policies and procedures. Makes recommendations for new policies and policy revisions.
Evaluates and documents Human Resources processes, to ensure process improvement and efficiency.
Recommends modifications regarding existing practices to management and develops, coordinates, and implements changes as needed.
Writes and edits documents in consultation with department managers to ensure University policies, procedures, and best practices are established and followed.
Works closely with other Human Resource teams and stakeholders to ensure compliance, accuracy, and efficiency.

Employee Relations Specialist, IEngage in the development, planning, and implementation of employee relations policies and procedures. Advise, train, and consult employees on policies, performance management, corrective action, and issue resolution. Perform various employee relations duties including counseling.Requires basic skill set and proficiency. Conducts work assignments as directed. Closely supervised with little latitude for independent judgment.Typically requires a bachelor's (or equivalency) + 2 years of directly related work experience or a master's (or equivalency) degree. 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related experience.

Employee Relations Specialist, IIEngage in the development, planning, and implementation of employee relations policies and procedures. Advise, train, and consult employees on policies, performance management, corrective action, and issue resolution. Perform various employee relations duties including counseling.Requires moderate skill set and proficiency in discipline. Conducts work assignments of increasing complexity, under moderate supervision with some latitude for independent judgment.Typically requires a bachelor's (or equivalency) + 4 years or a master's (or equivalency) + 2 years of directly related work experience. 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related experience.

Minimum Qualifications
EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT: 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience (Example: bachelor's degree = 4 years of directly related work experience).
Department may hire employee at one of the following job levels:
Employee Relations Specialist, I: Requires a bachelor's (or equivalency) + 2 years of directly related work experience or a master's (or equivalency) degree.
Employee Relations Specialist, II: Requires a bachelor's (or equivalency) + 4 years or a master's (or equivalency) + 2 years of directly related work experience.

Preferences

Bilingual
Proven experience exercising strong communication and interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with all levels of staff and faculty, both verbally and in writing.
Strong organizational skills and ability to multi-task with demanding time frames.
Must possess ability to work rapidly and accurately with pressure of competing deadlines and frequent interruptions in a fast-paced, constantly changing environment.
Skilled in managing sensitive and confidential information.
Attention to detail and accuracy.
Ability to establish priorities, work independently, and proceed with objectives.
Strong knowledge of employment laws.

Special Instructions

Requisition Number: PRN42122B
Full Time or Part Time? Full Time
Work Schedule Summary: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm.Hybrid position - requires the incumbent to work a minimum of two days per week on campus.
Department: 00410 - Human Resources
Location: Campus
Pay Rate Range: $47,600 - $58,000
Close Date: 7/2/2025
Open Until Filled:

To apply, visit https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/183640