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Employee Relations Specialist
- University of Utah (Salt Lake City, UT)
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Details
**Open Date** 06/06/2025
**Requisition Number** PRN42122B
**Job Title** Employee Relations Specialists
**Working Title** Employee Relations Specialist
**Job Grade** P00
**FLSA Code** Professional
**Patient Sensitive Job Code?** No
**Standard Hours per Week** 40
**Full Time or Part Time?** Full Time
**Shift** Day
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.
**VP Area** President
**Department** 00410 - Human Resources
**Location** Campus
**City** Salt Lake City, UT
**Type of Recruitment** External Posting
**Pay Rate Range** $47,600 - $58,000
**Close Date** 07/02/2025
**Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time)** 06/18/2025
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, I
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.
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, II
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.
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.
**Type** Benefited Staff
Special Instructions Summary
Additional Information
_The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students from diverse backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education for historically underrepresented students._
_Individuals from historically underrepresented groups, such as minorities, women, qualified persons with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply. Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities._
_The University of Utah is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both._
_To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action:_
_Director/ Title IX Coordinator_
_Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action ( OEO /AA)_
_383 University Street, Level 1 OEO Suite_
_Salt Lake City, UT 84112_
_801-581-8365_
_Online reports may be submitted at_ **oeo.utah.edu**
_For more information:_
https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/
_To inquire about this posting, email:_
_or call 801-581-2300._
_The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules._
_This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen._
_https://safety.utah.edu/safetyreport This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South._
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