Employment Relations Specialist

Job Details

Salary:
Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.

Job Category:Academic Staff

Employment Type:Regular

Job Profile:Empl Rel Spec

Job Summary:

Under the supervision of the Workforce Relations Lead, the Employment Relations Specialist position provides comprehensive support of employee relations activities within the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Division of Facilities Planning & Management (FP&M).

This role requires a strong commitment to customer service, demonstrated through the ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with managers, supervisors, coworkers, and customers. The Employment Relations Specialist is responsible for handling sensitive information with tact, discretion, and a high degree of professionalism.

Key functions of this role include:

• Providing consultation and guidance rooted in employment law and policy, including, but not limited to: performance management, due process and just cause, progressive discipline, termination for cause, probationary/evaluation periods, grievance/appeal, workplace investigations, threats in the workplace, and the intersection of medical leaves of absence and/or ADA accommodations that overlap with employee relations matters.
• Providing interpretation, guidance, and best practice on campus human resources policies and procedures.
• Actively listening to a wide range of employee relations cases and offering guidance and options for resolution.

Ongoing/Renewable

Full-Time: 100% FTE

Hours are generally scheduled Monday through Friday, 7:45am-4:30pm, with occasional night shift hours.

This position is eligible for partial remote work. Remote work requires an approved remote work agreement (RWA) agreement. An RWA requires successful candidates to possess their own high-speed internet and phone to perform the work on a university provided computer. Per University policy, transportation between home and assigned work location is not payable/reimbursable and will be at the expense of the employee.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Advises employees, supervisors, managers, and human resources staff regarding sensitive employee issues and documents activities according to established polices and procedures
• Schedules logistics and secures resources for managers regarding the resolution of workforce relations issues
• Act as the primary Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) for FP&M
• Assists in the development and delivery of programs and policies aligned with unit objectives and institutional employee relations strategies
• Serves as subject matter expert for employee relations policies and processes within a designated focus area or work unit
• Participates in grievance issues, employee disciplinary transactions and terminations, and exit interviews

Department:

Division of Facilities Planning & Management (FP&M), Office of the Associate Vice Chancellor, Human Resources

About FP&M:

FP&M is a full-spectrum service organization that builds, maintains, and operates the physical environment of UW-Madison in the university's education, research, and outreach activities. We are responsible for everything from the building projects that change the face of campus to the flowers that beautify the grounds.

As an Employment Relations Specialist, you will support the workforce behind FP&M’s complex, 24/7 operation comprised of more than 1,300 employees across eight departments; this includes employees that do not speak English. Find out more about our Division: https://inside.fpm.wisc.edu/about-fpm/.

Compensation:

The minimum salary for this position is $62,000 but is negotiable and commensurate with experience.

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off, competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance, tax-advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund. For a summary of benefits, please see the Academic Staff Benefits Summary.

Required Qualifications:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to adapt communication style to meet different audiences and situational needs
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to multitask and handle competing priorities in a dynamic work environment
• Experienced with Windows-based software, Microsoft Office Suite, and secure file sharing
• Comfortable learning new technologies and integrating them into daily workflows

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in employee/labor relations, including, but not limited to, the development and consultation of policies and procedures, recommending dispute remedies, and establishing strong partnership with all parties (e.g. employees, supervisors, governance groups, etc.)
• Experience working in higher education, state or government agency, or facilities or manufacturing environment
• Experience working in a multi-shift, multi-lingual employee population

Education:

Required: Bachelor’s Degree with focus in HR, Organizational Psychology or related field OR minimum of four (4) years’ professional experience in Human Resources field.

Preferred: PHR or SHRM-CP

How to Apply:

To begin the application process, go to the “” section of the job posting.

The following is required for your application to be considered complete:

• (1) Resume detailing your educational and professional background
• (2) Cover letter describing how your experience relates to the listed required and preferred job qualifications

Please note: There is only one attachment field. You must upload all of your documents in the attachment field, either as one combined document or separate documents.

A search committee will review all application materials after the posted deadline. We will notify selected applicants to participate further in the selection process directly.