Employment Relations Specialist II

This position is located within the campus Office of Workforce Relations and reports to the Director of Workforce Relations.

The position's responsibilities primarily involve the support and management of the employment relations program for all categories of UW-Madison employees, this may include, but is not limited to, faculty, university staff, academic staff, graduate assistants, limited appointees, employees-in- training, and/or student hourly staff. Key functions include: (1) providing knowledgeable and experienced consultation and guidance rooted in applicable employment law and policy to HR Representatives and HR directors, deans, directors, chairs, faculty, supervisors and/or management, and employees on all types of employee relations cases (including, but not limited to: performance management, due process and just cause, progressive discipline, termination for cause, layoff, non-renewals, probationary/evaluation periods, job security, 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; (2) providing interpretation, guidance, and best practice on campus human resources policies and procedures; (3) developing and presenting resources and education to support campus human resources policies and procedures; (4) actively listening to complex employee relations cases and offering solid and experienced guidance and options for resolution; (5) establishing strong business partnerships with all parties (employee groups, management, governance, etc.)

UW-Madison has over 26,755 faculty and staff located in 36 colleges, schools, and divisions. This position is integral in supporting human resource programs that allow the university to attract, hire, and retain talent in all positions.

• 20% Advises employees, supervisors, managers, and human resources staff regarding sensitive employee relations matters and documents activities according to established polices and procedures while ensuring institution-wide consistency in application of situational outcomes
• 10% Collaborates with university stakeholders on employee/employment relations matters, including matters that overlap with their offices and/or areas of specialty
• 10% Consults with employees, employee representatives, supervisory staff, and various campus offices seeking information and advice regarding a variety of employment relations issues, provides information and advice, and assists in resolution of the issue to the extent required
• 5% Collaborates with governance groups and campus stakeholders regarding the development and administration of policies, procedures, and appeals related to employment relations issues
• 5% Serves as a liaison to internal and external campus stakeholders regarding employee relations issues
• 10% Drafts, updates, and presents training material for the university employment relations program
• 5% Collaborates across division, units, and/or functional teams to bridge ideas and ensure cohesive strategies, structures, and concepts
• 5% Develops policies aligned with campus objectives and institutional employee relations strategies, and guides employees and divisions through employment relations policies and procedures
• 10% Guides divisions in grievance issues, employee disciplinary transactions and terminations, performance management, and workplace leave matters. Hears and adjudicates grievances and manages appeals
• 5% Works with OHR functional teams and campus stakeholders on complicated leave of absence and ADA accommodation cases that crossover with employee relations cases for the same employees
• 5% Advises on job security and ending appointments in the context of layoff, non-renewal, and probationary/evaluation periods
• 5% Advises on workplace investigations
• 5% Case management and data tracking
  
  

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: Diversity and Inclusion

Required
Bachelor's Degree in human resources management, public administration, business/management, or related field

Required:
- Experience with reviewing, interpreting, and advising on campus-wide employee policies and procedures, and providing training about the same. Knowledgeable and consistent with what the policies require. Ensure a fair and objective application of policies and procedures

- Experience consulting and advising human resources professionals, management, leaders, and all types of employee categories at various stages of the employee life cycle regarding employment relations matters, including, but not limited to:
- Performance management
- Adverse employment action, including discipline and terminations for cause
- Grievances, appeals, and other formal and informal conflict remedies
- Leaves of absence (including FMLA/WFMLA) and workplace accommodations under the ADA when these issues intersect with employee relations cases
- Employment protections (including knowledge and experience with applicable employment/employee federal and state laws, administrative code and regulations, Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regent Resolutions, and applicable campus policies and rules)
- Job security tools and options
- Ending appointments due to layoff, non-renewal, or termination during evaluation or probationary period
- Workplace investigations

- A strong record providing well-thought-out, consistent, and fair guidance that is supported by policy/rule/law in complex employee relations cases. The ability and experience to anticipate needs and offer information related to the same

- The ability to seek and engage subject matter experts for support and guidance when and where appropriate, developing and sustaining collaborative work relationships in the process, and operating as a strong team player

- Just as teamwork is critical to this job, the proven ability to operate with confidence and independence while following applicable policies, procedure, and best practice with cases that can be ambiguous and nuanced and require a careful case-by-case analysis is a must

- The ability to exercise sound professional judgment, identify potential solutions to complex cases and problems, and anticipate needs before they arise to ensure a successful resolution aligned with applicable policies and procedures

- Experience with and willingness to act as a subject matter expert for special projects, assignments, meetings, presentations, and workgroups for a variety of employee relations matters

- Excellent verbal and written communication skills

- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail

- Ability to multitask and handle a high-volume and fast-paced work environment

Preferred:
- Minimum 5 years of experience in senior-level employee relations position or other senior level human resources position

- Experience in a higher education institution, state, or government agency

- Proficient with Windows-based software, Microsoft Office Suite (especially Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Teams, SharePoint) Google apps, Box, Adobe products, secure file sharing, and human resources systems such as HRS, PeopleSoft, OBIEE, JEMS, Workday

Full Time: 100%

This position may require some work to be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location. Some work may be performed remotely, at an offsite, non-campus work location.

Ongoing/Renewable

Negotiable
ANNUAL (12 months)
Actual pay is determined at hire and is based on experience and qualifications.

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 https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/fasl.pdf.

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.

To begin the application process, click the "apply now" button. Please submit a cover letter and resume with:
- Your related work experience, professional background, and qualifications with attention to experience related to human resources and/or employment relations work experience.

- Your experience collaborating and/or supporting complex human resources and/or employment relations cases with multiple stakeholders.

- Your experience providing consistent and professional customer service to all levels of an organization in the face of nuanced and sometimes ambiguous case challenges.

- Please pay close attention to the required qualifications section of this job posting and be sure to provide sufficient information in your materials demonstrating your strengths and experience with those required qualifications.

Please note applicant materials will serve as a sample to reflect written communication skills.

Emma Voight
emma.sippel@wisc.edu
608-262-8152
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.

Empl Rel Spec II (Inst)(HR054)

A02-GENERAL SERVICES/OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES/WORKFORCE REL

Academic Staff-Renewable

309188-AS