Employee Relations Consultant

Department: Human Resources - 35700

Brief Summary of Work for this position:

The Human Resources Employee Relations Consultant is responsible for advising and guiding employees and managers in employee relations issues through analyzing individual situations and determines appropriate interventions; one-on-one counseling, coaching or development of individualized employee development tools, and providing follow-up to ensure performance accountability; interventions aimed at improving the effectiveness of work teams, and supervisory development.

This position serves as a fact-finder and provides consultation in harassment cases as well as managing the mediation process for faculty and staff and facilitating the staff grievance process. Assists with Fitness for Duty determinations, threat assessments associated with potential workplace violence, fact finding for complaints of discrimination, harassment, retaliation and providing guidance and consultation to others engaged in the fact finding role. Position will facilitate various training programs on topics related to Harassment Awareness, Performance Management, Leadership Development as well as other relevant training topics as assigned.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

• Graduation from a four-year college or university and two years of progressively responsible experience analyzing, interpreting, applying, communicating and promoting HR best practices in the context of organizational goals and objectives; or an equivalent combination of training and experience
  
  
• Degrees must be from appropriately accredited institutions

  Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills & Experience :

  • Bachelor's and/or Master's degree in human resources is preferred
    
  • Two + years of direct experience in employee relations (counseling, performance management diversity, supervisory development, conflict resolution, etc.)
    
  • Employee Relations experience in a higher education environment is preferred
    
  • Employee Relations experience within the UNC System is preferred
    
  • Familiarity with applicable state and federal laws and regulations including, but not limited to, FLSA, EEO/AA, ADA, Workers' Compensation, FMLA, DOL, EEOC, OSHR, and other relevant areas of compliance
    
  • Experience conducting investigations and associated report writing
    
  • Experience developing and implementing employee and supervisory training programs
    
  • Experience with conflict management/resolution and facilitating grievance processes
    
  • Experience building effective working relationships with individuals and groups
    
  • Experience coaching and mentoring managers on the process of performance evaluation
    
  • Experience managing highly sensitive, conflict situations that can be unpredictable
    
  • Experience working in a confidential environment and handling sensitive information
    
  • Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills to work with diverse constituents
    
  • Ability to listen actively, persuade and influence others to resolve differences
    
  • Ability to interpret and administer a variety of human resources policies and processes
    
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team
    
  • Strong critical thinking skills and analytical ability to conduct research, analyze information, evaluate problems, identify solutions and provide guidance on diverse and complex organizational matters
    
  • Strong customer service orientation
    
  • Strong organizational skills to manage employee relations caseload independently
  • Demonstrates a sense of urgency and commitment to work and willingly assumes responsibility for accomplishing objectives; is reliable, and diligently follows through on commitment
    
  • Demonstrates the ability to concentrate on a task and meet deadlines, despite interruptions and competing priorities and demands
    
  • Proficiency with technology and software programs including MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Zoom, Teams, SharePoint, databases, and other software/internet applications

    Required Certifications or Licensure:

    • NC OSHR Mediation certification preferred
      
    • SHRM-CP or SCP certification preferred

      Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit:

      The Human Resources Department is organized into five core units: Talent Acquisition, Employee Relations, Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS), Employee Leadership, Learning & Engagement, and Salary Administration, Compensation & Benefits. Each of these core units provides a full range of professional human resources services to the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.
      The Associate Vice Chancellor for Human Resources is further responsible for directing EHRA and SAAO employment and compensation administration, coordinating faculty recruitment, and exercising EEO/AA approval authority on behalf of the Chancellor for all hiring and promotional decisions. The position management function includes EHRA/SHRA status determinations for all positions campus-wide and decentralized classification authority. Salary & benefits administration includes EHRA and faculty positions as well as SHRA position with decentralized authority as well.

      Applicant Instructions:

      PLEASE NOTE: This posting will close at 11:59PM on the posted closing date. To receive full consideration, please be sure you have fully completed the entire application before you apply for this position. Failure to answer all required questions will cause the system to disqualify your application.

      For more info/to apply visit http://jobs.uncw.edu. Applications must be submitted through the online application system to be considered.

      You will be required to attach a cover letter and resume to successfully apply for this position. To receive full consideration, please be sure you have completed the ‘Work History’ section of the application before you apply for this position.

      This position is being recruited at the Journey level. If no applicants apply who meet the required competency and training & experience requirements, then management may consider other applicants. Salary would be determined based on competencies, equity, budget, and market considerations.

      AA/EEO Statement:

      At the University of North Carolina at Wilmington (UNCW), our culture reflects our values of inclusion, diversity, globalization, ethics and integrity and innovation and we are committed to providing equality of educational and employment opportunity for all persons without regard to race, sex (such as gender, gender identity, marital status, childbirth, and pregnancy), age, color, national origin (including ethnicity), religion, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, veteran status, military service member status, genetic information, or relationship to other university constituents – except where sex, age, or ability represent bona fide educational or occupational qualifications or where marital status is a statutorily established eligibility criterion for State funded employee benefit programs. UNCW believes that embracing the unique contributions of our faculty, staff and students is critical to our success and paramount in being recognized for our global mindset.