Employee Relations Specialist

Western University of Health Sciences

Pomona (CA)

On-site

USD 70,000 - 75,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, CA seeks an Employee Relations Specialist to investigate complaints, advise managers, and ensure compliance with policies and regulations. The role includes training on anti-harassment and discrimination, collaboration with campus administrators, and documenting findings for formal action.

The position requires a Bachelor’s in HR or related field and 3–5 years of ER experience, with strong communication and investigative skills.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree with emphasis in Human Resources, or Business Administration, or related field.
Three–five years conducting investigations or handling employee relations matters.
Ability to conduct effective presentations.

Responsibilities

Develop an investigation plan for each HR complaint and/or grievance; Contact involved parties and provide them with information about the investigation process; Interview complainants and respondents; Identify and interview witnesses; Gather and secure relevant documentation; Identify other information that would be helpful to the case adjudicator and the appeal officer.
Communicate, consult regularly and provide updates to Director of ER and other staff members, as appropriate.
Provide detailed, unbiased and comprehensive reports to the Director of ER and the appeal officer; Maintain accurate and thorough records and notes of investigatory process that describe evidence and proposed sanctions related to confirmed violations.
Guide and counsel supervisors on proper management of employee complaints and grievances that involve inter-personal issues.
Present information to educate students, faculty and staff on the University’s policies and procedures on anti-harassment and discrimination. Train constituents on services available related to prevention and intervention of misconduct. Deliver other training as needed.

Skills

HR/ER best practices

Regulations compliance

Record keeping

MS Office

Education

Bachelors in HR/Business

Job description

As you take your first step onto a Western University of Health Sciences campus, each path, each person, each structure comes with a transformative story. WesternU is more than the practice of medicine. We are defined by character and culture.

At WesternU, you will discover humanism at the heart of every interaction: a warm welcome, a sincere smile, a positive word, a kind deed, a thoughtful gesture. You will see students work together on case studies; a parade of pets in campus parks; student clubs offering opportunities for career growth and community involvement; and faculty, staff and students designing their future and the future of WesternU. We display a collaborative mindset in how we operate, educate, and serve others.

Although, geographically, we are two campuses - as humanists, we are one: to enhance and extend the quality of life in our communities and achieve excellence in everything we do. We attract diverse, professional faculty, staff and students that thrive in an environment of humanistic health care education. Join our team of faculty and staff and make a difference.

Position Title

Position Title Employee Relations Specialist

Position Control Number

Position Control Number A01032

Type of Position

Type of Position Administration

Position Status

Position Status Full-time

Department

Department 5701-Human Resources

Campus

Campus Western University Campus-Pomona, CA

Position Location

Position Location California

Job Summary

Under the supervision of the Senior Manager of Employee Relations, this position will address issues related to employee relations, complaints, grievances, claims, and cases. Assist in meeting applicable standards, regulations, and best practices. Conduct review and investigations of alleged student, faculty, staff, and outside third-party misconduct, including but not limited to the preparation of comprehensive reports of investigations, findings, recommendations for appropriate action, and consulting campus administrators to facilitate recommendations and proposed sanctions. Advise supervisors on employee performance management and counseling/corrective actions. Conduct and coordinate training programs related to employee relations and organizational development. Address inquiries from government agencies (e.g. EEOC , EDD , FEHA ). Administration and case management of terminations, wage and hour, and other employee services in compliance with regulatory requirements.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Individuals must possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities or be able to perform the essential functions of the assigned classification, with or without reasonable accommodation(s), using some other combination of skills and abilities. Necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities are as follows:

Knowledge of:

Human Resources/Employee Relations best practices, compliance with employment laws and regulations.
College, department, and/or program organization, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations related to the area of assignment.
Record keeping, filing, file sharing, and filing systems methods and techniques.
Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Teams).

Skills:

Active listening, engaging, and responsive communication.
Effective interpersonal skills including interaction with administration, management, faculty, staff, students, and other external contacts.
Effective multitasking skills specific to the organization and management of concurrent projects and assigned priorities.
Utilizing a wide array of office equipment and machines related to the area of assignment.
Planning and organizational skills.

Ability to:

Independently perform the assigned responsibilities of the position.
Interpret, apply, and explain rules, regulations, policies, and procedures related to the area of assignment.
Work with multiple and changing priorities related to the area of assignment.
Effectively conduct investigations and remain neutral.
Compose correspondence and other written materials.
Approach complex problems logically and systematically. Plan, organize, and prioritize schedules and workload to meet timelines.
Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
Demonstrate initiative and motivation working in a team atmosphere.
Work well under pressure.
Accomplish goals by working through formal and informal channels with diplomacy and tactfulness.
Provide proactive completion and improvement of all office tasks.
Utilize computer software programs, applications, platforms, databases, and peripheral equipment related to the area of assignment.
Understand and follow verbal and written directions.
Understand the scope of authority in making decisions.
Demonstrate a commitment to working in an organization that values and promotes humanism.

Required Qualifications

Experience:

Bachelor’s degree with emphasis in Human Resources, or Business Administration, or a related field.
Three – five years conducting investigations or handling employee relations matters. Ability to conduct effective presentations.

Preferred Qualifications

SHRM -CP or PHR credential preferred.

Key Responsibilities

Develop an investigation plan for each HR complaint and/or grievance; Contact involved parties and provide them with information about the investigation process; Interview complainants and respondents; Identify and interview witnesses; Gather and secure relevant documentation; Identify other information that would be helpful to the case adjudicator and the appeal officer.
Communicate, consult regularly and provide updates to Director of ER and other staff members, as appropriate.
Provide detailed, unbiased and comprehensive reports to the Director of ER and the appeal officer; Maintain accurate and thorough records and notes of investigatory process that describe evidence and proposed sanctions related to confirmed violations.
Guide and counsel supervisors on proper management of employee complaints and grievances that involve inter-personal issues.

Key Responsibilities

Present information to educate students, faculty, and staff on the University’s policies and procedures on anti-harassment and discrimination. Train constituents on services available related to prevention and intervention of misconduct. Deliver other training as needed.
Assist law enforcement personnel and University security officers in handling reports and complaints of sexual assault and related misconduct. Provide testimony related to matters regarding student, faculty, and staff misconduct to outside agencies.
Recommend appropriate changes and updates to the University’s anti-harassment and discrimination policy and procedures, as well as other policies of the Office of Human Resources.
Stay abreast of current developments in the field of investigations and changes to applicable regulations (such as Title VI, Title VII , Title IX, and Clery Act).

Key Responsibilities

Advise departments, faculty and staff on a broad spectrum of employment issues, such as but not limited to leave of absence, workers’ compensation, performance management, wage and hour, and policies & procedures of the Office of Human Resources.
Represent WesternU at EDD , EEOC , work comp, and other agency hearings.
Assure University compliance with federal, state, and public agency monitoring and reporting requirements including administration of harassment, discrimination, Title IX training and other mandated polices.
Administer work environment surveys such as The Chronicle and climate surveys under Title IX.
Administer and manage leave of absences, workers’ compensation claims, terminations, exit meetings, and related tasks in coordination with employment, payroll, grants and research, benefits, international programs, and other departments as appropriate, including responding to unemployment claims.
Process and maintain records of educational tuition reimbursements and tuition remissions.
Process and respond to subpoena for records and employee requests for record review.

Key Responsibilities

Other duties as assigned.
This position description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job. It is intended, however, to be an accurate reflection of those principal job elements essential for making decisions related to job performance, employee development and compensation. As such, the employee may perform other duties and responsibilities as required.

Posting Details Continued

Work Schedule

Regular work hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and may include working evenings, weekends and/or holidays, as needed.
Travel may be required for various off-site meetings, trainings, conferences, and/or events in support of the overall objective of the position.

We believe in making an impact in the lives of our employees, personally, and professionally. Every employee has different individual and/or family needs. We offer benefits that are both comprehensive and flexible to address your unique needs. It is our belief that work-life harmony is positive and achievable.

We offer competitive salaries, generous paid time off, insurance plans, reimbursements, and retirement benefits. Additionally,

Our faculty, staff, and administrators are 100% focused on student success.

Our University culture creates the context for a nurturing and supportive environment.

Faculty, staff, and students can expect to make deep, personal relationships within the University community.

As a Faculty, Staff, or Student at WesternU, you can focus on work that you love, be your authentic self, and lead to the future with innovation in health sciences.

WesternU’s core value of humanism encourages all to bring their whole self in all that they do.

We are committed to fostering a culture of respect, equity, collaboration, and fun at all levels for all people!

Expected Pay Scale

Minimum

Minimum $70,000.00 Annually

Maximum

Maximum $75,000.00 Annually

Physical Demands

Do the essential functions of this job require lifting?

Do the essential functions of this job require lifting? Yes

If yes, list maximum weight and duration

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this classification, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk, and/or stand; move and/or walk about the University, campus, and office sites; speak or hear, both in person and by telephone. Use hands repetitively to perform fine/gross finger dexterity and manipulation; handle, feel, or operate computer and standard office equipment; reach with hands and arms; and occasionally lift and carry up to 10 pounds unassisted and up to 50 pounds with assistance; must frequently sit and/or stand for long periods of time. The employee may be required to bend at the waist, kneel, stoop, crouch, and/or smell. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus and view a variety of computer screens, printed documents, and instructions.

Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this class, the employee is regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve problems; observe and interpret people and situations; learn and apply new information or skills; perform highly detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks; use math/mathematical reasoning; perform highly detailed work under changing priorities and deadlines on multiple concurrent tasks; work with frequent interruptions, and interact with University faculty, staff, management, administrators, students, public, educational institutions, and others encountered the course of work.

Describe Work Environment

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND CONDITIONS :

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee works in an office environment and is frequently exposed to interruptions from management, faculty, staff, students, and the public in the normal course of work. The employee may be exposed to moderate noise levels depending on the activity of the office or working environment assigned.

Working Conditions

Work is performed primarily indoors where minimal safety considerations exist. The employee may be assigned a flexible and varying work schedule based on the needs of the campus and/or department including evenings and weekends, as needed.

The employee may be exposed to inclement weather conditions such as heat, cold, and humidity depending on the area of assignment when moving about university buildings, offices, and other sites.

To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Posting Information

Posting Number

Posting Number A00907

Posting Date

Posting Date 09/24/2025

Close Date

Close Date 09/24/2026

Open Until Filled Yes

Conditions of Employment - Background Check

To secure employment, successful fulfillment of a background check, including a criminal records check, may be required. Western University of Health Sciences will extend a conditional offer of employment, subject to rescission if the background check unveils disqualifying information or if it is found that the candidate deliberately withheld or misrepresented information. Non-completion of the background check to satisfaction may impact the ongoing employment of a current Western University of Health Sciences employee who received a conditional offer for the position.

Pay Transparency Act

Pay Transparency Act- Western University of Health Sciences is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range considers various factors in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The Expected Pay Scale is defined as the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. Placement within the Expected Pay Scale is determined by internal equity and relevant qualifications.

Equal Opportunity Statement (EEO)

It is the policy of Western University to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment as required by law without regard to age, race, color, national origin ancestry, citizenship, ethnicity, creed, religion or religious creed, sex or gender (including gender identity), marital status, sexual orientation, disability (both physical and mental) including HIV and AIDS, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), pregnancy (which includes childbirth, breastfeeding and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding), age, genetic information, military and veteran status, or any other applicable protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.This policy applies to all employment practices within WesternU including without limitation, hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoffs, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, and training. WesternU makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merits, and business needs at the time.

Required Documents

Resume

Optional Documents

Cover Letter

Letter of Recommendation #1

Letter of Recommendation #2

Letter of Recommendation #3

Additional Applicant Document

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).