Employee Relations Specialist- HR

Wichita State University; Wichita (KS); On-site; USD 59,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Wichita State University in Wichita, KS seeks an experienced Employee Relations/HR professional to navigate complex situations with curiosity, sound judgment, and fairness. You’ll be a trusted resource for employees and leaders across the University, supporting internal dispute resolution, workplace investigations, mediation, risk mitigation, stay interviews, and culture checks.

You’ll listen carefully and ask the right questions to turn difficult situations into constructive steps.

Qualifications

• 60 hours of undergraduate coursework in business administration.
• Seven years of experience in human resources or related field.
• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Employment Law, or related field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Internal dispute resolution.
• Conduct investigations individually or as part of a joint team.
• Risk mitigation or mediation.
• Facilitate stay interviews or culture checks.

Skills

Advanced interviewing

Active listening

Legal report writing

Emotional intelligence

Labor and employment regs

Policy development

Computer literacy

Stakeholder relations

Conflict resolution

Data analysis

Education

60 hours of undergrad coursework in business administration

Seven years of HR experience

Bachelor’s degree in HR/Business or Employment Law

Job description

Department:

Human Resources

Campus Location:

Wichita, KS - WSU Main Campus

Hire Type:

Full Time

Pay:

Salary range beginning $65,700, with small adjustmentbased on qualifications

Work Schedule:

Mon- Fri, general business hours (occasionalneed for evenings);work is performed on-site and in person.

Export Compliance Requirement:

No export controlrequirement.

Job Story

Workplace challenges are rarely black and white. We’re looking antecipulated? No, the text says: "We’re looking foran experienced Employee Relations/HR professional who can navigatecomplex situations with curiosity, sound judgment, and a commitmentto fairness."

In this role, you’ll serve as a trusted resource for employees andleaders across the University, supporting internal disputeresolution, workplace investigations, mediation, risk mitigation,stay interviews, and culture checks. You’ll listen carefully, askthe questions others may miss, identify emerging issues, and helpturn difficult situations into constructive next steps. Success inthis role requires the ability to uncover critical information,handle resistance diplomatically, actively listen, answer questionsthoroughly, and remain patient and composed during everyinteraction

You’ll conduct thorough interviews, maintain accurate andconfidential documentation, prepare clear investigative reports,and apply a working knowledge of federal, state, and localemployment laws and regulations, including EEOC and labor-relatedrequirements.

The ideal candidate builds rapport quickly while maintainingprofessional boundaries, remains impartial when perspectivesconflict, and brings high emotional intelligence to handlesensitive conversations with respect and discretion. You’ll need tobe equally comfortable working independently and partnering with HRcolleagues, University leaders, and other stakeholders aspriorities evolve.

Job Summary

Plans, organizes and performs highly complex professional,technical and analytical work to implement human resourcesprograms, policies and procedures related to human resourcesfunctional area.

Essential Functions

Consults with and proactively advises Human Resources BusinessPartners and leadership on human resources programs, policies andprocedures. Provides prompt resolution of requests and questionsspecific to functional area, which may have been escalated due tothe specialized and highly complex nature. Serves as a subjectmatter expert in functional area; works closely with leaders tounderstand, refine and prioritize their needs. Performs complexdata analysis utilizing internal and external data to assist withdecision making. Retrieves and organizes data for internalutilization and reporting. Evaluates programs, policies andprocedures to assess effective utilization of resources and ensureprogress on University's strategic initiatives. Formulates,develops, recommends and/or implements action for program and/orprocess improvement. Leads and/or participates in human resourcesprojects.

Job Duties

• Internal dispute resolution.
• Conduct investigations individually or as part of a jointteam.
• Risk mitigation or mediation.
• Facilitate stay interviews or culture checks.

Required Education and Experience:

• 60 hours of undergraduate college coursework in businessadministration.
• Seven (7) years of experience in human resources or relatedfield. An additional 60 hours of undergraduate college courseworkcan be substituted for two (2) years of experience and 30 hours ofgraduate coursework can be substituted for an additional two (2)years of experience.

Required License/Certifications/Training:

None

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Advanced interviewing and active listening techniques;
• Professional and legally defensible report writing;
• High emotional intelligence and impartiality;
• Advanced knowledge of labor and employment regulations;
• Ability to create, review and revise employment & relatedpolicy;
• Adept in use of a computer to access, interpret, and recordinformation;
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationshipswith coworkers, leaders, staff and faculty, employees of other
• Departments, representatives of outside agencies and otherstakeholders;
• Tactical communication skills to provide advice and counsel indifficult conflicts and disputes;
• Ability to research and analyze data to create executiverecommendations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in human resource management, EmployeeRelations, Business Administration, Employment Law, or LaborRelations.
• Direct experience conducting workplace investigations in highereducation.
  HR Business Partner or Employee Relations experience is preferred,particularly experience working within complex organizationalsystems such as higher education.

Physical Requirements:

Ability to communicate with others and accurately exchangeinformation. Ability to operate a computer and other officeequipment including but not limited to phone, printers, copiers,and calculators. Ability to remain in a stationary position.