Employee Relations Specialists

University of Utah; Salt Lake City (UT); Hybrid; USD 58,000 - 71,000; Full time

Job summary

University Human Resource Management (UHRM) at the University of Utah is seeking an Employee Relations Specialist to support multiple departments across campus. The role focuses on employee relations, performance management, training recommendations, and ensuring policy compliance.

The successful candidate will advise staff and managers, document case notes, and collaborate with legal and HR teams to implement fair, consistent solutions in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills across all levels of staff and faculty.
• Experience interpreting and applying HR policies and guidelines.
• Ability to provide coaching on performance management and corrective action processes.
• Knowledge of employment laws and compliance.
• Ability to manage confidential information with discretion.

Responsibilities

• Interprets and applies University of Utah HR policies and guidelines in advising administrators, supervisors, and staff.
• Ensures compliance with federal, state, and University regulations in HR activities.
• Makes recommendations for policy changes and updates.
• Evaluates HR processes for efficiency and improvement.
• Consults with General Counsel on employment-law matters.
• Drafts and edits corrective action documents with department managers.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Training recommendations

Performance management

Policy interpretation

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Master’s degree or equivalent

Job description

Employee Relations Specialists

Open Date: 09/28/2026

Requisition Number: PRN46331B

Career Progression Track: P00

FLSA Code: Professional

Patient Sensitive Job Code?: No

Standard Hours per Week: 40

Full Time or Part Time?: Full Time

Shift: Day

Monday – Friday 8:00am – 5:00pm.

Hybrid position – requires the incumbent to work a minimum of two days per week on campus.

VP Area: President

Department: 00410 - Human Resources

Location: Campus

City: Salt Lake City, UT

Type of Recruitment: External Posting

Pay Rate Range: $58,000 - $70,500

Close Date: 12/28/2026

Priority Review Date: 10/05/2026

Job Summary

Employee Relations Specialist

University Human Resource Management (UHRM) is committed to customer service, efficiency, and ensuring University leaders have the capacity to manage their respective units. This Employee Relations (ER) Specialist will report to the Human Resources Employee Relations Associate Director. This position will support a variety of departments across the University, such as UHealth Academics, Academics and Operations. The primary focus of the Employee Relations Specialist will be supporting departments and colleges with employee relations (corrective/disciplinary actions, risk management); performance management best practices, training recommendations and providing supportive resources. This Employee Relations Specialist will assist with implementing employee relations policies and procedures, resolving or escalating complex workplace issues to ensure resolution, consistency, fairness, and legal compliance. They will advise and consult employees as needed on policies, performance management practices, the corrective action process, and resolution recommendations. The Employee Relations Specialist is also a key stakeholder for processes and procedures related to the annual performance management process.

An excellent candidate will have proven high level interpersonal qualities and experience. Applicants must have the ability to strategically listen to, evaluate, clarify and challenge information given, which leads to accurate issue spotting. A successful Employee Relations Specialist will be calm, focused and impartial when working with employees and departments in difficult situations. Accurate and effective notetaking and record keeping is of utmost importance.

This position will be a hybrid position working both remotely and in office. An employee hired into this role will be responsible for providing space, telephone, printing, networking and/or internet capabilities at the telecommute location and agree to the terms of the University of Utah Telecommuting Agreement while working remotely.

University of Utah offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

Learn more about the great benefits of working for University of Utah: benefits.utah.edu

The department may choose to hire at any of the below job levels and associated pay rates based on their business need and budget.

Responsibilities

• Interprets and applies University of Utah Human Resources policies, procedures and guidelines when providing advice and consultation to University administrators, supervisors, and staff in a variety of HR areas including; employee relations (corrective/disciplinary actions, risk management), staff performance management, conduct and behavior concerns, and training/professional development recommendations.
• Ensures compliance with federal and state laws, as well as University regulations regarding Human Resource activities.
• Makes recommendations for new policies and policy revisions.
• Evaluates and documents Human Resources processes, to ensure process improvement and efficiency.
• Consults with the Office of General Counsel on matters related to university policy and employment law.
• Recommends modifications regarding existing practices to management and develops, coordinates, and implements changes as needed.
• Assists with drafting and editing of corrective action documents in consultation with department managers to ensure University policies, procedures, and best practices are established and followed.
• Compiles and updates case notes with consistency and accuracy.
• Works closely with other Human Resource teams and stakeholders to ensure compliance, accuracy, and efficiency.
• May perform special projects or assist with facilitating UHRM management training.

Minimum Qualifications

EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT: 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience (Example: bachelor’s degree = 4 years of directly related work experience).

Department may hire employee at one of the following job levels:

• Employee Relations Specialist, I: Requires a bachelor’s (or equivalency) + 2 years of directly related work experience or a master’s (or equivalency) degree.
• Employee Relations Specialist, II: Requires a bachelor’s (or equivalency) + 4 years or a master’s (or equivalency) + 2 years of directly related work experience.
• Employee Relations Specialist, III: Requires a bachelor’s (or equivalency) + 6 years or a master’s (or equivalency) + 4 years of directly related work experience.

Preferences

• Proven experience exercising strong communication and interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with all levels of staff and faculty, both verbally and in writing.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to multi-task with demanding time frames.
• Must possess ability to work rapidly and accurately with pressure of competing deadlines and frequent interruptions in a fast-paced, constantly changing environment.
• Skilled in managing sensitive and confidential information.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to establish priorities, work independently, and proceed with objectives.
• Strong knowledge of employment laws.
• Strong emotional intelligence.
• Bilingual

Additional Information

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at [phone] for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at [phone] or [phone] or University Human Resource Management at [phone] if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.

This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.

Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy‑related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.

To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX (OEO). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at the: University of Utah Non‑Discrimination page.

Online reports may be submitted at https://oeo.utah.edu

https://publicsafety.utah.edu/safetyreport/ This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.

As per University of Utah policy 5-108: Transfer of Benefits Eligible Staff Members a new hire to the University of Utah who is still serving a 12 month probationary period will not be hired into another University of Utah job (a transfer) until the successful completion of the probationary period.

Contact Information

University Human Resource Management
250 East 200 South, Suite 125 Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Contact us: [phone] By Email: [e-mail]