Human Resource Associate II - Labor & Employee Relations

University of Illinois Chicago; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Illinois Chicago is seeking a Labor & Employee Relations professional to participate in investigations, coordinate grievance hearings, and support disciplinary processes within a hybrid work environment in Chicago, IL.

The role emphasizes handling employee relations matters, policy review, and maintaining confidential records, with responsibilities spanning grievances, contracts, and collaboration with campus departments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Administration, Management, Organizational Administration, Public Administration, Labor Relations, Business Administration or a field closely related to the position.
• Five years of work experience performing professional-level human resources duties.
• Experience handling employee relations matters, including conducting investigations and advising management on performance, disciplinary, and conflict resolution.

Responsibilities

• Research and compile information for labor and employee relations investigations.
• Schedule grievance hearings, labor management meetings, and negotiations with unions.
• Assist managers with the disciplinary process and respond to day-to-day questions.
• Develop confidential files and logs for grievances and collective bargaining agreements.
• Write, edit and compile confidential information for reports and communications.
• Maintain logs and records for disciplinary/discharge cases and ensure they are complete and up-to-date.
• Participate in special projects as assigned.

Skills

Employee relations

Investigations

Disciplinary process

Policy review

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR or related field

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Hiring Department: Labor & Employee Relations

Location: Chicago, IL USA

Requisition ID: 1042756

FTE: 1

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 37.5 hours per week

Shift: Days

# of Positions: 1

Workplace Type: Hybrid

Salary Range (commensurate with experience): $65,000.00 - 75,000.00 / Annual Salary

About The University Of Illinois Chicago

UIC is among the nation’s preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. UIC serves over 34,000 students, comprising one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Through its 16 colleges, UIC produces nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary academic programs in concert with civic, corporate and community partners worldwide, including a full complement of health sciences colleges. By emphasizing cutting‑edge and transformational research along with a commitment to the success of all students, UIC embodies the dynamic, vibrant and engaged urban university. Recent “Best Colleges” rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, found UIC climbed up in its rankings among top public schools in the nation and among all national universities. UIC has nearly 260,000 alumni, and is one of the largest employers in the city of Chicago.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Participate in the investigation of labor and employee relations issues by researching and compiling information and coordinating within the Labor and Employee Relations department for solutions and creating action plans. Review appropriate files/policies as required.
• Schedule grievance hearings, labor management meetings, arbitration hearings, and negotiations in coordination with labor unions. Prepare, assemble and distribute labor contracts as required.
• Assist managers and supervisors with the disciplinary process to ensure consistent adherence to university policies, guidelines and procedures. Respond to managers’ questions regarding day-to-day disciplinary issues.
• Develop and maintain confidential files and log sheets for grievances, disciplinary records, collective bargaining agreements, and correspondence with unions, managers and campus departments.
• Write, edit and compile confidential information for reports, contracts, communications and meetings.
• Maintain logs and necessary work records regarding disciplinary/discharge cases and ensure they are complete, accurate and up-to-date. Secure, review and evaluate confidential documentation related to disciplinary/discharge cases.
• Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Administration, Management, Organizational Administration, Public Administration, Labor Relations, Business Administration or a field closely related to the position.
• Five years of work experience performing professional-level human resources duties.
• Experience handling employee relations matters, including conducting investigations and advising management on performance, disciplinary, and conflict resolution.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in consultation or negotiation in public sector employment that includes Civil Service employees.
• Special knowledge and skills are required to effectively triage inquiries from administrators and employees on a myriad of human resource policies and complex factual scenarios.
• Knowledge of university policy and rules, management and supervisory practices and techniques, Civil Service statutes and rules, FMLA (Family Leave Act) requirements, labor law and contracts, and collective bargaining.
• Knowledge of MS Office suite applications.
• Demonstrated effective verbal and written communication skills, mediation skills for resolving employee, employer, and union issues.

Illinois Residency is required within 180 days of employment.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

The university provides accommodations to applicants and employees. Request an Accommodation

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.