Employee Relations Consultant

Posting Details
Benefits of Working at UNCW
Ready to become a soaring UNCW Seahawk and work at one of the premier universities on the East Coast? Imagine putting your toes in the sand after a fulfilling day at work! The University of North Carolina Wilmington offers a vibrant university community nestled just miles from the beautiful beach.

Why choose UNCW? Here's what makes us stand out:

• Comprehensive Benefits Package: We provide a variety of choices to best fit your needs and those of your family. Full-time employees are eligible for dental, vision, and health insurance plans, with health insurance benefits starting on the first of the month following your hire date.
• Retirement Plans: Choose between a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan, with employer contributions starting on your eligibility date.
• Tuition Waiver Program: Full-time employees can take up to three undergraduate or graduate courses per academic year at UNCW or any other university within the UNC System, plus one UNCW course each summer session, all covered by UNCW.
• Wellness and Recreation: Enjoy a free membership to the Campus Recreation Center, free vaccine and booster shots, meditation and yoga sessions, and voluntary supplemental insurance coverages.
• Work/Life Balance: Benefit from pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays, 24 hours of paid community service leave, paid vacation and sick leave accrual, and personal time off.
• Professional Development: Take advantage of learning and development programs through the Dare to Learn Academy and the employee assistance program, many of which are offered free of charge.

Join us at UNCW and experience a welcoming and collaborative work environment. Apply today!

Hiring Range
Determined based on qualifications and/or experience

Working Title
Employee Relations Consultant

External Link to Posting
https://jobs.uncw.edu/postings/34040

Vacancy Number
E1259

Position Number
8282

Location of Workplace
Main UNCW Campus

Home Department
Human Resources - 35700

Division
Chancellor - 25000 Division

Brief Summary of Work for this Position
The Employee Relations Consultant advises and maintains positive working relationships with supervisors and employees and works collaboratively to address a wide range of HR-related issues in the workplace and constructively improve work relationships, build morale and engagement, and increase productivity and retention. The position provides broad-scope consultation and intervention for managers and employees, using discretion, sound judgment to manage sensitive and confidential personnel matters. The position requires an individual with strong critical thinking skills, who is self-directed, able to work independently, and take initiative to perform the following:

Employee Relations

• Conducting meetings and providing guidance on performance, employee/management rights, conflicts, and policy interpretation.
• Managing workplace investigations and grievance processes.
• Handling employee relations cases and advises on policy application.

Formal Complaint Investigations

• Conducting investigations on policy violations and formal complaints.
• Preparing detailed reports, making recommendations, and collaborating with leadership on outcomes.
• Maintaining investigative files and responding to external inquiries.

Compliance Education and Program Development (15%)

• Promoting positive employee relations programs.
• Developing and facilitating compliance related educational workshops.
• Collaborating on training content and analyzing data for HR strategies/interventions.

Administration (5%)

• Staying updated on laws and policies.
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams on HR matters.
• Participating in other HR projects and professional development as requested.

Note: This Human Resources Consultant II position is designated as Exempt from the Human Resources Act (EHRA).

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

• Education: Master's degree or Juris Doctorate in a closely related field preferred.
• Experience:
  • 2+ years in employee relations (counseling, performance management, grievances, investigations, supervisory development, conflict resolution).
  • Experience in higher education and within the UNC System.
  • Conducting investigations and report writing.
  • Developing and implementing training programs.
  • Conflict management/resolution and facilitating grievance processes.
  • Building effective working relationships.
  • Coaching and mentoring managers.
  • Managing sensitive and unpredictable conflict situations.
  • Working in a confidential environment.
  
  
• Skills:
  • Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication.
  • Active listening, persuasion, and influence.
  • Interpreting and administering HR policies.
  • Independent and team work.
  • Critical thinking and analytical skills.
  • Customer service orientation.
  • Strong organizational skills.
  • Proficiency with MS Office, Zoom, Teams, SharePoint, databases, and other software (HR Acuity, PeopleAdmin).
  
  
  
  
• Certifications:
  • NC OSHR Mediation certification.
  • SHRM-CP or SCP certification.
  
  
  
  

Required Certifications or Licensures

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit
The UNCW Office of Human Resources and Equal Opportunity within the Chancellor's Division is the central office responsible for HR operations and Title IX and Clery compliance. It is organized into seven core units: Academic HR, Benefits, Classification & Compensation, Employee Relations & Engagement, HR Systems & Salary Administration, Talent Acquisition, and Title IX and Clery Compliance.

College/School Information

University Information
The University of North Carolina Wilmington, the state's coastal university, is dedicated to the integration of teaching, mentoring, research and service. Widely acknowledged for its world-class faculty and staff and continuously recognized at a national level for scholarly excellence and affordability, UNCW offers a powerful academic experience that stimulates creative inquiry and critical thinking and a community rich in diversity, inclusion and global perspectives.

A public institution with nearly 18,000 students, UNCW offers a full range of baccalaureate- and graduate-level programs, as well as doctoral degrees in educational leadership, marine biology, nursing practice and psychology; and many distance learning options, including clinical research, an accelerated RN-to-BSN program, an Executive M.B.A. program structured for working professionals, and the nation's only bachelor's degree program focused on coastal engineering.

The university's efforts to advance research and scholarly activities have earned UNCW the elevated designation of "Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity" institution (R2 University) by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

UNCW has been part of the University of North Carolina System since 1969.

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.

Eligibility for Employment
Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. UNC Wilmington participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

Number of Openings
Single Incumbent

Special Notes to Applicants

PLEASE NOTE: This posting is open until filled. To receive full consideration, please be sure you have fully completed the entire application, including the 'Work History' section before you apply for this position. Applications must be submitted through the online application system to be considered.

Months Per Year
12 Months

FTE
1.0 (40 hours per week)

Type of Position
Permanent

Anticipated Ending Date if Time-Limited Positions

Job Posting Date
10/28/2024

Posting Close Date