Employee Relations Specialist

Overview

Utah State University Human Resources invites applications for the position of Employee Relations Specialist.

We have high expectations of performance and values. We believe in maintaining an open-minded approach to problem-solving, conflict management, and decision-making. Our staff members are team players who excel at building trusting relationships with customers and co-workers. We strive for a reputation of integrity. If you desire to work in such an environment and meet the qualifications, we welcome your application!

Employee Relations Specialist - This position must maintain strict confidentiality with case information. Responsibilities include the intake and processing of employee relations cases, participating in university investigations, drafting reports and advising on outcomes. Conducts and documents moderate to highly complex assignments where analysis of situations and data requires the review and interpretation of a variety of factors.


The Employee Relations Team works collaboratively with other functional areas in Human Resources and the broader university. Incumbents serve as a resource to employees throughout the University by interpreting policies and procedures, advising and recommending solutions, and providing guidance to ensure compliance with human resource policies and procedures. They collect and analyze data to determine program effectiveness and recommend changes and improvements in policies, procedures, and practices.

Exempt positions are eligible for excellent benefits including: 13 paid holidays, earn 22 days of paid leave and 12 days of sick leave per year, 50% tuition reduction for eligible employee, spouse, and children, competitive health benefits packages and a generous contribution into your retirement.

Responsibilities

HR Partnership with Leadership:

• Partner with administrators to understand department goals and develop HR strategies to support them.
• Act as a trusted advisor to leadership on people-related matters.

Employee Relations:

• Provide high-level support in handling complex employee relations issues, including investigations, conflict resolution, and recommendations for disciplinary actions.
• Promote a positive organizational culture by advising supervisors on employee engagement, recognition programs, and team-building activities.
• Ensure compliance with USU policies and federal & state employment laws.

Performance Management:

• Advise leaders on performance management processes, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
• Work with supervisors to develop and implement performance improvement plans for underperforming employees.
• Help build a culture of accountability and continuous feedback.

HR Analytics:

• Leverage data and HR metrics to provide insights and drive decision-making.

Learning and Development:

• Work with leaders to identify learning needs and create development opportunities for employees.
• Promote leadership and employee development through training programs, mentorship, and career progression initiatives.
• Support leaders in fostering a learning culture within their teams.

Policy and Compliance:

• Aide colleges, divisions, or departments to comply with local, state, and federal employment laws through education and support.
• Update and maintain HR policies and procedures to support compliance requirements.
• Support the development and implementation of department employee procedures and guidelines.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Five years of experience in human resources; or a bachelor's degree plus one year of experience in human resources, or a related field, is required.
• Must be able to work on-site full-time.
• Must be able to travel occasionally to other USU statewide locations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience reviewing and working with highly confidential data.
• Experience in responding to and maintaining compliance with internal and/or external regulatory requirements.
• Experience in working with Case Management systems (Service Now Case Management, Maxient, or Navex Ethicspoint is a plus), complaint handling, and preventive trainings.
• Working knowledge and experience interpreting and analyzing employer policies and implementing processes, protocols and procedures.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of employment laws, regulations, and best practices.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Strong written skills.
• Interviewing and investigation skills.
• Experience with change management, and performance management.
• Familiarity with HRIS systems and data analysis.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality required in handling employee related issues.
• Ability to manage emotionally charged situations professionally.
• Ability to manage multiple cases or priorities simultaneously, often under deadlines or time pressure.
• High attention to detail, accurately gathering, analyzing, and synthesizing complex and often contradictory information
• Operational Decision Making and Impact:
• Supports the strategic and operational plans of the overall functional area. Work is often expected to be performed independently except for new projects or concepts.

Final candidate subject to a criminal background check. As a federal contractor, USU is required to use E-Verify to confirm the work status of individuals assigned to perform substantial work under certain federal contracts/subcontracts

Required Documents

Along with the online application, please attach:

1. Resume to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under "Resume/CV"
2. Answer the following questions within the application:
   • Are you willing and able to work on-site full-time?
   • Are you willing and able to travel within the State of Utah occasionally (e.g. Once per month)?

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Advertised Salary

Commensurate with experience plus excellent benefits

ADA

Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes. The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions.

University Highlights

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah's premier land-grant, public service university. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge and serving the public good through innovative research and scholarly activities that are grounded in reciprocal engagement with local, regional, and global communities. USU prepares students to be active, civically engaged leaders who are prepared to address critical societal challenges. Dedicated to providing a high-quality and affordable education, USU remains a leader in research, discovery, and public impact.

USU enrolls over 29,800 students, both online and in person at locations throughout the state. Utah State's 30 locations include a main campus in Logan, Utah, residential campuses in Price and Blanding, and six additional statewide campuses, along with education centers serving every county. USU educates students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries. For over 100 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns, serving every county in the state.

Competing at the NCAA Division I level in 16 sports, USU is a proud member of the Pac-12 Conference, officially joining on July 1, 2026. The Aggies capped a historic final season in the Mountain West by capturing nine combined regular-season and tournament titles in 2025-26, with five teams advancing to postseason play. This tradition of excellence extends to the classroom, where 232 student-athletes earned academic honors, and to the community, where USU ranked second nationally in Division I service hours, with nine teams placing in the top 10 for community service.

Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected, valued, and supported and where diversity of thought and culture are cultivated. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when they named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU.


The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and a reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university's ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io or View email address on click.appcast.io.


*updated 07/2026

Notice of Non-discrimination

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

Utah State University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination including harassment in employment including in hiring, promotion, transfer, or termination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy or any other federal, state, or local law.

Utah State University does not discriminate in its housing offerings and will treat all persons fairly and equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, familial status, disability, national origin, source of income, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Additionally, the University endeavors to provide reasonable accommodations when necessary and to ensure equal access to qualified persons with disabilities.

In all circumstances, Utah State University follows state and federal laws related to sex-segregated spaces.


The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU's non-discrimination policies:

Matthew Pinner

Executive Director


Civil Rights & Title IX Office

View email address on click.appcast.io

View phone number on click.appcast.io | Old Main Rm. 401D

1475 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322

Cody Carmichael

Title IX Coordinator


View email address on click.appcast.io

View phone number on click.appcast.io | Old Main Rm. 402D

1475 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit crtix.usu.edu or contact:


U.S. Department of Education


Denver Regional Office

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U.S. Department of Education


Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

View phone number on click.appcast.io | View email address on click.appcast.io

*updated 10/2025