Employee Relations Specialist Senior - Human Resources

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Thank you for your interest in joining the University of Wyoming. Our community thrives on the contributions of talented and driven individuals who share in our mission, vision, and values. If your expertise and experience align with the goals of our institution, we would be thrilled to hear from you. We encourage you to apply and become a valued member of our vibrant campus community today!  

Why Choose Us? 

At the University of Wyoming, we value our employees and invest in their success.  Our comprehensive benefits package is designed to support your health, financial security, and work-life balance.  Benefits include: 

• Generous Retirement Contributions: The State contributes over 15% of your gross salary.  With your mandatory employee contribution, the total contribution toward your retirement plan exceeds 19%.
• Exceptional Health & Prescription Coverage: Enjoy access to medical, dental, and vision insurance with competitive employer contributions, that include 4 deductible options to suit your needs.
• Paid Time Off: Benefit from ample vacation, sick leave, paid holidays, and paid winter closure. 
• Tuition Waiver: Employees and eligible dependents can take advantage of tuition waivers, supporting continuous education and professional growth. 
• Wellness and Employee Assistance Programs: Stay healthy with wellness initiatives, counseling services, and mental health resources. 

At the University of Wyoming, we are committed to creating a supportive and enriching workplace. To learn more about what we offer, please refer to UW’s Benefits Summary. 

JOB TITLE:  

Employee Relations Specialist Senior  

JOB PURPOSE:   

The Employee Relations Specialist, Senior (ER Senior) provides expert guidance and support on complex employee relations matters across the University. The position serves as a strategic partner to managers, HR colleagues, and institutional leadership to address workplace concerns, ensure compliance with university policies and regulatory requirements, and promote a positive and accountable workplace culture. This role minimizes organizational risk, enhances employee engagement, and strengthens consistent application of University policies. The ER Senior leads complex employee relations initiatives, advises leadership on workforce and organizational strategies, supports change management efforts, and applies data-driven analysis and best-practice recommendations to improve workplace effectiveness. 

This position offers the opportunity to join a team that plays a critical role in ensuring fairness, consistency, and compliance across the university. As an Employee Relations Specialist, you will help maintain a workplace where concerns are addressed objectively, employees are treated equitably, and decisions align with university policy and legal requirements. This role is well suited for individuals who thrive in a compliance driven environment and are skilled at interpreting policies, analyzing information, and navigating situations where the appropriate course of action may not be immediately clear. As the first point of contact for workplace concerns, you will gather facts, assess risk, and determine next steps, often applying policy frameworks to nuanced or incomplete information. 

Key responsibilities include conducting investigations, facilitating conflict resolution, and advising employees and supervisors on policies and workplace expectations. Your ability to remain objective, ask targeted questions, and provide well reasoned recommendations will be essential to ensuring procedural integrity. In addition to case management, you will support training efforts, contribute to data driven process improvements, and collaborate with HR colleagues on initiatives that strengthen compliance and mitigate institutional risk. This position requires discretion, analytical rigor, and comfort working in areas where ambiguity is common and decisions carry organizational impact. If you are looking to deepen your expertise in employee relations while contributing to a mission driven institution, this position provides a rewarding and impactful career path.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead specialized, professional consultation and training on employee relations, performance improvement and employee disciplinary issues to managers, employees, and Human Resources professionals. Investigate potential non-protected class compliance violations and advises University constituents on opportunities for remediation/prevention of workplace issues that impact morale, productivity and organizational performance.  Maintain corrective action monitoring and follow-up with managers on steps within the process.
• Liaison between employer and employee, receive and effectively handle employee complaints, escalate complaints to the level of disciplinary or legal action when necessary, update employees with any changes in company policy, advise supervisors on treatment of staff and company policies, respond to employee violations of policy and help to resolve conflict in the workplace.  Maintain detailed case records for employment history and possible legal actions.
• Consult supervisors on the development and review of supporting documentation for corrective actions and performance management. Produce impartial and thorough Performance Improvement Plans in partnership with the manager. Guide managers and employees through the performance management process. 
• Interpret and explain policies, procedures, employee handbook, and regulations related to employee-related issues.
• Collaborate with HR staff to establish a continually evolving program for professional development, recognition, and mentorship; ensure that employees feel valued and supported; and coordinate university-wide/training. Assist in all aspects of the programs/courses to include executing strategy and providing metrics and measurements to evaluate the courses.
• Create and implement employee protocols to enhance culture and work-life balance. 
• Interview workers to gather information on worker attitudes toward work environment and supervision received. Facilitate resolution of employee relations problems and/or concerns. Coordinate and facilitate the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Develop and administer a formal exit interview program. Meet with employees who are planning to leave employment regarding their work experience.
• Work independently with minimal supervision, in ambiguous situations, and persevere over internal and external barriers to drive resolutions.
• Supervise and train support staff.

SUPPLEMENTAL FUNCTIONS:

• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Provide content to HR website.
• Develop, conduct or participate in specialized presentations and training, covering operational and/or technical HR-related information for specified areas of expertise.
• May represent manager in his/her absence, as directed.

COMPETENCIES:

• Attention to Detail
• Consistency
• Judgment
• Influence
• Integrity
• Sensitivity

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  

Education:  Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience

Experience:  4 years work-related experience

Required licensure, certification, registration or other requirements: Valid driver's license with a motor vehicle record (MVR) compliant with the Driving for University Business SAP. 

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:   

Excellent written and verbal communication skills. At least 2 years of Employee Relations experience. Human Resources experience in higher education. SHRM or HRCI certification. 

REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS:

Complete the online application.  The department additionally requests candidates upload the following document(s) for a complete application: 

1. Cover letter 
2. Resume or C.V. 
3. Contact information for four work-related references (references will only be contacted if you are selected as a finalist for the position). 

This position will remain open until filled. Complete applications received by 11/22/2026 will receive full consideration. 

WORK LOCATION: 

On-campus: This position provides vital support to campus customers, and the successful candidate must be available to work on campus. 

WORK AUTHORIZATION REQUIREMENTS: 

The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the United States, as sponsorship for any work authorization or work visas is not available for this position. 

HIRING STATEMENT/EEO:   

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation to apply for a position, please contact us at 307-766-2377 or email [email protected].  

ABOUT LARAMIE: 

The University of Wyoming is located in Laramie, a charming town of 30,000 residents nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountain West. The state of Wyoming continues to invest in its only 4-year university, helping to make it a leader in academics, research, and outreach with state-of-the-art facilities and strong community ties. We invite you to learn  more about Laramie by visiting the About Laramie website. 

Located in a high mountain valley near the Colorado border, Laramie offers both outstanding recreational opportunities and close proximity to Colorado’s Front Range and the metropolitan Denver area. Laramie’s beautiful mountain landscape offers outdoor enjoyment in all seasons, with over 300 days of sunshine annually. For more information about the region, please visit http://visitlaramie.org/ 

Posted Salary Range: $61,008 - $73,200