Job Details

Employee Relations Consultant - 182779

Position Number: 6139799
Location: Cullowhee, NC
Position Type: Human Resources

Employee Relations Consultant - 182779

Western Carolina University

Department: Human Resources and Payroll

About WCU:

Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes Best Employers lists each year. Including:
2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes Americas Best Midsize Employers list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.
2023 - Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes Americas Best Midsize Employers list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.
2022 - Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes Americas Best Employers by State list.
Western Carolina University is the UNC systems westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.
Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans - eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.
Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.
WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences - many of which are offered free of charge.

Position Summary:

The primary location of this position is on-site at the Cullowhee, NC campus. This position is designated as being exempt from the State of North Carolina Human Resources Act (EHRA).

This position will be responsible for broad-based employee relations activities, to include but not limited to job performance consultation, exit interviews, reporting, performance management and administration of FMLA requests. Duties include, but are not limited to the following:

Serves as an initial point of contact for advice, consultation, problem resolution, and facilitation in the areas of employee relations, performance management, and employee discipline; advises both employees and management regarding employee relations policies, procedures, and documentation; researches, identifies, and analyzes specific employee relations concerns and makes appropriate recommendations to campus constituents.
Provides guidance and assistance with dispute resolution and grievance procedures
Conducts Exit Interviews for SHRA and EHRA non-faculty positions.
May assist with or conduct investigations as assigned following established procedures.
Provides interpretation of rules and regulations as well as University related policies in confidential consultation to a broad range of university administrators, managers, faculty, and staff.
FMLA consultation, approval and tracking of leave and coordination of parental leave policy in addition to liaison functions with supervisors.
Performance Management that includes launching annual programs, monitoring completion.
Assists with employee recognition activities such as Employee Appreciation Day and Staff Service Awards.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required for this position:
Minimum Qualifications:

Candidates must be legally eligible to work in the United States of America without the need for employer sponsorship or any other immigration-related assistance.

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 Qualifications:
Position Type: Permanent Full-Time

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire.

Please include a cover letter, current resume and a list of three professional references with complete contact information.

For questions or additional information please contact Trisha Ray at trisharay@email.wcu.edu

AA/EOE
Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu.

University Safety
The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.

To apply, please visit: https://jobs.wcu.edu/postings/30640