SENIOR EMPLOYEE RELATIONS CONSULTANT
University of Washington
Seattle, WA
Full-time
Human Resources
Posted on June 28, 2019
| Req #: | 169281 |
| Department: | UW MEDICINE HUMAN RESOURCES |
| Job Location: | UW Medical Center |
| Posting Date: | 07/11/2019 |
| Closing Info: | Open Until Filled |
| Salary: | Salary is commensurate with experience and education. |
| Shift: | First Shift |
| Notes: | As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For detailed information on Benefits for this position, click here. |
The Medical Center Employee Relations Team within UW Human Resources provides employee relations expertise in conjunction with functional Human Resources units for Medical Center clients. This includes administering policy, rules, laws, interpretation, complaint resolution, labor relations, performance management and corrective action, workplace violence assessment and response, training, developing service strategies, processes and programs that are responsive to the needs of administration, faculty, and staff to implement best human resources practices for employee relations, employment and related functions.
We have an outstanding opportunity for a Senior Employee Relations Consultant based at UW Medical Center.
The primary purpose of this operational unit is to support administration and staff in meeting the UW Medicine mission of Improving the Health of the Public, by providing premier Human Resources services to foster an exceptional work environment that encourages, nurtures, and recognizes the professional development of employees.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Reporting to the Director of Employee Relations for Medical Centers Human Resources and as a member of the Employee Relations team, the Senior Employee Relations Consultant is responsible for providing consultation and expert advice to clients and colleagues regarding policy, rule, and law interpretation, reasonable accommodation, complaint resolution, leave administration, labor relations, performance management and corrective action, workplace violence, training, developing service strategies, processes and programs that are responsive to the needs of their clients.
Provide human resources counsel to Medical Center employees and lead and/or participate in departmental or university-wide task forces and committees.
Evaluate organizational practices for compliance with laws, rules and policies. As necessary, develop human resources practice recommendations that comply with regulatory requirements while meeting or maintaining operational needs. Develop implementation strategies that maintain continuity of operations.
Ensure compliance with institutional policy, with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Washington state law. Partner with Medical Center Leave/Disability Specialist on complex accommodation issues.
Provide information to employees regarding complaint resolution options. Provide guidance to managers and supervisors responding to employee complaints. Conduct, or assist managers with, investigations to resolve allegations and work with parties towards resolution of employee complaints or negotiate settlements and prepare settlement agreements.
Advise clients regarding the provisions of laws and rules governing various types of leave use, including the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Partner with Medical Center Leave/Disability Specialist on complex leave issues.
Educate and inform managers and supervisors regarding the interpretation and application of labor agreements. Assist in responding to and resolving employee grievances. Participate in contract negotiations.
Provide consultative advice and educate clients regarding performance management and corrective action.
Conduct formal and informal training sessions regarding a variety of human resources topics.
Participate in interdisciplinary committees and task forces, and in executive/administrative management team meetings.
CONSULTATION
Work as a liaison to facilitate communication with other functional Human Resources units when specialized knowledge/interpretation is needed. Serve as an expert resource drawing from a broad base of human resources/employment knowledge for day-to-day human resources advice and counsel. Serve as primary contact and principal resource for all departmental employee relations needs.
Collaborate with the Leave/Disability Specialist to function together as a Service Team to provide consultative services for assigned Medical Center client departments.
Promote the Patients Are First culture concept to client departments.
Work with executive heads, administrators, managers and supervisors to establish and maintain human resources practices that meet client needs and comply with applicable regulations and policies. Advise client departments on the full range of human resources policies, services and options available to meet their needs. Successfully build professional relationships with and provide consultative services to clients, service team members, functional areas of human resources, and other staff in units such as Disability Services Office, and the University Complaint Investigation and Resolution Office (UCIRO).
Develop and conduct presentations and training programs customized to client needs. Independently develop curriculum; participant materials, presenter's outline, etc. for new course offerings in human resources arena. Continually update course materials.
Provide proactive human resources problem prevention through departmental consultation, counseling, and by conducting information and training sessions regarding human resources best practices.
Receive, review, respond to, and work to resolve complaints and appeals.
Provide routine interpretation of bargaining unit contracts, Washington Administrative Code (WAC), and UW policy as these relate to employee relations issues.
REQUIREMENTS:
Bachelor's degree preferably in Human Resources or a related field, and at least four years of increasingly responsible senior human resource experience OR equivalent combinations of experience/education. Excellent analytical, written and oral communications skills, and technical proficiency using word processing, email, and the internet is essential. The most competitive candidates for this position will have demonstrated professional work experience.
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.
DESIRED:
Knowledge of University rules and regulations. Knowledge of the State & Federal Employment Laws. Experience working in human resources in a higher education institution and/or healthcare setting. Experience working in human resources in a unionized environment.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
Application Process:
The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.
Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.
The University of Washington is a leader in environmental stewardship & sustainability, and committed to becoming climate neutral.
The University of Washington is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 / 206-543-6452 (tty) or dso@uw.edu.
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