Senior Employee Relations Coordinator

Job Posting Title:
Senior Employee Relations Coordinator
Hiring Department:
Applied Research Laboratories
Position Open To:
All Applicants
Weekly Scheduled Hours:
40
FLSA Status:
Exempt
Earliest Start Date:
Immediately
Position Duration:
Expected to Continue
Location:
PICKLE RESEARCH CAMPUS
Job Details:
Purpose
This position will serve as the Employee Relations, Performance Management, and Training & Development Coordinator in Applied Research Laboratories' Human Resources office. Applied Research Laboratories is a University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) at The University of Texas at Austin, located on the Pickle Research Campus in North Austin. Through fundamental research, innovative science, and applied engineering, ARL:UT makes significant contributions in support of national security.
Responsibilities

• Serves as ARL's first point of contact for managers and employees with performance, conduct, and other workplace concerns. Provides consultations, tools, and resources to managers to (1) encourage ongoing discussions, mentoring, and coaching, and (2) ensure due process in resolving performance/conduct concerns; advises and assists with drafting and editing documentation. Communicates with UT HR as needed regarding proposed corrective actions and recommended strategies to address complex manager/employee concerns. Compiles and summarizes all relevant performance-related information and provides context for UT HR to use in reviewing proposed corrective action documents. Consults and coordinates with other UT offices such as the Title IX Office, the ADA Office, the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and the Center for Equity and Inclusion, as needed. May guide managers in developing effective position descriptions for new hires and updating position descriptions over the employment cycle of ARL staff. As related to performance management, investigates and recommends state-of-the-art methods to support a positive performance management experience in adherence with University policies and state and federal guidelines/requirements.
• Advises employees of UT policies and resources, such as the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), the Center for Equity and Inclusion, the Title IX Office, the ADA Office, the Conflict Management and Dispute Resolution Office, and the Ombuds office. Assists with review and administration of position eliminations or staff reductions due to reorganizations and/or project budget reductions, including preparation of supporting documentation. Ensures compliance with the ADA, the FLSA, EEO laws, other relevant laws and regulations, and University policies. Communicates and coordinates with other HR staff members on issues pertaining to ADA accommodations, work restrictions related to on-the-job injuries, FLSA guidelines, FMLA usage, timekeeping and leave issues, etc., as appropriate. Clarifies related ARL and UT policies for employees and managers. Works collaboratively with ARL and HR Leadership on complex Employee Relations cases.
• Reviews and updates internal guidelines for preparing, reviewing, and discussing annual performance appraisals. Prepares annual communication of guidelines. Tracks and assesses appraisals for quality and effectiveness; communicates with managers as needed regarding content as well as compliance with annual appraisal process and deadlines; assists in preparing summarized supporting information for merit increase recommendations. Tracks and reviews appraisals for classified staff completing probation. May assist with reviews for proposed salary actions or annual salary planning.
• Develops and conducts internal training related to performance management, corrective action, procedures for ADA and FMLA compliance, and other related areas. Identifies and recommends external training resources; coordinates with other ARL departments for external training scheduled in-house (Purchasing, Strategic Communications, etc.). Coordinates with Recruiting Coordinator/Trainer on related training, and collaborates in conducting training as appropriate. Coordinates with Strategic Communications Office to keep Learning and Development, Building Community, and related websites up to date.
• Monitors employee engagement and makes recommendations for enhanced employee experience. Conducts exit and stay interviews, tracks related data, and shares trends with ARL and HR leadership, as appropriate. Makes recommendations in collaboration with HR Operations team for additional opportunities to engage with the broader community, in areas such as recruiting and student program advertising, to increase pools of competitive candidates. Assists recruiting team with representation at external recruiting events as needed. Local, in-state, and/or out-of-state travel may be required at designated times of the year.
• Maintains a professional approach and due diligence for producing the highest quality of work and establishing an environment for consistent and evident collaboration across all ARL HR areas. Attends staff meetings; provides and accepts thoughtful, objective, open-minded, and insightful input and guidance during meetings and in day-to-day interactions with all ARL HR staff members. Collaborates for solutions; exhibits a thorough understanding of the relevance of all data as applicable to ARL HR business rules and management objectives. Reviews, recommends, and/or prepares documentation, spreadsheets, website updates, etc., to provide information, analyze trends, or support ARL HR recommendations. Carefully maintains records, tracking spreadsheets, and documentation related to areas of responsibility. Remains adaptable to new types of HR responsibilities at a department level.
• Performs other related functions as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with coursework in management, human resources, communications, social sciences or other areas related to the functions of this position.
• At least five years of experience with typical HR functions.
• Excellent at communicating, both orally and in writing, with individuals, small groups, and large audiences.
• Proven capabilities with Employee Relations and performance management functions.
• Thorough knowledge of and experience applying applicable federal and state laws and regulations (ADA, FMLA, FLSA, EEO, etc.).
• Evidence of meticulous attention to detail and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to remain calm under high pressure, maintain strict confidentiality, and demonstrate a balance of empathy with objectivity in emotionally charged situations.
• Excellent skills in MS Office with a proven ability to use Excel, PowerPoint and web-based communication tools.
• Excellent analytical skills shown via previous experience with using large sets of information, analyzing the information, and summarizing/presenting it in a concise, effective manner in reports, charts, etc., conducive to informed tactical/strategic decisions.
• Ability to absorb and comprehend a large amount of detailed information, in both oral and written form, and summarize all important points in a clear manner in both email and formal memorandums.
• Ability to assist managers with turning performance deficiencies into clear, actionable, measurable performance objectives.
• Ability to deliver results with little supervision and to effectively manage and prioritize multiple projects.
• Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

US Citizen. Applicant selected will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information at the level appropriate to the project requirements of the position.
Preferred Qualifications

• At least eight years of experience with HR functions, in the areas of Employee Relations, performance management, training, and related areas.
• UT experience in an HR role.
• Thorough knowledge of and experience applying UT HR policies and procedures; knowledge of UT resources for employees and managers.
• Experience developing and providing tools to managers for effective Employee Relations and performance management.
• Experience working in a research organization.
• Mediation experience or training.
• Experience in public speaking or conducting training.
• Experience identifying and coordinating appropriate external training resources.
• Experience utilizing compensation data and communicating the link between performance and rewards.
• Experience using Workday. PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP certification

General Notes
An agency designated by the federal government handles the investigation as to the requirement for eligibility for access to classified information. Factors considered during this investigation include but are not limited to allegiance to the United States, foreign influence, foreign preference, criminal conduct, security violations, drug involvement, the likelihood of continuation of such conduct, etc.
Please mark "yes" on the application question that asks if additional materials are required. Failure to attach all additional materials listed below may result in a delay in application processing.
Visit our website (www.arlut.utexas.edu) for additional information about Applied Research Laboratories.
UT Austin offers a competitive benefits package that includes:
•100% employer-paid basic medical coverage
•Retirement contributions
•Paid vacation and sick time
•Paid holidays
Please visit our Human Resources (HR) website to learn more about the total benefits offered.
Salary Range
$78,000-$95,000+/negotiable depending on qualifications.
Working Conditions

• Standard office conditions
• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation
• Use of manual dexterity
• Possible weekend, evening and holiday work
• Possible interstate/intrastate travel

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
• Letter of interest

Importantfor applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.
Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.
Employment Eligibility:
Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.
Retirement Plan Eligibility:
The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.
Background Checks:
A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.
Pay Transparency:
The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.
Employment Eligibility Verification:
If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.
E-Verify:
The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university's company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English) [PDF]
• E-Veri...