Workforce Relations Specialist or Workforce Relations Sr. Specialist
Apply now (https://secure.dc4.pageuppeople.com/apply/1021/gateway/default.aspx?c=apply&lJobID=494146&lJobSourceTypeID=796&sLanguage=en-us) Job No: 26004RP2R
Department: Human Resources
Work Type: Staff - Full Time
Location: Remote
Full Time / Part Time: Full Time
Categories: Human Resources
Applications Close:
Michigan Technological University is an R1 technological research university founded in 1885 in Houghton. Our rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's scenic Upper Peninsula and is home to nearly 7,400 students from more than 60 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, Michigan's flagship technological university offers more than 150 undergraduate (https://www.mtu.edu/admissions/academics/majors/) and graduate (https://www.mtu.edu/gradschool/programs/degrees/) degree programs. Research focus areas include defense, health, energy, automotive, environment, and aerospace.
The area's waters, forests, and snowfall support year-round recreation, including skiing, snowboarding, hiking, biking, and paddling. The University is an integral part of the region, supported by a friendly and welcoming community that takes pride in being a true college town. We embrace our size, climate, sense of adventure, and originality.
Summary
The Workforce Relations Specialist is responsible for mitigating risk for the institution and creating capacity and competency for managers and supervisors in counseling and guiding them through complex employee issues; and balancing both the need to mitigate risk and to positively impact the employee experience in addressing employee concerns and reaching fair and equitable solutions. Areas of primary responsibility will include investigations, corrective action, coaching and counseling with managers and supervisors, policy and contract interpretation. This position serves on the leadership team within the Human Resources Department.
Responsibilities and Essential Duties
Service as the primary point of contact for employee relations matters across the institution.
Provide efficient, consistent and prompt consultative services, thereby creating capacity for managers and supervisors.
Provide consultative, advising, and coaching services in areas to include: conflict resolution, performance issues, and disciplinary actions.
Mediate workplace disputes effectively
Provide effective advising services to managers during performance improvement plans.
Assist managers with preparing for difficult conversations with employees that will assist in leading to effective concern resolution.
Advising managers on how to handle difficult performance issues, disciplinary actions, and Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs)
Serve as a Labor Designee for bargaining units which includes serving as the contract liaison, host labor/management meetings, serve as the employer representative in labor negotiations, draft and publish contracts.
Respond to grievances, written complaints and assist General Council with legal matters as they relate to Human Resources.
Provide leadership in investigations into misconduct or policy violations.
Develop, interpret and enforce institutional policy, and collective bargaining agreements in a fair and equitable manner.
Partner with HR colleagues and other stakeholders in areas of FMLA and ADA and other leaves of absences.
Provide education to managers and employees on policies, rights and best practices. This may be through individual conversations or group trainings.
Manage Unemployment claims and respond and represent as needed.
Develop tools and templates for managers to utilize.
Partner with the Chief Human Resources Office on complex or sensitive cases.
Perform appropriate referrals to University or community resources.
Provide varying levels of final outcome letter development support from drafting, reviewing drafts written by others or issuing and delivering final outcomes.
Track appropriate level of detail by case to ensure ability to identify and address trends through reporting and training opportunities or policy needs.
Utilize exceptional written communication skills to prepare appropriate documentation for each matter with discoverability in mind
Commit to learning about continuous improvement strategies and applying them to everyday work. Actively engage in University and departmental continuous improvement initiatives.
Apply safety-related knowledge, skills, and practices to everyday work.
Required Education, Certifications, Licensures
Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Labor Relations or other related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and abilities can be acquired.
Required Experience
Experience or education/training in one or more of the functional areas of responsibility
Desirable Education and/or Experience
Specialist: less than three years experience in one or more of the functional areas of responsibility
Senior Specialist: three or more years experience in one or more of the functional areas of responsibility
Experience working in higher education Human Resources.
PHR or SHRM-CP certified preferred.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities
Working knowledge of federal and state employment laws and regulations with the ability to interpret and apply.
Strong interpersonal, relationship-building and oral/written communication skills (including electronic communications).
Excellent time management skills.
Demonstrated organizational skills, with particular attention to detail.
Demonstrated ability to make administrative and procedural decisions and judgments on sensitive, confidential topics.
Demonstrated ability to analyze complex information and to define and solve problems.
Demonstrated ability to work independently under limited supervision.
Demonstrated ability to give presentations to audiences of all levels.
Demonstrated ability to handle multiple projects in a timely and professional manner in a fast-paced environment.
Demonstrated ability to be flexible, diplomatic, patient, service-driven, a self-starter, and have a willingness to learn.
Demonstrated ability to deal with complex, high stress, and confidential issues.
Demonstrated the ability to initiate and lead projects or improvements, identifying areas for enhancement and effectively translating ideas into actionable plans.
Demonstrated ability to work within a team.
Demonstrated commitment to preserving documentation.
Demonstrated commitment to contribute to a safe work environment.
Demonstrated success in, or potential future contributions to, working with persons with a wide variety of backgrounds and viewpoints.
Work Environment and/or Physical Demands
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.
Required Training and Other Conditions of Employment
Every employee at Michigan Technological University will receive the following training courses:
Employee Safety Overview
Annual Data Security Training
Anti-Harassment, Discrimination, Retaliation Training
Annual Title IX Training
Additional training will be required by the department on a periodic basis.
Background Check:
Offers of employment are contingent upon and not considered finalized until the required background check has been performed and the results received and assessed.
Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) % (1=100%)
1
FLSA Status
Exempt
Pay Rate/Salary
The minimum salary for this position is $65,000 . The?final salary will depend on experience and qualifications.
Title of Position Supervisor
Chief Human Resources Officer
Posting Type
Internal & External
Dependent on Funding
No.
Special Instructions to Applicants (if applicable)
The successful candidate will be assigned the job title level that most closely aligns with their related work experiences, skills and abilities.
For ensured consideration, apply no later than 11:55pm on April 22, 2026.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
If you require any auxiliary aids, services, or accommodations during Michigan Tech's hiring process please notify the Human Resources office at 906-487-2280 or hr-help@mtu.edu.
Other Conditions of Employment:
Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of your appointment, and maintain eligibility without sponsorship throughout your appointment.
Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (https://www.mtu.edu/publicsafety/pdfs/annual-report.pdf) contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. Michigan Tech will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the Michigan Tech Public Safety.
In compliance with the federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (DFSCA) and its implementing regulations (34 CFR Part 86), Michigan Tech is committed to maintaining a drugfree campus environment and actively promoting the health and safety of its community. Find our notice (https://www.mtu.edu/hr/current/docs/aod-notification.pdf) that outlines the University's policies, legal sanctions, health risks, and available support resources related to the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol.
Required Education, Certifications, Licensures* (minimum requirements)
Advertised: 10 Apr 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications Close:
