Employee Relations Consultant I
Inside Higher Ed, Lexington, KY, United States
Department Name:
3JHRE:Employee Relations/Leave Administration Job Title:
Employee Relations Consultant I Requisition Number:
RE53850 Work Location:
Lexington, KY Grade Level:
47 Salary Range:
$57,158–94,286/year Type Of Position:
Staff Position Time Status:
Full-Time Required Education:
BA Required Related Experience:
3 years Required License/Registration/Certification:
None Shift:
Primarily Monday – Friday 8:00 am –5:00 pm; additional hours may be required based on departmental needs. Does this position have supervisory responsibilities?
No Deadline to Apply:
04/07/2026 Job Summary
The
Employee Relations Consultant I
supports the delivery of consistent, fair, and timely employee relations services across the organization within a modern, tiered ER operating model. This role focuses on the execution of standardized employee relations work and operates within clearly defined scope, escalation criteria, and governance. The Employee Relations Consultant I manages moderately complex employee relations cases, provides guidance to managers on policy application and performance management, and supports investigations under the direction of an Employee Relations Consultant. The role is designed to reduce reactive ER volume by ensuring early intervention, proper documentation, and adherence to established ER processes. The Employee Relations Consultant I works closely with HR Business Partners, the Solution Center, and the Employee Relations Consultant to ensure issues are handled at the appropriate level and escalated when risk, complexity, or precedent thresholds are met. Physical Requirements
The essential job functions of this position require you to: communicate and build working relationships with staff, faculty and candidates; abide by University guidelines; maintain confidentiality; prioritize and manage work effectively; provide exceptional customer service and positively represent the university; ensure work is detailed, accurate and completed in a timely manner; perform work in a sedentary position; interact with individuals from various levels throughout the university and work successfully in a team as well as independently. The physical requirements of this position will include occasionally lifting, pushing, and/or pulling objects up to 50lbs; occasionally standing or walking with objects up to 25lbs; sitting at a computer workstation for extended periods of time with repetitive motions (such as typing); and occasional ( Skills / Knowledge / Abilities
The Employee Relations Consultant I role requires a solid foundation in employee relations case management, policy interpretation, and employment law fundamentals, with the ability to manage moderately complex ER issues within defined scope and escalation guidelines. Key skills include professional judgment, risk awareness, investigation support and fact‑finding, clear and neutral communication, and strong documentation and case management discipline. The role also requires the ability to provide front‑line guidance and coaching to managers, maintain confidentiality in sensitive situations, operate effectively within ER systems and standardized processes, and demonstrate a continuous improvement mindset within a tiered ER operating model. Preferred Education/Experience
3–5+ years of Employee Relations or Human Resources experience, including employee counseling, policy interpretation, performance management support, and participation in investigations within a complex organization. Our University Community
We value the well‑being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus. The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status. Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre‑employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.
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3JHRE:Employee Relations/Leave Administration Job Title:
Employee Relations Consultant I Requisition Number:
RE53850 Work Location:
Lexington, KY Grade Level:
47 Salary Range:
$57,158–94,286/year Type Of Position:
Staff Position Time Status:
Full-Time Required Education:
BA Required Related Experience:
3 years Required License/Registration/Certification:
None Shift:
Primarily Monday – Friday 8:00 am –5:00 pm; additional hours may be required based on departmental needs. Does this position have supervisory responsibilities?
No Deadline to Apply:
04/07/2026 Job Summary
The
Employee Relations Consultant I
supports the delivery of consistent, fair, and timely employee relations services across the organization within a modern, tiered ER operating model. This role focuses on the execution of standardized employee relations work and operates within clearly defined scope, escalation criteria, and governance. The Employee Relations Consultant I manages moderately complex employee relations cases, provides guidance to managers on policy application and performance management, and supports investigations under the direction of an Employee Relations Consultant. The role is designed to reduce reactive ER volume by ensuring early intervention, proper documentation, and adherence to established ER processes. The Employee Relations Consultant I works closely with HR Business Partners, the Solution Center, and the Employee Relations Consultant to ensure issues are handled at the appropriate level and escalated when risk, complexity, or precedent thresholds are met. Physical Requirements
The essential job functions of this position require you to: communicate and build working relationships with staff, faculty and candidates; abide by University guidelines; maintain confidentiality; prioritize and manage work effectively; provide exceptional customer service and positively represent the university; ensure work is detailed, accurate and completed in a timely manner; perform work in a sedentary position; interact with individuals from various levels throughout the university and work successfully in a team as well as independently. The physical requirements of this position will include occasionally lifting, pushing, and/or pulling objects up to 50lbs; occasionally standing or walking with objects up to 25lbs; sitting at a computer workstation for extended periods of time with repetitive motions (such as typing); and occasional ( Skills / Knowledge / Abilities
The Employee Relations Consultant I role requires a solid foundation in employee relations case management, policy interpretation, and employment law fundamentals, with the ability to manage moderately complex ER issues within defined scope and escalation guidelines. Key skills include professional judgment, risk awareness, investigation support and fact‑finding, clear and neutral communication, and strong documentation and case management discipline. The role also requires the ability to provide front‑line guidance and coaching to managers, maintain confidentiality in sensitive situations, operate effectively within ER systems and standardized processes, and demonstrate a continuous improvement mindset within a tiered ER operating model. Preferred Education/Experience
3–5+ years of Employee Relations or Human Resources experience, including employee counseling, policy interpretation, performance management support, and participation in investigations within a complex organization. Our University Community
We value the well‑being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus. The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status. Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre‑employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.
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