Work in Washington Veterans Jobs

Req #: 236300

Department: INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH METRICS & EVALUATION (IHME)

Job Location Detail: Office is located in Seattle; position is eligible to work fully remote within the U.S. (excluding U.S. territories)

Posting Date: 07/01/2024

Closing Info: To ensure consideration, Apply By 07/14/2024

Salary: $6,667 - $8,750 per month

Shift: First Shift

Notes: Application Process: The application process 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 access 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.

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) is an independent research organization at the University of Washington (UW). Its mission is to deliver to the world timely, relevant, and scientifically valid evidence to improve health policy and practice. IHME carries out its mission through a range of projects within different research areas including the Global Burden of Diseases (GBD), Injuries, and Risk Factors; Future Health Scenarios; Cost Effectiveness and Efficiency; Resource Tracking; and Impact Evaluations.

IHME is committed to providing the evidence base necessary to help solve the world’s most important health problems. This requires creativity and innovation, which are cultivated by an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment that respects and appreciates differences, embraces collaboration, and invites the voices of all IHME team members.

IHME has an outstanding opportunity for an Employee Relations Specialist on the People and Performance (PNP) subteam, which is part of the larger Organizational Development and Training (ODT) team. POSITION PURPOSE The PNP team supports IHME’s diverse workforce across the employee lifecycle from onboarding to exit, spanning a broad scope of responsibilities to support the growth, development, and success of IHME’s people. This includes recruiting top talent, developing leaders, engaging managers, and supporting employees across all levels of the institute to ensure a vibrant and thriving community in which all members can fully contribute to IHME’s mission. The PNP team oversees a suite of core responsibilities including employee relations, performance management, community-building, coaching and mediation, recruiting, career development, employee engagement, and facilitation of personnel processes in partnership with campus HR. The PNP team is instrumental in driving IHME's mission forward, ensuring our institute remains adaptable, productive, and aligned with our core values.

The Employee Relations Specialist plays a key role in supporting the PNP team and serves as a technical leader who provides guidance across all levels of the institute from leadership to managers and employees. This position requires a high degree of employee relations expertise to adeptly address sensitive employee matters, including professionally managing and de-escalating grievances, resolving employee concerns, providing support to managers on performance management and corrective action, and guiding and advising on complicated leave of absence and/or disability accommodations. To accomplish this, the Employee Relations Specialist must possess excellent organizational acumen and be able to utilize sound judgment in high-pressure situations while demonstrating a high level of independence. The Employee Relations Specialists utilizes their expertise to skillfully manage delicate layoff termination cases, workplace climate concerns, conflict management and mediation, and organizational change to ensure their actions are in alignment with and represent the institute’s objectives. Tasked with handling sensitive and confidential matters adeptly, the Employee Relations Specialist will maintain excellent documentation and conduct thorough reviews and analyses of various employee relations issues to identify trends.

The Employee Relations Specialist acts as a key advisor to management, offering guidance on appropriate corrective measures and addressing delicate issues that could lead to challenging public relations or workplace climate concerns. This role frequently tackles unique challenges and problems that lack precedent or established guidelines, requiring sound decision-making and thoughtful solutions. The position acts as a liaison between the institute and campus HR and Labor Relations to address employee relations cases requiring collaboration on escalating performance management, complaint resolutions, and/or matters pertaining to employees represented by a union contract.

To thrive in this role, we are in search of an individual with exceptional interpersonal abilities and communication skills, capable of developing strong connections throughout IHME and UW utilizing both compassion and tact. It's essential that this person not only understands the value of empathy in building these relationships but also recognizes their own authority and responsibility in ensuring people are held accountable to their tasks and the processes set forth by state and federal policy, UW, and/or IHME. The Employee Relations Specialist must understand organizational complexities, reporting relationships, and specific roles and responsibilities across IHME and within the broader context of the UW’s administration of policies and procedures. Additionally, they must also exhibit the capability to handle difficult or volatile situations and individuals effectively.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Employee Relations

• Investigate formal and informal employee inquiries and complaints: counsel staff on complaint resolution options; facilitate resolutions. Provide guidance with employee coaching, conflict conversations, expectation setting, documentation of employee performance, performance improvement plans, and possible terminations.

• Research, analyze, and respond to employee/manager questions and/or issues regarding HR policies and processes.

• Manage organizational layoffs due to funding, re-orgs, or lack of work and serve as a liaison between managers, employees, and the UW to support seamless communication on resources, support, and problem-solving.

• Coach and advise staff on leave of absences and accommodations; recommend and facilitate effective solutions in alignment with applicable policies and laws. Partner with UW Leave/HR Consultant/Disability Offices on complex leave and accommodation issues.

• Participate in policy writing and interpretation. ODT Team Support

• Develop and/or deliver formal and informal supervisory training on a variety of topics pertaining to people management and leadership development.

• Partner with senior leaders to implement employee programs that build a positive culture which creates a positive employee relations climate.

• Support the employee experience as new initiatives arise and time allows (support event planning, onboarding, mentorship program, internship programs, exiting, etc.)

• Other duties as assigned. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Human Resources, Organizational Development, Psychology, or related field plus four years of employee relations experience. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Proven capability to effectively manage exceptionally challenging or unpredictable situations and individuals. Exhibited ability to engage constructively with professionals of all levels within the organization.

• Proven expertise in advising managers and employees on intricate and significant matters related to employee relations. Demonstrated effectiveness in collaborating with management and staff groups, integrating their ideas, adjusting to their needs, and persuading them to adopt actions and decisions that align with IHME's goals.

• Demonstrated competency in guiding management through conflict and change management. Proven effectiveness in aiding individuals and management teams to embrace change and in facilitating the resolution of conflicts through negotiation and dispute resolution, including persuasive techniques to influence others.

• Exhibited exceptional judgment in handling requests related to employee relations and confidentiality. Proven ability in creating client service-oriented programs.

• Comprehensive understanding of management, supervision, and leadership principles to offer expert advice and guidance. Demonstrated ability to apply management, training, and development theories and practices into effective human resource strategies.

• Demonstrated success in the implementation of performance management systems and in advising managers on performance evaluation processes. Knowledgeable in human resource practices within a large and complex organization, particularly regarding performance management programs.

• Effective communication skills, both written and oral. Demonstrated ability to communicate successfully with the public, faculty, students, and staff in routine operations and through formal presentations.

• Demonstrated project management skills, including the ability to think independently, track many details and logistics concurrently, be flexible, and juggle priorities for multiple ongoing projects with minimal supervision.

• Adept diplomacy and exemplary interpersonal skills required. Must be agile at forming respectful and rewarding relationships with people with different levels of experience and expertise from a variety of cultural, linguistic, and professional settings. DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Six years of employee relations experience.

• Knowledge of University rules and regulations.

• Knowledge of the State & Federal Employment Laws.

• Experience working in human resources in a higher education institution.

• Experience working in human resources in a unionized environment. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Weekend and evening work sometimes required.

• This position is open to anyone authorized to work in the U.S.

• Working internationally is only allowed for IHME sponsored work that requires in-country participation.

• Office is located in Seattle, Washington. This position is eligible to work fully remote in the US; work schedule required to overlap 50% of IHME office hours, between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Pacific Time as agreed upon between employee and supervisor.

University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.