Reporting to the Director of Engagement & Development, the POSO Specialist serves as the primary resource for employee engagement, development, and employee relations. The unit focuses on the employee journey from recruitment to departure as well as focusing on the relationship between the employee and the institution. This role is responsible for learning and development initiatives and employee engagement programs to enhance organizational culture and workforce success. Additionally, the position supports conducting formal reviews, advising leadership on complex employee issues, and ensuring adherence to university, state, and federal laws and policies.
65% Employee Relations
Consultation, Analysis, and Policy Application
- Serve as the day-to-day employee relations (ER) consultant for employees, supervisors, and managers to surface and address workplace concerns early and effectively.
- Provide consultation and coaching on performance, conduct, and workplace issues; recommend corrective action strategies and follow through steps, including formal disciplinary actions.
- Interpret and apply university, state, and federal policies/procedures to non‑routine situations; exercise sound judgment on complex cases across varied academic and administrative units.
- Maintain strict confidentiality and complete, timely documentation for all matters.
Investigations, Dispute Resolution, and Case Management
- Participate in thorough, impartial reviews into complaints and concerns involving staff, faculty, and student employee interactions; gather and analyze evidence; prepare findings and action recommendations.
- Facilitate mediation and other problem-solving approaches to resolve disputes at the earliest possible stage.
- Manage sensitive situations (discipline, grievances, return to work, and other crises) with timely communication and risk aware recommendations.
Program and Process Responsibilities (ER)
- Administer performance evaluation processes for assigned areas (e.g., system functionality/workflow oversight; completion tracking and reporting).
- Consult with departments on Reduction-in-Force (RIF) needs and coordinate all steps of the RIF process.
30% Learning & Development and Employee Engagement
- Partner enablement & performance management coaching: Provide practical training on documentation, feedback, performance planning/reviews, and PIP
- Engagement initiatives: Support climate/engagement survey logistics and post‑survey roll‑ups for leader action‑planning; coordinate with and provide training for POSO partners on follow‑through.·
- Program design & development: Assess needs; research and design strategic, goal‑aligned learning for managers and employees (instructor‑led, online, hybrid) spanning leadership, communication, team effectiveness, core people development practices, and system skills.
- Evaluation & improvement: Measure effectiveness (e.g., surveys/metrics), analyze outcomes, and iterate content/delivery to improve impact.
- Department consults & custom solutions: Consult with departments to identify needs; design/deliver tailored training sessions; recommend process improvements; collaborate with and train POSO partners to address organizational development goals.
5% Other Duties as Assigned: Perform other duties as assigned.
This position may be eligible for flexible work arrangements including hybrid work and flexible scheduling.
Contingent upon availability of funds.