Labor and Employee Relations Specialist

Title: Labor and Employee Relations Specialist
Division Name: Finance and Planning
Department: Human Resources

Job Summary

This is a position in the Labor and Employee Relations (LER) Unit in Human Resources. The LER Unit plans, negotiates, and administers ISU labor contracts. The LER Unit also consults with supervisory staff regarding performance and conduct issues for assigned employee groups.

The Labor and Employee Relations Specialist is responsible for performing core labor relations and employee relations functions, including coaching and counseling managers regarding grievances and employee performance/conduct management, facilitating grievance meetings and developing grievance responses, drafting performance documentation, completing projects related to negotiations planning (research, proposal costing, etc.), administering labor-management agreements, and performing a variety of other functions in support of the LER Unit in ISU Human Resources.

Additional Information

University Benefit Highlights:
- Insurance benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life
- Retirement and supplemental retirement planning options
- Tuition waiver benefits available to staff as well as their eligible dependents
- Paid holiday/administrative closures during Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks
- Paid benefit time

For more University Benefit information: https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/ 

Information regarding eligibility for participation in the State Universities Retirement System and the State of Illinois Group Insurance program can be reviewed here https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/insurance/

Salary Rate / Pay Rate

$4,420 - $5,317 per month

Required Qualifications

1. Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Human Resources Administration, Management, Organizational Administration, Public Administration, Labor Relations, Business Administration, Law, or a field or concentration closely related to the position.

2. Two (2) years (24 months) of work experience performing professional-level human resources duties (such as Employee Relations, Performance Management, Labor Relations, Employment)

Preferred Qualifications

1. Professional work experience in the labor relations area.
2. Professional work experience in higher education human resources and/or higher education labor relations.
3. Excellent oral and written communication skills.
4. Knowledge of federal and state laws, rules, and regulations affecting human resources, labor relations, and/or employee relations.
5. Demonstrated ability to exercise critical thinking skills and professionally address sensitive issues while maintaining confidentiality and composure.
6. Demonstrated strong attention to detail, time management skills, and ability to organize, analyze, and interpret data.
7. In depth familiarity with Microsoft Office products.

Work Hours

Core hours of Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. It may at times be necessary for the individual in this position to work outside these core hours.

Functional Expectations

Must be able to complete the following with or without a reasonable accommodation:

1. Effectively communicate on a daily basis.
2. Remain at a workstation for extended periods.
3. Move about in various locations across campus as needed to complete day-to-today work.
4. Distinguish colors on a monitor.

Proposed Starting Date

November 2025

Required Applicant Documents

Resume
Cover Letter
Reference List (at least 3 professional references)
Writing Sample (An actual personally authored professional writing sample that demonstrates your written communication skills. Confidential information can be redacted from the writing sample).

Please Note: These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Optional Applicant Documents

Certification of Retirement Annuity

Please Note: These documents may be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Special Instructions for Applicants

Applicants for this position must be authorized to work in the U.S. without ISU sponsorship. Sponsorship for work authorization will not be considered for this position.

Please fully complete the entire application including, but not limited to, the education and work history portions. Be specific on your work history, including employment dates (if part-time you must list the number of work hours) and duties for all positions held. Applicable part-time work experience will be considered toward qualifying for this position; however, it will be converted to a full-time equivalency to determine combined length of experience. Please do not put "see resume" in the duties and responsibilities section of the work history. This will be considered an incomplete application and incomplete applications will not be considered.

College or university transcripts (may be unofficial) must be submitted prior to the application deadline to receive full consideration. Transcripts can either be uploaded with your application or submitted via the options listed below.

To be eligible for Veteran's Preference points on the exam, appropriate military service documentation such as a DD-214 must be submitted prior to the application deadline.

Transcripts and/or military service documentation may be faxed or mailed to Human Resources by the application deadline:

Fax: 309.438.0011, Attn: Colette Homan
Address: Illinois State University
Human Resources
Campus Box 1300
Normal, IL 61790-1300

The Civil Service examination for this classification is based on your application materials and responses to the supplemental questions. No participation other than submission of applicant materials is required from applicants that qualify to take the exam. If you meet the minimum required qualifications for this position, you will receive a score calculated based on your education and experience, and your name will be placed on the active employment register by exam score. After the application deadline, the names within the top three scores will be referred to the department for interview. The active register for this classification will be voided when the position is filled.

Illinois State University is authorized to do business within the State of Illinois. All work under this appointment is required to be performed from within the State of Illinois. If hired, out-of-state candidates must establish Illinois residency within 180 calendar days from the start date for this position. Illinois residency requires proof of a valid Illinois driver’s license or a valid State of Illinois ID card. Failure to produce the required documentation within 180 calendar days will result in immediate termination of employment.

Contact Information for Applicants

Colette Homan
Human Resources
309-438-8848
cshoman@ilstu.edu

Important Information for Applicants

This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (309) 438-3383. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.

If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at (309) 438-8311.