Employee Relations Specialist

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled


Portland State University


Position Details
Position Details Proposed Start Date07/01/2026Classification TitleHuman Resources & Organizational DevelopmentRankN - No RankWorking TitleEmployee Relations SpecialistDepartment600300 - HRC Human Resource CenterPosition NumberD94134RepresentationUU - Unclassified UnrepresentedRenewableRenewableEnd date, if applicable Position FTE1.0Tenure StatusN - not applicable

Position Summary Brief Description of PSU/School/DeptPortland State University is Oregon’s most affordable public research university, located in the heart of one of America’s most dynamic cities. Our mission to “let knowledge serve the city” reflects our dedication to turning ideas into action — in Portland and around the world. The city is our campus, giving students unmatched access to career connections, a vibrant cultural scene and hands-on learning experiences with hundreds of community partners.More than 20,000 students from all backgrounds bring diverse perspectives to our classrooms and campus life, from the tree-lined Park Blocks to the bustling Urban Plaza and state-of-the-art science labs. We are proud of our world-class faculty, groundbreaking research and international reputation for excellence in sustainability, community engagement and innovation.
Position SummaryAs a member of the Employee and Labor Relations Team in the Office of Human Resources, the Employee Relations Specialist uses professional methodologies and best practices to provide direct support to campus in handling employee relations matters that may include coaching, educating, and guiding employees and managers through informal and formal processes involving performance management, progressive discipline, dispute resolution, grievance processing, effective communication, and workplace interventions.Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree plus two years of directly related experience in employee relations, which could include supervisory experience, or equivalent relevant experience. An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered for applicants who don’t possess a Bachelor’s degree.
• Ability to persuade others and to adjust communication style to suit the audience to effectively communicate with people in all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated ability in providing quality support to supervisors/managers through challenging employee and/or labor relations situations.
• Excellent critical thinking, judgment and decision-making ability, including the ability to weigh short and long-term costs and benefits of a potential decision and/or action.
• Excellent listening and interviewing skills with the ability to hear all sides of a problem before drawing conclusions.
• Outstanding communication skills including refined writing skills and the ability to speak clearly and concisely.
• Demonstrated experience in successfully handling a high volume of employee relations activity using application of professional experience, employment law, and organizational practices and procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to manage time, prioritize workload, meet deadlines, and follow through with service to customers is required.
• Ability to work well under pressure and handle conflict with the highest levels of professionalism.
• Successful completion of a background check.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Power Point) and other common business applications.

Preferred Qualifications

• PHR or SPHR preferred.
• Experience working in a higher education setting.
• Experience working in a public sector organization.
• Experience working in a large organization with multiple and diverse employee groups.
• Experience working with collective bargaining agreements and in unionized work environments.

Key Cultural Competencies

• Create an environment that acknowledges, encourages, and celebrates differences.
• Function and communicate effectively and respectfully within the context of varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities, and cultural backgrounds.
• Seek opportunities to gain experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings with a willingness to change for continual improvement.
• Adhere to all of PSU’s policies including the policies on Prohibited Discrimination & Harassment and the Professional Standards of Conduct.

Environmental StewardshipContributes to a culture of environmental stewardship, practices resource conservation, and actively works toward achieving long-term sustainability goals.Work Days/HoursIn person, Monday-Friday, 8am - 5pmTotal Compensation Range & Benefits StatementSalary is dependent on several factors, and new employees will typically start around the Q1 level to allow for later growth within the salary band. PSU has a structured process for determining starting compensation, taking into account years of related experience, applicable skills, knowledge and abilities, market parity, and internal equity.
The annual salary for this position will be between $61,200 – $69,326 but may be negotiated above this rate dependent upon the factors above, the budget of the hiring department, and approval from HR.
An excellent benefits package includes 95% premium paid healthcare; a generous retirement and vacation package; and reduced tuition rates for employee, spouse or dependent at any of the Oregon University System schools. Please visit our total compensation calculator to see the full value of our benefits package.

Search Details Posting Close DateProjected Close Date for PostingOpen Until Finalists IdentifiedApplication screening begins05/11/2026Quick Linkhttps://jobs.hrc.pdx.edu/postings/49690

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * Do you have a Bachelor's degree and 1-3 years of related experience?
   • Yes
   • No
2. * How did you first find out about this position?
   • PSU Website
   • Indeed.com
   • HERCJobs
   • Urban League of Portland
   • Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber
   • Oregon Employment Department
   • Social Media
   • Person Referral
   • Career Builder
   • Glass Door
   • Other - Please describe in the next Question
3. If you selected Other, please describe.

   (Open Ended Question)

Applicant Documents
Required Documents

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter
3. Professional References

Optional Documents

PI284419639