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Senior HR Specialist

The University of Texas at Austin
paid holidays, sick time, retirement plan
United States, Texas, Austin
101 East 27th Street (Show on map)
Mar 06, 2025

Job Posting Title:

Senior HR Specialist

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Hiring Department:

Applied Research Laboratories

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

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FLSA Status:

Exempt

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Earliest Start Date:

Immediately

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue

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Location:

PICKLE RESEARCH CAMPUS

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Job Details:

Purpose

Seeking a candidate with a strong background in all HR areas to be key contributor in the Applied Research Laboratories' Human Resources office focusing on the specialty areas of Employee Relations, Training & Development, and Classification/compensation Analysis. Applied Research Laboratories is a DoD University Affiliated Research Center at The University of Texas at Austin. We are located on the Pickle Research Campus in North Austin, and our Executive Director reports to the Vice President for Research, Scholarship and Creative Endeavors (VPRSCE). Through fundamental research, innovative science, and applied engineering, ARL:UT makes significant contributions in support of national security.

Responsibilities
  • Partners with Sr. Employee Relations Coordinator in (1) guiding managers in developing complete position descriptions, setting expectations based on position descriptions, performance management, coaching, annual evaluations, and corrective action; and (2) providing support to all employees regarding workplace concerns and advising of associated policies and resources. Collaborates with UT Austin contacts (UT HR, VPRSCE, ADA Office, DIA, etc.) as needed. Monitors employee engagement and makes recommendations for enhanced employee experience. May conduct exit and stay interviews, tracking related data and sharing trends with ARL and HR leadership, as appropriate.

  • Prepares and conducts in-person, on-site (and periodically, virtual) training primarily focused on developing complete position descriptions, setting expectations based on position descriptions, performance management, coaching, annual evaluations, and corrective action. Assists Sr. Employee Relations Coordinator and HR Managers in assessing other appropriate topics for training and in developing content with other ARL HR staff who will conduct training in areas such as recruiting and interviewing. Identifies and recommends external training resources; coordinates with other ARL departments and manages the logistics for external training scheduled in-house (Purchasing, Strategic Communications, etc.).

  • Assists as needed in the preparation and/or review of submissions of ARL data to salary surveys, and in the analysis of the results of surveys. Prepares preliminary data for review of starting salaries for research positions. Assists with market and internal equity reviews for annual salary budget planning. Contributes to the development of new ideas for more automation and streamlining of market matching.

  • In performing all job functions, maintains a professional approach and due diligence for producing the highest quality of work and establishing an environment for consistent and evident collaboration across all ARL HR areas. Attends staff meetings; provides and accepts thoughtful, objective, open-minded, and insightful input and guidance during meetings, and in day-to-day interactions with all ARL HR staff members. Collaborates for solutions; exhibits a thorough understanding of the relevance of all data as applicable to ARL HR business rules and management objectives, and a thorough understanding of all ARL Operating Policies and Procedures. Reviews, recommends and/or prepares documentation, spreadsheets, and presentations to provide information, analyze trends, or support ARL HR recommendations. Carefully maintains records, tracking spreadsheets, and documentation related to areas of responsibility. Remains adaptable to new types of HR responsibilities at a department level.

  • Other related functions as assigned.

Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree with coursework in management, human resources, communications, social sciences or other areas related to the functions of this position.

  • At least five years' combined experience in Employee Relations and associated ER-related training.

  • Evidence of familiarly with job market analysis, job classification analysis and developing well-defined position descriptions and associated performance expectations.

  • Excellent at communicating, both orally and in writing, with individuals, small groups, and large audiences.

  • Strong evidence of providing effective coaching and training in areas such as employee relations, setting expectations, and performance management.

  • Thorough knowledge of and experience applying applicable federal and state regulations (ADA, FMLA, FLSA, EEO, etc.) and advising employees and managers in those areas.

  • Ability to assist managers with turning performance deficiencies into clear, actionable, measurable performance objectives.

  • Strong skills in MS Office with a proven ability to use Excel and PowerPoint at an expert level.

  • Evidence of meticulous attention to detail, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team, and to transition effectively between key responsibility areas. Ability to remain calm under high pressure, maintain strict confidentiality, and demonstrate a balance of empathy with objectivity in emotionally charged situations.

  • Strong diagnostic and problem-solving skills, with the ability to provide multiple options for problem resolution. Ability to carefully intake a large amount of detailed information, in both verbal and written form, and summarize all important points in a clear manner in all training, correspondence and analysis. Ability to deliver results with little supervision, and effectively manage and prioritize multiple projects.

  • Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications
  • At least eight years' combined experience in Employee Relations and associated ER-related training.

  • Thorough knowledge of and experience applying UT HR policies and procedures, especially those related to responsibilities of this position; knowledge of UT resources for employees and managers.

  • Experience developing and providing tools to managers for effective employee relations and performance management.

  • Experience working in a research organization.

  • Mediation experience or training.

  • Experience in organizational development.

  • Experience utilizing compensation data and communicating the link between performance and rewards.

  • Experience using Workday.

  • PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP certification.

  • CCP certification.

General Notes

An agency designated by the federal government handles the investigation as to the requirement for eligibility for access to classified information. Factors considered during this investigation include but are not limited to allegiance to the United States, foreign influence, foreign preference, criminal conduct, security violations, drug involvement, the likelihood of continuation of such conduct, etc.

Please mark "yes" on the application question that asks if additional materials are required. Failure to attach all additional materials listed below may result in a delay in application processing.

Visit our website (www.arlut.utexas.edu) for additional information about Applied Research Laboratories.

UT Austin offers a competitive benefits package that includes:
* 100% employer-paid basic medical coverage
* Retirement contributions
* Paid vacation and sick time
* Paid holidays
Please visit our Human Resources (HR) website to learn more about the total benefits offered.

Salary Range

$82,000-$95,000+/negotiable depending on qualifications

Working Conditions
  • Standard office conditions

  • Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation

  • Use of manual dexterity

  • Some weekend, evening and holiday work

  • Possible interstate/intrastate travel

Required Materials
  • Resume/CV

  • 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor

  • Letter of interest

Importantfor applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers:You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure thatALLRequired Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers:As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questionspresented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

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Employment Eligibility:

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

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Retirement Plan Eligibility:

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

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Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

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Equal Opportunity Employer:

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer,complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

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Pay Transparency:

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.

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Employment Eligibility Verification:

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

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E-Verify:

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university's company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

  • E-Verify Poster (English) [PDF]
  • E-Verify Poster (Spanish) [PDF]
  • Right To Work Poster (English) [PDF]
  • Right To Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

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Compliance:

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.

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