Employee Relations Consultant

Edtech.com's Summary

University of South Carolina is hiring an Employee Relations Consultant. The role involves advising and counseling supervisors, managers, and employees on policy interpretation and disciplinary matters, managing the telecommuting process, administering a drug and alcohol testing program, and coordinating ADA accommodation requests to ensure compliance with university, state, and federal policies.

Highlights

Serve as initial contact for Employee Relations, advising on policy and disciplinary issues.

Create and review disciplinary and telecommuting-related written notices and templates.

Administer telecommuting processes including plan approvals and agreement tracking.

Manage the random drug and alcohol testing program and ensure compliance for safety-sensitive positions.

Advise on programs such as Reduction-in-Force, Voluntary Separation, and Retirement Incentives.

Provide intake appointments for ADA accommodations, coordinate implementation and maintain documentation.

Required bachelor's degree in a related field plus 2 years of related experience or equivalent certification/training.

Preferred experience in Employee Relations and advanced Microsoft Office skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Strong knowledge of USC policies, State HR regulations, and federal laws.

Starting salary is $54,165 with a range up to $70,000, full-time, 37.5 hours/week.

Employee Relations Consultant Full Description

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Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.

We are only accepting applications submitted by January 20, 2026.

The University of South Carolina offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to:

Health and Life Insurance
Retirement Programs
Paid Tuition
Dependent Scholarships
Annual Leave
Sick Leave
13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday)
Paid Parental Leave
Professional Development Opportunities

Click here to learn more about why you should work at USC.

Posting Details

Posting Summary

Logo
Posting Number	STA00006PO26
Job Family	Human Resources
Job Function	Employee Relations
USC Market Title	Employee Relations Consultant
Link to USC Market Title	https://uscjobs.sc.edu/titles/133087
Job Level	P2 - Professional
Business Title (Internal Title)	Employee Relations Consultant
Campus	Columbia
Work County	Richland
College/Division	Division of Human Resources
Department	DHR Employee Relations
State Pay Band	6
Approved Starting Salary	$54,165
Advertised Salary Range	$54,165 - $70,000
Location of Vacancy	Columbia, SC (on-site)
Part/Full Time	Full Time
Hours per Week	37.5
Work Schedule	Standard work schedule is Monday through Friday from 8:30am – 5:00pm with one hour for lunch. Must be willing to work flexible schedule in support of office needs.
Basis	12 months
Job Search Category

About USC

About University of South Carolina	From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.
Veterans' Preference Statement	The University of South Carolina is committed to equal opportunity and proudly values the skills and experience military veterans bring to our workforce. Across South Carolina, we are making veterans a priority for employment and recognize their vital contributions to our state and our communities.

About University of South Carolina

From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.

Veterans' Preference Statement

The University of South Carolina is committed to equal opportunity and proudly values the skills and experience military veterans bring to our workforce. Across South Carolina, we are making veterans a priority for employment and recognize their vital contributions to our state and our communities.

Benefits for FTE Positions

The University of South Carolina (USC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about USC benefits, access the "Working at USC" section on the Applicant Portal at https://uscjobs.sc.edu. Research Grant or Time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some, or no benefits, based on the grant or project funding.

Position Description

Advertised Job Summary	Under general supervision of the Employee Relations Director, performs a variety of professional level duties to facilitate effective and efficient operations of the Employee Relations Office to include: Initial contact for Employee Relations (by phone, email, in-person, virtual) advising and counseling supervisors, managers, service teams and administrators on policy interpretation and disciplinary matters in accordance to University, State and Federal procedures, policies and laws. Counsels employees who seek HR advice on workplace related matters. Maintains the ER tracking spreadsheet for issues that come to the ER office consulting with the Employee Relations manager as appropriate. Creates and reviews written disciplinary notices and templates including performance, conduct and telecommuting related letters. Provides edits and recommendations as needed to best support the action taken. Maintains templates on the ER shared drive. Administers the telecommuting process for the University system advising, reviewing and approving division telecommuting plans; providing guidance and answering questions to campus about telecommuting for staff. Reviews and approves telecommuting agreements; maintains telecommuting tracking and follows reporting standards as required. Manages the random drug and alcohol testing program. Communicates with the designated drug and alcohol administrators for safety and security sensitive positions; Ensures compliance with the policy to include training for reasonable suspension identification for supervisors. Advises on Employee Relations managed programs such as Reduction-in-Force (RIF), Voluntary Separation Programs (VSP) and Retirement Incentive Programs (RIP). Assist in policy editing and development and serve as back-up to other ER consultants and training classes as needed. Provides intake appointments, working closely with employees and supervisors to assess ADA accommodation needs and work within the interactive process to determine appropriate accommodations. Coordinates the implementation of accommodations and maintains documentation of accommodation requests, approvals, and outcomes in accordance with ADA guidelines and university policies.
Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience	Requires a bachelor’s degree in a job related field and 2 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience.
Required Certification, Licensure/Other Credentials
Preferred Qualifications	Experience working in Employee Relations. Advanced knowledge in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities	Knowledge of USC policies and procedures; State HR regulations; knowledge of State and Federal laws. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships. Ability to analyze needs and resources and to recommend and communicate solutions effectively. Ability to exercise judgment and discretion in applying and interpreting a variety of policies and procedures.

Job Duties

Job Duty	Initial contact for Employee Relations (by phone, email, in-person, virtual). Advises and counsels supervisors, managers, service teams and administrators on policy interpretation and disciplinary matters in accordance to University, State and Federal procedures, policies and laws. Counsels employees who seek HR advice on workplace related matters. Maintains the ER tracking spreadsheet for issues that come to the ER office. Consults with ER manager as appropriate.
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	30

Job Duty	Creates and reviews written disciplinary notices and templates. This includes performance, conduct and telecommuting related letters. Provides edits and recommendations as needed to best support the action taken. Maintains templates on the ER shared drive.
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	20

Job Duty	Administers the telecommuting process for the University system. Advises, reviews and approves division telecommuting plans; provides guidance and answers questions to campus about telecommuting for staff; reviews and approves telecommuting agreements; maintains telecommuting tracking and follows reporting standards as required.
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	30

Job Duty	Manages the random drug and alcohol testing program. Communicates with the designated drug and alcohol administrators for safety and security sensitive positions; Ensures compliance with the policy to include training for reasonable suspension identification for supervisors.
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	10

Job Duty	Advise on Employee Relations managed programs such as Reduction-in-Force (RIF), Voluntary Separation Programs (VSP) and Retirement Incentive Programs (RIP). Assist in policy editing and development and serve as back-up to other ER consultant and training classes as needed. Provides intake appointments, works closely with employees and supervisors to assess ADA accommodation needs and work within the interactive process to determine appropriate accommodations. Coordinates the implementation of accommodations and maintains documentation of accommodation requests, approvals, and outcomes in accordance with ADA guidelines and university policies.
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	10

Position Attributes

Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing.

Safety Sensitive or Security Sensitive	No
Hazardous weather category	Non-Essential

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies	1
Desired Start Date
Job Open Date	01/06/2026
Job Close Date	01/20/2026
Open Until Filled	No
Special Instructions to Applicant	Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email. *We are only accepting applications submitted by* January 20, 2026. The University of South Carolina offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to: Health and Life Insurance Retirement Programs Paid Tuition Dependent Scholarships Annual Leave Sick Leave 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday) Paid Parental Leave Professional Development Opportunities Click here to learn more about why you should work at USC.
Quicklink for Posting	https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/200880
EEO Statement	The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

* Do you have a bachelor's degree in a job related field and 2 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience?
- Yes
- No
* Please describe your Employee Relations experience and share your direct and indirect responsibilities.
(Open Ended Question)
* Explain your working experience administering and interpreting state/federal labor laws and governmental compliance requirements and disclose your knowledge and familiarity level of the University of South Carolina policies.
(Open Ended Question)
* This position includes evaluating ADA workplace accommodations. Please describe your knowledge and examples of when you facilitated ADA reasonable accommodations. Walk us through the procedural steps you take beginning with receiving the initial request and ending with the resolution.
(Open Ended Question)
This position requires the ability to write and edit numerous professional notices and letters, often with short deadlines. Please describe your experience with writing and editing professional letters such as disciplinary, accommodation, return to work, fitness for duty, etc.
(Open Ended Question)
* What approach would you use and how would you coach an executive leadership member through a difficult employment decision that needs to be made? Explain your strategy and delivery of the consultation.
(Open Ended Question)

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

Cover Letter
Resume
List of References and Contact Information

Optional Documents

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Original Job Description