Overview:
At Utah State University we believe in fostering an environment where employees can thrive. We are looking to add a dedicated HR Generalist with a passion for people to our Human Resources Team. This role is crucial in supporting our growing organization by providing HR expertise specifically tailored to the unique needs of athletics employees.
We value diversity and have high expectations of performance and values. We believe in maintaining an open-minded approach to problem-solving, conflict management, and decision-making. Our staff members are team players who excel at building trusting relationships with customers and co-workers. We strive for a reputation of integrity. If you desire to work in such an environment and meet the qualifications, we welcome your application!
This position will primarily serve as a liaison between the HR department and the Athletics division, supporting the unique HR needs of athletic coaches, administrative staff, and other personnel. May provide human resources services and support to one or more other departments, colleges, and administrators, helping align HR initiatives and business objectives. Focuses on fostering strong relationships with colleges, divisions, departments, and teams to drive performance, enhance employee engagement, and support a culture of continuous improvement. Provides expert advice on people strategies, including talent acquisition and management, change management, and employee relations. Liaises with other HR functional areas to provide support in functions such as HRIS, benefits, compensation, and training/development.
Exempt positions are eligible for excellent benefits including: 13 paid holidays, earn 22 days of paid leave and 12 days of sick leave per year, 50% tuition reduction for eligible employee, spouse, and children, competitive health benefits packages and a generous contribution into your retirement. For a full description of benefits see the USU HR Benefits Webpage (
https://www.usu.edu/hr/benefits/).
Responsibilities: HR Partnership with Leadership:
- Partner with administrators to understand department goals and develop HR strategies to support them.
- Act as a trusted advisor to leadership on people-related matters.
- Provide guidance on the design and execution of organizational changes and restructures.
- Supports the strategic and operational plans of the overall functional area.
- Work is performed independently except for new projects or concepts.
- Work is reviewed to ensure objectives were met.
- Good knowledge of all HR related job functions and the broad industry best practices, techniques, and standards.
Talent Acquisition and Management:
- Support leaders in the talent acquisition process.
- Promote employee development, and retention.
- Support leaders in developing and executing talent management strategies, including leadership development, succession planning, and career pathing.
Employee Relations:
- Serve as the first point of contact for employee relations issues within the Athletics department.
- Provide high-level support in handling complex employee relations issues, including investigations, conflict resolution, and recommendations for disciplinary actions.
- Promote a positive organizational culture by advising supervisors on employee engagement, recognition programs, and team-building activities.
- Ensure compliance with USU policies and federal & state employment laws.
Performance Management:
- Advise leaders on performance management processes, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
- Work with supervisors to develop and implement performance improvement plans for underperforming employees.
- Help build a culture of accountability and continuous feedback.
Change Management:
- Lead change management initiatives related to organizational transformation, restructuring, and growth.
- Support the area through change by developing communication strategies, managing employee transitions, and aligning HR support with evolving department needs.
HR Analytics:
- Leverage data and HR metrics to provide insights and drive decision-making.
- Track and analyze trends in turnover, employee satisfaction, and other key HR metrics.
Learning and Development:
- Work with leaders to identify learning needs and create development opportunities for employees.
- Promote leadership and employee development through training programs, mentorship, and career progression initiatives.
- Support leaders in fostering a learning culture within their teams.
Policy and Compliance:
- Ensure the college, division, or department complies with local, state, and federal employment laws.
- Update and maintain HR policies and procedures to support compliance requirements.
- Support the development and implementation of department employee procedures and guidelines.
Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications:
- Eight years of Human Resources experience OR a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field plus four years of experience in Human Resources OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience partnering effectively with all organization levels.
- Must be able to travel occasionally to other USU statewide locations.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with NCAA regulations or athletics preferred.
- Experience reviewing and working with highly confidential data.
- A professional human resources certification.
- Intermediate knowledge of workplace compliance.
- Experience in responding to and maintaining compliance with external regulatory requirements.
- Experience in working with Case Management systems (Service Now Case Management, Maxient, or Navex Ethicspoint is a plus), complaint handling, and preventive trainings.
- Experience supporting investigative or legal processes.
- In-depth understanding of policies overseen by the Office of Human Resources with policies, laws, and regulations.
- Working knowledge and experience interpreting and analyzing employer policies and implementing processes, protocols and procedures.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Strong knowledge of employment laws, regulations, and best practices.
- Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
- Strong written skills.
- Interviewing and investigation skills.
- Experience with change management, and performance management.
- Familiarity with HRIS systems and data analysis.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality required in handling employee related issues.
- Ability to manage emotionally charged situations professionally.
- Ability to manage multiple cases or priorities simultaneously, often under deadlines or time pressure.
- High attention to detail, accurately gathering, analyzing, and synthesizing complex and often contradictory information
Required Documents:
Along with the online application, please attach:
- Resume to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”
- Please answer the following screening questions:
- Are you willing and able to work on-site full time?
- Are you willing and able to travel occasionally (e.g. Once per month)?
**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.** Advertised Salary: Minimum $62,000 commensurate with experience, plus excellent benefits ADA:
Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes. Employees nearly continuously sit, hear, listen, and talk. Often use repetitive hand motion (such as typing), writing, and walking. Frequently interact with others both in person and virtually, via email, video calls, and phone communication. Mentally must have a high attention to detail, accurately gathering, analyzing, and synthesizing complex and often contradictory information. Requires the ability to manage emotionally charged situations professionally. Must manage multiple cases or priorities simultaneously, often under deadlines or time pressure.
University Highlights:
Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant, public service university. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge and serving the public good through innovative research and scholarly activities that are grounded in reciprocal engagement with local, regional, and global communities. USU prepares students to be active, civically engaged leaders who are prepared to address critical societal challenges. Dedicated to providing a high-quality and affordable education, USU remains a leader in research, discovery, and public impact.
USU enrolls 28,900 students, both online and in person at
locations throughout the state. Utah State’s 30 locations include a main campus in Logan, Utah, residential campuses in Price and Blanding, and six additional statewide campuses, along with education centers serving every county. USU Online educates students from all 50 states and 55 countries. For over 25 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns in all of Utah’s counties.
Competing at the NCAA Division I level, USU is a proud member of the Mountain West Conference and will join the Pac-12 Conference beginning in the 2026-2027 season.
The Aggies’ long-standing tradition of athletic and academic excellence is exemplified by conference championships in multiple sports, reflecting USU's commitment to perseverance and achievement.
Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected, valued, and supported. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when they named
Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023.
Learn more about USU.
The university provides a
Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or
hr@usu.edu.
*updated 07/2025 Notice of Non-discrimination:
In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.
Utah State University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination including harassment in employment including in hiring, promotion, transfer, or termination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy or any other federal, state, or local law.
Utah State University does not discriminate in its housing offerings and will treat all persons fairly and equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, familial status, disability, national origin, source of income, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Additionally, the University endeavors to provide reasonable accommodations when necessary and to ensure equal access to qualified persons with disabilities.
In all circumstances, Utah State University follows state and federal laws related to sex-segregated spaces.
The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:
Matthew PinnerExecutive Director Civil Rights & Title IX Office
matthew.pinner@usu.edu435-797-1266 | Old Main Rm. 401D1400 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322 |
Cody CarmichaelTitle IX Coordinator
cody.carmichael@usu.edu435-797-1266 | Old Main Rm. 402D1400 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322
For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit
crtix.usu.edu or contact:
U.S. Department of Education
Denver Regional Office
U.S. Department of Education
Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
*updated 06/2025