Employee and Labor Relations PartnerWork type: Permanent Full Time
Location: Bellingham, WA
Categories: Business and Financial Affairs
Position Title Employee and Labor Relations Partner
About the Position
The Employee and Labor Relations Partner supports employee and labor relations services across the university, working with represented and nonrepresented employee groups, including student employees. The ELR Partner consults with employees and supervisors on routine workplace concerns, interprets collective bargaining agreements and university policies, and helps identify appropriate next steps. The position gathers information, researches questions, prepares documentation, and recommends options for review by the Human Resources Director. The ELR Partner supports grievance administration, labor management meetings, and supervisor education while referring complex, sensitive, or precedent-setting matters to the HR Leadership.
Employee Relations Consultation and Case Support
-Respond to assigned employee and supervisor questions, gather relevant information, identify applicable policies or agreements, and recommend practical next steps in consultation with the Director.
-Provide guidance to supervisors on performance expectations, documentation, communication, and routine workplace concerns; refer proposed disciplinary actions and more complex matters to the Director.
-Support fact finding on assigned matters by organizing records, interviewing participants when assigned, documenting information, and preparing summaries and recommendations for review.
-Maintain accurate case records and tracking information
Labor Relations and Contract Administration
-Research and explain collective bargaining agreement provisions and help supervisors apply them consistently, consulting with the Director on disputed or unclear interpretations.
-Assist with grievance intake and administration by gathering records, researching relevant provisions, tracking deadlines, and preparing draft materials for the Director's review.
-Support communication with union representatives and joint labor management meetings, including coordination, notes, research, follow up, and tracking agreed actions.
-Support bargaining preparations and negotiations through research, data gathering, meeting notes, and other assigned work.
Supervisor Resources and Communication
-Help develop and deliver practical resources and training for supervisors on policies, collective bargaining agreement basics, documentation, and employee relations processes
-Track recurring questions and case themes, and suggest improvements to guidance, forms, and communication for review by the Director.
-Work with supervisors to outline practical steps for addressing recurring workplace concerns or implementing changes, including a proposed timeline, communication needs, and follow-up points for review with the Director
HR Team Support
-Coordinate with HRIS, Payroll, Benefits, and other campus partners to resolve employee relations questions and route specialized issues to the appropriate team.
-Provide cross-functional support and perform related duties as assigned, including participation in special projects, process improvements, and compliance-related tasks to support the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the HR department
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
- Three years of relevant human resources experience, including experience with employee relations, labor relations, or workplace policy interpretation.
- Experience responding to workplace concerns and researching and applying employment policies or collective bargaining agreement provisions.
- Experience working with HR information systems and employee data, including the ability to run reports, identify data issues, and use the results to answer HR questions.
- Ability to gather and organize information, exercise sound judgment, prepare clear written summaries, manage deadlines, and protect confidential information.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with employees, supervisors, and employee representatives.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in a unionized public sector or higher education environment.
- Experience supporting grievance processes, workplace fact finding, or labor management meetings.
- Experience supporting collective bargaining or developing supervisor guidance and training.
- HR professional certification or advanced degree in a related field.
Conditions of Employment All employees must comply with our Immunization policies, including Proof of Rubeola Measles Immunity within 60-days of hire. Please reach out to HR@wwu.edu if you need information regarding medical or religious exemption and applicable accommodations.
Salary Hiring range is $71,078 - $81,740 depending on qualifications and experience. Through longevity position tops out at $92,400/year.
Benefits Information
Benefits Overview for Administrative Professional Position.
Application Instructions
A cover letter and resume are required and should address your experience related to the position responsibilities and the required and preferred qualifications. Please include the names and contact information of three professional references. References will only be contacted if necessary, with notice provided beforehand.
Closing Date Notes Position closes 11/23/2026 at 11:55 pm.
Job no: 503276
Advertised: Nov 02 2026 08:00 Pacific Standard Time
Applications close: Nov 23 2026 23:55 Pacific Standard Time
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