Position Summary

The Employment Relations Specialist serves as the Department of Public Instruction's subject matter expert in employment relations, performance management, workplace investigations, and conflict resolution. This position partners with Human Resources staff, agency leadership, and supervisors to provide consultation, guidance, and support on complex employment relations matters while promoting consistent, effective, and equitable practices across the agency. The Employment Relations Specialist also serves as the primary employment relations contact for the Wisconsin School for the Deaf and the Wisconsin School for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

In this role, you will:

• Partner with Human Resources staff and agency leaders to provide consultation on employment relations, workplace investigations, performance management, and employee concerns.
• Conduct and support workplace investigations, grievances, and conflict resolution efforts while recommending appropriate employment actions.
• Coach supervisors and managers on performance management, documentation, workplace conduct, and effective employee relations practices.
• Develop and deliver training, tools, policies, and resources that promote consistent employment relations practices across the agency.
• Analyze employment relations trends and recommend process improvements that strengthen workplace culture and reduce organizational risk.

Salary Information

Depending on qualifications, the salary will be between $38.00 - $41.09 per hour (approximately $79,040 - $85,468 per year). For current and eligible former State employees, compensation will be set in accordance with the State Compensation Plan effective at time of hire. This position is in pay schedule 81, range 03. A one-year probationary period will be required.

Check out the excellent benefits this position offers on the Employee Trust Fund's information page . The State of Wisconsin is a qualifying employer for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program .

Job Details

Remote Work : This position allows for up to 60% remote work within the State of Wisconsin, with the expectation that the employee maintains secure, high-speed internet access. Remote work from neighboring states may be approved only in very rare and limited circumstances. Please note that remote work arrangements may be rescinded at any time based on business needs, and employees may occasionally be required to report to a Wisconsin work location on short notice.

Travel : Frequent in-state travel is required, typically 2-3 days per week based on operational needs. Travel includes regular visits to the Wisconsin School for the Deaf in Delavan, the Wisconsin School for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Janesville, and the Department's central office in Madison.

Headquarters : This position will be headquartered in one of the following locations, based on the selected candidate's location and agency needs:

• Madison: 201 W. Washington Ave., Madison, WI 53703
• Janesville: 1700 W. State St., Janesville, WI 53546
• Delavan: 309 W. Walworth Ave., Delavan, WI 53115

Employees are required to report to the agency's central office at 201 W. Washington Ave., Madison, WI 53703 on their first day of employment. Thereafter, employees may be required to report to their designated headquarters location as operational needs require. Reimbursement for travel to or from the employee's headquarters' location (e.g., mileage, meals, parking, or lodging) is not provided.

Pre-hire requirements : A criminal background check will be conducted prior to an offer of hire. A tuberculosis screen will be required prior to start.

Legal authorization : Applicants must be legally entitled to work in the United States (i.e., a citizen or national of the U.S., without DPI sponsorship). The Department of Public Instruction does not sponsor visas, either at time of hire or at any later time.

Qualifications

Please address the following in your resume and/or letter of qualifications .

A minimally qualified applicant must have all the below:

• Experience providing human resources consultation or guidance in one or more of the following areas:
  • Employee relations (e.g., interpreting and applying HR policies to employee situations, coaching managers on appropriate responses to workplace issues, addressing employee concerns or workplace conflicts, etc.)
  • Performance management
  • Workplace investigations
  • Discipline
• Experience leading workplace investigations, including interviewing witnesses, gathering and analyzing information, and preparing investigation reports or documentation.
• Experience facilitating conflict resolution or mediating workplace issues among employees, supervisors, or work teams.

Please note that a college degree is not required for this position.

Well-qualified applicants will also have:

• Experience with grievance administration, labor relations, or employment-related proceedings such as arbitration, WERC, WERD, EEOC, or similar regulatory processes.
• Experience developing and delivering training in-person or virtually on human resources, employment relations or performance management topics.
• Experience developing and implementing HR policies or procedures.
• Experience working within the public sector.

How To Apply

For this position, please submit an updated resume and letter of qualifications. Review our Application Tips page on the DPI website for additional guidance.

Application materials will be evaluated, and the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the process. References will be requested from top candidates once interviews have taken place.

The State of Wisconsin offers a special program for qualified veterans with a 30% or greater service-connected disability. If you are a qualified veteran, please visit the Veterans Employment page for application instructions to be considered for the Veterans Non-Competitive Appointment program. Once you have applied, please send an email indicating your interest in being considered for the Veterans Non-Competitive Appointment program to the HR staff listed in the job posting.

Questions? Please contact the recruiter at:
Amanda Edl, Human Resources Specialist-Senior, [email protected] .

Deadline to Apply

The deadline for this announcement is 11:59 p.m. CST on Monday, July 20, 2026.