LDA Employee Relations & Wellness Consultant, Office of Human Resources - UT Chattanooga

The Employee Relations & Wellness Consultant serves as a strategic HR partner to faculty, staff, and supervisors, addressing workplace concerns, enhancing employee engagement, ensuring compliance, and supporting wellness programs. This role supports a broad range of employee relations matters, administers complex leave programs, and contributes to a healthy and inclusive campus environment.

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is in the heart of one of Tennessee's largest and most dynamic cities. As a national model for metropolitan universities, UTC collaborates with its many regional partners to offer an experiential learning environment with outstanding teaching scholars in 128 undergraduate degree programs and 55 graduate programs-at both the master''s and doctoral levels. UTC and Chattanooga-nationally recognized for its downtown redevelopment and wealth of outdoor recreation-are inextricably linked, and the University is central to the workforce and economic development efforts of the region and the state.

Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Engineering and Computer Science; Health, Education and Professional Studies; and the Honors College are home to an array of award-winning programs from Nursing to Computer Science, Entrepreneurship to Veteran Student Support. Innovation is a strategic focus, and UTC research and development in smart city technology is an industry leader. UTC is the first and only university in the country with access to a managed, commercial quantum computing network, and we are introducing an artificial intelligence initiative involving entities across campus and engaging partners throughout the region.

From our deep ties to the city of Chattanooga to our national reputation for innovation and hands-on learning, UTC stands out as a university where students thrive, faculty inspire, and partnerships create real impact.

Required:

• Bachelor's degree
• Minimum of three (3) years of relevant experience supporting or executing services within the portfolio of work

Preferred:

• Master's degree
• Record of progressively responsible experience in services within the portfolio of work
• Experience in mediation, conflict resolution, or investigations
• Experience in higher education or similarly complex organizational environments
• Mediation or Dispute Resolution training or certifications

Work Location:

• University of Tennessee - Chattanooga, TN Campus
• This is a fully on-site position.

Compensation and Benefits:

• UT Market Range: MR10
• Anticipated hiring salary: $60,250 - $70,260, or commensurate with experience
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure
• Find more information on UT Benefits

Employee Relations & Employee Support

• Serves as a consultant to employees, supervisors, and campus leadership on employee relations matters
• Conducts intake meetings and supports resolution of workplace concerns
• Guides performance management, coaching, corrective actions, and policy interpretation
• Facilitates conflict resolution and conversations between parties
• Conducts reviews and investigations related to policy or procedure violations within the auspices of Human Resources
• Supports employee appeals, grievances, and unemployment hearings
• Conducts exit and stay interviews and analyzes trends to inform decision-making
• Maintains accurate case documentation and records
• Supports employee engagement initiatives in collaboration with stakeholder groups

Employee Wellness & Leave Administration

• Administers leave programs, including FMLA, parental leave, and other leave types
• Serves as a liaison supporting employees and departments through complex leave cases
• Coordinates return-to-work processes and supportive services
• Supports fitness-for-duty evaluations and related proceedings
• Supports short and long-term disability proceedings
• Participates in and promotes employee wellness initiatives and programming
• Supports employee crisis response protocols

Training, Communications & Compliance

• Develops and facilitates training related to performance management, employee relations, compliance matters, and workplace expectations
• Creates and maintains HR communications, FAQs, and guidance materials
• Supports compliance initiatives and reporting efforts
• Maintains website content related to employee relations and wellness services
• Contribute to data analysis and reporting for HR initiatives

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to interpret policy and law into practical application in real-time settings
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and integrity of complex and sensitive information
• Skill in conflict resolution, training facilitation, and professional communication
• Ability to analyze information, identify trends, and translate data into reports
• Ability to gain and maintain trust at all levels of an organization
• Ability to exercise appropriate judgment and discernment in complex scenarios
• Preferred knowledge of workplace investigation techniques and skill in de-escalation strategies
• Preferred knowledge of leave administration processes and employee wellbeing initiatives

Application Review

Application review will begin June 2, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled. Priority consideration will be given to applications received by the posted review date.

This position is a Limited Duration Appointment (LDA).

A Limited Duration Appointment (LDA) is a form of regular employment for a specific project or for a limited period. An LDA may be established for up to one year, with an option to renew the appointment annually for up to three years. Please note that this position may be converted to a permanent position prior to or at the conclusion of three years, funding dependent.

Employee Relations & Employee Support

• Serves as a consultant to employees, supervisors, and campus leadership on employee relations matters
• Conducts intake meetings and supports resolution of workplace concerns
• Guides performance management, coaching, corrective actions, and policy interpretation
• Facilitates conflict resolution and conversations between parties
• Conducts reviews and investigations related to policy or procedure violations within the auspices of Human Resources
• Supports employee appeals, grievances, and unemployment hearings
• Conducts exit and stay interviews and analyzes trends to inform decision-making
• Maintains accurate case documentation and records
• Supports employee engagement initiatives in collaboration with stakeholder groups

Employee Wellness & Leave Administration

• Administers leave programs, including FMLA, parental leave, and other leave types
• Serves as a liaison supporting employees and departments through complex leave cases
• Coordinates return-to-work processes and supportive services
• Supports fitness-for-duty evaluations and related proceedings
• Supports short and long-term disability proceedings
• Participates in and promotes employee wellness initiatives and programming
• Supports employee crisis response protocols

Training, Communications & Compliance

• Develops and facilitates training related to performance management, employee relations, compliance matters, and workplace expectations
• Creates and maintains HR communications, FAQs, and guidance materials
• Supports compliance initiatives and reporting efforts
• Maintains website content related to employee relations and wellness services
• Contribute to data analysis and reporting for HR initiatives

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to interpret policy and law into practical application in real-time settings
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and integrity of complex and sensitive information
• Skill in conflict resolution, training facilitation, and professional communication
• Ability to analyze information, identify trends, and translate data into reports
• Ability to gain and maintain trust at all levels of an organization
• Ability to exercise appropriate judgment and discernment in complex scenarios
• Preferred knowledge of workplace investigation techniques and skill in de-escalation strategies
• Preferred knowledge of leave administration processes and employee wellbeing initiatives

Application Review

Application review will begin June 2, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled. Priority consideration will be given to applications received by the posted review date.

This position is a Limited Duration Appointment (LDA).

A Limited Duration Appointment (LDA) is a form of regular employment for a specific project or for a limited period. An LDA may be established for up to one year, with an option to renew the appointment annually for up to three years. Please note that this position may be converted to a permanent position prior to or at the conclusion of three years, funding dependent.