Hearing Officer

Job Description

The Hearing Officer serves as chairperson of a Grievance Hearing Committee convened under SLCC Employee Grievance Policy. This is a part-time, temporary, engagement-based role activated on an as-needed basis when a formal employee grievance proceeds to a hearing. The Hearing Officer is appointed directly by the College President for each grievance hearing. The role is to preside over the hearing, ensure a fair and orderly process, and support the Grievance Hearing Committee in reaching findings and a recommendation for the final and binding decision-maker.
• Preside over Grievance Hearing Committee proceedings for both standard and Level Three corrective action grievances, ensuring the hearing follows the process outlined in SLCC's Employee Grievance Policy.

• Control the conduct and pace of the hearing, including managing the order of presentations, limiting repetitive or irrelevant testimony, and ruling on procedural matters raised by either party.

• Confirm committee composition is appropriate to the grievance and free of conflicts of interest, excusing any committee member whose impartiality may reasonably be questioned.

• Invite and excuse witnesses as appropriate, and permit both parties and committee members to ask questions of witnesses and each other.

• Dismiss character witnesses or testimony determined not applicable to the relevant issues.

• Clarify issues of fact and process for the committee, without advocating for either party.

• Facilitate the committee's private deliberation and assist the committee secretary in preparing a clear, accurate recommendations.

• Ensure the committee's final recommendations are submitted to the final and binding decision-maker within the seven-calendar-day window required by policy.

• Maintain strict confidentiality of grievance proceedings, records, and deliberations consistent with the private and confidential nature of the grievance process.

• Coordinate scheduling and logistics for assigned hearings with the Human Resources office.

• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Assistant Vice President of Human Resources.

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.

• Demonstrated experience presiding over, facilitating, or adjudicating formal hearings, grievances, arbitrations, or comparable due-process proceedings.

• Working knowledge of employee relations, progressive discipline, and grievance or dispute-resolution processes in a higher education, public sector, or unionized environment.

• Demonstrated ability to remain neutral, manage competing viewpoints, and maintain composure in emotionally charged or adversarial settings.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to synthesize testimony and evidence into clear findings.

• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.

Preferred Qualifications
• Experience as a hearing officer, mediator, arbitrator, or grievance committee chair in an administrative setting. Familiarity with Utah public higher education personnel policy and practice.

• Formal training or certification in mediation, alternative dispute resolution, or administrative hearings.

Engagement Terms
• Non-benefited, as-needed engagement; hours vary based on the number and complexity of grievances assigned.

• Compensated on a per-hearing or hourly basis as negotiated with Human Resources; not a regular staff position and does not accrue College leave or benefits.

• Appointed by the College President for each grievance hearing per Policy 4.4.035, Section

• 4.D.7.

• Not eligible to serve where a conflict of interest, prior relationship with either party, or bias regarding the circumstances of the grievance exists.

Working Conditions
Work is performed primarily in a hearing-room or conference-room setting, with occasional virtual hearings. Hearings may address sensitive, confidential, and sometimes contentious personnel matters, including termination proceedings.