Compliance Specialist, HR​/Recruitment

Job Summary

University of Utah Human Resource Management (UHRM) has an opening for a newly created compliance specialist role focusing on out-of-state employment. This position will be housed in our downtown SLC office reporting to the Senior Director of Employee Relations.

The Employment Compliance Specialist is responsible for managing institutional compliance with state‑specific employment statutes and related regulatory requirements for employees working outside the State of Utah. This position serves as the primary compliance liaison among HRIS, Payroll, Benefits, departments, and external state agencies to mitigate risk and facilitate lawful employment practices across multiple jurisdictions.

This role requires the ability to learn and confidently apply multi‑state employment laws, exceptional coordination skills, and the ability to manage complex, cross‑functional compliance processes.

Learn more about the great benefits of working for University of Utah: benefits.utah.edu

Remote Work & Out of State Employment Oversight

• Partner with HRIS to establish and maintain processes for accurately tracking employee work locations outside Utah.
• Regularly audit Remote Work Agreements and coordinate with departments to facilitate compliance.
• Partner with leadership when departments seek to hire employees outside of Utah, receiving and processing out of state hire and transfer applications.
• Coordinate with UUHC‑HR regarding remote employees and provide ongoing updates related to compliance requirements and regulatory changes.

Unemployment Insurance & Workers Compensation Administration

• Research compliance requirements and establish unemployment and workers compensation coverage in new states, as needed.
• Coordinate administration and payments of unemployment, workers comp, or additional state‑mandated premiums between Academics and Hospital HR teams.

Wage & Hour Compliance

• Ensure compliance with state wage and employment law postings and notice requirements.
• Partner with payroll to confirm pay frequency, overtime calculations, and timekeeping requirements in other states, ensuring timely payments.

Leave Administration & Benefits Compliance

• Collaborate with Leave and Benefits teams to determine leave entitlements and compliance in each state.
• Assist employees in filing for state‑administered leave benefits, where applicable.

Policy & Legal Coordination

• Coordinate updates to University policies to support compliance with state‑specific laws.
• Work closely with the Office of General Counsel on employee claims and state‑specific legal matters.
• Monitor legislative changes and proactively identify compliance gaps.
• Communicate compliance risks and recommended mitigation strategies to HR leadership.

EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT: 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience (Example: bachelor's degree = 4 years of directly related work experience).

Related Work Experience Typically Includes:

• Working knowledge of state wage and hour laws, unemployment insurance, workers compensation, and leave laws.
• Experience coordinating with HRIS and payroll systems.
• Strong analytical, organization, and project management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage confidential and sensitive information.

Compliance Specialist, II

• Expected Pay Range: $60,000‑$64,000.
• Requires a bachelor’s degree or equivalency in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration or related fields + 4 years or a master’s (or equivalency) in the same fields + 2 years of directly related work experience.
• Developing‑Level position in the General Professional track requiring moderate skill set and proficiency in interpreting and applying relevant employment laws and regulations. Conducts work assignments of increasing complexity, under moderate supervision with some latitude for independent judgment.

Compliance Specialist, III

• Expected Pay Range: $70,000‑$76,000.
• Requires a bachelor’s degree or equivalency in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration or related fields + 6 years or a master’s (or equivalency)…