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Human Resources Generalist

University of Chicago
Full-time
On-site
Chicago, Illinois, United States
$71,000 - $83,000 USD yearly
HR Professional

Department

PSD Administration: HR


About the Department

The Physical Sciences Division has a rich history of advancing and defining new fields of discovery in the physical sciences and mathematics, and this tradition of innovation continues today. Our inquiry and impact spans from the edge of the observable universe to human-computer interaction, from biophysical materials science to the geologic record of seawater composition, from gravitational waves to geometric flows, and beyond.

The division includes the academic departments of Astronomy & Astrophysics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geophysical Sciences, Mathematics, Physics, and Statistics. In addition, PSD includes a number of interdisciplinary research institutes and centers, including the Enrico Fermi Institute, the James Franck Institute, and the Institute for Biophysical Dynamics. This position is focused on grants & contracts administration for the Department of Chemistry, with many of Chemistry’s faculty also appointed in one or more institutes. Many of our scientists have joint appointments at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory and Argonne National Laboratory as well as joint affiliations with other Chicago-based research institutions such as the Toyota Technological Institute of Chicago, Adler Planetarium, the Museum of Science and Industry, and the Field Museum. Our students build connections with world-leading scientists, collaborate across disciplines, and enjoy the dynamic Chicago and University.


Job Summary

Reporting to the Director of Human Resources in the Physical Sciences Division (PSD), the Human Resources Generalist will be the main point of contact for all HR-related matters for their assigned units within the Physical Sciences Division (PSD). The HR Generalist will work closely with assigned units to ensure successful customer service and HR practices for the faculty, academics, students, staff, and postdocs they support. The HR Generalist functions with considerable autonomy, assuming responsibility for the oversight and coordination of many diverse administrative tasks requiring extensive confidentiality and excellent judgement. In addition, works closely with the Director and Assistant Director to lead and execute Divisional HR projects from inception to completion.

Responsibilities

  • Working with assigned units, serves as the first point of contact for departmental administrators, supervisors, or faculty to troubleshoot HR-related issues, including hiring employees, onboarding, terminations, and performance management.

  • Works efficiently and effectively to resolve employment and payment-related issues in consultation with appropriate offices such as Shared Services, Payroll, and Student Employment, communicating directly with all stakeholders to ensure issues are successfully resolved.

  • For assigned units, serves as the first point of contact for employee-labor relations matters including but not limited to leave and accommodation requests, management concerns, corrective action, layoffs, and terminations.  Collaborates with the Director and appropriate University partner office to resolve these matters.

  • Provides confidential guidance and support for employees and directs the employees to the appropriate University resources including but not limited to the Benefits, Leave Administration, Office of Equal Opportunity Programs, Employee-Labor Relations, or the Dean of Students.

  • Prioritizes customer service to ensure all new members of the Physical Sciences Division complete all of the required elements to be onboarded and receive their pay in a timely manner.

  • Effectively communicates deadlines, requirements, and responses to routine questions.

  • Works independently to troubleshoot issues by using University and PSD resources and HR best practices.

  • Reviews and monitors Workday reports, I-9 reports, and other compliance verification reports and follows up to improve individual compliance.

  • Assists the Director with the development and implementation of policies, procedures, and training opportunities.

  • Collaborates with the PSD HR team on information management, process improvement, absence management, and visa request activities.

  • Maintains knowledge of University Human Resource policies and procedures as well as federal, state, and local employment and labor laws staying abreast of changes and implementing the changes into the day-to-day workflow.

  • Serves as a key resource to staff, hiring managers, and departmental administrators on all relevant federal, state, local, and University human resource regulations, and policies.

  • Manages HR-related special projects, including developing timelines, materials, and communication plans to execute the projects. 

  • Works with the Director and Assistant Director of HR to develop and execute HR business processes to streamline and improve HR service across PSD.

  • Collaborates with the team to prepare presentations, training materials, and other process documentation.

  • Utilizes Workday to generate reporting within the PSD and maintain data utilized by the HR team up to date. Collaborates with the Director of HR to identify business processes of note and execute plans to maximize productivity.

  • Reviews the scope, timeline, and goal of upcoming projects with teams and initiates communication of the project’s current status by acting as the project’s point of contact. Prepares and present reporting for leadership to review project success and discuss future implementations on project upkeep.

  • Leads the development of new procedures and operations while ensuring a seamless transition for teams and leadership. Provides clear and concise instructional training to teams on new processes, explaining the business needs while setting expectations.

  • Resolve project conflicts promptly to maintain productivity and reduce potential delays while continuously following up and collecting feedback on ongoing projects to improve workflow efficiency consistently. Conducts post-project reviews with the HR Team to discuss outcomes and implement results to improve planning for upcoming projects.

  • Supports staff hiring processes, including developing job descriptions, interviewing and reference checking, handling employment offers, and conducting orientation. Drafts templates and routine offer letters. Maintains appropriate human resources data and records, solving a range of straightforward problems using standard procedures.

  • Provides professional support to a unit's employee/labor relations efforts, including handling grievances, disciplinary warnings, and employee complaints.

  • Performs other related work as needed.


Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.


Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.


Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:     

  • Bachelor’s degree.

Experience:    

  • Experience working with Workday or other Human Resources Information Systems.

  • Experience working in a University environment.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

  • Strong and broad software knowledge and usage including:  word processing, database, spreadsheet, e-mail, and web, as well as a strong knowledge of Microsoft O365.

  • Knowledge of Workday or similar human resources information systems.

Preferred Competencies

  • Strong customer service skills and ability to interact with and serve a diverse population with tact, courtesy, clarity, and diplomacy.

  • Excellent organizational and communication skills.

  • Project management experience, including developing timelines and successfully completing projects.

  • Ability to pull reports and analyze data in excel

  • Ability to juggle competing deadlines and prioritize.

  • Excellent problem-solving skills.

  • Ability to handle sensitive and confidential situations and information with absolute discretion. 

  • Ability to take initiative and organize and complete projects with minimal supervision.

  • Attention to detail.

  • Ability to write and edit standard documents such as job descriptions, training materials, or offer letters with minimal oversight.

Application Documents

  • Resume (required)

  • Cover Letter (preferred)

  • References (preferred)


When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.


Job Family

Human Resources


Role Impact

Individual Contributor


Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5


Drug Test Required

No


Health Screen Required

No


Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No


Pay Rate Type

Salary


FLSA Status

Exempt


Pay Range

$71,000.00 - $83,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.


Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.


Posting Statement
 

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.