• Job Description

  Req#: 522592

  About UMass Amherst

  UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

  Job Summary

  The Human Resources (HR) Generalist supports the Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences (ClCS) in meeting its operational and strategic objectives, with a high degree of judgment and initiative. Serves as an advisor and consultant on matters related to human resource management, personnel policies, and procedures.

  Essential Functions

  • Facilitates recruitment by advising and assisting hiring managers in all aspects of the search process for classified staff and researchers. Works with hiring managers to develop clear, accurate, and results-oriented job descriptions. Advises on search procedures and ensures compliance with collective bargaining agreements and/or university policy and procedure. Consults with Total Compensation, Talent Acquisition, and/or the Provost’s Office.
  • Manages the search waiver process for researchers. Coordinates with the College’s grant administration team and hiring managers to gather necessary information and processes all required paperwork. Communicates with identified candidates directly, informing them of the process, keeping them up to date on the progress of the paperwork, and answering questions.
  • Utilizes the University’s electronic applicant tracking system. Initiates position descriptions, requisitions, and offer cards, dispositions candidates, runs reports, and closes searches once filled.
  • Manages the onboarding process for classified staff and researchers. Coordinates with hiring managers, CICS IT, Central HR, and other groups across campus to ensure network and computer access has been granted, space has been assigned, and all required paperwork has been completed prior to their start date.
  • Monitors researcher appointment end dates and collaborates with the College’s grant administration team on reappointments and/or terminations. Completes all required paperwork, including reappointment letters and electronic personnel action forms, within the appropriate time frame. Ensures compliance with College and University policy and collective bargaining agreements and consults with the Provost’s Office.
  • Initiates visa applications via the University’s online system.
  • Interprets HR policies and procedures and relays information to faculty, staff, and researchers. Troubleshoots HR questions and problems somewhat independently, escalating unique and/or more critical situations to the Sr. HR Specialist or Director of HR.
  • Processes various personnel action forms and additional compensation forms for faculty, staff, and researchers.
  • Provides administrative support for various personnel matters such as performance reviews, injury reports, and family medical leave (FMLA) paperwork.
  • In the absence of the Clerk IV HR Coordinator, serves as the College's payroll coordinator. Advises new staff and managers on time reporting and approving, enters weekly payroll, resolves exceptions, prepares payroll correction forms, and consults with Central HR’s payroll team to resolve issues.
  • Runs reports and analyzes HR data to provide recommendations to College HR leadership, the Chair of the Faculty, the Dean, and various faculty and staff as needed.
  • Assists with the planning, coordination, and execution of faculty and staff events and training.
  • Develops collaborative working relationships with Central HR, the Provost’s Office, the International Programs Office, and other departments across campus.

  Other Functions

  • Performs other duties as assigned or required to meet College or University goals and objectives.
  • Stays up to date on state and federal regulations and ensures adherence to those regulations.
  • Understands responsibilities with respect to conflicts of interest and behaves in ways consistent both with law and with University policy.
  • Contributes toward creating a positive and respectful workplace defined by personal and professional competence, integrity, and collaboration.
  • Understands and contributes to implementation of College and institutional goals for achieving non-discrimination and creating a respectful, inclusive environment that is supportive of diversity.
  • Uses access to sensitive and/or not yet public university-related information only in the performance of the responsibilities of position and exercises care to prevent unnecessary disclosure to others.

  Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

  • Bachelor's Degree in any field (Management, Human Resources, or a related field preferred) with at least two (2) years of human resources experience. A Master’s Degree in Human Resources may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience.
  • Demonstrated working knowledge of human resources practices, policies, and procedures.
  • Ability to work both independently and to be part of an effective team with a highly cooperative and collaborative work style.
  • Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to interact effectively, and create and maintain harmonious relationships with a diverse population of staff, faculty, students, and off-campus constituents.
  • Independent initiative. Must have the ability to stay on task and work productively with a minimum amount of supervision or guidance.
  • Willingness to take on a variety of tasks related to the successful operation and administration of the College and CICS HR. The ability to adapt and work effectively as the College grows.
  • Ability to work effectively under pressure.
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail with the ability to complete assignments in a timely manner, balancing the demands of concurrent and potentially competing projects.
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills. Ability to write concisely, express thoughts clearly, and develop ideas in a logical sequence.
  • Ability to read, understand, apply, and explain rules, regulations, and policies/procedures related to duties. Ability to understand and follow complex oral and written instructions and create effective and efficient work processes.
  • The ability to think through problems, organize and seek out information, identify key factors and underlying causes, and generate solutions or resolve discrepancies.
  • Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality.
  • Strong computer skills including at least intermediate expertise with:
    • Email.
    • Calendar systems such as Outlook or Google.
    • Word processing software such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs.
    • Spreadsheets such as Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets.
    • Microsoft PowerPoint or Google Slides.

  Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

  • Experience working in human resources in a higher education setting.
  • Experience using a human resources information system (HRIS) such as PeopleSoft.
  • Experience using an applicant tracking system such as PageUp.
  • Experience using databases such as FileMaker or Microsoft Access.

  Physical Demands/Working Conditions

  Typical Office Environment.

  Work Schedule

  Monday - Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm.

  This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee’s work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position falls within the Professional Staff Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the Professional Staff Union collective bargaining agreement.

  Salary Information

  PSU Level 25.

  Exempt Salary Ranges.

  Special Instructions to Applicants

  Along with the application, please submit a resume. References will be checked at the finalist stage, please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references.

  UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.

• About the company

  The oceanfront campus is minutes from downtown Boston and nationally recognized as a student-centered urban public research university.

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