HR Business Partner I Academic

Academic Hr Business Partner I

Central HR consists of multiple areas of expertise including Talent Acquisition, Benefits, Classification & Compensation; Employee and Labor Relations; Continuous Process Improvement, HRIS, HR Business Partners and Talent and Learning Management. USF Human Resources is embarking on a multi-year transformation focused on a Human Resources strategy that elevates our people so that the University and culture support a competitive workforce advantage in line with our strategic plan.

The Academic HR Business Partner I serves as a liaison between employees/managers of a business unit, division, or profit center and the corporate human resources function. This position will work to create a desired workplace culture and an engaged workforce through USF's policies, programs, and practices. Performs work under leadership of the Executive HR Business Partner and may receive direction from the Senior HRBP and/or the HRBP II. This is not a visa supporting position.

Responsibilities

• Conducts routine meetings with respective academic units to determine HR needs and refer to the appropriate HR group as necessary.
• Provides administrative HR support, ensuring alignment with university policies, goals, and objectives. Partners with HR areas of expertise, as appropriate.
• Completes HR actions for assigned college(s), ensures accuracy, and follows up on the status as necessary; prepares offer letters and appointment/compensation documents; updates position descriptions.
• Partners with the Foreign Influence Consultant for new hires, as necessary.
• Supports the visa application process for foreign national hires.
• Supports the onboarding and orientation process; distributes new hire paperwork; completes employment verifications and reference checks; initiates background checks; conducts orientation activities.
• Conducts employee check-ins throughout the employee lifecycle to ensure the proper onboarding experience.
• Partners with the Recruiting team and hiring manager for all recruitment efforts; ensures hiring managers and committees receive proper training; provides routine check-ins throughout the hiring process.
• Prepares queries and reports from the HRIS system to support HR initiatives.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in a related field and 2 years of HR experience. A combination of education and experience may substitute for a bachelor's degree.

Degree Equivalency Clause: Four years of direct experience for a bachelor's degree.• Senate Bill 1310- The Florida Senate ( is conditional upon meeting all employment eligibility requirements in the U.S.• SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements• A public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required, not to exceed:• (a) Two years of direct experience for an associate degree;• (b) Four years of direct experience for a bachelor's degree;• (c) Six years of direct experience for a master's degree;• (d) Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or• (e) Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree• Related work experience may not substitute for any required licensure, certification, or registration required for the position of employment as established by the public employer and indicated in the advertised description of the position of employment.• Minimum Qualifications that require a high school diploma are exempt from SB 1310.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply the appropriate sections of applicable laws, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, and policies.
• Ability to acquire a thorough understanding of the organization's hierarchy, jobs, qualifications, compensation practices, and the administrative practices related to those factors.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

About Us

Working at USF

With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF's rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida's best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state's 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.

About USF

The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF's Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at

Compliance and Federal Notices

This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws:

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.