HR Staff Specialist

Job Description The Department of Neurology has an outstanding opportunity for HR Staff Specialist to join their team. About this Opportunity Reporting to Human Resource Manager, the HR Staff Specialist is responsible for managing staff appointments, employment actions in a complex academic medical environment, provides human resource support to the Department of Neurology and serves as trusted HR partner to departmental leadership, supervisors, and staff. This role requires the use of independent judgment, analysis, and discretion in effecting, executing, and administering personnel actions in accordance with University of Washington, School of Medicine, and departmental policies. The position regularly handles sensitive and confidential information and must demonstrate a high level of professionalism, diplomacy, and sound judgment when navigating complex or high-impact employment situations. Additionally, this role partners closely with the HR Manager, the Academic HR and Payroll specialists to ensure the consistent application of HR compliance best practices and to maintain departmental compliance with university, state, and federal policies and regulations. This includes responsibility for systems, employment actions, classification, promotions, onboarding, compensation, and benefits. Thorough knowledge of HR policies, procedures, principles, and practices is essential, along with a demonstrated commitment to continuous learning and ongoing improvement to support organizational effectiveness. Key Responsibilities Staff Appointments & Employment Lifecycle (75%) Independently manage the full lifecycle of staff appointments for all professional and classified staff, temporary employees, graduate and undergraduate students, and intern/volunteer appointments. Serve as the department’s subject matter expert on staff appointment types, employment classifications, and appointment structures across multiple employment categories. Initiate, manage, and audit HR and payroll transactions in Workday and Workday Recruitment including hires, reappointments, salary offers, FTE and compensation changes, funding updates, leaves, and separations. Manage and enter HR transactions in Workday and UW Hires, including salary offers, FTE and compensation changes, hires, terminations, and related actions. Draft offer letters for new hires aligned with appropriate appointment classifications and UW guidelines. Oversee all onboarding activities, including orientations, training reviews, SMART objective development, updates to internal HR policies, and communication through the department’s intranet. Administer the full 30/60/90-day review cycle for new employees, including timeline notifications, coordination with supervisors, and securing all required completion documentation. Coordinate all offboarding activities, including managing the exit interview process, retrieval of materials/equipment, and completion of required paperwork. Serve as a departmental resource on UW HR and Ethics policies, including compliance, compensation, leave administration, telework requirements, and disability accommodation processes. Develop and maintain documentation for hiring and termination workflows, ensuring clear procedural guidance. Provide hiring managers with best practices for interviewing, hiring, onboarding, and performance management in alignment with legal and UW policies. Conduct phone screens for central administrative roles, coordinate interview scheduling, and track evaluation feedback. Manage the annual professional staff merit process, including data analysis, letter drafting, and related communications. Ensure completion of I-9s within required federal timelines and maintain accurate records for staff credentials, badging, and contact information. Track HR activities using project management tools; maintain compliant files, databases, and spreadsheets in accordance with retention schedules. Maintain and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for HR and Faculty Affairs to document accurate processes, improve efficiency, and ensure compliance. Prepare weekly recruitment status reports for the Associate Director, VCFA, and hiring managers. Track completion of all UW required training for all staff, students, and volunteers and ensure HR folders are up to date. Manage the intern and volunteer request process, ensuring alignment with UW and Washington State labor laws; oversee onboarding and offboarding, review agreements, and ensure training compliance. Maintain accurate position management, job profiles, and supervisory organizations in Workday; conduct regular reviews to ensure information is correct. Liaise with Campus HR Recruitment and Compensation for position reviews, reclassifications, and compensation adjustments. Partner with hiring managers to create and update job descriptions and requisitions in UW Hires, ensuring alignment with UW classification, compensation guidelines, and collective bargaining agreements. Lead and manage the centralized administrative hiring process, ensuring consistent, equitable, and policy-compliant recruitment from requisition development through hire, including interview logistics, meeting scheduling, candidate communications, and interviewer preparation. Oversee administrative onboarding processes, including onboarding schedules, required training, systems access, and documentation; meet with all new departmental staff to deliver HR onboarding sessions covering required training, time and absence entry in Workday, departmental values, intranet resources, and an overview of UW HR and Ethics policies. Maintain onboarding tools, timelines, and checklists to ensure a consistent and effective new hire experience. Participate in School of Medicine, HR workgroups, and collaborative initiatives. Compliance, Data Management, and Reporting (10%) Ensure data integrity and compliance with university policies and collective bargaining agreements. Monitor and manage the shared NeuroHR Outlook inbox to ensure timely follow-up and coordinated communication, and follow departmental communication standards. Generate and analyze Workday reports to monitor staffing trends, appointment end dates, and employment end dates; practically manage and develop solutions for employee dates and provide proactive communication to managers and employees. Support internal audits and respond to information requests related to HR/staffing transactions. Assist with cyclical HR processes, including training verifications, annual merit, holiday credit uploads, and fiscal year renewals. Process Improvement and Standardization (10%) Identify and implement process improvements related to HR, hiring, interviewing, onboarding/offboarding workflows; routinely audit staff and intern/volunteer HR files for compliance with training, security agreements, offer letters, annual reviews, and other UW and department requirements; maintain and provide HR content updates on the department intranet, including calendars, reminders, and annual communications (i.e. Open Enrollment, inclement weather, sick inventive policy, bargaining unit contract updates, classified staff across the board salary increases/compensation changes); collaborate with leadership to refine HR, payroll, and operational processes to align with departmental goals and strategic planning; develop metrics to track performance, exceptions, and improvement opportunities; manage staff retention reporting and contribute data to administrative dashboards. Other Duties as Assigned (10%) Lead or contribute to special projects and departmental initiatives as assigned. Required Qualifications To be considered for this opportunity, your application must demonstrate you meet both the minimum qualifications and additional qualifications listed below. Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration. Minimum Qualifications Bachelor's degree in social sciences, business, communications, or related field (or equivalent experience). Minimum 2–3 years of relevant work experience. Additional Qualifications Experience with Workday. Demonstrated experience onboarding and training new staff members in complex systems. Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint). Strong organizational, planning, and time-management skills; the ability to work independently with initiative. Ability to collaborate effectively as part of a team and lead projects to successful completion. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Demonstrated program and project management abilities, with the capacity to balance multiple priorities and deadlines. Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to navigate complex structures and develop creative solutions. Highly self‑motivated, detail-oriented, and solution-focused. Experience handling sensitive and confidential information with discretion. Demonstrated professionalism and commitment to service excellence. Working Conditions This is a hybrid position that may require up to three days per week in the office to support in‑person. The role involves working in a shared office space with additional team members. Application Requirement Cover letter Compensation, Benefits and Position Details Pay Range Minimum: $74,664.00 annual Pay Range Maximum: $81,000.00 annual Other Compensation: - Benefits: For information about benefits for this position, visit Shift: First Shift (United States of America) Temporary or Regular? This is a regular position FTE (Full-Time Equivalent): 100.00% Union/Bargaining Unit: Not Applicable About the UW Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem‑solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. Our Commitment The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81 ( To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at View phone number on click.appcast.io or View email address on click.appcast.io. Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law ( University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. #J-18808-Ljbffr University of Washington