Human Resources Generalist

Human Resources Generalist

Reporting to the Executive Director of Management Services in the Department of Safety and Security (DSS), the Human Resources Generalist will be the main point of contact for all HR related matters for all units within the Department of Safety and Security (DSS). The HR Generalist will work closely with assigned units to ensure successful customer service and HR practices for all staff they support. The HR Generalist assumes responsibility for the oversight and coordination of many and diverse administrative tasks requiring extensive confidentiality and excellent judgement.

Responsibilities include:

• Serving as the first point of contact for departmental administrators and supervisors to troubleshoot HR-related issues, including: job descriptions, hiring employees, onboarding, terminations, employee labor relations issues, and performance issues.
• Working efficiently and effectively to resolve employment and payment related issues in consultation with appropriate offices such as Shared Services, Payroll, Student Employment communicating directly with all stakeholders to ensure issues are successfully resolved.
• Providing confidential guidance and support for employees, and directs the employees to the right University resources including but not limited to the Benefits, Leave Administration, Office of Equal Opportunity Programs, Employee-Labor Relations.
• Managing staff hiring processes, including developing job descriptions with Unit Leaders and Supervisors, educating and assisting recruiting screeners, phone screening, interviewing, initiating background checks, and conducting reference checks.
• Serving as a key resource to staff, hiring managers and departmental administrators on all relevant federal, state, local and University human resource regulations, and policies.
• Prioritizing customer service to ensure all new members of the Department of Safety and Security complete all of the required elements to be onboarded and receive their pay in a timely manner.
• Working to troubleshoot issues by using University and DSS resources and HR best practices.
• Reviewing and monitoring payroll reports, I-9 reports and other compliance verification reports, and following up to improve individual compliance.
• Assisting the Executive Director with the development and implementation of policies, procedures and training opportunities.
• Collaborating with the University Central Human Resources team on information management, process improvement, and absence management.
• Maintaining 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.
• Effectively communicating deadlines, requirements, and responses to routine questions.
• Supporting staff hiring processes, including the extensive University of Chicago Police Department (UCPD) hiring processes: screening applicants for basic qualifications, scheduling applicants for physical agility testing, scheduling applicants for written exam, scheduling applicants for panel interviews, scheduling applicants for final interviews. Additionally, onboarding successful applicants and assisting in the UCPD background process: scheduling medical screenings, scheduling psychological screenings, scheduling drug screenings, handling employment offers, and conducting orientation. Drafts templates and routine offer letters.
• Working closely with the UCPD Recruitment Unit to ensure compliance with University policies.
• Maintaining appropriate human resources data and records, solving a range of straightforward problems using standard procedures.
• Counseling employees on benefits and compensation. Coordinating with managers and senior colleagues to determine employee compensation. Analyzing data and preparing charts, graphs, and trend lines for management review with a moderate level of guidance.
• Providing professional support to a unit's employee/labor relations efforts, including handling grievances, disciplinary warnings, and employee complaints.
• Performing other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications include:

• 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.

Preferred Qualifications include:

• Education: Master's degree.
• Experience: Working with Workday or other human resources information systems. Background 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 365. Knowledge of Workday or similar human resources information systems.

Preferred Competencies include:

• Strong customer service skills to interact with and serve a diverse population with tact, courtesy, clarity, and diplomacy.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.
• Juggle competing deadlines and prioritize.
• Excellent problem-solving skills.
• Handle sensitive and confidential situations and information with absolute discretion.
• Take initiative and organize and complete projects with minimal supervision.
• Attention to detail.
• Write and edit standard documents such as job descriptions, training materials, or offer letters with minimal oversight.

Application Documents include:

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• References Contact Information (3)(preferred)

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions. 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: 40

Pay Rate Type: Salary

​FLSA Status: Exempt

​Pay Range: $75,000.00 - $85,000.00

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.

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, 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.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call View phone number on click.appcast.io or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

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.