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

Under the direction of the Chief Personnel Officer (CPO), the Human Resources (HR) Specialist supports the human resource function for the Isenberg School of Management. The school includes 7 academic departments, 8 administrative and programmatic areas, and 4 academic centers. It serves over 3,500 undergraduate students and 1,700 graduate students while maintaining approximately 600 employee appointments. The HR Specialist 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 faculty, staff, temporary employees, and undergraduate student employees.  Works with hiring managers to develop clear, accurate and results-oriented job descriptions.  Consults on search committee selection and appropriate advertisement venues.  Initiates requisitions and posts open positions via electronic applicant tracking system.  Communicates regularly with search committees.  Interprets Equal Opportunity Office policies and procedures and answers questions from search committees throughout the search process in collaboration with central Human Resources.  Reviews all search documentation and ensures compliance with University policies and procedures.  Prepares offer letters for new hires and collects the necessary approvals.
• Manages and tracks personnel processes and actions such as new hires, leaves of absence, visitor approvals, sabbaticals, non-tenure promotions, Periodic Multi-year Reviews (PMYR), and additional compensation payments and requests.  Ensures personnel actions are completed on time and in compliance with established University and school policies and procedures.  Warehouses and provides data for monitoring personnel activity.  Performs all other personnel actions as required.
• Uses the Academic Personnel Workflow System (APWS) to coordinate faculty reappointment and promotion & tenure (P&T) cases including tenure decision year (TDY) dates.  Ensures that tenure cases are prepared on time and in accordance with the Academic Personnel Policy and MSP union contract. 
• Interprets HR policies and procedures and relays information to Isenberg faculty and staff.  Identifies compliance issues and contacts managers to discuss and determine an appropriate resolution.  Troubleshoots most HR questions and problems independently; escalates unique situations or more serious matters to supervisor as required.  In the absence of the Chief Personnel Officer, has signature authority on personnel actions.
• Ensures managers have the tools and information needed to properly supervise their employees.  Provides advice on how to communicate work expectations, establish performance goals, and conduct performance appraisals in accordance with union contracts.  Provides periodic training sessions for managers on how to properly complete the performance review process in place by the University.  Advises on what to say/not say on performance reviews and how to develop goals with employees that support the strategic goals of the University and the Isenberg School.  Ensures that managers complete relevant probationary period and annual performance reviews for all faculty and staff.
• Counsels and advises managers on ways to identify, address, and facilitate solutions for employee issues. Advises managers on how to document performance or other issues and how to follow the progressive discipline process.
• Runs reports and analyzes HR data to provide recommendations to the CPO, the Associate Dean of Inclusion, the Dean, and other faculty and staff as needed.
• Develops collaborative working relationships with the Provost’s office, Central HR and applicable campus partners/resources.
• Stays up-to-date on state and federal regulations and ensures adherence to those regulations in all aspects of human resources within the school.

Other Functions

• Performs related duties as assigned or required to meet Department, Executive Area/Division, and University goals and objectives.
• 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 departmental 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)

• A Bachelor's degree with at least 3 years of direct experience in human resources.
• 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.
• 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.
• Strong 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 iCal, Outlook, or Google
• Word processing software such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs
• Spreadsheets such as Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Ability to collect data from multiple sources and create reports that add value to program goals.

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

• PHR or SPHR-CP certification.
• Experience working in a union environment.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

Typical office environment.

Work Schedule

Monday-Friday, 37.50 hours/week with occasional evenings and/or weekends.

Salary Information

Level 26

PSU Salary

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please submit, cover letter, resume, and names of three professional references by September 15, 2019 to ensure consideration. The position may remain open until filled. 

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information 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 the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.