Careers

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

Essential Functions

• Interprets HR policies and procedures and communicates information to staff and faculty.  
• Coordinates faculty compensation processes for all honors courses across the University.
• Initiates, manages and tracks personnel processes and actions for all staff and faculty. Ensures personnel actions comply with and are completed according to established University and departmental timelines, policies, and procedures. 
• Facilitates recruitment by managing all aspects of the search process: 
  • 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 and monitors progress. 
  • Prepares search summaries and offer letters for approvals. 
• Troubleshoots most HR questions and problems independently, escalating unique situations or more serious matters to supervisor as required. 
• Develops and implements on- and off-boarding processes. Ensures completion of any required paperwork. Answers questions from newly hired or departing staff and their managers.  
• Provides direction for supervisors on how to properly complete the performance review process and ensures completion of relevant probationary period and annual performance reviews for all staff. 
• Provides consultation on leave policies to staff and supervisors according to University policies, bargaining agreements, and state/federal regulations, including the usage of sick leave bank, FMLA, and PFML. Conducts reviews of supporting documents and prepares approval letters and documentation. 
• Maintains accurate, complete, and organized personnel files for all CHC staff and faculty.  
• Stays up to date on state and federal regulations and ensures adherence to labor relations and conditions of employment. 
• Responsible for on-going HR and personnel process improvements. 
• Utilizes the Academic Personnel Workflow System (APWS) to coordinate faculty annual review & promotion cases. 
• Assists the Assistant Dean of Administration & Finance on projecting payroll and position management for CHC's approximate $4 million payroll budget. Includes: maintaining the tracking worksheet, monitoring personnel actions, and providing reliable and precise payroll data for use in internal and external financial reports used in long-range planning decisions. 
• Acts as point of contact for time reporting or payroll questions and concerns. 
• Assists with undergraduate and graduate personnel action processing as needed.

Other Functions

• Acts on behalf of the Assistant Dean of Administration & Finance on HR matters as needed.  
• Recruits, trains and supervises 1-3 students per semester. 
• Performs related duties as assigned or required to meet College, Executive Area, and University goals and objectives. 
• Understands responsibilities with respect to conflicts of interest and behaves in ways consistent both with the law and with University policy. 
• Understands and contributes to the implementation of institutional goals for achieving non-discrimination and creating a respectful, inclusive environment that is supportive of diversity. 

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

• Bachelor's Degree and two (2) years of human resources-related experience OR an Associate's Degree and four (4) years of human resources-related experience OR High School Diploma and eight (8) years of human resources-related experience. 
• Demonstrated working knowledge of human resources practices, policies, and procedures. 
• Ability to work both independently and as part of an effective team with a highly cooperative and collaborative work style.  Must have the ability to work productively with a minimum amount of supervision or guidance. 
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to interact effectively and create and maintain harmonious relationships with a diverse population. 
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail with the ability to create and implement timelines, complete assignments in a timely manner, and balance 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. 
• 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. 
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite, familiarity with online platforms for collaborative work (such as Google Drive or OneDrive), and ability to quickly learn or adapt to new programs and processes. 

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

• Experience working in an HR role in higher education. 
• Experience working in an HR role in a unionized environment. 
• S/PHR or SHRM certification. 
• Experience with implementing staff training programs.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Typical Office Environment.

Work Schedule

• Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 5:00pm (37.5 hours per week). 
• 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

Level 26.

PSU Hiring Ranges.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please submit a resume, cover letter, and the names and contact information for three (3) 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.