HR Specialist at George Mason University

Department: UL

Classification: Admin Office Specialist 3

Job Category: Classified Staff

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

Pay Band: 03

Salary: Starting salary range in mid $50k's; commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

University Life (UL) Human Resources Services is a team-based unit in the UL Operations and Planning area, which oversees various support organizations including ITS, Finance, Assessment, and Communications and Marketing. The shared service model of UL Operations and Planning is designed to bring divisional strategy and leadership to these core functions, while addressing the unique needs of our individual units and providing more robust and coordinated services across UL. The UL HR Services unit serves over 35 units in University Life in a variety of HR functions, including full life cycle recruitment and HR consultation. The UL HR Services team works with Mason's central Human Resources and Payroll offices and the Provost's Personnel Management Team.

About the Position:

The HR Specialist serves in a cross-functional team member capacity, providing support for the Human Resources and Payroll functions within the University Life Human Resources (UL HR) Services team, under the direction of the UL HR Business Partner. This position mainly supports a portfolio of designated units within the University Life division and serves as a cross-functional divisional support for other units within University Life.

Primary responsibilities involve responding to employee and/or unit requests concerning HR policies, procedures, and processes; appropriately routing requests and working cross-functionally with the other members of the UL HR Services team, campus, stakeholders, and other support functions to resolve open cases in a timely fashion; supporting the hiring and onboarding of divisional staff; and processing personnel transaction form requests.

Responsibilities:

HR Services and Processes

• Serves as a cross-functional team member for the UL HR Services team, providing HR consultation and performing transactional functions for the division's 35+ units, with a primary focus on supporting a specific cluster of units;
• Serves as a subject matter expert on institutional and state HR policies and procedures;
• Actively supports and complies with all University policies, divisional standards, and departmental vision and goals;
• Professionally, efficiently, and accurately assists units via various designated process platforms and communication plans;
• Provides day-to-day support of the UL HR Services generic email account management which includes: Appropriately responding to requests for assistance or rerouting/escalating issues of concern to higher level leadership;
• Provides professional problem solving through research, partnering, and follow-up on issues while fostering customer/unit relationships, utilizing de-escalation tactics, and maintaining a high level of confidentiality;
• Processes required paperwork for employee transfers, changes in job classification, salary increases, and other related employment matters;
• Reviews and processes cyclical applications for monetary bonuses related to certifications, degree completion, and other achievements;
• Liaises with the Mason Benefits team on benefits related questions, under the direction of the UL HR Business Partner; and
• Assists other members of the UL HR team as necessary, including being cross trained/cross functional for essential HR processes to provide additional support/back-up as needed.

Talent Acquisition

• Provides support to the UL HR recruitment and hiring process for UL units in varying levels of involvement, with a primary focus on supporting a specific cluster of units;
• Serves as a consultant with UL units on recruitment activities, providing oversight on search functions and ensures divisional standardized search policies and best practices are maintained;
• Responsible for the student staff and non-student hourly staff hiring and offboarding process in coordination with the Lead HR Specialist;
• Liaises with Mason HR and Mason Payroll to coordinate student and wage employee status changes;
• Guides and monitors International Students through the hiring process in collaboration with the Office of International Programs and Services;
• Assists with search coordination/management;
• Submits position posting requests via the Applicant Tracking System;
• Verifies Search Committee training records;
• Coordinates interview logistics with search committee members and applicants;
• Collects stakeholder interview feedback;
• Coordinates with central Mason HR on all required recruitment and onboarding documents;
• Coordinates travel and candidate travel expense reimbursements as necessary;
• Maintains and updates the UL HR team's various shared recruitment trackers, providing accurate metrics and visibility across the team; and
• Ensures compliance-related recruitment paperwork is maintained internally and shared with stakeholders promptly.

Unit Duties

• Assists other members of the UL HR team as necessary, including being cross trained/cross functional to provide additional support/back-up as needed;
• May assist with preparation of HR reports such as hire rates, attrition, etc.;
• Actively participates in various ad hoc UL HR Service strategic planning sessions, groups, and committees;
• Actively supports and complies with all University policies, HR regulations and departmental mission, vision, and goals;
• Maintains active awareness of ever-changing Commonwealth, university, and HR related policies, practices, and employment law standards;
• Provides support and actively participate on ad hoc periodic internal audits;
• Provides support with planning and implementation of staff training as needed;
• Provides support with planning and implementation of employee recognition activities as needed; and
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent;
• Demonstrated full-time work experience (typically obtained in 1+ years) in Human Resources, Payroll, Business/Accounting or closely related field;
• Experience with industry standards of practice and methods in recruiting;
• Experience working with sensitive and confidential information;
• Demonstrated experience providing effective customer service, including the ability to provide appropriate guidance to other professional and support staff;
• Experience working professionally in MS Office (Work, Excel, PowerPoint) suite of software;
• Experience working in a fast-paced environment and remain organized while working on multiple, simultaneous projects;
• Experience working on a collaborative team and working independently and proactively to contribute to team outcomes;
• Demonstrated knowledge of human resource policies and processes;
• Comprehension of basic HR and payroll functions;
• Proficiency in the use of MS Office (Work, Excel, PowerPoint) suite of software;
• Highly developed skill with spreadsheet compilation and use;
• Skill in effective problem-solving and decision-making;
• Skill in effective and professional verbal, written, and interpersonal communication;
• Ability to concisely report solutions to internal and external contacts;
• Ability to demonstrate tact and diplomacy when communicating with individuals at all levels of the organization;
• Ability to demonstrate significant attention to detail and perform work with a high degree of accuracy;
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize daily activities;
• Ability to work effectively with others both in the department and with external colleagues; and
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic, interpersonal and business process environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in related field;
• Experience working in diverse, higher-education settings preferred;
• Experience working in customer/guest service fields;
• Experience with HRIS platforms; knowledge of Ellucian Banner system is preferred;
• Highly advanced experience with spreadsheet compilation and use;
• Experience with diversity and inclusion programs within HR processes;
• Knowledge of the Commonwealth's HR policies and procedures;
• Knowledge of the Commonwealth's Job Family structure;
• Demonstrated proficiency with time reporting software, applicant tracking systems, and employee self-service software modules;
• Fluency in the Spanish language;
• Ability to approach problems with a solution-and growth-oriented mindset;
• Certification issued from HR Professional Association such as SHRM or HRCI; and
• Degree based in Human Resources Management, Business Administration, or a closely related field.

Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, applicants must apply for HR Specialist at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide Cover Letter/Letter of Intent with Resume for review.

Posting Open Date: July 18, 2024

For Full Consideration, Apply by: August 1, 2024

Open Until Filled?: Yes

Mason Ad Statement

Mason is currently the largest and most diverse university in Virginia with students and faculty from all 50 states and over 135 countries studying in over 200 degree programs at campuses in Arlington, Fairfax and Prince William, as well as at learning locations across the commonwealth. Rooted in Mason's diversity is a campus culture that is both rewarding and exciting, work that is meaningful, and opportunities to both collaborate and create.

If you are interested in joining the Mason family take a look at our current opportunities and catch some Mason spirit at jobs.gmu.edu/!

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Equity Statement

George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.

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