Human Resources Generalist

Department

PSD Administration: HR

About the Department

The Physical Sciences Division has a rich history of advancing and defining new fields of discovery in the physical sciences and mathematics, and this tradition of innovation continues today. Our inquiry and impact spans from the edge of the observable universe to human-computer interaction, from biophysical materials science to the geologic record of seawater composition, from gravitational waves to geometric flows, and beyond.

The division includes the academic departments of Astronomy & Astrophysics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geophysical Sciences, Mathematics, Physics, and Statistics. In addition, PSD includes a number of interdisciplinary research institutes and centers, including the Enrico Fermi Institute, the James Franck Institute, and the Institute for Biophysical Dynamics. This position is focused on grants & contracts administration for the Department of Chemistry, with many of Chemistry’s faculty also appointed in one or more institutes. Many of our scientists have joint appointments at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory and Argonne National Laboratory as well as joint affiliations with other Chicago-based research institutions such as the Toyota Technological Institute of Chicago, Adler Planetarium, the Museum of Science and Industry, and the Field Museum. Our students build connections with world-leading scientists, collaborate across disciplines, and enjoy the dynamic Chicago and University.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Director of Human Resources in the Physical Sciences Division (PSD), the Human Resources Generalist will be the main point of contact for all HR-related matters for their assigned units within the Physical Sciences Division (PSD). The HR Generalist will work closely with assigned units to ensure successful customer service and HR practices for the faculty, academics, students, staff, and postdocs they support. The HR Generalist functions with considerable autonomy, assuming responsibility for the oversight and coordination of many diverse administrative tasks requiring extensive confidentiality and excellent judgement. In addition, works closely with the Director and Assistant Director to lead and execute Divisional HR projects from inception to completion.

Responsibilities

• Working with assigned units, serves as the first point of contact for departmental administrators, supervisors, or faculty to troubleshoot HR-related issues, including hiring employees, onboarding, terminations, and performance management.

• Works efficiently and effectively to resolve employment and payment-related issues in consultation with appropriate offices such as Shared Services, Payroll, and Student Employment, communicating directly with all stakeholders to ensure issues are successfully resolved.

• For assigned units, serves as the first point of contact for employee-labor relations matters including but not limited to leave and accommodation requests, management concerns, corrective action, layoffs, and terminations.  Collaborates with the Director and appropriate University partner office to resolve these matters.

• Provides confidential guidance and support for employees and directs the employees to the appropriate University resources including but not limited to the Benefits, Leave Administration, Office of Equal Opportunity Programs, Employee-Labor Relations, or the Dean of Students.

• Prioritizes customer service to ensure all new members of the Physical Sciences Division complete all of the required elements to be onboarded and receive their pay in a timely manner.

• Effectively communicates deadlines, requirements, and responses to routine questions.

• Works independently to troubleshoot issues by using University and PSD resources and HR best practices.

• Reviews and monitors Workday reports, I-9 reports, and other compliance verification reports and follows up to improve individual compliance.

• Assists the Director with the development and implementation of policies, procedures, and training opportunities.

• Collaborates with the PSD HR team on information management, process improvement, absence management, and visa request activities.

• Maintains 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.

• Serves as a key resource to staff, hiring managers, and departmental administrators on all relevant federal, state, local, and University human resource regulations, and policies.

• Manages HR-related special projects, including developing timelines, materials, and communication plans to exec