About UMass Amherst
The flagship of the Commonwealth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land-grant research university that seeks to expand educational access, fuel innovation and creativity, and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1,450-acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity. The institution advances a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valued—and thrives, and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges, and 100 undergraduate majors. We believe every member of our university community can contribute to our ongoing success by striving for the highest level of excellence as we seek breakthrough solutions to mounting environmental, social, economic, and technological challenges in our world.
Job Summary
Under the direction of the HR Director, Facilities and Campus Services, the HR Training & Recruiting Specialist plays a pivotal role in enhancing workplace through effective recruiting, onboarding, and employee development initiatives. This position is responsible for supporting recruiting efforts, ensuring a smooth onboarding process, compliance with continuing education requirements and implementation of employee engagement initiatives.
Essential Functions
- Develop and implement programs aimed at employee engagement, retention, and performance improvement. Assist in the evaluation and enhancement of training programs to support ongoing needs of the department.
- Manage the onboarding process for new hires, including orientation scheduling, paperwork completion, and the integration of new employees into our workplace and the campus.
- Maintain accurate records of employee professional certifications and training programs, ensuring compliance with state requirements and supporting career development opportunities.
- Work closely with other HR team members and department leaders to align recruiting and training efforts with the organizational goals.
- Facilitate onboarding by working closely with the Training and Compliance Officer to create a welcoming onboarding experience for new staff; assisting new staff in completing hiring packets; and submitting electronic PAFs (Personnel Action Forms).
- Collaborate with hiring managers and HR Recruiting team to identify staffing needs, create job postings, and screen candidates.
- Work with hiring managers to develop/revise position descriptions to support operational needs.
- Train hiring managers on University hiring policies and onboarding protocol.
- Assist job applicants with the background check process and provide status updates to both applicants and hiring authorities.
- Follow collective bargaining agreements and University policies to process interim duty requests, temporary work assignments, out-of-title assignments, and internal/lateral transfer requests.
- Participate in project-based HR initiatives.
Other Functions
Perform other related duties and assist in projects as assigned by A&F HR Director(s).
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- A Bachelor's degree with at least two (2) years of related administrative work experience -OR- an associates degree with at least four (4) years of related administrative work experience -OR- a high school diploma with at least six (6) years of related administrative work experience.
- Strong organizational skills and proven experience utilizing tracking tools to organize and process information.
- Ability to work both independently and as part of an effective team with a highly cooperative and collaborative work style.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to interact effectively.
- Ability to create and maintain harmonious relationships with a diverse population.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail with the ability to complete assignments quickly while balancing the demands of concurrent and potentially competing projects.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment and to maintain confidentiality.
- Strong computer skills including strong expertise with Outlook, Microsoft Teams, Calendar management, Microsoft Word, Excel, SharePoint, Power Point.
Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- A degree with a concentration in Human Resources, Communications, Business Administration, or related field.
- Work experience in Talent Acquisition or as a corporate training coordinator, with strong understanding of best practices in recruitment, onboarding and training.
- Demonstrated working knowledge of human resources practices, policies, and procedures.
- Familiarity with higher education environments and experience working in an HR role in a union environment
Physical Demands/Working Conditions
Typical office environment.
Work Schedule
- M-F 8:30am-5:00pm; 40 hours/week.
- Required to work occasional nights and weekends as business needs dictate.
- 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 is non-unit, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees Non-Unit (Professional/or Classified) Employee Personnel Policy.
Salary Information
Level 26
PSU Hiring Ranges
Special Instructions to Applicants
Along with the application, please submit a resume, and cover letter. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional 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.