Department HR Liaison and Administrative Assistant

University of Minnesota; Saint Paul (MN); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition benefits

Healthcare benefits

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Job summary

University of Minnesota's Department of Educational Psychology is hiring a Department HR Liaison and Administrative Assistant to serve as the first point of contact for HR requests and to coordinate with CEHD HR and Central Office of Human Resources for hiring, postings, and HR management.

The role actively supports equity, diversity, and inclusion, working with administration, faculty, and students on HR-related activities, onboarding, and records maintenance.

Qualifications

• Required qualifications include a high school diploma or GED with several years of related office experience.
• Strong customer relations and communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Experience using common office technology and collaboration tools.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse communities and handle confidential information.

Responsibilities

• Serve as HR liaison between the department and college and university offices.
• Provide onboarding support and orientation to new personnel and manage HR documentation.
• Process payroll and benefits inquiries and assist with recruitment activities.
• Maintain HR records and ensure compliance with policies and procedures.
• Coordinate with faculty, staff, and students for required trainings and meetings.
• Support department administrative tasks and financial processes as needed.

Skills

Deadline management

Customer service

Attention to detail

Policy review

Prioritization

Verbal & written communication

Confidentiality

Education

High School Diploma/GED

Job description

About the Job

The Department of Educational Psychology in the College of Education and Human Development is hiring a Department HR Liaison and Administrative Assistant. This position serves as the first point of contact for HR requests and is responsible for collaborating directly with department members, CEHD HR, and Central Office of Human Resources for all hiring, position posting and HR management. This position has an interactive role with administration, faculty, and students in the Department of Educational Psychology. This position actively supports and advances the University's commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Skills & Competencies of a Successful Candidate:

• Ability to establish and meet deadlines.
• Service-oriented with excellent customer service skills.
• Attention to detail and ability to ensure compliance with complex policies and procedures.
• Independently review HR and financial policies and perform duties accurately and with minimal guidance.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize, multitask, and execute in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong verbal and written communications, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to maintain a high level of integrity and strong sense of confidentiality.

This position is represented by the AFSCME Clerical Union, Local 3800. Core work hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm. This position may be hybrid, with some in-person work required on the Minneapolis campus. Overtime eligible.

$24.81/hr-$29.53/hr ($51,604.8-$61,422.4/yr)

Bargaining unit consideration begins on September 1, 2026 and ends on September 9, 2026.

Please note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT training program.

Job Responsibilities

Human Resources Support (80%)

• Serve as HR liaison between the department and the college and University human resources offices. Attend monthly HR liaison meetings in order to stay up to date and be able to implement current HR policies, processes and changes.
• Collaborate directly with the Department Administrator regarding HR functions.
• Serve as the first point of contact for employees regarding benefits, leaves, payroll and general human resource related issues and questions.
• Provide onboarding assistance and orientation to new personnel, including providing information about department policies, processes, and resources.
• Maintain accurate Personnel/ HR records at the department level and at the college by utilizing electronic documentation systems.
• Coordinate with faculty, staff, and students to complete all required training such as Sexual Misconduct, FERPA, etc.
• Maintain awareness of the annual review/ merit process to aid in communication of instructions, deadlines, and answering general questions as needed.
• Manage and complete as needed activities associated with recruitment, hiring, appointment and compensation changes, departures, and leaves from beginning to end for department personnel.
• Initiate and administer the online recruitment process by posting advertisements, submitting requests in the OHR TDX system, gather search materials, and manage candidate statuses in Recruiting Solutions throughout the duration of the search for those not handled by the Talent Acquisition team.
• Ensure HR processes and documentation are completed for hires including drafting and sending out appointment letters, emailing new employees with hiring paperwork, I-9 verification, background check submission, and onboarding.
• Process international visitor requests, scholars, and students VISA requirements and handle VISA applications, paperwork, and follow-up and communication with scholars regarding process.
• Maintain position management for the department, working with the Department Administrator and CEHD HR to create and make changes to positions.
• Research and troubleshoot payroll and appointment issues. Proactively communicate any issues to employees and partner with CEHD HR for resolution.
• Verify biweekly Payroll Pre-confirmation, I-9 needed, and time-sheet Reports, and inform Department Administrator, CEHD payroll, and CEHD Finance of any errors found.
• Submit hire, post, appointment change requests to OHR through electronic TDX system.
• Lead process for gathering and using information needed to hire personnel (staff, GAs, special assignments, augmentations) and determine how funding sources beyond department main accounts will be used to support each position.

Department Administrative and Operational Support (10%)

• Collaboratively oversee the administrative office and public spaces. Maintain a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students, staff, faculty, and department guests.
• Assist guests, answer phones, monitor email, sort and distribute mail, receive deliveries, and perform routine office tasks when needed.
• Coordinate with the Department Administrator to help manage internal communications systems such as continuous updating of email listservs, directories, and websites related to personnel changes.
• Provide support with calendar management, domestic and international travel arrangements, meeting preparation, events (Fall and Spring Assemblies, Block Party, Commencement, etc.), conference room and space reservations.
• Serve as an additional resource or back up for other staff during times of high work volume, vacations, or other leaves.
• Support special projects and assignments as requested.
• Help maintain effective organization and documentation of office processes and procedures.

Financial Services Support (10%)

• Maintain understanding of how to Identify suppliers, set-up suppliers and professional/consulting services contracts, and processes regarding set-up and contract statuses.
• Maintain understanding of how to initiate, monitor, and document administrative unit purchases and monthly bills (for capital/non-capital items) using UMarket, University purchasing card, invoice payment, or purchase order.
• Maintain understanding of how to manage the external sales process for the department, including initiating contracts, assisting with budget creation, routing contracts for signature, tracking projects, and billing according to the contract schedule.
• Maintain understanding and effectively utilize the chart of accounts, including appropriate fund, program/project, account, and other chartfields to accurately record transactions in the general ledger.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• High School Diploma/GED and four years of related office experience. Training/education may be substituted for some of the years of experience
• Excellent customer relations and interpersonal skills, including verbal and written communication with internal and external customers
• Comfort using technology, including Zoom, Google Workspace, and Microsoft Office
• Ability to collaborate effectively with people from a variety of communities, backgrounds, and identities

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience preparing and processing HR and purchasing related documents (reimbursements, travel, procurement cards), using EFS, TDX or similar system
• Prior customer service experience
• Prior experience working in higher education or in the public sector
• Demonstrated experience with multitasking and prioritizing tasks in a fast-paced, complex work environment
• Prior experience working independently with minimal direction, in addition to demonstrated experience of working with others in a professional manner as part of a team
• Excellent attention to detail

About the Department

The Department of Educational Psychology provides training in the in the cognitive, emotional, and social learning processes that underlie education and human development across the lifespan, including: the psychological foundations of education, quantitative methods in education, the practice and science of counseling psychology, school psychology, and special education. Faculty and students provide leadership and consultation to the state, nation, and international community. The department's scholarship and teaching enhance professional practice in schools and universities, community mental health agencies, business and industrial organizations, early childhood programs, and government agencies.

https://edpsych.umn.edu

The College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), the University's third largest college, contributes to a just and sustainable future through engagement with the local and global communities to enhance human learning and development at all stages of life. We know diversity is necessary to do our best work and foster our humanity. That's why the CEHD community is collectively dedicated to cultivating an inclusive and equitable environment, embracing and celebrating all identities of our students, staff, and faculty. These values are also a moral imperative requiring continuous proactive measures and a firm stance against prejudice, discrimination, and systemic injustice.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $24.81/hr-$29.53/hr ($51,604.8-$61,422.4/yr); depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.