HR Representative/Asst. to the Chair

University of South Carolina; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 44,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

University of South Carolina is seeking an HR Representative/Assistant to the Chair in the Department of Political Science (Columbia, SC). This full-time role provides comprehensive HR and administrative support to ensure smooth departmental operations.

The position involves coordinating personnel processes, scheduling, and liaison work with faculty and university offices, while maintaining records and reports. Strong MS Word/Excel and confidentiality are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and 1+ years of related experience; may be substituted by certification/training/education/experience.
• Thorough knowledge of personnel procedures and policies.
• Efficient office management skills, word processing, and database applications.
• Knowledge of University mainframe software (IMS and OnDemand) and university web-based applications.

Responsibilities

• Support the Chair of Political Science with correspondence and communications with faculty and offices.
• Coordinate faculty tenure & promotion, third year review, and EPMS; manage calendars and Peer Review of Teaching schedules.
• Act as Building Coordinator; oversee maintenance and IT service requests.
• Manage faculty files and reporting; coordinate evaluations and scheduling.
• Oversee HR actions: hiring, personnel actions, records; advise on policy and onboarding.
• Plan and coordinate department events; supervise staff and mentor colleagues.

Skills

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Database applications

Communication skills

Planning & organizing

Confidentiality

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Tools

IMS

OnDemand

Data warehouse

Intranet

Job description

Job Family: Administrative Support

Job Function: Administrative Services

USC Market Title: Administrative Coordinator

Link to USC Market Title: https://uscjobs.sc.edu/titles/131920

Job Level: P1 - Professional

Business Title (Internal Title): HR Representative/Asst. to the Chair

Campus: Columbia

Work County: Richland

College/Division: College of Arts and Sciences

Department: CAS Political Science

State Pay Range: G07

USC Market Range: MRD - $44,296 $54,263 $64,229

Anticipated Hiring Range: $44,296 - $54,263

Location of Vacancy: Columbia, SC

Part/Full Time: Full Time

Hours per Week: 37.5

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Basis : 12 months

Job Search Category: Administrative

About University of South Carolina

From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.

Veterans' Preference Statement

The University of South Carolina is committed to equal opportunity and proudly values the skills and experience military veterans bring to our workforce. Across South Carolina, we are making veterans a priority for employment and recognize their vital contributions to our state and our communities.

Advertised Job Summary

The HR Representative and Assistant to the Chair for the Department of Political Science provides comprehensive human resources and administrative support to ensure efficient departmental operations. The role coordinates personnel processes, including hiring, onboarding, payroll actions, faculty evaluations, tenure and promotion activities, and performance management, while ensuring compliance with university policies. The position also supports the Department Chair with scheduling, correspondence, events, and daily operations; serves as a liaison with faculty, staff, and university offices; maintains departmental records and reports; processes scholarships and tuition abatements; and provides guidance and support to administrative staff. Overall, the position plays an important role in maintaining workflow continuity and supporting the department’s faculty, staff, leadership, and overall mission.

Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in a job related field and 1 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge of personnel procedures and policies.
• This position requires efficient and independent office management skills, word processing, and database applications.
• Knowledge of University mainframe software (IMS and OnDemand) and University web-based applications (Data-warehouse, Intranet, etc.).
• Knowledge of University fiscal procedures, practices, policies, and grant funding requirements.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Proficient in personal computer operation.
• Working knowledge of MS Word and Excel.
• Proficient in database applications for use in development and refinement of databases.
• Ability to communicate effectively and maintain good working relationship with diverse university personnel, faculty, staff, students, and the public.
• Ability to plan, organize, and supervise the work of subordinate personnel.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Job Duties

Provide support to the Chair of Political Science by assisting with correspondence and communication with faculty and other university offices. Assists faculty with professional correspondence. Responsible for all departmental correspondence, memorandums, letters and documents, creating and maintaining departmental forms. In the chair’s absence, use the best judgement to handle or route requests to the appropriate personnel so department workflow continues with minimal interruption.

Essential Function: Yes

Percentage of Time: 20

Administer activities associated with faculty tenure & review process, including coordinating the preparation, compilation and submission of Tenure & Promotion, Third Year Review and Post‑tenure Review files. Prepare associated calendars for the Chair; Prepare and distribute Peer Review of Teaching evaluation forms; and coordinating the Peer Review of Teaching schedule.

Essential Function: Yes

Percentage of Time: 15

Act as Building Coordinator for Political Science; Coordinate and oversee the resolution of all building maintenance problems and service requests with Facilities Management and phones/ telecommunications requests with University Technology Services.

Essential Function: Yes

Percentage of Time: 15

Administer activities associated with faculty files, including request, collect and disseminate information on sabbatical leave, Resume of Activities form, Peer Review of Teaching evaluations, and Chair evaluations; Prepare requested reports and surveys using such information; Coordinate distribution of faculty evaluations and scheduling of evaluation appointments.

Essential Function: Yes

Percentage of Time: 15

Manages the human resources and personnel operations for the department to include hiring faculty and staff, coordinating the submission of all personnel actions, maintaining personnel records, monitoring correct payout, and advising personnel regarding policy and procedures.
Request and coordinate all faculty and staff hiring for the department. Submit actions in People Admin to include, but not limited to, creating, updating, and/or reviewing position descriptions; creating and submitting job ads/postings to the College for approval; creating and submitting hiring proposals to the College for approval.
Initiates HR actions in theHCMPeoplesoft system to include, but not limited to, job changes, additional pays, additional assignments, status changes, account changes, reappointments, separations/terminations, etc. Work withFTEfaculty in the department to coordinate and process SummerECOMactions.
Coordinates the annual and off-cycle Employee Performance Management System (EPMS) review processes. Advise staff in the department, as needed, on the required procedures and paperwork to ensure they are in compliance with College and University policies and procedures. ReviewEPMSdocuments for accuracy before submitting to the College for approval and final processing.
Will work with the Office of International Scholars on actions associated with international faculty members or research scholars. Maintain personnel files for the department which include hard copy for ease of retrieval and generating reports for the Business Manager and Chair of the department as requested.

Essential Function: Yes

Percentage of Time: 20

Will Contribute to the success of the Department of Political Science and the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences by performing all other duties and as assigned.

Essential Function: No

Percentage of Time: 20

Works with the chair to plan and coordinate department events including such duties as room reservation, food and beverage, coordinating staffing, and ensuring the department is compliant with all college and university regulations.

Essential Function: Yes

Percentage of Time: 5

Provides staff training and mentorship by maintaining relationships with administrative and advising staff, providing support and guidance on job duties, career-related issues, and serving as a resource for their professional questions and concerns.

Essential Function: Yes

Percentage of Time: 5

Safety Sensitive or Security Sensitive

No

Hazardous weather category

Non-Essential

Number of Vacancies

1

Desired Start Date

09/16/2026

Job Open Date

08/17/2026

Job Close Date

10/01/2026

Open Until Filled

No

Special Instructions to Applicant

Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email. We are only accepting applications submitted by October 1, 2026. The University of South Carolina offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to:

• Health and Life Insurance
• Retirement Programs
• Paid Tuition
• Dependent Scholarships
• Annual Leave
• Sick Leave
• 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Professional Development Opportunities

Quicklink for Posting

https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/211568

EEO Statement

The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable law.