HR Representative/Asst. to the Chair

University of South Carolina; South Carolina; On-site; USD 44,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and Life Insurance

Retirement Programs

Paid Tuition

13 Paid Holidays

Professional Development Opportunities

Job summary

University of South Carolina is seeking an HR Representative/Assistant to the Chair for the Department of Political Science in Columbia, SC. This full-time role provides comprehensive human resources and administrative support to ensure efficient departmental operations and compliance with university policies.

You will coordinate hiring actions, payroll-related activities, faculty evaluations, tenure processes, and scheduling, while maintaining department records and reports.

Qualifications

• 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.
• 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.).

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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. Review EPMS documents for accuracy before submitting to the College for approval and final processing.
• 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.
• Coordinates department events including room reservation, food and beverage, staffing, and ensuring compliance with college and university regulations.

Skills

MS Word

MS Excel

Communication

Office management

Database applications

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a job related field

Tools

IMS and OnDemand

Data warehouse

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

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
• 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday)
• Professional Development Opportunities

Click here to learn more about why you should work at USC.

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

Basis 12 months

Job Search Category

Job Search Category Administrative

About USC

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.

Posting Summary Logo Posting Number STA00616PO26 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 USC 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 community.

Benefits for FTE Positions The University of South Carolina (USC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about USC benefits, access the "Working at USC" section on the Applicant Portal at https://uscjobs.sc.edu. Research Grant or Time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some, or no benefits, based on the grant or project funding. Position Description 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.

Required Certification, Licensure/Other Credentials 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 the HCMPeoplesoft system to include, but not limited to, job changes, additional pays, additional assignments, status changes, account changes, reappointments, separations/terminations, etc. Work with FTE faculty in the department to coordinate and process Summer ECOM actions.
• 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. Review EPMS documents 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Position Attributes Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing. Safety Sensitive or Security Sensitive No Hazardous weather category Non-Essential

Posting Detail Information 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.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Do you have at least 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?
  • Yes
  • No

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.