Human Resources Generalist

University of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Chicago's Department of Safety and Security seeks an HR Generalist to serve as the main contact for HR matters across DSS units. You will support onboarding, payroll, benefits, employee relations, and policy interpretation.

Reporting to the Executive Director of Management Services, you will coordinate hiring processes, manage confidential data, and collaborate with Shared Services and central HR to ensure compliant, customer-focused service.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field required.
• Experience with HR processes including onboarding, payroll, and benefits.
• Familiarity with Workday or HRIS systems.
• University environment experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as HR liaison for DSS units and coordinate onboarding.
• Coordinate job descriptions, hiring, and background checks.
• Advise on benefits, compensation, and labor relations.
• Ensure policy adherence and compliance with laws and regulations.
• Prepare HR reports and support training initiatives.

Skills

Customer service

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Master’s degree

Tools

Microsoft 365

Workday HRIS

Job description

Department

OPS DSS Management and Auxilary Services

About the Department

The Department of Safety and Security (DSS) includes the following functions: Emergency Management, Environmental Health and Safety, Professional Accountability, Campus Safety, Transportation and Parking Services, and the University of Chicago Police Department (UCPD). DSS is a unit within the Division of Office of Legal Affairs, reporting to the General Counsel and Vice President for Legal Affairs. The department is tasked with the development and implementation of comprehensive safety strategies that serve the university community, strengthen collaborations between the DSS and students, faculty, staff and neighbors, and are appropriately aligned with institutional values and priorities. By long tradition, the University works with the city of Chicago providing safety and security options in Hyde Park and the surrounding neighborhoods.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Executive Director of Management Services in the Department of Safety and Security (DSS), the Human Resources Generalist will be the main point of contact for all HR related matters for all units within the Department of Safety and Security (DSS). The HR Generalist will work closely with assigned units to ensure successful customer service and HR practices for all staff they support. The HR Generalist assumes responsibility for the oversight and coordination of many and diverse administrative tasks requiring extensive confidentiality and excellent judgement.

Responsibilities

• Serves as the first point of contact for departmental administrators and supervisors to troubleshoot HR-related issues, including: job descriptions, hiring employees, onboarding, terminations, employee labor relations issues, and performance issues.
• Works efficiently and effectively to resolve employment and payment related issues in consultation with appropriate offices such as Shared Services, Payroll, Student Employment communicating directly with all stakeholders to ensure issues are successfully resolved.
• Provides confidential guidance and support for employees, and directs the employees to the right University resources including but not limited to the Benefits, Leave Administration, Office of Equal Opportunity Programs, Employee-Labor Relations.
• Manages staff hiring processes, including developing job descriptions with Unit Leaders and Supervisors, educating and assisting recruiting screeners, phone screening, interviewing, initiating background checks, and conducting reference checks.
• 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.
• Prioritizes customer service to ensure all new members of the Department of Safety and Security complete all of the required elements to be onboarded and receive their pay in a timely manner.
• Works to troubleshoot issues by using University and DSS resources and HR best practices.
• Reviews and monitors payroll reports, I-9 reports and other compliance verification reports, and follows up to improve individual compliance.
• Assists the Executive Director with the development and implementation of policies, procedures and training opportunities.
• Collaborates with the University Central Human Resources team on information management, process improvement, and absence management.
• 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.
• Effectively communicates deadlines, requirements, and responses to routine questions.
• Supports staff hiring processes, including the extensive University of Chicago Police Department (UCPD) hiring processes: screening applicants for basic qualifications, scheduling applicants for physical agility testing, scheduling applicants for written exam, scheduling applicants for panel interviews, scheduling applicants for final interviews. Additionally, onboarding successful applicants and assisting in the UCPD background process: scheduling medical screenings, scheduling psychological screenings, scheduling drug screenings, handling employment offers, and conducting orientation. Drafts templates and routine offer letters.
• Works closely with the UCPD Recruitment Unit to ensure compliance with University policies.
• Maintains appropriate human resources data and records, solving a range of straightforward problems using standard procedures.
• Counsels employees on benefits and compensation. Coordinates with managers and senior colleagues to determine employee compensation. Analyzes data and prepares charts, graphs, and trend lines for management review with a moderate level of guidance.
• Provides professional support to a unit’s employee/labor relations efforts, including handling grievances, disciplinary warnings, and employee complaints.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

—

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Master’s degree.

Experience:

• Working with Workday or other human resources information systems.
• Background working in a University environment.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Strong and broad software knowledge and usage including word processing, database, spreadsheet, e-mail, and web, as well as a strong knowledge of Microsoft 365.
• Knowledge of Workday or similar human resources information systems.

Preferred Competencies

• Strong customer service skills to interact with and serve a diverse population with tact, courtesy, clarity, and diplomacy.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.
• Juggle competing deadlines and prioritize.
• Excellent problem-solving skills.
• Handle sensitive and confidential situations and information with absolute discretion.
• Take initiative and organize and complete projects with minimal supervision.
• Attention to detail.
• Write and edit standard documents such as job descriptions, training materials, or offer letters with minimal oversight.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• References Contact Information (3)(preferred)

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.

Job Family

Human Resources

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Drug Test Required

Yes

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Range

$75,000.00 - $85,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University’s Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago’s Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.