Human Resources Specialist

City University of New York; New York (NY); On-site; USD 71,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

LaGuardia Community College, part of the City University of New York, seeks an HR Specialist to support full-cycle recruitment for student positions, manage personnel transactions, and assist with payroll and benefits coordination.

You will conduct onboarding, maintain records, and provide training to staff, ensuring compliance with college policies and external regulations. Strong communication and confidentiality are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree and four years' related experience required.
• Familiar with HR policies, compliance, and regulatory requirements.
• Strong customer service mindset and ability to handle sensitive information with discretion.

Responsibilities

• Assist with full-cycle recruitment from position authorisation through onboarding for student positions.
• Track recruitment activities and prepare reports on searches, vacancies, and hiring metrics.
• Maintain recruitment records and ensure searches comply with college policies and regulations.
• Conduct employee welcome sessions and compliance-related trainings.
• Oversee all personnel transactions including new hires, reappointments, status changes, and payroll actions.
• Assist with payroll inquiries from hiring managers and employees.
• Coordinate benefits enrollment and changes with Benefits Office staff.
• Assist with performance appraisal procedures and documentation for student employees.

Skills

Attention to detail

Fast-paced environment

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Confidentiality

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Human Resources Specialist

POSITION DETAILS

Founded in 1971 in Long Island City, Queens , LaGuardia Community College is one of seven community colleges of the City University of New York (CUNY). LaGuardia offers more than sixty associate degree programs and more than fifty workforce training, ESOL, GED, and pre-college programs. In 2023, LaGuardia served approximately 24,000 students. More than one-third of LaGuardia’s degree‑seeking students are born outside the United States; they come from 136 countries and speak 43 heritage languages. Sixty percent are first-generation college students.

Virtually all LaGuardia students are ethnic minorities (89 percent), 58 percent are women, 27 percent are over the age of 25. Forty-six percent of associate degree students are Hispanic. Upon graduation most students transfer to four-year colleges, typically in CUNY, to complete their baccalaureate degrees. Graduates of career programs such as Nursing, Computer Technology, and Veterinary Technology enter the workforce. LaGuardia ranked fifth among U.S. community colleges in economic mobility – moving low-income students into the middle class and beyond – in studies by Stanford University (2017) and the Brookings Institution (2020).Please visit www.laguardia.edu to learn more.

Reporting to the Executive Director of Human Resources, the HR Specialist will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following:

• Assist with and support the full-cycle recruitment process from position authorization through onboarding for student positions;
• Track recruitment activities and prepare reports related to searches, vacancies, and hiring metrics;
• Maintain recruitment records and ensure searches are completed in accordance with college policies and applicable regulations;
• Conduct employee welcome sessions and compliance-related training sessions;
• Oversee all personnel transactions including new hires, reappointments, employee status changes, compensation and pay actions, employment separations and other employee appointment updates;
• Assist with payroll-related inquiries from hiring managers and employees;
• Coordinate employee benefits enrollment and changes in collaboration with the Benefit Office staff;
• Assist supervisors and managers with performance appraisal procedures and documentation requirements for student employees.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's Degree and four years' related experience required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Excellent a ttention to detail.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven work environment.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, especially Word and Excel.

CUNY TITLE OVERVIEW

Develops and administers processes and policies regarding Human Resources.

• Advises employees and managers on Human Resources policies and guidelines; provides a high level of customer service in assisting members of the College community
• Supervises and administers one or more human resources programs such as recruiting, pay administration, employee orientation, employee benefits, data entry and recordkeeping, and performance appraisal/reappointment practices
• Maintains an in-depth understanding of CUNY rules and regulations, relevant laws and guidelines, collective bargaining agreements, and College policies, and applies these to his/her areas of responsibility
• Investigates regarding sensitive employee issues or complaints
• Helps create innovative communications such as manuals, web pages, or employee meetings and provides these to the College community
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Job Title Name: HR Specialist

CUNY TITLE

Higher Education Assistant

FLSA

Non-exempt

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Salary: $70,756 - $85,556

Salary commensurate with education and experience.

CUNY's benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well-being, and professional development. We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off. Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.

CLOSING DATE

September 19th, 2026

JOB SEARCH CATEGORY

CUNY Job Posting: Managerial/Professional

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.

Job ID:

32711

Location:

LaGuardia Community College

Job Type:

Full-Time