Human Resources Specialist I

Kansas City University; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 48,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Kansas City University is seeking an HR Specialist I to provide broad employee-facing HR support across the lifecycle at both campuses. You will assist with onboarding, timekeeping, benefits, and HR communications, while maintaining confidentiality and quality service.

You will lead new employee orientation logistics, coordinate events, and support HR team operations with a focus on accuracy, responsiveness, and collaborative problem solving.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, Communications, or a related field preferred
• Minimum of one year of professional HR, administrative, employee services, or related experience preferred
• Experience with Workday or another HRIS and employee timekeeping platform strongly preferred
• Familiarity with HR practices related to employee records, onboarding, benefits, timekeeping, employee communications, and general HR administration
• Strong customer service and interpersonal skills with the ability to interact professionally with employees, managers, candidates, vendors, and campus partners
• Strong organizational and project coordination skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines, events, and administrative details
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and attention to detail
• Ability to appropriately handle confidential and sensitive employee information
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications required

Responsibilities

• Provide employee-facing HR support throughout the employee lifecycle, from hire through separation
• Serve as an accessible first point of contact for routine employee and manager HR questions and connect individuals with the appropriate HR resource when additional expertise is required
• Support employee transactions and maintain accurate employee information in Workday
• Assist with onboarding, employee changes, employment documentation, records, reporting, and separation activities
• Respond to routine questions regarding HR policies, procedures, benefits, time and absence, payroll-related processes, and Workday transactions within the scope of the position
• Partner with HR II Generalists and other HR functional specialists to support timely resolution of employee needs
• Provide responsive, accurate, and employee-centered HR service while maintaining confidentiality and appropriate documentation
• Coordinate and lead new employee orientation logistics for both campuses, ensuring a consistent and welcoming onboarding experience
• Schedule orientation dates, rooms, speakers, food/catering, and other program logistics
• Coordinate orientation materials, presentations, communications, and other support needs
• Coordinate new employee photographs, temporary badges, and required notifications to appropriate campus partners
• Partner with HR team members and University departments to continually improve the new employee orientation experience
• Provide administrative and operational support to the HR team across both campuses
• Assist with HR purchasing, scheduling, materials, meetings, and other department operational needs
• Provide project and administrative support to HR functional leads during high-volume periods, annual processes, and special initiatives
• Serve as backup support to other HR team members as needed
• Provide operational and event support for KCyou Well-Being programs and activities
• Coordinate room scheduling and other event logistics
• Coordinate purchasing of awards, supplies, and materials
• Assist with scheduling, purchasing, and payment processes for wellness vendors and activities, including Lunch & Learns, wellness fairs, fitness activities, biometric screenings, therapy dog events, and similar programming
• Serve as an on-campus contact for vendors and assist with event setup and coordination
• Provide routine Time and Absence support to employees and managers, escalating complex questions to the Time & Absence Lead as appropriateSupport biweekly timekeeping review and administrative processes
• Assist employees and managers with Workday time entry, absencerequests, corrections, and general process questions
• Identify recurring questions or issues and communicate trends to the Time & Absence Lead
• Provide administrative support for Leadership and Development trainings, and support Internal Communications and Employee Engagement
• Assist in the support of Internal Communications and Employee Engagement, working closely with the relevant managers
• Other administrative tasks (i.e., filing, preparing documentation)
• Active participation in team and University meetings
• Function effectively in a team environment
• Participate in special projects as assigned

Skills

HR support

Onboarding

Workday

HR policies

Customer service

Project coordination

Confidentiality

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Business/Communications

Job description

Human Resources Specialist I

R-0002977 Joplin Campus

Job Type:

Staff

Job Description:

The Human Resources Specialist I - Generalist Support providesbroad, employee-facing Human Resources support across the employeelife cycle and helps coordinate the day-to-day operational activities of the HR department. This position serves as a welcoming first point of contact for employees and visitors, supports HR events and communications, coordinates new employee orientation logistics, assists with employee wellness programming, and provides routine Time and Absence support. The HR Specialist works collaboratively with HR team members and campus partners to provide responsive service, accurate information, organized processes, and a positive employee experience across both KCU campuses.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

HR Specialist / Employee-Facing Generalist Services

• Provide employee-facing HR support throughout the employee lifecycle, from hire through separation
• Serve as an accessible first point of contact for routine employee and manager HR questions and connect individuals with the appropriate HR resource when additional expertise is required
• Support employee transactions and maintain accurate employee information in Workday
• Assist with onboarding, employee changes, employment documentation, records, reporting, and separation activities
• Respond to routine questions regarding HR policies, procedures, benefits, time and absence, payroll-related processes, and Workday transactions within the scope of the position
• Partner with HR II Generalists and other HR functional specialists to support timely resolution of employee needs
• Provide responsive, accurate, and employee-centered HR service while maintaining confidentiality and appropriate documentation

New Employee Orientation Lead

• Coordinate and lead new employee orientation logistics for both campuses, ensuring a consistent and welcoming onboarding experience
• Schedule orientation dates, rooms, speakers, food/catering, and other program logistics
• Coordinate orientation materials, presentations, communications, and other support needs
• Coordinate new employee photographs, temporary badges, and required notifications to appropriate campus partners
• Partner with HR team members and University departments to continually improve the new employee orientation experience

HR Team Support

• Provide administrative and operational support to the HR team across both campuses
• Assist with HR purchasing, scheduling, materials, meetings, and other department operational needs
• Provide project and administrative support to HR functional leads during high-volume periods, annual processes, and special initiatives
• Serve as backup support to other HR team members as needed

Wellness Partner

• Provide operational and event support for KCyou Well-Being programs and activities
• Coordinate room scheduling and other event logistics
• Coordinate purchasing of awards, supplies, and materials
• Assist with scheduling, purchasing, and payment processes for wellness vendors and activities, including Lunch & Learns, wellness fairs, fitness activities, biometric screenings, therapy dog events, and similar programming
• Serve as an on-campus contact for vendors and assist with event setup and coordination

Time & Absence Support

• Provide routine Time and Absence support to employees and managers, escalating complex questions to the Time & Absence Lead as appropriateSupport biweekly timekeeping review and administrative processes
• Assist employees and managers with Workday time entry, absencerequests, corrections, and general process questions
• Identify recurring questions or issues and communicate trends to the Time & Absence Lead

Supportive Functions

• Assist with Leadership and Development trainings, working closely with the Associate Director of Human Resources
• Assist in the support of Internal Communications and Employee Engagement, working closely with the Internal Communications and Engagement Manager for Human Resources
• Other administrative tasks (i.e., filing, preparing documentation)
• Active participation in team and University meetings
• Function effectively in a team environment
• Participate in special projects as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, Communications, or a related field preferred
• Minimum of one year of professional HR, administrative, employee services, or related experience preferred
• Experience with Workday or another HRIS and employee timekeeping platform strongly preferred
• Familiarity with HR practices related to employee records, onboarding, benefits, timekeeping, employee communications, and general HR administration
• Strong customer service and interpersonal skills with the ability to interact professionally with employees, managers, candidates, vendors, and campus partners
• Strong organizational and project coordination skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines, events, and administrative details
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and attention to detail
• Ability to appropriately handle confidential and sensitive employee information
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications required

Performance Expectations

All KCU employees are expected to model the University's Core Values:

• Excellence - Striving for quality, integrity, and innovation
• Equity - Supporting an inclusive and collaborative environment
• Empathy - Caring for our students, our colleagues, and our community

Physical Requirements

• Ability to perform repetitive tasks using hands and arms, including typing and using standard office equipment.
• Clear speech and hearing to communicate effectively in person, over the phone, and in group settings.
• Ability to remain seated at a computer workstation for extended periods (4+ hours).
• Ability to move throughout office and campus spaces and assist with routine event materials, supplies, and set-up activities.
• Mental acuity sufficient to collect and interpret information, organize details, identify routine issues, and make informed decisions within the scope of the role.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Equal Opportunity Employer

KCU is committed to promoting an equal employment opportunity workplace. Equal opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, genetic information (GINA), physical or mental disability, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, familial status, ancestry, military and/or veteran status, and/or any other status protected by applicable Federal, state or local law.

About Kansas City University

Founded in 1916, Kansas City University (KCU) is a fully accredited, private not-for-private health sciences university with Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, Biosciences and Dental Medicine, and campuses in Kansas City and Joplin, Mo. The College of Osteopathic Medicine is the fourth-largest medical school in the U.S. and the leading producer of physicians in Missouri. It ranks #1 for producing physicians who practice in primary care, rural areas and underserved regions in the state. KCU's Center for Population Health and Equity addresses the variables that affect a population's health and contribute to health disparities, while better preparing students for professional practice. KCU offers doctoral degrees in osteopathic medicine, dental medicine and clinical psychology and a master's degree in biomedical sciences. Dual degree offerings include master's degrees in business administration in health care leadership, public health, and bioethics. A new Master of Health Sciences - Anesthesiologist Assistant program is scheduled to launch in January 2026.