Human Resources Specialist I - HRIS

UMBC; Baltimore, Northern (MD, KY); Hybrid; USD 33,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition remission

14 Days annual leave

Life and disability insurance

Retirement plan

Wellness opportunities

Job summary

UMBC's Human Resources and Strategic Talent Management department seeks a Human Resources Specialist I to manage data entry and transaction processing for PeopleSoft and related HR/payroll systems. The role focuses on onboarding, compensation changes, benefits updates, and accurate lifecycle data to support payroll and reporting.

The ideal candidate has strong data entry skills, experience with high-volume HRIS environments, and proficiency with spreadsheet tools and queries (e.g., Excel,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources Management or related area.
• One year of full-time HR or Payroll data entry and transaction processing experience.
• Note: 30 college credits can substitute for one year of experience.

Responsibilities

• Enter, review, and finalize HR/payroll transactions into PeopleSoft and other systems.
• Manage lifecycle events: new hires, terminations, leaves, transfers, promotions.
• Audit data against source documents to ensure accuracy for payroll and reporting.
• Develop SOPs and training materials for data entry and processes.
• Support leave administration and generate routine/internal/external reports.

Skills

Data entry

HRIS data management

PeopleSoft

Query Manager

Analytical skills

Policy interpretation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources Management or related area

Tools

PeopleSoft

Excel

Job description

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Position Overview:

The Department of Human Resources and Strategic Talent Management is the campus resource center for providing professional services and information in the areas of employment, benefits, compensation and classification, training and development, payroll, employee relations, policy, administration, and human resources data management and reporting.

The Human Resources Specialist I serves as the primary data input and maintenance specialist for the HumanResources System (PeopleSoft) and other supporting HR/Payroll systems. The main function is the timely and accurate processing of all employee lifecycle transaction data (onboarding, compensation changes, benefits updates, separations,etc.). This role is mission-critical for ensuring the integrity of institutional data for payroll, benefits, financial reconciliation, and legally mandated reporting (Federal, State, BOR).

Why Work at UMBC?

UMBC offers competitive compensation. This role starts at $24.00 per hour and has 14 days of vacation as well as winter break, spring break, and personal days for regular full time roles. Tuition remission is also available.

Telework:

A hybrid telework schedule may be available.

Responsibilities:

Data Entry & Transaction Processing:

• Accurately enter, review, and finalize high-volume HR and payroll transactions into the PeopleSoft system from various source documents (e.g., electronic forms, paper documents, spreadsheets) to meet strict deadlines. Entries include complex updates related to job data, compensation, personal demographics, and organizational structure changes.
• Execute system processes for employee lifecycle events, including new hires, terminations, leaves, transfers, and promotions, ensuring adherence to institutional policies and compliance standards.

Data Integrity & Quality Assurance:

• Audit entered data and system-generated reports against source documents to identify and correct discrepancies before final payroll processing.
• Perform data quality checks using advanced spreadsheet functions (e.g., VLOOKUP, Pivot Tables) and system queries (e.g., PeopleSoft Query Manager) to ensure consistency and completeness across data fields.
• Investigate and resolve data abnormalities by troubleshooting transaction errors, coordinating with HRSTM team members, and communicating with departmental liaisons to secure accurate information.

Process Support & Documentation:

• Analyze and approve online employee transaction submissions (e.g., Termination Portal) for automated data loads, ensuring all required fields are complete, the data is correct, and approvals are secured.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive standard operating procedures (SOPs) and training manuals for all data entry and transaction processes to ensure consistency and cross-training capability.
• Participate in user acceptance testing (UAT) for system upgrades, patches, and modifications to validate data accuracy and functional performance.

Leave Program Administration:

• Communicate directly with employees requiring advanced leave programs, explaining the terms and policies of the program, advising employees on their options, collecting approvals as needed, and communicating with employees, their departmental HR representatives, and payroll preparers.
• Administer leave adjustments as approved.
• Report on used advanced leave for audit purposes, and work with departments and administrators to correct issues with leave usage.

Reporting & Customer Service:

• Generate routine and ad-hoc reports and queries for internal HRSTM customers (Payroll, Benefits, Talent) and external customers (Federal/State agencies) to support reporting and operational needs.
• Assist with the triage and resolution of data-related HRIS inquiry tickets, escalating technical issues to IT partners as necessary.

Required Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources Management or a related area.
• One year of full-time HR or Payroll data entry and transaction processing experience.

Note: Additional related experience and formal education in which one has gained the knowledge, skills, and abilities required may be substituted for the education or experience requirement on a year-for-year basis with 30 college credits being equivalent to one year of experience.

• Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply complex HR policies to unique employee situations, exercise sound judgment in advising stakeholders, and reconcile leave usage against policies for audit and correction purposes.
• Expert-level data entry skills with a proven track record of less than 1% error rate on high-volume transactions.
• Demonstrated advanced proficiency with spreadsheet software (e.g., Excel: VLOOKUP, Pivot Tables, Formulas) and database software.
• Strong critical thinking and analytical skills to research, troubleshoot, and resolve data anomalies and processing errors.
• Ability to effectively interpret and apply complex HR policies and procedures to data entry and system transactions.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Three years of experience in a high-volume HRIS or payroll environment.
• Experience in HRIS data management and/or leave of absence administration.
• Significant functional experience with PeopleSoft HR, particularly Job Data, and Query Manager.
• Experience working with external reporting requirements (e.g., IPEDS, EEO).
• Certification in an HR discipline (e.g., SHRM-CP, PHR)

A background check will be required.

Closing Date:

UMBC offers a rich benefits package including the following for nonexempt regular employees.

Generous Leave which includes accruing the following for full time positions:

• 14 Days of Annual Leave(increases with years of service)
• Tuition remission at UMBC for eligible dependents after two years of FT employment

Additional Benefits:

• Life and disability insurance
• Retirement/Pension plan
• Wellness opportunities
• & Much more

Pay Range 11 (minimum: $24.00 per hour / maximum: $31.49 per hour) based on the University System of Maryland (USM) Pay Program.

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, Memorandum of Understanding, USM Board of Regent policies, internal equity, budget and qualifications and experience. Most salary offers will be close to the minimum part of the range.

The above salary range represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Hours:

Hours: Full-time

Type:

Type: Regular

FLSA Status:

FLSA Status: Nonexempt

Equal Opportunity Statement:

Equal Opportunity Statement: UMBC is an Affirmitive Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Applications from women, minority group members, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

If you require a reasonable accommodation for a disability for any part of the employment process, please contact the Human Resources Department at 410-455-2337 or MD TTY Relay Service 1-800-735-2258 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Work Authorization

Work Authorization As required by the 1986 Immigration Act, be prepared to present acceptable documentation upon hire showing your identity and that you are a U.S. citizen or an alien who is authorized to work.