People Services Generalist

Biological Sciences Division at the University of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The Biological Sciences Division (BSD) at the University of Chicago seeks a People Services Generalist to join the BSD HR team. You will support BSD departments, handle recruitment, onboarding, offboarding, pay discrepancies, and HR reporting with a focus on confidentiality and service excellence.

Responsibilities include partnering with HR leaders, managing lifecycle events for staff and student employees, and contributing to process improvements while staying compliant with university policies

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
• Experience in higher education or healthcare environment preferred.
• HR Certification (HRCI or SHRM) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serves as a key resource to BSD staff and departmental administrators on all HR related matters.
• Coordinate work authorization efforts with Office of International Affairs, University HR and Payroll.
• Generates standing and ad-hoc reports on compliance and HR metrics using Workday.
• Supports staff hiring processes, including job descriptions, interviewing and offers.
• Manages full life cycle of Student Employment and supports employee training and engagement.

Skills

HR knowledge

Customer service

Communication skills

Independent work

Problem solving

Presentation skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Experience in higher education or healthcare environment preferred

Tools

Workday

Microsoft Office

Job description

About The Department

BSD HRO - Clinical Sciences 3

The Human Resources department within the Biological Sciences Division (BSD) of the University of Chicago provides HR support to BSD administrative and operational leaders for over 2400 staff employees in mission critical research positions. The Biological Sciences Division (BSD) is the largest unit of the University. Established in 1930, the BSD is comprised of faculty from the clinical and basic sciences. In this unique academic community, a unified division delivers undergraduate, graduate, medical, and postgraduate education in the biological sciences together with outstanding patient care and world-renowned research. The BSD currently includes approximately 135 faculty in the 10 basic science departments, over 800 faculty in 13 clinical departments, and 2400 staff members. The BSD includes the Pritzker School of Medicine (PSOM), approximately 24 academic units, degree-granting committees, and research centers and institutes. The BSD is located on the University’s main campus in Hyde Park, 20 minutes south of downtown Chicago.

Job Summary

The People Services Generalist (PSG) will report to the Associate Director of People Services and will support BSD departments. The PSG is a key member of the BSD HR team partnering with HR leaders to provide day-to-day support to a designated client group. The PSG will focus on activities related to BSD staff employment including, recruitment, onboarding and offboarding, attending offsite career events, investigating pay discrepancies, generating HR reports, and organizing employee engagement activities. All activities will be performed according to departmental, divisional and University HR goals. The incumbent functions with moderate autonomy, assuming responsibility for the oversight and coordination of many and diverse administrative responsibilities requiring a high degree of confidentiality, discretion, independent judgment, and initiative. The successful People Services Generalist builds credible relationships across the organization to help facilitate effective employee communications, problem solving and solution-based outcomes. Assists and/or owns special projects as needed and provides solutions to ongoing process/project improvement initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Serves as a key resource to BSD staff and departmental administrators on all HR related matters ensuring HR services are provided in a timely and professional manner.
• Under a moderate level of guidance resolves HR administrative issues in consultation with appropriate University or BSD administrative offices such as Recruitment & Retention, Payroll, Employee and Labor Relations or Student Employment, communicating directly with all stakeholders to ensure issues are successfully resolved.
• Generates standing and ad-hoc reports on compliance and HR metrics using Workday.
• Responsible for providing follow-up on HR compliance reporting and tracking for the assigned unit.
• Coordinate work authorization efforts for designated unit by acting as a liaison to the Office of International Affairs, University Human Resources, and/or Payroll including but is not limited to running visa reports and owning visa applications by the direction of the Associate Director for People Services.
• Gain and maintain 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.
• Coordinate HR activities supporting employee training, communication, engagement and wellness.
• Manages the full life cycle of Student Employment.
• Supports staff hiring processes, including developing job descriptions, interviewing and reference checking, handling employment offers, and conducting orientation. Drafts templates and routine offer letters. Maintains appropriate human resources data and records, solving a range of straightforward problems using standard procedures.
• 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.

Education

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

Work Experience

2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience as a human resource professional in higher education or healthcare environment strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of employment regulations and human resource best practices.
• Demonstrated experience delivering quality customer service.

Certifications

• Human Resources Certification preferred (HRCI or SHRM certification).

Technical Skills Or Knowledge

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

Preferred Competencies

• Celebrate diversity and inclusion.
• Strong customer service skills and ability to interact with and serve a diverse population with tact, courtesy, clarity, and diplomacy.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Foster partnership and collaboration.
• Exhibit business acumen and organizational astuteness.
• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills, with the ability to remain calm, professional, and productive while managing complex issues, competing priorities, and tight deadlines.
• Demonstrate strategic agility.
• Display emotional intelligence.
• Exhibit resilience and optimize resources.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.
• Demonstrated excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills utilizing appropriate resources to resolve issues with high attention to detail.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential situations and information with absolute discretion.
• Ability to write and edit standard documents such as job descriptions, training materials, or offer letters with minimal oversight.
• Willingness to learn new technology.
• Ability to create and deliver presentations.
• Ability to demonstrate professional behavior in a respectful way.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
• Cover Letter (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

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Range

$70,000.00 - $95,000.00

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.