Unit Human Resources Coordinator

Michigan State University; East Lansing (MI); Hybrid; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Michigan State University’s College of Engineering seeks a Unit Human Resources Coordinator to join a fast‑paced academic HR team. You will coordinate faculty and staff hiring, assist with visits and onboarding, support payroll and personnel processing, and maintain confidential records in alignment with MSU policies.

The role supports equitable hiring practices, visa processing for international staff, and cross‑department collaboration within a respected research university.

Qualifications

• Requires a four-year degree in HR, business, organizational leadership, public administration, or related field.
• Six months to one year of related HR work experience is expected.
• Familiarity with university HR policies and procedures is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate faculty and academic staff hiring processes, postings, and communications.
• Assist with candidate visits, interview scheduling, and onboarding activities.
• Support search committees throughout recruitment and selection.
• Assist with visa-related processing for international faculty and scholars.
• Maintain hiring records and ensure compliance with university procedures.

Skills

Collaborative relationships

Organizational skills

Customer service

Multitasking

Judgment

Confidentiality

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR / business / leadership / public administration

Job description

Position Summary

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering in the College of Engineering is seeking a motivated Unit Human Resources Coordinator to join its team. This position is an excellent opportunity for an HR professional who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative academic environment and is committed to providing responsive, high-quality service.

Community of Respect and Innovation

At Michigan State University’s College of Engineering, we believe that education and innovation are strongest when built on mutual respect. Guided by MSU’s land-grant mission, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge, expanding access to education, and creating solutions that serve the common good. We are committed to a community where each person is respected, supported, and empowered to thrive—engineering with respect, innovating with purpose, building with trust, and growing through resilience. Learn more about our Community of Respect and Innovation.

Key Responsibilities

Faculty and Academic Hiring Coordination

Provides coordination and administrative support for faculty and academic staff hiring activities.

• Coordinates faculty and academic staff hiring processes, including position postings, candidate communications, interview scheduling, and onboarding activities
• Assists with candidate visit logistics and interview itinerary coordination
• Supports departmental search committees throughout recruitment and selection processes
• Assists with visa-related processing and employment documentation for international faculty and scholars
• Supports equitable and inclusive hiring practices by assisting with search process coordination and related documentation
• Maintains hiring-related records and documentation in accordance with university procedures and retention requirements

Human Resources Operations and Employee Support

Provides support for departmental human resources operations and personnel-related processes.

• Coordinates and administers personnel-related processes for faculty, support staff, temporary employees, graduate assistants, and student employees
• Serves as a departmental resource for HR-related questions, policies, procedures, and operational processes
• Interprets and applies university policies, procedures, and collective bargaining agreements in routine situations
• Coordinates onboarding and offboarding activities, including orientation support, required training coordination, and employment documentation
• Assists with payroll-related transactions, employment updates, and personnel processing activities
• Maintains confidential personnel records and HR-related documentation in accordance with university requirements
• Compiles and organizes HR-related information and reports to support departmental operations and decision-making

Student and Temporary Employment Administration

Provides administrative support for student and temporary employment processes.

• Coordinates hiring and employment transactions for graduate assistants, student employees, temporary employees, and on-call staff
• Processes hiring paperwork, payroll approvals, and related employment actions
• Assists supervisors and employees with employment procedures and timelines
• Maintains employment-related records and documentation

Administrative Operations and Project Support

Provides operational and administrative support for departmental HR-related activities and communications.

• Assists with departmental HR initiatives and projects
• Supports operational activities and performs related administrative duties as assigned
• Assists with maintaining departmental records, documentation, and reporting materials
• Performs routine calculations, payroll cost projections, and reporting as needed to support departmental operations and projects
• Contributes to a collaborative and customer-service-focused office environment

Other Duties As Assigned

Performs additional duties that align with the role and classification.

Hybrid Work Arrangement

This position may offer the potential for a hybrid work arrangement that combines in-office and remote work. The specific arrangement will be determined by the supervisor based on departmental priorities and operational needs.

About The Department Of Civil And Environmental Engineering

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Michigan State University advances education, research, and innovation focused on creating resilient infrastructure and protecting human and environmental health. The department offers undergraduate and graduate programs that combine theory with hands‑on, design‑based learning. Its faculty, staff, and students work collaboratively across areas such as environmental engineering, transportation, structures, geotechnical and pavement engineering, sustainability, and water resources. Support staff are essential to the department’s success, helping foster an inclusive, service‑oriented environment that supports teaching, research, and student achievement.

About The College Of Engineering

For more than 130 years, the MSU College of Engineering has advanced, shared, and applied engineering knowledge to address society’s most pressing challenges. Our mission is to prepare exceptional engineering graduates, conduct cutting‑edge research, and drive innovation that benefits communities locally and globally.

The college pursues this mission through educational and research programs across eight departments, with interdisciplinary strengths in computational sciences, energy, health, manufacturing, materials, mobility, security, and sustainability. By fostering collaboration and discovery, the MSU College of Engineering equips students and faculty to shape the technologies and solutions of the future.

Minimum Requirements

Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four‑year college degree program in human resources, business administration, organizational leadership, public administration, or a related social science field; six months to one year of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in a human resources function; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Desired Qualifications

• Ability to build collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, students, and administrators
• Strong organizational, communicat, and customer service skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, exercise sound judgment, and maintain confidentiality
• Experience applying employment policies and supporting hiring, onboarding, payroll, or personnel processes