Apply now Job no:515510
Work type:Staff Full Time
Location:UMass Amherst
Department: Biology
Union: USA/MTA
Categories:Administrative/Office Support

About UMass Amherst 

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region. 

Job Summary 

Reporting to the Department HR Manager, the Human Resources Clerk provides day-to-day administrative support for human resources functions in the Biology department with a primary focus on student employees, departmental assistants, classified staff, graduate fellowship appointments, research fellow, postdoctoral research associate, and senior research fellow appointments. 

Essential Functions 

• Processes hire, reappointment, and termination paperwork for all Departmental Assistant (03) appointments in the Biology Department. Submits and revises job descriptions and processes requisitions in Page Up. Explains HR policy and procedure to PI’s and applicants.
• Processes time and attendance and maintains payroll information. Answers payroll questions and resolves discrepancies. Monitors weekly payments, payroll encumbrances, and work-study allotments for hourly students and alerts appointing authorities of reporting discrepancies, low balances, or other problems. Follows established policy and procedure, makes recommendations for changes when needed, and maintains confidentiality at all times.
• Performs all aspects of student hourly personnel appointments and maintains student personnel files. Ensures compliance with University policy, advises faculty and staff on hiring procedures, solicits and drafts job descriptions, and processes changes to existing appointments.
• Assists with appointments, reappointments, salary adjustments and expirations, changes of funding, and terminations for staff, graduate assistantships and fellowships, Research Fellows, Postdoctoral Research Associates, and Senior Research Fellows. Ensures continuity of funding sources for grant funded personnel. Administers the visa application process and initiates background checks as needed. Works with the Controller’s Office when additional HR paperwork is needed on federal funding.
• Assists with administering staff searches including, but not limited to, search initiation and preparation and placement of advertisements both on and off campus. Receives, maintains, and records all application materials in accordance with federal, state, and university guidelines. Participates in interviews for staff positions as requested by the Chair.
• Directs, monitors, and evaluates assigned activities of student employees in the Biology HR Office. 
• Attends trainings for ongoing changes in HR systems.  
• Serves as a point of contact in the Department HR Office, providing information when possible and redirecting inquiries when needed. Responsible for other day-today operations of the Department HR Office including purchasing office supplies. Provides backup to HR Manager as required. 

• Performs other duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of the College of Natural Sciences. 
• Work collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork, diversity, equality and inclusiveness.? 
• Work in partnership with colleagues within the CNS community and across the campus to support the Dean’s strategic priorities. 
• Periodically updates Departmental website information regarding personnel and other information as requested.
• Operates a motor vehicle to travel to worksites. 

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Two (2) years of office experience.
• Independent initiative. Must have the ability to stay on task and work productively and professionally with a minimum amount of supervision or guidance.
• Effective, pleasant oral communication in person and on the phone with a demonstrated commitment to customer service.
• Excellent written communication skills, including the ability to compose short memos and letters, enter content onto a departmental website, and knowledge of grammar, punctuation, and spelling. 
• Ability to supervise and direct the activities of student workers in support of day-to-day functions for the Biology Department. 
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality. The ability to think through problems, organize and seek out data/information, identify key factors and underlying causes, and generate solutions. 
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail with the ability to complete assignments in a timely manner, balancing the demands of concurrent and potentially competing projects. 
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to interact effectively, and create and maintain harmonious relationships with a diverse population of staff, faculty, students, and off-campus constituents.  
• Willingness to learn new skills and adapt to change. 
• Ability to make mathematical calculations and tabulations rapidly and accurately. 
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel. 

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Knowledge of HR procedures.
• Driver’s License.

Work Schedule 

• Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm 

Salary Information 

Grade 13 

Special Instructions to Applicants 

Along with the application, please submit a resume, cover letter and contact information for three (3) professional references.

As part of a commitment to their own multicultural community, CNS seeks an individual with a demonstrated commitment to diversity and one who will understand and embrace university initiatives and aspirations. ?(https://www.cns.umass.edu/diversity-equity-inclusion )

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University.? To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans.? It is the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action. 

Advertised:Aug 18 2022 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close:Aug 24 2022 Eastern Daylight Time