Human Resources Specialist

Salary: See Position Description
Location : Honolulu, HI
Job Type: Full-Time Permanent
Job Number: 2025-02516
Department: University of Hawai'i at Manoa - Institute for Astronomy
Opening Date: 12/01/2025
Closing Date: 12/15/2025 11:59 PM Hawaii
Position Number:: 0080208
Description
Title: Human Resources Specialist

Position Number: 0080208

Hiring Unit: Institute for Astronomy

Location: Honolulu, HI

Date Posted: 12/01/2025

Closing Date: 12/15/2025

Band: B

Salary : salary schedules and placement information

Full Time/Part Time: Full-time

Month: 11-month

Temporary/Permanent: Permanent
Other Conditions: Position is excluded from Bargaining Unit 08; start of employment to begin approximately January 2026.
Duties and Responsibilities

1.**Oversees all HR functions, including but not limited to recruitment and selection, classification and compensation, employee benefits and leaves, training, and development.

2.**Advises, provides consultative services, interprets, and serves as an HR resource for the Institute for Astronomy (IfA) administrators, faculty, and staff on policies, administrative procedures, and collective bargaining agreements.

3.** Plans, initiates, and supervises recruitment and selection of vacant positions, including providing guidance on recruitment efforts, reviewing vacancy announcements for compliance, content, accuracy, and proper formats, conducting EEO committee briefing sessions, and providing guidance on hire actions.

4.**Oversees the processing of new hire, termination, and other job data and pay actions. Reviews, audits, and executes HR documentation and transactions to ensure accuracy and compliance with applicable collective bargaining provisions, federal and state laws, and University policies and procedures.

5.**Plans, develops, implements, and conducts various training activities for professional and clerical personnel and directs staff members to educational training and programs in order to promote professional growth.

6.**Serves as a working supervisor to lower-ranked human resources specialists, setting expectations and offering technical guidance on personnel-related matters.

7.Handles unemployment insurance claims and follow-ups, which include preparing timely submissions of responses and appeals.

8.Develops and/or presents to management and/or other personnel written and/or oral reports and/or recommendations.

9.Recommends changes to program policies and standard operating procedures to improve operations to achieve the most efficient and economical service.

10.**Serves as the initial contact and liaison for intake and assessment of labor and employee concerns, complaints, and grievances.

11.**Participates in resolving conflicts by coordinating and working with the employee, supervisor, and departmental heads.

12.Conducts investigations, analyses, audits, and studies (specific, special, or large-scale) for the purpose of operations assessment, compliance enforcement, and staffing or human resource management.

13.Resolves operational and administrative matters in accordance with current policies, procedures, and/or directives.

14.Advises employees on employee benefit programs in the context of and in compliance with applicable policies, procedures, collective bargaining agreements and/or practices.

15.Develops or improves personnel procedures, makes recommendations, and conducts inspections or audits

16.Classifies positions, reviews all UH/RCUH personnel transactions, conducts employee training, completes and reviews recruitment and selection requirements, and investigates and/or recommends appropriate action.

17.Prepares, reviews, and/or audits personnel transactions and analyzes staffing patterns.

18.Has signing authority on all personnel actions as Approving Authority.

19.Provides staff support to the IFA Director's office in addressing personnel-related issues of substantial scope, difficulty, or complexity.

20.Prepares reports and correspondence for internal and external review/distribution, including but not limited to vacancy reports.

21.Develops, reviews, and monitors staffing and work schedule plans on programs and/or projects, as requested.

22.**Initiates and prepares all requests for visa/employment authorization and works closely with campus office to ensure timely filings of applications. Answers all inquiries regarding visa/employment authorizations.

23.Ensures the faculty housing application process is complete, from submission to the final rental agreement being signed.

24.Review and approve APT band A and B personnel changes.

25.Serve as Program Administrator for the federally mandated E-Verify program and keep abreast of changes to the program.

26.Provide advice on BOR non-compensated appointments and ensure the appointment letter is in accordance with the lfA policy and the UH policy, while monitoring renewals and changes.

27.Ensure completeness, timeliness and appropriate confidentiality of HR data maintained on lfA's document management system.

28.Serve on the Administrative Services Manager's management team to plan projects, resources, and communications.

29.Other duties as assigned

**Denotes Essential Function
Minimum Qualifications

1.Possession of a baccalaureate degree in human resources, business administration, public administration, social sciences, or related field, and three (3) year(s) of progressively responsible professional experience with responsibilities for human resources or administrative management; or any equivalent combination of education and/or professional work experience which provides the required education, knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated.

2.Considerable working knowledge of principles, practices, and techniques in the area of human resources or administrative management as demonstrated by the broad knowledge of the full range of pertinent standard and evolving concepts, principles, and methodologies.

3.Considerable working knowledge and understanding of applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations, and theories and systems associated with human resources administration or related field.

4.Demonstrated ability to resolve wide ranging complex problems through the use of creative reasoning and logic to accurately determine the cause of the problems and the resolution of the problems in an effective, innovative and timely manner.

5.Demonstrated ability to interpret and present information and ideas clearly and accurately in writing, verbally and by preparation of reports and other materials.

6.Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations, groups, team leaders and members, and individuals.

7.Demonstrated ability to operate a personal computer and apply word processing software.

8.If applicable, for supervisory work, demonstrated ability to lead subordinates, manage work priorities and projects, and manage employee relations.

9.Demonstrated ability to work effectively both independently with minimal direction and as a key contributor within a team.

10.Skilled at organizing, prioritizing, and managing multiple tasks and competing deadlines in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.

11.Possesses exceptional tact, diplomacy, and judgement when interacting with diverse groups.
Desirable Qualifications

1.Experience in working in a research environment.

2.Familiarity with the University of Hawaii or an institution of higher education administrative policies and procedures.

3.Experience with PeopleSoft, On-Leave Management System, and Neogov or similar recruitment platform.
To Apply:
Click on the "Apply" button on the top right corner of the screen to complete an application and attach required documents. Applicant must submit the following:
(1) Resume;
(2) Cover letter indicating interest in the position and how the minimum and desirable qualifications of the position are met;
(3) The names and contact information (telephone number and email addresses) of at least three professional references; and
(4) Copies of educational transcripts with CONFIDENTIAL DATA (i.e. social security number, birthdate, etc) REDACTED. If requested transcripts and unobtainable by closing date, please indicate so where transcripts are required as an attachment. You will have a grace period of 7 days from the closing date (12/15/2025) to email copies of your transcripts to Official transcripts will be required if selected to fill the position.

INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

Note: If you have not applied for a position before using NeoGov, you will need to create an account.
Inquiries: Llewelyn Yee,

EEO, Clery Act, ADA
The University of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment, including on the basis of veteran and disability status. For more information, visit: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/policies/
Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks.

In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawai'i may be viewed at: https://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/help/campus-security/, or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office.

In accordance with Article 10 of the unit 08 collective bargaining agreement, bargaining unit members receive priority consideration for APT job vacancies. As a result, external or non BU 08 applicants may not be considered for some APT vacancies. BU 08 members with re-employment rights or priority status are responsible for informing the hiring unit of their status.

Accommodation Request: The University of Hawai'i complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. For further information, please refer to the following link: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/accommodation-request/

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