Human Resources Specialist

Human Resources Specialist (Employee Engagement & Professional Development Specialist)The Human Resources Specialist (Employee Engagement & Professional Development Specialist) holds a critical role in synthesizing internal and external resources to align organizational development and workplace culture with key imperatives under the University of Hawaii at Hilo's Long-Range Strategic Plan: Hoolokahi Papahana Hoolala Hikialoa. Under the guiding value of Kakou, the essential functions of this position include fostering collaborative relationships among leadership and other campus stakeholders to promote the continued growth and retention of our workforce. The position independently plans, develops, and executes dynamic and sustainable employee engagement, professional development, and workplace culture and wellness initiatives to enhance the employee experience and reinforce a sense of belonging.
Duties and Responsibilities (*denotes essential functions)*Provides excellent customer service in the administration of all assigned human resources (HR) functions as a key team member of the Human Resources Office for the UH Hilo campus and its satellite locations.*Independently performs complex assignments encompassing a wide range of professional HR management responsibilities to ensure compliance, consistency, and best practices, while reinforcing and advancing a productive employee relations environment.*Serves as point-of-contact for assigned areas of responsibility. Provides guidance, resources, and training for HR-related matters to supervisors and employees.*Develops the employee experience to encourage a positive workplace culture and sense of belonging, including coordinating new employee onboarding and orientation programming and sustainable employee engagement initiatives throughout the employee life cycle, in alignment with the UH Hilo strategic plan.*Coordinates the planning and implementation of professional development and training programs to support employee retention and organizational growth.*Coordinates with campus stakeholders and external training resources to promote continuous improvement and workplace collaboration.*Administers surveys and develops metrics to assess the progress and effectiveness of employee development efforts and continued engagement. Gathers feedback on improvements and implements changes as needed to support successful outcomes.*Advises supervisors and employees on the performance review and evaluation process. Identifies and addresses individual and departmental training needs.*Manages the HR website to ensure content is up-to-date and valuable employment tools and resources are readily available to our campus community and prospective employees.*Assists HR Director in monitoring and ensuring campus-wide compliance with regulatory training requirements (e.g. Conflict of Interest, State Ethics, Title IX, etc.). Advises supervisors and employees on requirements for timely follow-up and completion.*Operates a computerized human resources management system (e.g. PeopleSoft) and other personnel, payroll, and financial database systems and platforms to monitor, facilitate, and execute various position and personnel actions, in accordance with State and Federal regulations, collective bargaining agreements, and UH policies and administrative procedures.*Maintains and audits official position and personnel files and all related employment records, in compliance with State and Federal regulations, collective bargaining agreements, UH policies and administrative procedures, and the State of Hawaii General Records Schedule for the retention and disposition of personnel records.*Participates in training and professional development to maintain currency in regulatory requirements, emerging trends, best practices, and professional standards related to HR management in higher education, the State of Hawaii, and University of Hawaii System.*Keeps abreast of State and Federal regulations, UH policies and administrative procedures, and collective bargaining agreements. Assists HR Director with research, interpretation, and ensuring consistent implementation as issues may arise.
Researches, responds to, and proactively resolves employee inquiries and concerns regarding benefits, compensation, terms of employment, and other employment matters. Advises HR Director or designee of difficult and unusual issues and provides recommendations.
Assists HR Director with assessing employee and labor relations issues, and problem-solving to encourage resolutions at the lowest possible level. May be assigned to conduct or assist with fact-finding investigations.
Other duties as assigned.
Minimum QualificationsPossession of a baccalaureate degree in any field and 3 year(s) of progressively responsible professional experience with responsibilities for one or more functional areas of human resources such as position classification; pay administration; recruitment and examination; personnel and organizatio