HR Generalist 2 - College of Veterinary Medicine

About the Job

The College of Veterinary Medicine is seeking an HR Generalist II to provide day-to-day HR administration, consultation, and process management. Working in a team model, you will serve as the trusted first point of contact for HR inquiries across assigned units, interacting confidently with employees at all levels-from frontline staff and students to faculty and senior leadership. Success in this role relies on the ability to build authentic relationships and foster a collaborative, inclusive environment across all levels of the organization-from frontline staff and students to faculty and senior leadership.

This role is ideal for a process-driven, growth-minded HR professional. You'll love this job if you are naturally curious, eager to ask questions, and excited to help us refine, document, and improve our HR operations as our organization evolves. If you view change as an exciting opportunity for continuous improvement, you will thrive here.

Key Responsibilities

35%- Employee and Labor Relations

• Provide responsive coaching to managers and supervisors on policy interpretation, performance management, employee engagement, and routine corrective action.

• Investigate and interpret civil service rules, labor contracts, and P&A policies. Research past practices within Vet Med and Central OHR to provide clear, accountable recommendations to leaders.

• Guide employees and supervisors through the complex landscape of leaves (FMLA, ADA, Short/Long-Term Disability, Workers Comp, and sabbaticals).

• Partner closely with the HR Director, senior leadership, and union representatives to resolve complaints impartially and champion a positive, collaborative employee experience across all tiers of the organization.

35%- Workforce Planning, Recruitment, & Onboarding

• Partner with hiring managers to develop job descriptions, establish competencies, and execute recruitment strategies. Guide search committees through legal and contractual requirements (EEO/AA).

• Collaborate with managers to analyze current positions, ensuring roles and responsibilities align with the short- and long-term workforce plan.

• Talent Acquisition: Build, manage, and continuously improve an onboarding program ensuring new hires feel welcomed, connected, and integrated into the college culture.

• Manage the exit interview process. Meet with outgoing faculty/staff, track turnover trends, review collegiate survey data, and proactively recommend actionable improvements to leadership.

• Identify training gaps and facilitate unit-specific workshops (e.g., Conflict Fluency, StrengthsFinder) in partnership with the Organizational Effectiveness office.

30%- HR Operations, HRMS, & Process Improvement

• Own and manage data integrity within PeopleSoft and the Kronos timekeeping system, ensuring all transactional HR actions meet strict collegiate and University standards.
• Actively audit operational data to identify bottlenecks. Bring a keen eye for continuous improvement to standard operating procedures, helping to design, document, and streamline routine HR processes.
• Oversee the accuracy of payroll processes, collaborate with Central Payroll and Audits to align policies, and partner with IT/Kronos teams to manage system updates and fixes from start to finish.
• Within a PEAK environment, troubleshoot, review, and approve HR TDX tickets.
• Conduct equity analyses for in-range requests, promotions, and retention offers. Maintain and analyze metrics to monitor the success of collegiate HR initiatives.

Work Environment

• Hybrid: average 3 days/week on campus

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Human Resources Management, Labor Relations, Business Administration, or a related field plus 2 years of experience or a combination of education and work experience to equal at least 6 years.
• Demonstrated experience following structured compliance/HR workflows, paired with a distinct interest in designing, mapping, or improving operational processes.
• A strong sense of ownership over workload and a demonstrated self-starter who checks their own work, maintains flawless records, and follows through on issues until they are fully resolved.
• Strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to build trust and relate effectively with a highly diverse workforce (faculty, technicians, clinicians, and administrative staff).
• A passion for building strong workplace relationships and an interest in helping to foster a collaborative environment
• Foundational experience in employee relations, recruitment, and employment laws (ADA, FLSA, FMLA, EEO).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working within a large organization utilizing a shared services or centralized HR model.
• A willingness to ask questions, challenge assumptions constructively, and dig into the "why" behind policies and workflows.
• A proven comfort level working in evolving environments; someone who embraces organizational changes as opportunities to build better systems.
• Prior HR experience within a higher education setting.
• Systems experience with PeopleSoft, TDX, and/or Kronos.
• PHR or SHRM-CP certification.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $31.25 - $38.71/hr (or $65,000-$80,500 annually); depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the

time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures

that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while

maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and

equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates

will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nations most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.