Human Resources & Academic Affairs Generalist

Position Summary

The Human Resources & Academic Affairs Generalist works to support the broad range of human resources and academic affairs functions for the ColumbiaDoctors Faculty Practice Organization and Primary Care. With the highest standards of service excellence and integrity, this position will independently plan and prioritize tasks according to time constraints and deadlines.

Responsibilities

General

• Serve as the initial point of contact for human resources and academic affairs-related inquiries for employees and managers, troubleshooting issues and escalating to the supervisor, as appropriate.
• Coordinate departmental HRIS/payroll functions to ensure timely submission of paperwork for employment status and compensation changes/transactions, and implement process controls to minimize payroll-related problems on payday; includes new hire/appointment, reappointment, termination, salary support/add comp requests, benefits administration, and requests for leaves of absence, workers' compensation, unemployment, and other related transactions.
• Facilitate and coordinate leave requests in alignment with CU leave management processes and internal protocols, serving as the initial point of contact for leave management needs and escalating complex issues and cases to supervisor.
• Assist in the academic officer (re)appointment/promotion/tenure processes, provider enrollment credentialing, and privileging (re)appointments.
• Coordinate trainings, events, and communication/engagement initiatives, such as newsletters and email listserv communications
• Participate in relevant HR meetings and communicate new information, as needed. Ensure effective and ongoing communication with supervisor and internal/external customers.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of HR practices and changing policies.
• Other duties as assigned within the scope of practice, training, and education.

Recruitment and HR Operations

• Responsible for successful recruitment, pre-employment processing, and onboarding for new hires; ensuring internal tracking mechanisms are up to date. Create job descriptions, post requisitions, and advertise, ensuring appropriate signature/authorization obtained Process/track applications/resumes and conduct HR screening interviews, when necessary. Prepare and send appropriate correspondence to candidates, complete applicant reference checks, and draft offer letters. Coordinate onboarding meetings and itineraries, etc. Work with supervisor to coordinate immigration/visa paperwork and process, when needed. Process reclassifications/status changes.

Employee Relations and Engagement

• Assist in employee relations activities and provide policy guidance and information to managers, staff, and academic officers.

Analytics, Records, and Compliance

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date employee information in Human Resources database(s)/tracking mechanisms (i.e., staff/faculty lists, performance evaluations, leave balances and utilization, vacancies, timekeeping reports, new hire/termination paperwork, etc.), communicating information as appropriate.
• Maintain departmental personnel/medical files.
• Schedule and coordinate required trainings, prepare certificates of completion, and maintain and audit compliance records for required trainings for assigned employee populations.

Other administrative duties

• Work collaboratively with Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC) Payroll, Central HR, and the Office of Faculty Affairs to address & resolve employee changes & updates
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of HR practices and changing policies.
• Provide cross coverage for team members as needed.

This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other related duties or responsibilities, as necessary.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration/human resources or related field required.
• Minimum of three years’ work experience in Human Resources or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Exceptional customer service and employee relations skills required, with the ability to handle difficult and emotionally charged situations with professionalism and a results-oriented approach.
• Demonstrated knowledge of employment/labor law, including FMLA.
• Must be able to multitask in a fast-paced office environment.
• Must possess a proven track record of initiative and ability to follow through on tasks.
• Must be detail-oriented with excellent organizational skills and flexible, with the ability to handle multiple projects under strict deadlines.
• Ability to maintain the highest levels of confidentiality and professionalism.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and in writing.
• Computer proficiency in Microsoft programs, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Must successfully pass systems training requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• HR professional certification preferred (i.e., SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, HRCI, PHR, CHHR).
• Experience in healthcare and/or academic environment preferred.
• PeopleSoft proficiency preferred.
• Previous Columbia University experience desired.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.