HR Manager - Physics and Astronomy

Founded in 1965, UC Irvine is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation's top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UC Irvine has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It's located in one of the world's safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County's second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide.

To learn more about UC Irvine, visit www.uci.edu.

The Department of Physics & Astronomy is one of the largest academic departments in the School of Physical Sciences at UCI and our staff are responsible for administrative duties associated with a population of 290 people. This includes our largest faculty population of 53 faculty, 76 non-senate academics, 15 career staff and 146 graduate students. Physics lies at the forefront of our understanding of nature. It includes the study of the universe on the largest scales - astronomy and cosmology, and on the smallest - the physics of quarks and leptons. In addition, physics provides the background for high technology; lasers, nuclear power, semiconductors, and medical imaging all have their roots in physics. At the UCI Department of Physics & Astronomy, world-renowned physicists study exciting topics like quantum mechanics, gravitation, the big bang, black holes, magnetism, and superconductivity.

The UCI School of Physical Sciences Personnel Teams are responsible for providing input and guidance in the organizational planning and processes for academic and staff personnel policy administration and payroll. The team offers customer-centric counsel to School Leadership and employees, and manages all human resources, academic personnel, and payroll matters for the employee life cycle of faculty, staff, and students. Our aim is to provide essential and high quality support for the teaching, research, and service missions of the School of Physical Sciences. This is achieved with a dedicated, integrated, and collaborative workforce that promotes diversity throughout the enterprise while optimizing technology, encouraging innovation, supporting professional development, and operating with compassion to the needs of our PS community. This position will begin full time on-site. After assessing work productivity throughout the six-month probationary period (as appropriate) along with satisfactory progress and supervisor approval, the incumbent may request a hybrid/remote schedule that fits within the unit's business needs.

The Department of Physics and Astronomy is seeking an experienced analytical and strategic Human Resources (HR) Manager to oversee the department's academic personnel and human resources functions. This position requires a deep understanding of UC, campus, and departmental academic policies and practices. The HR Manager will be responsible for resolving complex HR-related issues for the department that impact a diverse range of academic, staff, and student positions, providing innovative and effective solutions.

As a key member of the department's management team, the HR Manager will play a pivotal role in shaping business strategy and streamlining processes to enhance efficiency and efficacy in a high-volume, fast-paced environment. The role involves the oversight and management of all personnel activities, including the supervision of HR staff and the planning and implementation of systems and procedures to ensure timely and accurate personnel transactions.

Serving as the subject matter expert, the HR Manager will provide expert guidance and advice to the Department Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Chair, faculty, and staff on all personnel matters, ensuring compliance with academic and administrative policies. This position requires a dynamic leader capable of balancing high-level strategic planning with the practical demands of day-to-day operations.

Total Compensation

In addition to the salary range listed below, we offer a wealth of benefits to make working at UCI even more rewarding. These benefits may include medical insurance, sick and vacation time, retirement savings plans, and access to a number of discounts and perks. Please utilize the links listed here to learn more about our compensation practices and benefits.

The expected pay range for this recruitment is $77,000- $100,000 (Hourly).

Required:

• Requires thorough knowledge of and ability to apply and interpret organizational, union, and university policies and procedures which govern academic and staff HR.
• Demonstrated skill in analyzing complex situations to: define project, problem or objective; identify relevant concerns or factors; identify patterns, tendencies and relationships; formulate logical and objective conclusions; recognize alternatives and their implications; give professional advice to senior officials; and make critical decisions regarding personnel.
• Exceptional communication skills including oral, written, and active listening. Must demonstrate an appreciation for diversity and sensitivity to those from different regions and backgrounds.
• Excellent critical and innovative thinking to address moderately complex issues and present nuanced analyses.
• Leadership skills to create and contribute to a team environment; define and delegate work; set and adjust priorities and standards; motivate staff to achieve and exceed goals; find innovative and creative solutions which may have little or no precedent.
• Demonstrated experience working with confidential information and using sensitivity, tact, and discretion in internal and external communication.
• Strong resource management skills as relatable to Human Resources.
• Ability to apply department goals, priorities and values and the legal and human implications of decisions.
• 3-5 years Experience in personnel analysis or administration; or an equivalent of education and experience.

Preferred:

• Extensive knowledge of requirements for hiring international employees including the visa request process at the University of California.
• Extensive knowledge of UC/UCI policies and procedures and campus departments/administrative offices, roles, and responsibilities with emphasis on academic personnel, staff personnel and human resources, and labor relations.
• Proficiency in UCPath/Peoplesoft, Cognos/Tableau, and timesheet applications.
• Thorough knowledge of UC systemwide and organization policies, union contracts, procedures and practices that govern academic HR administration.
• Knowledge of trends in academia, especially in areas of academic planning, human resource management and administration.
• 6+ years of experience in personnel analysis or administration; or an equivalent of education and experience.
• UC/UCI experience

Conditions of Employment:

The University of California, Irvine (UCI) seeks to provide a safe and healthy environment for the entire UCI community. As part of this commitment, all applicants who accept an offer of employment must comply with the following conditions of employment:

• Background Check and Live Scan
• Employment Misconduct*
• Legal Right to work in the United States
• Vaccination Policies
• Smoking and Tobacco Policy
• Drug Free Environment

*Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

The following additional conditions may apply, some of which are dependent upon business unit or job specific requirements.

• California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act
• E-Verify
• Pre-Placement Health Evaluation

Details of each policy may be reviewed by visiting the following page - https://hr.uci.edu/new-hire/conditions-of-employment.php

Closing Statement:

The University of California, Irvine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.

For the University of California's Affirmative Action Policy please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20.

For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination.

We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce along with honoring unique experiences, perspectives, and identities. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.
UCI provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities upon request. For more information, please contact Human Resources at (949) 824-0500 or eec@uci.edu.