HR Generalist - Business Services, University Housing

HR Generalist - Business Services, University Housing

University Housing - Business Services

University Housing provides an essential element of the Illinois experience, with hundreds of employees across seven units working together to build and maintain safe, healthy and welcoming homes for our residents. We value the many diverse voices, opinions, experiences and identities of the Illinois community, and our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion is woven into each of our interactions, programs and decisions.

Business services keeps University Housing running smoothly. Staff work on payroll, budget planning, accounting, purchasing, labor relations, policy interpretation, labor contract administration, project management and more. Employees within business services manage the entire life cycle of an employee including hiring, onboarding and the exit process.

Job Summary

The HR Generalist manages a variety of human resource activities and assists with complex human resource issues, escalating as needed.

Duties & Responsibilities

Recruitment & Talent Acquisition

• Responsible for independently coordinating search, hiring, and onboarding processes for student, hourly, and full-time hiring needs, including recruitment efforts.
• Communicate and implement search procedures aligned with best practices and compliance needs, advising search committees and hiring managers.
• Communicate with applicants and new hires, facilitating interview, hiring, and onboarding processes.
• Develop job postings.

Labor & Employee Relations

• Provides guidance to supervisors on performance management practices and issues.
• Handles minor supervisor/employee conflicts requiring intervention or consultation with either party.
• Facilitates accommodations and conflict resolution efforts.
• Recommends interpretation of collective bargaining agreement language and corrective actions to performance issues under administrative supervision.

Payroll, Time Reporting, and Leave Management

• Process payroll and timesheets, including unique payments like summer salary.
• Address complex timesheet/leave issues and return timesheets/leave requests as needed.
• Process routine and non-routine pay adjustments.
• Administer and track FMLA, PLFA, or other managed leave categories.
• Counsel and resolve issues related to leave. Inform staff of all regulations/policies relating to leave usage and time reporting.

Job Classification & Analysis

• Conducts job classification and analysis processes.
• Provides guidance on job descriptions, promotions, and titles.
• Identify out-of-scope duties and recommend title changes based on overall responsibilities, as appropriate.

Compensation & Benefits

• Advises on salary decisions and develops justifications with general oversight.
• Recommends compensation amounts for temporary/additional pay circumstances, escalating unique circumstances for additional input.
• Informs employees of all available benefit offerings.

HR Compliance & Policy

• Ensures adherence to HR policies and legal requirements through tracking, training, and internal reviews.
• Identifies areas of concern related to adherence to HR policies and legal requirements.

HR Information Systems & Appointments Management

• Responsible for employee appointments, troubleshooting transactions to ensure accurate results and escalating complex issues as needed.
• Enters routine and non-routine data and pulls reports.
• Ensures accuracy of input data and reports and/or resolves minor discrepancies.
• May develop new reports.
• Participate in appropriate systems testing and/or feedback.

Employee Learning & Professional Development

• Leads or supports the delivery of informational or training sessions utilizing prescribed documentation.
• Informs employees of targeted opportunities for professional development.
• Work with supervisors to request promotions and/or plan for promotions and employee career pathing.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Administration, Management, Organizational Administration, Public Administration, Labor Relations, Business Administration or a field closely related to the position.
• Two (2) years (24 months) of work experience performing professional-level human resources duties.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 5020 - Human Resource Associate position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the close of the search. Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position.

The budgeted salary range for the position is $53,000 to $65,000. The pay offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors including (but not limited to) the experience and qualifications of the selected candidate (including equivalent years in rank, training, and discipline), internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

Hybrid work options may be available for this position, with the ability to be on-site at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus as needed per the University’s Workplace Flexibility policy.

For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on March 25, 2026. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting.

When submitting your application, please submit a cover letter, resume and names/contact information for three professional references.

In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment.

For further information about this specific position, please contact Housing Human Resources at careers@housing.illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — the state’s flagship public university and one of the world’s leading research institutions — every staff member helps shape what’s next. Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you’re empowering first-generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence — where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive.

Learn about Champaign-Urbana, our campus and the community we hope you choose to live and work in: Champaign-Urbana.

University Housing Recruitment

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or accessibility@illinois.edu.

Requisition ID: 1035270
Job Category: Professional and Administrative
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu