HR Associate (Hybrid)

About the College of Veterinary Medicine

The College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University is recognized internationally as a leader in public health, biomedical research, animal medicine, and veterinary medical education. Ranked consistently as one of the best veterinary colleges in the nation, the College's strength is due to its strategic breadth of focus areas and its depth of expertise in each of those areas; the achievements of its faculty, staff, alumni, and students; and its commitment to diversity and inclusiveness.

About the CVM Office of Human Resources

The CVM Office of Human Resources partners closely with academic leaders, faculty, people leaders, and staff across the college to strategically support the mission of advancing animal and human health. As a team, we value customer service, community engagement, and collaboration across CVM to deliver a positive impact on staff recruitment and onboarding, organizational design, employee relations, policy application, enhancing workplace culture, strategic change management, and much more.

The Opportunity

In a team and service-oriented environment, this position will create and prioritize a welcoming, engaging climate while working independently to support the full spectrum of academic and non-academic HR activity in the College of Veterinary Medicine and serve as the first point of HR contact for assigned departments/units.

The HR Associate position reports to the Assistant Director of HR, Diagnostic Operations, and will regularly collaborate with HR Director, HR colleagues, and university stakeholders to implement operational best practices and develop resources and tools to streamline services and ensure a high level of value-added customer service. All members of the team will continuously contribute to the development of a high-functioning work group, andcreate, and maintain a positive work environment that is emblematic of our team and core values. In this position, you will consistently provide creative resolution to challenges using technology and HR reporting tools/dashboards.

In the role as HR Associate, you will:

• Partner with Administrative Managers, People Leaders, and Department Chairs to support various aspects of human resources services including recruitment and selection support for staff and non-faculty academics, leaves administration, transactions processing, maintenance of personnel files, and tracking of appointments and promotions.
• Serve as the first point of contact for information on HR processes and HR policy interpretation, liaise with University HR, and subject matter experts as needed.
• Handle straightforward cases requiring policy interpretation, utilizing judgment, and referring complex cases to theHuman Resources Business Partner.
• Develop resources and tools to aid human resource management and ensure high-quality customer service.
• Partner with the other HR team members to provide administrative and project support for the HR office.
• Exercise a high degree of confidentiality, initiative, and judgment while providing HR support to the HR Director, HR Business Partners, and assigned departments/units.

Regular business hours are 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Monday thru Thursday, and 4:00 pm on Friday in Schurman Hall. Based on the CVM's business needs and events some overtime, evenings, and weekends may be required (hours subject to change). This position has potential to be performed in a hybrid format of 1 day per week remote, and 4 on campus. However, in order to ensure mutual success, we'd like for you to be on campus Monday through Friday during the orientation and onboarding period of at least the first 90 days in the role, after which, the hybrid format can be discussed and determined.

Success Factors

To excel in this HR Associate role, you will bring a strong foundation in human resources, with a clear understanding of HR processes and policies. You will act as a trusted partner to CVM faculty and staff, demonstrating high levels of customer service and the ability to handle confidential and sensitive matters with professionalism and discretion. Success in this role will require:

• Collaboration and Communication: You will be a key player within the team, partnering closely with colleagues and leadership. Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, are essential, as you'll be interpreting and conveying policy effectively and ensuring open, honest dialogue across all interactions. Your ability to keep stakeholders informed, set realistic expectations, and manage timelines will be crucial.
• Adaptability and Initiative: In an environment with shifting priorities, your flexibility and willingness to adapt will be vital. You will need to pivot quickly, handle unexpected events with grace, and proactively take on responsibilities that benefit the entire team.
• Attention to Detail and Continuous Improvement: You are expected to uphold a high standard of accuracy and precision in all HR, including but not limited to, transactions and documentation. Additionally, your commitment to seeking feedback and implementing improvements will contribute to your growth and the team's success.
• Relationship Building and Trust: Establishing and maintaining trust with team members and partners across the college is fundamental. This requires a balance of independence, reliability, and a consistent demonstration of sound judgment, especially in situations that involve ambiguity.
• High-Quality Customer Service: You will be the first point of contact for HR inquiries, expected to approach each interaction with a service-oriented mindset. Exceeding expectations and anticipating the needs of both internal and external clients will be markers of success.
• Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Applying your HR knowledge to navigate complex scenarios, interpret policies, and make informed decisions independently will be key. Your ability to think critically, analyze data, and provide actionable insights will further support the college's mission and enhance the HR function.

Success in this role will be measured by your ability to meet service expectations, manage multiple priorities effectively, and positively impact CVM's human resources services and workplace culture.

What We Need

• A cover letter and resume outlining your interest and how your experience and goals align with the potential for mutual success in the role are required for consideration.
• Associate's degree with 4 to 6 years related experience in human resources or related area, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Requires solid understanding and application of HR "body of knowledge" (SHRM) and all applicable HR laws at the local, State, and Federal level.
• Proven ability to deliver high-quality customer service involving a proactive approach as well as anticipating the needs of the customer.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and to handle sensitive information with tact and discretion.
• Must demonstrate strong ability to communicate information and ideas clearly and effectively both in writing and verbally.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain relationships with varied audiences at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple competing deadlines, assignments, and projects in a proactive, solution-oriented manner while setting priorities appropriately and paying close attention to details and accuracy.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, use sound judgment in decision-making, attention to detail, and contribute to the development of a highly successful, team-oriented work environment.
• Demonstrated experience with HRIS systems (e.g., Workday), office productivity software (e.g. MS Office), and use of advanced platforms to develop products to meet business needs.
• Ability to maintain ethical workplace practices.
• Passionate about working in an organization that values and promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism, and wellbeing.
• Ability to serve as an advocate for individuals of all ethnicities, genders, ages, and backgrounds.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

If you have all those things, great! We have a few more things that we would prefer you to have, but it's ok if you don't.

• Bachelor's Degree in ILR or related field with 2-4 years related experience.
• PHR or SPHR certification preferred.
• Familiar with Cornell's human resource and payroll policies strongly desired.

Rewards and Benefits

• This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Employees typically perform this role remotely 1 day per week and on-campus 4 days per week, after the initial onboarding period determined by your supervisor. The university reserves the right to modify, suspend, revoke or terminate the hybrid work arrangement at any time.
• Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, sustainability, and diversity initiatives.
• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: https://hr.cornell.edu/benefits-pay.
• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: https://hr.cornell.edu/jobs/your-total-rewards.
• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1.
• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program.

No Visa Sponsorship is available for this position.

Familiarize yourself with Cornell's COVID-19 workplace guidance as well as the university's COVID-19 services and information.

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