Teachers College - Jobs - Job Details - Human Resources Associate

Job Summary/Basic Function:

The Office of Human Resources at Teachers College, Columbia University, seeks a Human Resources Operations & Administration Associate to provide exceptional service to students, faculty, staff, vendors, and prospective employees.

The incumbent will support the Chief HR Officer (CHRO) and HR functions, contributing to core components of the employee life cycle — onboarding, employee events, and HR operations and administration. The HR Associate will also support operational and budget-related tasks under the supervision of the HR Manager, Employee Experience, and Strategic Operations.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Administration & Operations Support to the Office of Human Resources

• Support the Assistant Vice President and Chief HR Officer with and operational tasks, including meeting logistics, preparation and coordination, and related duties
• Provide support for employee inquiries related to HR processes and procedures, troubleshoot issues, and make appropriate referrals
• Triage incoming requests and monitor/track to ensure timely closure

Employee Experience & HR Process Management

• Manage the onboarding process, including auditing daily onboarding reports and collecting and e-verifying I-9 forms to ensure compliance with federal guidelines
• Monitor and track employment authorization and E-Verify processes, ensuring timely updates and resolutions of issues
• Manage employment verifications and reference requests, ensuring all requests are handled efficiently and accurately, maintaining confidentiality and compliance with College policies

Special Projects

• Assist with standardizing, documenting, and implementing human resources processes.
• Contribute to the promotion, execution, and success of HR programs, projects, and initiatives.
• Collaborate with team members to develop strategies that enhance HR visibility and employee engagement.
• Organize logistics, manage timelines, create promotional / marketing materials, and coordinate communication efforts across multiple platforms to reach target audiences
• Conduct research and benchmark external best practices to support the effective implementation of HR initiatives
• Monitor project progress, track action items, and ensure timely completion of deliverables
• Monitor project progress, follow up on action items, and ensure timely completion

Operational Support

• Serve as the primary point of contact for managing and maintaining the HR website/employee portal, ensuring that all HR-related content is up-to-date and accessible to employees and the general public
• Assist with the maintenance of other HR technology and vendor resources, generate reports, and analyze data
• Support the budgeting process, monitor expenditures and invoices, and process budget-related tasks for college-wide accounts under the supervision of the HR Manager, Employee Experience, and Strategic Operations
• Assist in ensuring smooth daily operations of the HR office, providing tier-two support to employees, prospective employees, and vendors
• Provide backup coverage for the reception area on a continuous basis
• Assist with the review and approval process for special loan programs available to certain employees, ensuring that all necessary documentation is collected and processed
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent in education, training, and experience
• At least one year of professional office experience, preferably in HR or a related field
• Knowledge of or ability to quickly learn the I-9 Employment Verification process and the Federal E-Verify System
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Suite, with the ability to learn HR-related software
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills with strong attention to detail
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and diplomacy
• Experience providing high-quality service and support with a focus on enhancing the overall experience
• Strong problem-solving skills with a proactive approach to identifying issues, developing solutions, and implementing effective strategies
• Experience in managing projects from initiation to completion, with the ability to coordinate with cross-functional teams and adapt to changing project requirements
• Proven ability to embrace change and adapt to evolving organizational needs, demonstrating flexibility in responding to new challenges

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong understanding of HR principles, practices, and core accountabilities; committed to staying informed about industry trends and best practices; preferred HR certification (e.g., PHR or equivalent). Knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations
• Advanced skills in Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel and familiarity with Canva
• Aptitude and interest in HR technology i.e., Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) or Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS).
• Experience in a higher education setting
• Knowledge of international visas and HR compliance best practices

Salary Range:

$55,000- $60,000

Work Modality:

Hybrid

Competitive Compensation and Benefits

The salary range reflects the College’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the compensation for the position at the time of the job posting.  Salary decisions are dependent on several factors including but not limited to market and organizational considerations, experience, and qualifications of a selected candidate as well as internal and external equity.

Our benefits contribute significantly to the total compensation package that includes medical, dental, vision, and supplemental insurance plans; flexible and hybrid work schedules; tuition remission; life insurance; short and long-term disability insurance; an exceptional employer retirement matching program; health savings accounts (HSA), flexible spending accounts (FSA), Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility, and a robust Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

If you would like to request any disability related accommodations to complete the job application or to participate in the interview process, please email:oasid@tc.columbia.edu.

Hybrid/Remote

Teachers College maintains a hybrid work environment, which provides employees with flexible work arrangements, while ensuring we preserve the important aspects of our unique in-person college-campus culture. Depending on role and business needs, colleagues will either work onsite or in a hybrid model (combination of in-office and virtual days). Employees are expected to live within a 150-mile radius of the College.  

We will consider qualified candidates that reside beyond this radius based on the responsibilities and duties expected of the position.  All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.