HR Specialist

Contact Name & Email: Nika Wilson, luhumanresources@langston.edu Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm with occasional evenings or weekends during peak seasons. Appointment Length: Regular Continuous/Until Further Notice Hiring Range: $40000 - $45000 Commensurate with education and experience Special Instructions to Applicants For full consideration, please include a resume, cover letter and contact information for three professional references. About this Position The HR Specialist is an entry-level position focused on supporting the University's talent acquisition, onboarding, and HR administrative functions. Working under the direction of HR leadership, this position provides day-to-day support to ensure recruitment and onboarding activities are completed accurately, timely, and in accordance with University policies and procedures. The position will have primary responsibility for tracking and coordinating onboarding and pre-employment requirements, including background checks and E-Verify, and assisting with ePAF processing for new hires. The position will also provide administrative support within PageUp. This role is responsible for routine HR requests, including employment verifications, Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) forms, proof of employment, and other personnel-related requests. The HR Specialist will also assist with other HR processes, reporting, and special projects as assigned. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Serve as a recruitment and onboarding support resource for the University. Coordinate onboarding activities and documentation to ensure new hires experience a timely, organized, and positive transition into their roles. Maintain accurate records and communicate outstanding requirements to appropriate parties. Monitor and track background checks, E-Verify, and other required pre-employment and onboarding requirements. Follow up with candidates, new hires, departments, and HR team members to ensure requirements are completed timely. Provide administrative support within the University's PageUp applicant tracking system, including position listings, candidate records, recruitment workflows, status updates, and onboarding activities. Work with HR leadership and appropriate University offices to support ePAF processing for new hires and separating employees. Assist with ensuring required documentation is complete and submitted in accordance with University procedures. Complete and certify verification of employment (VOE) and Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) forms. Support HR reporting, records, communications, projects, and special initiatives, including identifying and addressing delays, missing documentation, and opportunities to improve HR workflows and processes. Handle sensitive and confidential information with appropriate discretion and maintain effective working relationships with employees, applicants, hiring managers, and University leadership. Perform other duties as assigned in support of the University's Human Resources operations. Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or a closely related discipline. Degree must be conferred on or before the agreed-upon start date. Minimum of 1-3 years of relevant HR experience, preferably in recruitment and onboarding. Skills, Proficiencies, and/or Knowledge: Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. Demonstrated ability to track multiple tasks, deadlines, and outstanding requirements through completion. Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet established deadlines. Strong interpersonal, customer service, and communication skills. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Knowledge of basic HR principles and practices, particularly recruitment and onboarding. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). Ability to learn and effectively use PageUp, Banner, and other University systems. Excellent judgment, problem-solving, diplomacy, and interpersonal skills. Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with tact and discretion. Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, applicants, hiring managers, and University leadership. Proven ability to take initiative, follow through, and work effectively both independently and as part of a team. Preferred Qualifications Prior experience in human resources within a higher education environment is preferred. Experience using Banner is preferred. Certifications, Registrations, and/or Licenses HR certification or training certification is a plus but not required. Working Conditions This is an office-based position with a regular work schedule of Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This position is responsible for opening and closing the office daily. This position is not remote but requires consistent in-person availability during normal University business hours to support time-sensitive onboarding, recruitment, documentation, and HR administrative activities. Occasional evenings and weekends may be required during peak season recruitment, special events, meetings, training, special projects, or other University activities. The position requires regular use of a computer, telephone, and other office equipment, including prolonged periods of sitting and typing. Occasional lifting or carrying of materials weighing up to 25 pounds may be required.