Assistant Director of Human Resources
Oneonta, NY
Full Time
Human Resources and Compliance
Mid Level
Date: March 13, 2026
Title: Assistant Director of Human Resources
Description: Reporting to the Vice President for Human Resources and Compliance (VPHRC), the Assistant Director of Human Resources serves as a generalist and performs a wide variety of administrative duties in a fast-paced environment. Special emphasis is on employment and onboarding processes, statutory and fringe benefits administration and leave plans. Assists with positive employee relations, recruitment, policy preparation and process review. Provides executive support and ensures the smooth execution of daily activities and the realization of initiatives and goals in support of Hartwick College. Collaborates with VPHRC and Associate Director on projects, compliance, and presentations. The ideal candidate will be proactive, collaborative, analytical and possess the ability to problem solve (individually and as part of a small team) on matters which are sensitive and/or high stakes issues. Must be able to thrive in an environment where priorities shift at a moment’s notice and deliver high quality work.
Responsibilities:
Employee Life Cycle
An independent, residential liberal arts college enrolling approximately 1,100 full-time undergraduates, Hartwick embraces the teacher-scholar model, with teaching excellence as the first priority, and seeks to recruit, retain and promote a diverse workforce. The College features a Liberal Arts in Practice general education curriculum and aspires to “be the best at melding liberal arts education with experiential learning.”
Hartwick operates as a community of learners where there is a very real sense of belonging and connection. By joining Hartwick, you become part of a group of people who work together, share in our successes, and a celebrate our accomplishments. All positions at Hartwick contribute to the education and development of students with the opportunity to see the impact on future leaders—what you do at Hartwick really matters.
Our beautiful 425-acre campus is located in the scenic Susquehanna River valley in Oneonta, New York—a charming town near the northern foothills of the Catskill Mountains. Hartwick offers health benefits to domestic partners of employees, flexible scheduling, opportunities to engage in athletic and cultural events (concerts, exhibits, and lectures) and tuition benefits for eligible employees and their dependents.
Hartwick College prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation/preference and gender identity/expression and is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to broadening “the understanding, awareness, and appreciation of diversity among all members of the Hartwick community.” Women, minorities, and other underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply.
Hartwick College is committed to providing a safe and secure educational and employment environment. Employment at Hartwick College is therefore contingent upon a successful background check on every new employee. Candidates to whom an offer of employment is made will be required to sign a Release of Information Form authorizing the College to conduct a thorough background check.
Hartwick College is committed to a diverse candidate pool, values an inclusive workforce and workplace environment, and wishes to minimize or eliminate the impact of implicit bias during the search and hiring process.
Applicants must submit:
Title: Assistant Director of Human Resources
Description: Reporting to the Vice President for Human Resources and Compliance (VPHRC), the Assistant Director of Human Resources serves as a generalist and performs a wide variety of administrative duties in a fast-paced environment. Special emphasis is on employment and onboarding processes, statutory and fringe benefits administration and leave plans. Assists with positive employee relations, recruitment, policy preparation and process review. Provides executive support and ensures the smooth execution of daily activities and the realization of initiatives and goals in support of Hartwick College. Collaborates with VPHRC and Associate Director on projects, compliance, and presentations. The ideal candidate will be proactive, collaborative, analytical and possess the ability to problem solve (individually and as part of a small team) on matters which are sensitive and/or high stakes issues. Must be able to thrive in an environment where priorities shift at a moment’s notice and deliver high quality work.
Responsibilities:
Employee Life Cycle
- Prepare appointment letters, maintains employee database, and works with other departments to assure a smooth recruitment process and onboarding transition to new employees.
- Assures all new employee paperwork and processes are in place. Initiates, maintains and updates employee files and other relevant HR systems.
- Coordinate and conduct group orientation sessions for new employees.
- Conducts internal and external benchmark research in preparation of recruitment,
- Respond to employee questions and concerns pertaining to fringe benefits. Serves as a liaison between employees, the College, and the various benefit representatives of statutory and fringe benefit plans. Participate in benefit plan review and assessment discussions with HRC team.
- Advises employees on policy interpretation and procedures, recruitment strategies and guidelines as needed.
- Become a subject matter expert in the use and maintenance of College and departmental systems and software:
- Payroll/HR system and software (Paycom). Monitor functionality, and make updates and changes, when necessary, in consultation with human resources and payroll colleagues. Assist employees on their use of the Paycom software, such as accessing their self-service or client profiles, making fringe benefits changes, updating time cards and submitting leave time requests.
- Applicant Tracking software (JazzHR). Review and post job descriptions in accordance with the College’s hiring guidelines; provide access as approved for search materials. Assist supervisors on their use of the JazzHR software, such as reviewing applicant materials, updating applicant statuses, building assessments and evaluations, and sending communications to candidates.
- Identifies opportunities to streamline processes and implement strategies to improve workflow.
- Monitor policies and procedures for compliance with federal and state employment law; make recommendations to VPHRC for changes as necessary.
- Maintain HR’s web and D2L presence, which includes policies and procedures, fringe benefits, employee handbook, and various resources for College employees.
- Drafts correspondence, summaries, reports and presentations for VPHRC as needed.
- Participate in divisional budget discussions.
- Assists with classifications, benchmarking and other compensation matters as needed.
- Participate in developing HR department goals, objectives and systems and assessments.
- Comply with all applicable College, Federal, State, local and associational laws, rules and regulations.
- Maintain good customer service standards.
- Create and maintain positive relationships with all internal and external constituents.
- Participate in significant campus activities, including Welcome Weekend, True Blue Weekend, and Commencement Weekend
- As a representative of the College, comport oneself in a professional manner at all times, both on and off campus.
- Other job-related duties as assigned.
- Progressive human resources experience and executive level support experience
- Demonstrated experience in managing multiple and complex administrative operations
- Ability to multi-task and work in a fast paced and demanding environment
- Ability to present information in a clear and concise manner
- Adept in the use of Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, Access, and Power Point)
- Ability to perform mathematical computations with high degree of accuracy
- Experience with HRIS software and systems management
- Experience with Ellucian/Datatel processing
- High level of communication skills across multiple disciplines
- Excellent problem-solving abilities
- Ability to be flexible and anticipate needs of the department
An independent, residential liberal arts college enrolling approximately 1,100 full-time undergraduates, Hartwick embraces the teacher-scholar model, with teaching excellence as the first priority, and seeks to recruit, retain and promote a diverse workforce. The College features a Liberal Arts in Practice general education curriculum and aspires to “be the best at melding liberal arts education with experiential learning.”
Hartwick operates as a community of learners where there is a very real sense of belonging and connection. By joining Hartwick, you become part of a group of people who work together, share in our successes, and a celebrate our accomplishments. All positions at Hartwick contribute to the education and development of students with the opportunity to see the impact on future leaders—what you do at Hartwick really matters.
Our beautiful 425-acre campus is located in the scenic Susquehanna River valley in Oneonta, New York—a charming town near the northern foothills of the Catskill Mountains. Hartwick offers health benefits to domestic partners of employees, flexible scheduling, opportunities to engage in athletic and cultural events (concerts, exhibits, and lectures) and tuition benefits for eligible employees and their dependents.
Hartwick College prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation/preference and gender identity/expression and is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to broadening “the understanding, awareness, and appreciation of diversity among all members of the Hartwick community.” Women, minorities, and other underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply.
Hartwick College is committed to providing a safe and secure educational and employment environment. Employment at Hartwick College is therefore contingent upon a successful background check on every new employee. Candidates to whom an offer of employment is made will be required to sign a Release of Information Form authorizing the College to conduct a thorough background check.
Hartwick College is committed to a diverse candidate pool, values an inclusive workforce and workplace environment, and wishes to minimize or eliminate the impact of implicit bias during the search and hiring process.
Applicants must submit:
- A cover letter;
- A resume; and,
- The names and contact information for three professional references (including at least one current or former supervisor)
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