Human Resource Specialist

The Ewing Marion Kauffman School is a free, public charter school serving more than 1,200 students in 5th through 12th grades. Focused on student achievement and strong character, the school’s mission is summarized in three words: create college graduates. The school serves a student population of which 87% qualify for free and reduced lunch and 90% identify as students of color. Students are accepted by a lottery that prioritizes the six highest-need zip codes within the district. In 2019, 2020 and 2021, 100% of students in each graduating class earned at least one acceptance to a college or university – we believe this provides true choice and opportunity as students pursue post-secondary goals. More than 70% of our students identify as first in their families to attend college.

The Kauffman School seeks results-driven and culturally responsive educators to join its team – we anchor ourselves around four guiding principles about what it means to be culturally responsive educators and create a school with strong student and staff culture:

• Belief and Connection: We show belief in every student through setting and holding them to high expectations while building relationships. We build connections and relationships with each student side by side by providing excellent rigorous content in order to value the individual child. We do not allow differences in identity or our personal biases to cause us to lower expectations because we know that when supported, our students can achieve.
• Clear is Kind: We show care through direct and clear communication of our high expectations rather than allowing them to ‘slip through the cracks’ by assuming they will know how to meet our standards without telling them. We also know that one of our roles is preparing our children for a world as college students/graduates that might play by different “rules” than they have previously experienced and it is our job to help them understand how to navigate, challenge the norms of, and dismantle that world.
• Intent and Impact: All of our actions are executed with the purpose and intent to empower every student to reach their full potential. We also believe that as educators, we are called to assess the impact of our actions and adjust course if they are not meeting the intent. Positive intent cannot mean we ignore the impact of actions and we believe continually assessing and reassessing practices to ensure they are effective is a critical reflection process to ensure we are being culturally responsive.
• Cultural Context Critical Thinking: We approach rigorous learning as an activity that is responsive to students’ cultural contexts and pushes them to think critically. We seek opportunities for them to engage with and respond to the world around them - both in their immediate lives and in their broader society - while being pushed intellectually at all times.

ABOUT THE POSITION

Reporting to the Director of Human Resources, the HR Specialist is responsible for various administrative Human Resources aspects of the employee lifecycle, including staffing, onboarding, benefits, payroll and reporting. This is a full-time, exempt position.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responds promptly to employee and HR questions and requests
• Performs clerical duties, making photocopies, processing and sending mail, preparing correspondence, scanning documents; and performs other clerical functions
• Submits and reviews new-employee employment eligibility, previous employment, background, education and credit checks
• Enters and files employee data in Kauffman’s Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS)
• Maintains and processes forms for new hires, benefits enrollment, employment application, separation, tax withholding, compensation changes, and other personnel changes
• Schedules and assists with new hire and benefits orientation, training and exit interviews
• Administers health and welfare plans, including enrollments, changes and terminations
• Processes required documents through payroll and insurance providers to ensure accurate record-keeping and proper deductions
• Conducts audits of I-9s, payroll, benefits or other HR programs to ensure accuracy
• Assists with the preparation of the performance review process and tracks documents
• Participates on committees and special projects
• All other duties as assigned by the Director of HR

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Required

• An undergraduate degree
• Excellent computer skills including Microsoft Office: Outlook, Word, and Excel
• Effectiveness prioritizing work and meeting deadlines; managing multiple assignments; following assignments through to completion
• Results-driven with experience driving operational excellence
• Demonstrated resourcefulness in setting priorities

Preferred

• Human resources experience and familiarity with Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS)
• SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) or SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) credential
• Prior experience working in schools is preferred

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Commitment to and complete belief in the Kauffman School’s mission to create college graduates as well as in the school’s organizational success
• Entrepreneurial energy, hands-on approach and ambition.
• Personality should project enthusiasm, professionalism, and a high level of credibility
• Ability to maintain a calm, professional demeanor in the face of competing demands and external pressures
• Highly adaptable and flexible, with the ability to thrive in an ambiguous environment
• Ambition and desire to grow and to work both autonomously and collaboratively
• Commitment to getting the job done right and willingness to do whatever it takes to create and maintain an orderly, effective school organization
• Acute attention to detail coupled with the ability to think and act strategically
• Strong time management skills: ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and meet tight deadlines
• Demonstrated strong communication and interpersonal skills with staff, students, parents, colleagues and community members
• Must have a strong personal value system that encompasses high integrity, honesty, a solid work ethic, high professional standards and strong moral character

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The Kauffman School offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with relevant experience and anticipated duties and responsibilities, including comprehensive health benefits.

TO APPLY

Interested applicants should complete a formal application through the Kauffman School Careers page at http://www.kauffmanschool.org/.

The Kauffman School is an Equal Opportunity Employer, welcoming people to flourish in an open and inclusive work environment. A diverse pool of candidates is welcomed and encouraged.