Furman University·Lexington, Massachusetts
The Human Resources Assistant provides essential administrative support and customer service for the HR office, handling inquiries from faculty, staff, and applicants regarding HR procedures and policies. This role involves performing various administrative and technical duties related to HR programs, including file maintenance, correspondence preparation, and coordinating HR events.
Full time Compensation Grade: 4H Pay Type: Hourly Department: Human Resources-1 Job Summary: The Human Resources Assistant is responsible for providing administrative support and customer service for the Office of Human Resources. Under general supervision of the Assistant Director of Human Resources, the assistant performs a variety of administrative and technical duties relating to Human Resources procedures and programs; provides information and assistance to faculty, staff, applicants, visitors and the general public regarding human resources procedures, policies and activities; prepares various correspondence; coordinates activities; and performs a variety of tasks requiring knowledge related to area of assignment.
Responsibilities: 1. Provides administrative support and customer service to employees, applicants, visitors and Human Resources staff by striving to identify their needs and to either provide the information directly or refer them to the appropriate person. This may include: answering the telephone, taking messages and/or forwarding calls, providing kiosk assistance and guidance, and responding to emails to provide general human resources information regarding procedures, data, benefits, jobs or forms. 2. Supports the employment function by: greeting applicants and answering their questions explaining kiosk procedures assisting with onboarding and offboarding (if applicable) processing various Affiliate Agreement forms 3. Maintains employee personnel files and the Human Resources office files, including completion of the annual records retention review and file purge procedures. 4. Develops, formats, edits and types memos, letters, reports, and labels. 5. Reviews and reconciles credit card charges in Workday, completes and submits travel requests and reimbursements. 6. Completes employment verification requests for current and previous employees. 7. Assists, coordinates and/or participates in Human Resources events as assigned, i.e. retirement and service award events; health and wellness fair, annual mobile mammograms, biometric screenings, and other benefit-related events. 8. Responsible for initial aspects of unemployment claims. 9. Manages the processing of Identification Card requests. 10. Prepares documents, makes copies and prepares for distribution. 11. Maintains sufficient inventory of office supplies, standard forms and paper. Ensures supplies are organized and readily available as needed. Maintains general cleanliness of the front office area and desk, file room, supply room and kitchen area. 12. Processes incoming mail by sorting it and placing it in appropriate persons’ mail bin. 13. Maintains the office calendar and scheduling of meetings. Assists the Associate Vice President for HR in scheduling appointments and committee meetings, managing their calendar and other administrative duties. Coordinating meeting rooms and food service requests. Schedules Human Resources conference room and other conference rooms as needed for HR events and activities. 14. Responsible for preparing and distributing monthly new hire and service anniversary notifications. 15. Assists with bereavement and birth announcements and associated benefits. 16. Assists the HR Generalist with maintenance of the departmental webpage and other duties as needed. Assists with department social media content. 17. Processes all monthly HR vendor invoices, e.g. background checks, new employee dining hall expenditures. 18. Assists with the management of workers’ compensation claims / injuries. 19. Responsible for becoming familiar with and assisting with a wide variety of benefits and employment-related questions. 20. Pursues professional development to keep pace with demands for Human Resources services and information, including maintaining up-to-date information about the department and university. 21. Performs other administrative duties as assigned. The intent of this job classification description is to provide a representative summary of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions in this classification and shall not be construed as a declaration of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically present in this description. Responsibility for Final Decisions: Responsible for own work. May assist others doing similar work. Tasks involve multiple procedures with interrelated processes or steps. Work involves choosing the appropriate option or procedure to follow and applying established rules and procedures. Errors may be detected with the department or section in which they occur but may affect the work of others within the unit to trace errors and make corrections. Reports To: Assistant Director of Operations, Human Resources Education/Skill Requirements: Associates degree with prior work experience in a Human Resources office is preferred. 3 or more years of clerical and administrative experience in a professional administrative office. Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Applications, specifically Word, Excel and PowerPoint. HRIS/Payroll processing experience preferred. Working knowledge of data entry into an enterprise-wide database system. Working knowledge and ability to update website. Excellent organizational and communication skills (both written and verbal). Effective time-management and organizational skills with ability to meet established deadlines. Ability to multitask and shift priorities on a routine basis. Strict adherence to confidentiality. Work Conditions: Work is performed under usual office conditions. Work requires: Frequent interaction with people Frequent shifts in priorities Handling of multiple tasks Meeting daily deadlines Handling confidential data Education Requirements: Certification Requirements: Job Posting End Date (if date is blank, posting is open ended): Welcome to Furman University Employment Opportunities! Furman University is a selective private liberal arts and sciences college committed to helping students develop intellectually, personally, and interpersonally and providing the practical skills necessary to succeed in a rapidly-changing world. Furman professors are exceptional teacher-scholars who mentor undergraduate students within a campus community that values and encourages diverse ideas and perspectives. Our strategic vision, The Furman Advantage, promises students an individualized four-year pathway facilitated by team of mentors and infused with a rich and varied set of high impact experiences outside the classroom that include undergraduate research, study away, internships, community-focused learning, and opportunities to engage across differences. Furman University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and adheres to all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination. The University is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment where all individuals represent a multiplicity of identities including gender, race, religion, spiritual belief, sexual orientation, geographic origin, socioeconomic background, ideology, world view, and varied abilities are treated equitably and with respect. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and institutional needs. In keeping with this commitment domestic partners of employees are eligible for comprehensive benefits and faculty/staff affinity groups exist to offer support for faculty/staff that identify as LGBTQIA+ and/or Black/African-American. The Furman student experience is supported by a rich network of centers and institutes that includes The Hill Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, The Riley Institute, The David E. Shi Institute for Sustainable Communities, The Institute for the Advancement of Community Health, The Rinker Center for Study Away and International Education, The Cothran Center for Vocational Reflection, The Furman Humanities Center, The Shucker Center for Leadership Development, The Malone Center for Career Engagement, The Center for Interpersonal Connections, and our newest addition, The Tocqueville Center for the Study of Democracy and Society. Furman is located on traditional Cherokee land in Greenville, South Carolina, a racially and culturally diverse community that is one of the fastest growing cities in the Southeast. It has been ranked among “America’s Ten Best” by Forbes Magazine. Greenville has a thriving downtown, excellent private and public schools and a vibrant international community. A 20-mile bike and running trail connects the university to Greenville and Travelers Rest, which was named “one of America’s coolest small towns.” It is within a short driving distance of Asheville, Charlotte and Atlanta. The Blue Ridge Mountains and Atlantic Beaches are within easy reach.
A preferred qualification includes an Associate's degree with prior HR office experience, alongside a minimum of three years of clerical and administrative experience in a professional office setting. Candidates must possess advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, strict adherence to confidentiality, and excellent organizational and communication skills.
Market context
Human Resources Assistant roles in Massachusetts often attract candidates with office administration backgrounds, especially where employers want support with records, scheduling, and employee paperwork. Competition can be stronger when postings ask for advanced Microsoft Office skills and prior HR office experience, so relevant clerical experience and attention to confidentiality can help. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save research time, then tailor your resume to show office systems, document handling, and HR support experience.