Human Resource Specialist

Human Resources Specialist USC Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry Elevate your career at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC, a community dedicated to excellence in education, innovation, and oral health. Since 1897, Ostrow has prepared generations of dental and oral health professionals to make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and communities. We are looking for a Human Resources Specialist to join our team and help create an employee experience where faculty and staff can thrive, grow, and do their best work. This is more than an HR role. It is an opportunity to build meaningful relationships, support employees through important moments in their careers, strengthen our workplace culture, and help advance the people and mission behind one of the nation’s leading schools of dentistry. Make an Impact That Matters The Human Resources Specialist will play an important role in supporting faculty, staff, and leaders across Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry. You’ll bring together employee relations, leave administration, recruitment, payroll, training, compliance, and day-to-day HR operations to create a responsive, supportive, and effective workplace experience. In this role, you will: Provide thoughtful consultation and guidance to managers and employees on employee relations matters, including performance management, conflict resolution, workplace concerns, and policy interpretation. Serve as a trusted resource to employees and leaders, helping them navigate HR processes, policies, and workplace challenges with professionalism, empathy, and sound judgment. Conduct workplace investigations in a fair, timely, objective, and confidential manner, ensuring appropriate documentation, resolution, and follow-up. Maintain accurate and confidential employee records and HR systems to support reporting, compliance, workforce planning, and process improvement. Support the full employee lifecycle, including recruitment, onboarding, benefits administration, employee support, and offboarding. Work with our payroll team to administer payroll accurately and ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, university policies, and established procedures. Collaborate with the Leave Administrator to coordinate leave of absence programs, serving as a knowledgeable and supportive resource to employees and managers throughout the leave process. Ensure timely and accurate processing of medical, family, disability, and other protected leaves; maintain appropriate documentation; coordinate with benefits and payroll partners; monitor leave status and return-to-work requirements; and ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and university policies. Design, coordinate, and facilitate training and development programs that strengthen employee capabilities, support leadership growth, and promote compliance and engagement. Assist in developing and implementing HR policies, procedures, programs, and best practices that support a positive and inclusive workplace. Partner with managers and university colleagues to identify opportunities to improve processes, strengthen employee engagement, and enhance the overall employee experience. Help communicate HR programs, resources, and initiatives in ways that are clear, accessible, and meaningful to our faculty and staff. Collaborate across the university to advance shared human resources goals and ensure that Ostrow employees receive responsive, consistent, and high-quality HR support. Why This Opportunity? At Ostrow, you’ll have the opportunity to see the impact of your work firsthand. Every day, our faculty and staff contribute to educating future oral health professionals, advancing research and innovation, and serving communities. As an HR Specialist, you will help create the environment that enables that work to happen. You’ll have the opportunity to work closely with leaders, faculty, staff, and university partners while helping shape a workplace culture grounded in collaboration, respect, inclusion, and professional growth. If you are someone who enjoys helping people, solving problems, building trusted relationships, navigating complex situations, and turning HR practices into meaningful employee experiences , this could be the opportunity you’ve been looking for. You’ll work alongside passionate colleagues and leaders who value collaboration, thoughtful communication, continuous improvement, and a commitment to making a difference. What You’ll Bring We’re seeking a highly motivated, personable, and solutions-oriented HR professional who combines strong technical knowledge with sound judgment, empathy, and a genuine commitment to supporting people. Preferred qualifications include: Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field. A master’s degree or professional HR certification is preferred. At least three years of progressively responsible professional human resources experience, with an emphasis on employee relations, leave administration, recruitment, training, and general HR administration. Strong knowledge of employment laws, HR best practices, and compliance requirements. Demonstrated ability to advise managers and employees, build credibility, and establish trusting relationships across all levels of an organization. Exceptional interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex information clearly and thoughtfully. Demonstrated ability to manage sensitive and confidential information with discretion, professionalism, and sound judgment. Experience supporting workplace investigations, performance management, conflict resolution, and other employee relations matters. Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced and complex environment. Proficiency with HRIS systems, Microsoft Office applications, and other HR technology and productivity tools. Demonstrated ability to learn and effectively use emerging technologies and AI-assisted productivity tools while exercising independent judgment and maintaining the highest standards of accuracy, confidentiality, and professionalism. A collaborative, adaptable, and solutions-oriented approach, with the ability to work independently while building strong partnerships across the organization. A commitment to creating an inclusive workplace where employees feel respected, supported, valued, and empowered to succeed. What We Offer At USC, your work is part of something bigger. You’ll join a dynamic academic community where innovation, collaboration, professional growth, and service are valued—and where the work you do can have a lasting impact on employees, students, faculty, and the communities we serve. In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to: Make a meaningful difference by helping employees navigate important moments in their careers and creating an environment where people can thrive. Build a rewarding HR career while gaining experience across employee relations, recruitment, training, payroll, compliance, and organizational development. Partner with accomplished faculty, academic leaders, and staff who are passionate about advancing education, research, and oral health. Help shape workplace culture through thoughtful HR practices, employee support, and meaningful professional development opportunities. Bring your creativity and problem-solving skills to the work , identifying new ways to improve processes, strengthen communication, and enhance the employee experience. Leverage emerging technology and AI tools to work smarter, improve HR services, and create greater impact while maintaining professional judgment and integrity. Grow your professional network within one of the nation’s leading private research universities and a highly respected school of dentistry. Develop your skills and expertise through opportunities for professional learning, collaboration, and career growth. Experience the energy of a vibrant university community in Los Angeles , surrounded by diverse perspectives, ideas, and opportunities. For more information on USC employee benefits , visit: https://employees.usc.edu/benefits-perks/ The salary range for this position is $75,000 - $86,000. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screening implications for the position for which you are applying. Most importantly, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that your work helps support the people who make Ostrow’s mission possible—creating a stronger workplace today while helping build the future of oral health. Help Shape What’s Next The future of Ostrow is shaped by its people—and a strong employee experience is essential to that future. If you’re ready to use your HR expertise to support people, strengthen culture, solve meaningful problems, and create lasting impact , we invite you to apply. Join the USC Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry and become part of a team committed to helping our faculty and staff thrive while preparing the next generation of oral health leaders. Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree Addtional Education Requirements: Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience: 3 years Minimum Skills: Directly related human resource experience providing thorough knowledge of laws governing human resource and policies and procedures. Knowledge of human resource theories, principles and practices. Knowledge of principles and processes involved in business and organizational planning, coordination and execution. Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills. Preferred Education: Bachelor's degree Preferred Certifications: Professional in Human Resources • PHR Senior Professional in Human Resources • SPHR SHRM (Human Resource Certification) SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP. Preferred Experience: 5 years Preferred Skills: Human resource generalist experience in a university setting. USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying. We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at uschr@usc.edu . Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law. Notice of Non-discrimination Employment Equity Read USC’s Clery Act Annual Security Report USC is a smoke-free environment Digital Accessibility If you are a current USC employee, please apply to this USC job posting in Workday by copying and pasting this link into your browser: https://wd5.myworkday.com/usc/d/inst/1$9925/9925$155461.htmld