Administrative Specialist

The Center for Urban and Cultural Affairs (CURA) is seeking an Program/Project Specialist to join the team of a small but fast paced social justice center. This is a full time, 12 month appointment.

Bargaining unit consideration begins on August 11, 2025 and ends on August 18, 2025.

This position supports the HR, Payroll, Finance and Administrative functions of the unit. The candidate should be an experienced team player who will be responsible for administering the unit's graduate assistant, students and staff hiring and payroll processes, provide financial support and varied administrative support to individual programs.

This position will formally report to the Department Administrator and is located in the Hubert H Humphrey building on West Bank. Position is hybrid with an in-office schedule that may fluctuate due to meeting requirements. It is anticipated that the position will work 3 days in office, 2 days from home. However, the department reserves the right to change the number of in-office days. Typical weekly schedule will be Monday - Friday, 8:00AM - 4:30PM, with no weekend work, overtime, or consecutive Sundays required.

Job Responsibilities

45% HR and Payroll Responsibilities

• Conduct hiring processes for unit. To include assisting with job descriptions, creating posting, maintaining recruiting system, create offer letters for non-full cycle (GRA and students) hires and accompanying hiring documentation and send system rejections for those not interviewed. Assist with scheduling interviews. Ensure all hiring and payroll events follow federal/state and University rules and regulations. Ensure receipt of required employee hire/payroll documentation
• Conduct all payroll processes and audits for staff/undergraduate and graduate assistants. Identifies under- and overpayment situations. Maintain term by term tracking system of hires, degree programs and payroll
• Serve as Unit Time and Absence Administrator
• Provide guidance on HR policies and procedures to staff and students
• Manage storage of personnel file documents. Transfer of HR documents into Perceptive Content

20% Financial Support

• Support administrative and financial functions for CURA Krusell Fellowship, PPDL, ANPI and NPI award programs to ensure program activities run smoothly from beginning to end
• Collect supporting documentation necessary to establish Contracts for Professional Services; validate and track associated payments, etc. Maintain PPDL, ANPI and NPI application and award lists. Create and maintain multiple reports
• Create CURA Placement agreements and the University Short Form Services Agreement for Krusell Fellowship program. Collect and prepare documentation for 3rd Party Krusell payments each term. Collect and prepare supporting docs for TDX Billing preparation. Maintain chart of accounts for Krusell Program. Prepare program funding source reports
• Maintain internal financial systems, reports, and processes
• Collect and prepare supporting documents for TDX Billing of external customers and foundation transfers.

30% Administration/coordination

• Collect necessary information, create and monitor TDX requests for related transactions
• Provide and coordinate onboarding and offboarding for staff and students
• Analyze and maintain positions for departmental programs. Coordinate with program supervisors current, future and past hiring needs, creating and maintaining reports on hires for reporting and analysis
• Oversee and maintain relevant workflow and procedures to ensure Unit's operational effectiveness and compliance
• Coordinate Krusell Fellowship program with Humphrey School. Create communications, provide onboarding support and tracking. Research and create associated benefit breakdowns annually for the fellowship program and maintain detailed program tracking records
• Vet all incoming students and staff, conduct I-9 verifications and order background checks as required
• Provide event support for student professional development/orientation and onboarding sessions (food, room rental, student tours)
• Conduct final report processing for the University Digital Conservancy

5% Professional and Technical Knowledge Development

• Stay updated on all relevant policies, laws and regulations
• Engage in relevant courses, webinars, and newsletters
• Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma/GED and HR/Payroll work experience to equal to five years.
• Highly proficient office service skills and knowledge of office operations and procedures, including Microsoft Office, Google Suites and Zoom
• Experience processing and auditing payroll
• Experience handling confidential and time-sensitive materials
• Demonstrated relational skills, involving collaboration, teamwork and consultation
• Consistent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Experience working independently using strong organizational skills, including managing multiple tasks effectively and maintaining deadlines
• Proven problem-solving skills
• Event planning and execution experience (in person and online)

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of UMN HRMS/EFS, TDX systems, Perceptive Content and Reporting Center
• Experience with UMN HR rules and policies
• Experience with UMN Financial policies and procedures
• Experience with I-9 processing through I-9 Express
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a wide range of individuals and constituents, including undergraduate and graduate students, program directors, university faculty and administrators, and diverse community organizations
• Experience and proficiency using spreadsheets for reporting
• Experience working in an academic environment with multiple employee groups to include civil service, professional and administrative, undergraduate and graduate students

The mission of the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs is to align the University of Minnesota resources to catalyze community-driven change. We collaborate with community and local government to advance smart and equitable decision making, investments, and policies to benefit all of Minnesota's diverse communities. Faculty and students at the University of Minnesota are involved in CURA programs in a variety of ways. CURA's work ranges from community engaged research to leadership development. Our varied programs seek to develop deep partnerships with community collaborators and acknowledge the expertise and contributions of our partners in all of the work we do.

Pay Range: $50,000 to $62,000 ($24.07 - $29.81 per hour); depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment Category:100% Appointment, 12 month

Position Type: Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff (AFSCME Unit 6 - Clerical)

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Complete applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

Please include the following in your application:

• A complete resume.
• A Cover letter explaining your interest in the position and how your career goals training and experiences support your candidacy.
• Names and contact information of three references.

Applications will be accepted through midnight August 24, 2025.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).