New HR Operating Model and Hiring Process Enhancements

Dear Colleagues,

Over the past year, Teacher College’s HR department has focused on changes that address feedback from the TC community on the administrative tasks associated with the hiring process. We thank those of you who have participated in focus groups, employee surveys, small group forums, or provided one-on-one feedback.

In response to your input, I am pleased to announce our new HR operating model as well as changes that will streamline the hiring process and approvals. 

New HR Operating Model and HR Business Partner Role
As of May 1, the HR Services team, led by Svetla Eneva, moved to a new, tiered operating model. Now, two dedicated HR resources are aligned with each department as described below:  

HR Generalist: Your go-to HR resource for general process and policy questions, including hiring and reappointment approvals. Provides support to administrators, line supervisors, and 1:1 employee support.

HR Business Partner (HRBP): the HR Business Partner is an integrated thought partner that works closely with department leaders and people managers to address strategic hiring and training needs, performance management, organizational structures, and more complex employee relations matters with the primary goal of enhancing the organization, department, and team performance.  

Click here for the list of HR department representatives. 

In addition, the HRIS team, led by Meriam Polilen, has increased their capacity to support transactions across the college and educate end-users on the existing technology.  

Streamlining the Hiring Process and Approvals
To improve operational efficiencies and reduce the administrative burden, the following enhancements will streamline the approvals in the hiring process and minimize job posting delays beginning July 10, 2023.  

Job Description (JD) Templates:

• Hiring managers and the academic departments are no longer required to create a new or update an existing Job Description template in PageUp. To request a new or update an existing Job Description, you will need to complete the HR Job Description Form found under HR Support beginning July 10. This also applies to all promotions and transfers.
• The department head, department chairs, and Provost office have been removed from the JD approval process to reduce redundancies. Department heads and department Chairs will continue to have visibility to the job description but are no longer required to take action in PageUp.
• Budget and/or Grants department approval is only required on the JD when there is a financial impact.
• Job Descriptions will continue to be available in job description libraries as read-only.
• The Offices of Student Employment, Financial Aid, and HR are working to standardize student job description templates in PageUp. Users will be able to select one of the standard templates to create a requisition for any of the student employee roles – Administrative Fellows, Course Assistants, Teaching Assistants, Research Assistants, Doctoral Research Fellows, and Federal Work Study positions.

Requisitions:

• Hiring Managers and DAAs are still responsible for creating requisitions from an approved Job Description. If Human Resources is working on an update to/creation of a job description template, you will be notified via email that the job description is approved and ready for requisition creation.

The role of the HR Generalist in the hiring process includes:

1. Review and evaluate any new job descriptions or revisions to existing job descriptions, including requests for promotions and transfers. 
2. Work with the benefits and compensation team to determine a salary range (if applicable). 
3. Manage changes to the job description in PageUp. 
4. Approve the requisition (Note: Hiring Managers must select their HR Generalist when a requisition for recruitment is raised.)  

Information Sessions on the Streamlined Hiring Process and Approvals

The Office of Human Resources will also host two 60-minute information sessions for the community to answer any additional questions.  

• Wednesday, June 14, 2023, 1:00 pm | Register here
• Wednesday, June 28, 2023, 1:00 pm | Register here

These changes should enhance your experience in partnering with Human Resources team members and facilitate hiring by streamlining and simplifying approvals in the hiring process. If you have any questions, please submit them to Ask HR. 

Regards,

Robyn Davis-Mahoney
Assistant Vice President and
Chief Human Resources Officer