Department of Human Resources

Lobby room of HR Office showing front desk and two student workers
Photo credit: Joe Vitale

The Department of Human Resources at Oberlin College oversees employee recruitment, benefits management, payroll services, record-keeping, performance evaluations, staff development and training, faculty & staff DEI, student employment, as well as handling employee and labor relations. Guided by the chief human resources officer, our mission is to fulfill the needs of our faculty and staff effectively.

In collaboration with the college's leadership, our department aims to draw and keep distinguished faculty and staff for both the College of Arts and Sciences and the Oberlin Conservatory. We are dedicated to fostering a culture that is welcoming, affirming, respectful, and inclusive.

Our goal is to act as a trusted consultant, partner, and advisor to all college departments, addressing a broad spectrum of HR-related issues. We are committed to facilitating the professional growth of our employees and enhancing communication within the Oberlin College community.

Offices within Human Resources

 

The Office of Benefits, Compensation, and Retirement at Oberlin College is committed to providing faculty, staff, and retirees with exceptional benefits that bolster the college's mission.

This HR office oversees a range of employee benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life insurance, education benefits, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), medical leaves of absence, tax-advantaged flexible spending, and health savings accounts, as well as retirement plans. "Benefits" encompass the array of products and services available to employees who meet the college's eligibility criteria.

The allocation of benefits is contingent upon the type of employment classification held by the staff member. 

For more information about the College’s benefits:

 

The Employee and Labor Relations, Engagement, and Learning Office is responsible for overseeing negotiations with various labor unions at Oberlin College, including the Oberlin College Office and Professional Employees (OCOPE), the United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW), the Oberlin College Security Association (OCSA), and the Carpenters of the Indiana/Kentucky/Ohio Regional Council of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America.

This office manages recruitment for union-represented roles, ensures that the college adheres to employment laws and the terms of collective bargaining agreements, and serves as the primary contact for the college's labor-management interactions. The office handles grievances, provides guidance and support for employee disciplinary matters and labor relations, and serves as a hub for all employee relations issues, ensuring that institutional policies and procedures are followed and enforced. In addition, the office organizes international employment and employee programs and offers training and development opportunities for all employees at the college.

For more information:

 

The HR Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging Office collaboratively promotes a culture of inclusive excellence. It assists in the development, implementation and maintenance of the institution’s faculty and staff strategic diversity hiring initiatives to attract, hire, mentor and maintain a diverse workplace. 

It oversees the College’s efforts in developing diverse pools of candidates for positions throughout campus and undertakes development of managerial competencies that strengthen hiring efforts; increase awareness of the needs of newly hired diverse employees; and maintain a program of mentorship for diverse faculty and staff.

The Payroll & Tax Office manages compensation, taxes, and withholdings for all faculty, staff, and student employees, ensuring quality service through dedication to excellence and ongoing improvement. It serves as a primary contact for inquiries about the College's hourly time-keeping system, TimeClock+, and annually distributes W-2 and 1042-S forms.

For more information:

 

The Personnel Records, HRIS & People Analytics Office aims to keep precise employee records at Oberlin College. It supports the implementation of college policies and procedures related to records access, maintenance, and updates. It ensures compliance with state and federal laws and oversees updates to the college's enterprise system, Banner, including employment verification inquiries. The office also generates data reporting for campus stakeholders relating to the employment of faculty and staff. 

For more information:

 

The Recruitment, Hiring & Employment Office strives to set the standard in human resources excellence and leadership, with a keen emphasis on innovative hiring practices, exceptional service quality, and operational efficiency. This office prioritizes customer satisfaction and continuous enhancement while upholding a commitment to nurture an environment that supports Oberlin College's mission.

Key responsibilities include overseeing the college's online applicant tracking system (PeopleAdmin), ensuring adherence to up-to-date hiring compliance procedures, supporting international staff through the onboarding process, collaborating with the Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Office, to ensure a hiring process free of bias and one that attracts a wide array of diverse applicants for all positions on campus. Further, it partners with the Employee and Labor Relations, Engagement &  Learning Office to hire positions covered by the collective bargaining agreement, and offers expertise to search committees, hiring managers, and supervisors on recruitment best practices.

The Student Employment Office is committed to hiring and advancing student employees, aiming to enrich their educational paths with valuable experiences and opportunities. By collaborating with all departments to meet their student support requirements, we make these opportunities available to the Oberlin College community.

Our responsibilities include regular management of student personnel data in the Banner system and ensuring compliance with policies, laws, and regulations that affect student employment.

 

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