Department of Human Resources

Exterior view of the Service Building
Photo credit: Yevhen Gulenko

The Department of Human Resources is responsible for Oberlin College’s employee recruitment, benefits administration, payroll processing, maintenance of personnel records, performance appraisal management, employee development and training, and the management of employee and labor relations. The department is led by the chief human resources officer. We are committed to meeting the needs of our faculty and staff.

The department partners with institutional leaders to attract and retain talented faculty and staff to Oberlin’s College of Arts and Sciences and Oberlin Conservatory. Human Resources continues to focus on contributing toward a welcoming, affirming, and empowering culture of respect and inclusion.

Human Resources strives to serve as a consultant, partner, and advisor to all departments on a wide range of compliance and non-compliance human resources-related issues; facilitate professional development of employees; and promote effective employee communication throughout the Oberlin College community.

Offices within Human Resources

The department is comprised of the offices of Benefits and Compensation, Employee and Labor Relations, Talent Acquisition and Employment, Environmental Health and Safety, and Payroll.

The Benefits and Compensation Office is dedicated to assisting employees and retirees with high-quality, cost-effective benefit programs in support of the mission of Oberlin College.

The Benefits and Compensation Office manages employee benefits, such as medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, tuition remission, FMLA, medical leaves, flexible spending accounts, HSA accounts and retirement plans. Benefits refers to products, services, and/or entitlements made available to benefit-eligible employees at Oberlin College.

Benefits are provided according to employment classification type.

Benefits Newsletter: 

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Employee and Labor Relations office leads the collective bargaining negotiations with Oberlin College Office and Professional Employees, Local 502 of the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OCOPE); the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW); the Oberlin College Security Association (OCSA); and the Indiana/Kentucky/Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (Carpenters).

The office coordinates the hiring process for collectively bargained positions; ensures compliance with employment regulations and adherence with all collective bargaining contracts; and is the key point of contact the college's labor/management relationship. This office is responsible for managing the grievance process, provides direction, counsel and support regarding employee discipline and labor relations matters.

The office acts as a resource for all employee relations issues and ensures that all institutional employee policies and procedures are in compliance and adhered to. Additionally, the office coordinates international employment and employee programs. It coordinates training and development programming for all college employees.

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The Payroll Office provides accurate and timely payment of compensation, taxes and withholdings for faculty, staff and student employees and to provide quality customer service through a commitment to excellence and continuous improvement. This will be done in an efficient and cost-effective manner while supporting the college’s efforts to achieve its strategic goals and mission.

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It is goal of the Department of Human Resource to maintain accurate, personnel records for employees at Oberlin College. This is achieved by offering quality customer service and guidance in the administration of college policies and procedures; records access; records maintenance and updates; as well as compliance with state and federal laws and updates to the college’s enterprise system, Banner.

The Recruitment and Employment Office aspires to be the model for excellence and leadership in human resources, emphasizing progressive hiring processes, high quality service, and efficiency. The office has dedicated focus on customer service and continuous improvement, and remains committed to fostering an environment that sustains the mission of Oberlin College.

The office is responsible for the management of the college’s online applicant tracking system (PeopleAdmin); stays current with compliant procedures for hiring; assists international hires with the onboarding process; aids the Labor and Employee Relations Office in the hiring of positions within the collective bargaining contract; and consults with search committees, hiring managers,and supervisors in recruitment best practices.

The Student Employment Office is dedicated to the hire and promotion of student employees. Our goal is to provide experiences and opportunities that help students grow in their educational journeys. We achieve this by working with all departments to address their student support needs and offering these opportunities to the Oberlin College community. 

This office maintains student personnel data regularly in the Banner system of record and upholds policies, laws and regulations that directly impact student employment.  

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The HR Office of Diversity and Inclusion 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.

Campus Bulletins