Job Description

JOB SUMMARY:

NORC at the University of Chicago is seeking an HR Generalist to join the NORC People team in our Chicago Loop office. This is an entry-level position designed to provide foundational support across a broad range of human resources functions. This role plays a critical part in ensuring the smooth operation of HR processes and programs by delivering administrative and operational assistance. The HR Generalist collaborates with NORC People team members and internal stakeholders to support recruitment, onboarding, benefits, and data management. This position is ideal for individuals looking to begin or grow their career in human resources within a dynamic and mission-driven organization.

Location Hybrid role based in our Chicago Loop office, with expectation of 3 days a week in the office. Occasional local travel may be required.

DEPARTMENT: NORC People

The NORC People Department of approximately 25 staff supports NORC's mission and values by collaborating with research, operations, and administrative departments to recruit, develop, and retain top staff. Because NORC is a government contractor, the NORC People team plays a large role ensuring that all staff information and systems remain secure and that our organization is fully compliant with our policies. NORC People is responsible for talent acquisition, hiring, benefits administration, employee relations matters, and performance evaluation programs to ensure our organization is maintaining compliance while keeping employees’ best interests in mind.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Recruitment Support:
  • Assist in coordinating job postings across internal and external platforms.
  • Assist in scheduling interviews and communicating with candidates throughout the hiring process.
  • Assist with the applicant tracking system to help ensure compliance with hiring procedures.
• Employee Onboarding:
  • Assist in preparing onboarding materials and coordinating orientation sessions.
  • Ensure completion of required documentation and system setup for new hires.
  • Serve as a point of contact for new employees during their transition.
  • Collaborate with IT and facilities to ensure readiness for new team members.
• HR Program Assistance:
  • Provide logistical and administrative support for employee engagement initiatives.
  • Assist in coordinating training sessions, workshops, and learning events.
  • Support performance management cycles by tracking deadlines and communications.
  • Help gather feedback and data to improve HR programs and initiatives.
  • Responsible for processing unemployment claims
• Benefits Administration Support:
  • Assist employees with benefits enrollment and changes.
  • Respond to routine inquiries regarding health, retirement, and wellness benefits.
  • Liaise with benefit vendors to resolve issues and ensure timely service.
  • Help maintain benefits documentation and compliance records.
• HR Data Maintenance:
  • Update and maintain employee records in HRIS and other databases.
  • Ensure accuracy, confidentiality, and integrity of personnel data.
  • Generate reports and assist with audits and compliance reviews.
  • Support data entry and tracking for HR metrics and analytics.
• Other Duties as assigned:
  • Provide administrative support for employee relations cases and investigations.
  • Assist in interpreting HR policies and procedures for staff.

REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
• 1 year of relevant HR work experience.
• Foundational understanding of HR principles, employment laws, and organizational policies.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to interact effectively across all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and familiarity with HRIS or other HR software platforms.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize effectively, and work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to be onsite at least 3 days a week.
• Qualified applicants must be eligible to work in the U.S. We regret that we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

The pay range for this position is $48,000 - $55,000.

This position is classified as regular. Regular staff are eligible for NORC’s comprehensive benefits program. Benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Generously subsidized health insurance, effective on the first day of employment

• Dental and vision insurance

• A defined contribution retirement program, along with a separate voluntary 403(b) retirement program

• Group life insurance, long-term and short-term disability insurance

• Benefits that promote work/life balance, including generous paid time off, holidays; paid parental leave, bereavement leave, tuition assistance, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

NORC is committed to equity and transparency in its pay practices. We publish salary ranges and benefit information for every job. The listed hiring range reflects what we, in good faith, expect to pay at the time of posting, though actual compensation may vary and may be adjusted over time. A candidate’s placement within the range depends on factors such as competencies, education, qualifications, experience, skills, performance, and organizational needs.

WHAT WE DO:

NORC at the University of Chicago is an objective, non-partisan research institution that delivers reliable data and rigorous analysis to guide critical programmatic, business, and policy decisions. Since 1941, our teams have conducted groundbreaking studies, created and applied innovative methods and tools, and advanced principles of scientific integrity and collaboration. Today, government, corporate, and nonprofit clients around the world partner with us to transform increasingly complex information into useful knowledge.

WHO WE ARE:

For over 80 years, NORC has evolved in many ways, moving the needle with research methods, technical applications and groundbreaking research findings. But our tradition of excellence, passion for innovation, and commitment to collegiality have remained constant components of who we are as a brand, and who each of us is as a member of the NORC team. With world-class benefits, a business casual environment, and an emphasis on continuous learning, NORC is a place where people join for the stellar research and analysis work for which we’re known, and stay for the relationships they form with their colleagues who take pride in the impact their work is making on a global scale.

EEO STATEMENT:

NORC is an equal opportunity employer. NORC evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, sexual orientation, and other legally protected characteristics.

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