Director/Assistant Director Of Employee Relations & Faculty Administrative Services

Description

ABOUT RAMAPO COLLEGE:

Ramapo College of New Jersey (RCNJ) develops ethical leaders who serve as change agents across all sectors. The College's unique interdisciplinary academic structure, its liberal arts core, its size (approximately 5,500 students), and its setting in the foothills of the Ramapo Mountains on the New Jersey/New York border provide an optimal environment for individualized, student-centered learning and leadership development. RCNJ's designation as "New Jersey's Public Liberal Arts College" by the State legislature is the foundation from which the College's commitment to an accessible and transformative undergraduate and graduate education is realized.Established in 1969, CondeNast Traveler named Ramapo one of the 50 Most Beautiful College Campuses in America. The barrier-free campus occupies 300 acres and is home to 52 bachelor's degree programs spanning the arts, business, data science, humanities, education, nursing, social work, social sciences, and the sciences. Ramapo College boasts an average student/faculty ratio of 16:1 and an average class size of 21; affording students the opportunity to develop close ties to the College's exceptional faculty. In addition, the College offers graduate programs leading to master's degrees in Accounting, Applied Mathematics, Business Administration, Contemporary Instructional Design, Computer Science, Creative Music Technology, Data Science, Educational Leadership, Nursing, Social Work, and Special Education, as well as a Doctor of Nursing Practice. Every degree program is designed and delivered through the collaborative and interdisciplinary efforts of student-centered faculty scholars and staff who are committed to serving the public good through the delivery of an academically rigorous, inclusive, and a transformative collegiate experience. Ramapo is ranked #1 among New Jersey public institutions by College Choice and is recognized as the State's top college on the list of Best Disability Schools by Great Value Colleges. Further commendations include designation as a "Military Friendly College" in Victory Media's Guide to Military Friendly Schools, and as a leading college by U.S. News & World Report, Kiplinger's, Princeton Review, and Money Magazine, among others.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

This is a full-time, managerial position, and days of work and hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 pm. Note: This position is in the "NL" category of employment (non-fixed work week) and individuals in this role have no claim or entitlement to time off or cash compensation for hours worked beyond their normal schedule. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand. Compensatory time will not be granted for work done as an extension of the regular work day. It is the policy of the College to grant hour for hour compensatory time off, with advance approval, only when employees are required to work on a holiday. Time earned must be used within one fiscal year from the time it is earned.

Please note - Job posting has been revised as of 6/11/24. Previous applicants do not need to reapply.

Job Summary:

Depending on the qualifications and skill level of the successful candidate, this position may be filled at the Assistant Director or Director level. This position serves as a direct report to the Executive Director of People Operations and Employee Resources and Strategic Initiatives. This position serves as the primary contact for Faculty and AFT Professional Staff and serves as the authority on most AFT union matters. Manages all related AFT staff and faculty personnel processes including calendars, administrative and academic regulations, related training sessions, and contractual reporting requirements; participates in the development and implementation of policies and procedures. Assists in the coordination of activities and projects between People Operations and Employee Resources (POER), the Teaching and Learning Core (TLC) and other units within the College.

Examples of Duties

Job Duties:

• Responsible for organizing and administering the Career Development, Promotions, Reappointment, Tenure, Sabbatical, Faculty Scholarship Funding, Professional Leaves, etc., relating to Faculty and AFT professional staff.

• Advises on procedures and counsels employees as required on pertinent policy and procedural questions.

• Maintains databases to track faculty and AFT professional staff actions to accurately record information and cycles.

• Maintains current information on the Employee Relations web page.

• Administers end-to-end reappointment/multi-year contracts and performance appraisal processes for AFT professional staff.

• Coordinates revisions, edits, and changes of the Faculty Handbook with POER leaders and representatives from the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), Faculty Assembly (FA) Faculty Assembly Executive Council (FAEC), Provost, and the Office of the President.

• Serves as the Employee Resources and administrative representative to the All-College Committee meetings, including Tenure, Sabbatical, Career Development and Promotion committees. Assists in coordinating the work of the committees. As required, prepares correspondence; maintains files, schedules meetings dates/times, reviews minutes and maintains historical records.

• Drafts proposed policies/procedures, resolutions and Memorandum of Agreements (MOA)'s for review and adoption.

• Liaison to Deans and Unit Directors.

• Monitors and interprets AFT Agreement clauses for changes and application to existing personnel actions and requests.

• Together with the Executive Director of People Operations and Employee Resources and Strategic Initiatives serves as key spokesperson to represent the College in AFT grievances.

• Prepares for review by the Vice President for POER, routine and complex statistical charts, reports, lists, memos, letters, calendars, grievance decisions, tort claim answers and interrogatories including requests from the Governor's Office of Employee Relations and/or union officials.

• Utilize various software systems to retrieve data to produce a variety of reports. Prepares and reviews data for compilations of various State, Union, and College reports.

• Oversees the preparation of employee relations correspondence for the Offices of the President and Provost review and signature, (appointment recommendations, post-hire personnel action letters including Emeritus, Promotion, Reappointment, Retirement, Tenure,reassigned time, Professional Leaves, and stipends, etc.).

• Oversees the maintenance of personnel records in accordance with the AFT Agreement for full-time faculty and professional staff.

• Regularly identifies and develops plans for dissemination on new and revised policies, statements, regulations, directives and other communications published by State Office of Employee Relations.

• Coordinates these activities with the Vice President for People Operations Employee Resources and the Executive Director of POER and Strategic Initiatives.

• Serves as the associate HR Business Partner for the Teaching and Learning Core and will work closely with unit leaders as it pertains to Employee Relations. Attends weekly or monthly meetings to better understand the needs of the department/core, coordinating with the Talent Acquisition and Onboarding Manager and the department in meeting new hire goals.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Wide knowledge of modern management principles.

• Ability to acquire basic knowledge of the laws and regulations and personnel procedures which impact the employee relations program or unit.

• Ability to acquire and adhere to knowledge of the College's a philosophy, goals, policies/procedures and organization.

• Ability to acquire adhere to knowledge of the higher education system and the function of institutions of higher learning.

• Understand knowledge of the principles of organization and personnel management.

• Ability to acquire knowledge of the state agencies, federal and local governments and private organizations that have a working relationship with the College.

• Ability to evaluate and develop alternative methods to improve the current structure and processes to meet established objectives.

• Ability to establish cooperative working relationships and coordinate with other offices or organizations that impact on or relate to the work of the section(s) and program or unit.

• Ability to develop and recommend program goals, policies and procedures.

• Ability to prepare clear reports, correspondence and studies that include findings and recommendations.

• Excellent computer skills (specifically Microsoft Office). Banner SAAS knowledge is a plus.

Qualifications

Education:

Graduation from an accredited college with a Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field.

Master's Degree is desirable.

Experience:

Director D30- A minimum of 5 years (6 plus years preferred) professional experience in People Operations/Human Resources, ideally in higher education is preferred. Other government, non-profit or profit organizations may be considered. Negotiation and mediation experience and good oral/written communication skills are required.

Managing Assistant Director D26- A minimum of 3 years professional experience in People Operations/Human Resources, ideally in higher education is preferred. Other government, non-profit or profit organizations may be considered. Negotiation and mediation experience and good oral/written communication skills are required.

Supplemental Information

EEO Statement:

Ramapo College is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Ramapo has a long history of advocating, advising, and supporting diversity, equity, and inclusiveness. Examples can be found in its mission statement, strategic plans, degree and course offerings, community outreach programs and other diversity programs. Ramapo's commitment to diversity and inclusion is infused across all facets of the College; where the environment is welcoming, dedicated to social justice, respectful of freedom of expression, focused on educating and having an ongoing conversation regarding cultural competence and the benefits and importance of diversity.