Human Resources Coordinator

The Organization

For over 55 years, Urban Community School (UCS) has served Cleveland's children by providing an individualized, innovative, and challenging education. Rooted in the Ursuline Sisters' tradition of faith, character, and educational excellence, UCS engages our faculty, families, and community partners in the successful whole child development of students. Serving nearly 800 children from 6 weeks old through 8th grade, the school uses restorative practices and conscious discipline to foster growth and community. Accredited by the Independent School Association of the Central States (ISACS), UCS enrolls a student body in which seventy-six percent of families are economically disadvantaged.

Our growing 15-acre campus in the Ohio City neighborhood is home to a vibrant mix of facilities and partners. The Roundstone Athletic Center features the Glick Family Fieldhouse and the Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame and Museum. The campus also hosts The MetroHealth System, House of Champions, Urban Squash Cleveland, USA Lacrosse, Re:Source Cleveland, and Facing History and Ourselves. Outdoor spaces include Doyle Field, a new Little League field, along with a sports mini-pitch, basketball field, lacrosse field, three playgrounds, and learning garden.

UCS is a recipient of the 2022 Top Workplace Award from The Plain Dealer, which is based solely on employee feedback. UCS has also been recognized as one of Cleveland's City Champions by The Plain Dealer, a National Green Ribbon School for Environmental Practices and Learning Model, and a School of Excellence by the Cleveland Foundation and The George Gund Foundation.

Role Overview

The Human Resources (HR) Coordinator supports the Chief Operating Officer (COO) in managing HR operations across the organization. This role helps ensure that hiring, onboarding, retention, compliance, and employee support systems run efficiently and reflect the school's mission and values. The HR Coordinator maintains a welcoming, student-centered approach while ensuring HR processes meet regulatory and operational requirements specific to a school environment. The HR Coordinator will also support strategic initiatives across the organization to enhance overall effectiveness and operational excellence.

Responsibilities

Recruitment, Hiring, Onboarding & Retention

• Coordinate hiring processes for all employees using our multi-step, structured interview process.
• Serve as the point person for Greenhouse, the current applicant tracking system.
• Conduct initial application review and conduct first round phone interviews, providing recommendations to the hiring manager and COO regarding next steps.
• Serve as the point of contact for candidates; schedule interviews with hiring committees and department heads.
• Provide support for new-hire orientation in August and consider ways to evolve our current approach to reach staff who are hired throughout the year.
• Solicit feedback from new hires about their overall experience and consider ways to improve.
• Ensure new hires complete required training, fingerprinting, Rapback enrollment, and licensure.
• Prepare onboarding materials, contracts, schedules, building access, and technology setup in collaboration with IT.
• Support the COO to track and manage employee retention data, providing quarterly updates about progress.
• Support employees in their transition process.
  
  

Compliance & Employee Records

• Maintain confidential personnel files and ensure compliance with education-specific requirements and audit standards.
• Monitor staff certifications (licensure), background checks and Rapback, required training, and renewal deadlines.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment regulations applicable to chartered, non-public schools.
• Support the COO in updating the employee handbook, HR policies, and school safety protocols.
• Maintain documentation for audits, inspections, accreditation visits, and state reporting requirements.
• Serve as the lead administrator for FMLA review and implementation.
  
  

Employee Support & School Culture

• Serve as a point of contact for employee questions about policies, procedures, leave, benefits, and school expectations.
• Help foster a positive adult culture rooted in the school's mission.
• Support staff appreciation events, professional development days, and community-building activities.
• Support the COO to build out a more robust year of service program.
  
  

Payroll & Benefits Support

• Coordinate new hire benefit enrollment and annual open enrollment.
• Respond to questions from staff about benefit programs.
• Coordinate office hours and employee information sessions about benefit programs.
• Track employee leave balances and ensure compliance with state/federal leave requirements.
• Consider ways to improve our total rewards program, including messaging and programs that will improve employee experience.
• Partner with the Finance Team to ensure accurate record keeping related to payroll and benefits, supporting on-time and accurate pay.
  
  

HR Project Support

• Provide strategic support for the performance management processes.
• Issue contracts, stipend agreements, and offer letters via DocuSign.
• Support strategic HR initiatives such as workforce planning and compensation studies.
  
  

General Administrative Support

• Drive and support strategic initiatives that advance organizational growth and elevate performance toward sustained excellence.
• Develop and refine systems that improve the accuracy, efficiency, and reliability of processes across all facets of the organization.
• Support leaders with projects that strengthen institutional effectiveness and organizational alignment.
• Provide coaching to the administrative support staff to strengthen their effectiveness.
  
  

Skills and Competencies

• Commitment to Mission: Demonstrates a strong passion for and alignment with the mission of UCS, actively incorporating the organization's values into daily work and decision-making.
• Project Management: Ability to lead long-term, multi-phase processes with accuracy and clear timelines.
• Communication & Collaboration: Strong written and verbal skills; able to work effectively with faculty, staff, leadership, and board members.
• Organizational Systems & Data Management: Skilled at creating and maintaining efficient systems for documentation, reporting, and record-keeping.
• Discretion & Professionalism: Demonstrates sound judgment, confidentiality, and a solution-oriented approach in all responsibilities.
  
  

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in human resources, including demonstrated success in leadership roles.
• SHRM certification (SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP) strongly preferred, demonstrating deep expertise in HR best practices and compliance.
  
  

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Must be able to walk significant distances and climb stairs throughout the day as the campus is situated on several acres with 2 buildings, ranging from single story to two stories, along with 5 campus partner facilities
• FBI/BCI background check required
  
  

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary commensurate with experience ($60,000 - $65,000 per year)
• 401(k) with a generous employer contribution and match
• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Employer paid life insurance, AD&D, and short and long term disability coverage
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave
• Tuition discount for students who attend UCS
• Educational assistance program (up to $2,000 per year)
• Professional development fund
• Concierge health benefit services
• Casual work attire (denim and UCS spirit wear are welcomed)
• On-site fitness center for faculty and staff
• Financial and retirement advising at no cost to employees
• Opportunities for discounts on home, rental and auto-insurance
  
  

Additional Information

• Status: Full-Time; Exempt
• Reports to: Chief Operating Officer
• Hours & Schedule: 40 hours per week/year-round
  
  

Urban Community School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Urban Community School provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Urban Community School complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.