People and Culture (HR) Specialist Full Time NEW

Bethel University is a leader in Christ-centered higher education with approximately 4,700 students from 50 states and 32 countries enrolled in undergraduate, graduate, seminary, and adult education programs. Based in St. Paul, Minnesota, Bethel offers bachelor’s and advanced degrees in nearly 100 fields. Educationally excellent classroom-based and online programs equip graduates to make exceptional contributions in life-long service to God and the world.

Bethel University’s Christ-centered mission includes a commitment to equal educational opportunity and equal employment opportunity. Bethel does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, sex, marital status, disability, status with regard to public assistance, familial status, or age in its admissions, educational programs, or employment practices.

About The Role

Our People and Culture Specialist plays a key part in how employees and student workers experience Bethel, from their first day through their ongoing development. The work in this role directly supports how students and employees experience belonging, growth, and care within the Bethel community

This role oversees the full student employment process, from hiring to ongoing support, while also shaping how new employees are welcomed into the Bethel community. In addition, you’ll support employee development and recognition efforts that contribute to a strong, Christ-centered culture.

This role, which includes seasonal peaks tied to student hiring and onboarding cycles, is a strong fit for someone who is highly organized, relational, and energized by creating meaningful experiences for others. You enjoy both planning and execution and take pride in helping people feel welcomed, prepared, and supported.

This is an in-person role in Arden Hills, MN. The starting salary range for this role is $53,000 to $58,000.

What You’ll Do

• Student Employment Business Partner – 50%
• Lead and coordinate the student hiring process, serving as the primary point of contact for student employment across campus. (incoming work study – welcome week is a week you must be here)
• Provide guidance, training, and support to supervisors navigating the student employment process.
• Participate in student campus events, meeting with students and prospective students, and marketing student employment opportunities.
• Continuously improve student employment processes and practices.
• Maintain accurate student employment records.
• Pre-boarding and Onboarding – 25%
• Create and maintain a welcoming and organized onboarding experience that helps new employees feel prepared and connected.
• Serve as a consistent point of contact for new employees during onboarding, helping answer questions and remove barriers to a strong start.
• Partner with hiring managers and OPC Business Partners to ensure onboarding is timely, coordinated, and aligned with team and departmental needs.
• Continuously gather feedback from new hires to improve and strengthen the onboarding experience.
• Professional Development – 10%
• Lead the Early Career professional development program.
• Contribute to initiatives that strengthen employee engagement and growth.
• Assist with maintaining the learning management system (LMS).
• Recognition & Employee Experience – 15%
• Partner with Bethel’s Conference and Events Services to carry out recognition efforts that celebrate employee contributions and milestones.
• Lead employee engagement opportunities, including Christmas open house and summer employee gatherings.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen a culture of appreciation across campus through simple, consistent recognition practices.

Qualifications

Required Education: Bachelor’s degree

Preferred Education: Bachelor’s degree in human resources or communications.

Required Experience: 2+ years of experience.

Preferred Experience: 2+ years of experience in a HR generalist role with experience in onboarding, employee recognition, training and development, or event planning.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Self-starter who takes initiative and follows through without needing close direction.
• Ability to build trust quickly and works well with a wide range of people.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and follow through in a timely way.
• Must be relational and approachable.
• Comfortable working both independently and collaboratively.
• Have sound judgment and ability to handle confidential information with care.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.
• Ability to partner well with all campus partners, including Business Office, Financial Aid office, Admissions, Events Services, The Studio, etc.

Additional Responsibilities

Bethel’s mission is to educate and equip students to lead lives of impact through transformative academics in a Christ-centered community. Bethel’s employee community plays a central role in developing our students as whole and holy persons. To carry out this mission, Bethel uses the foundation of our guiding documents, the Affirmation of Faith, Community Covenant, and Key Policies. Bethel expects all employees to actively participate in creating our Christ-centered community by agreeing with and abiding by our core beliefs in the Affirmation of Faith and supporting all other beliefs as Biblical, responsible, and thoughtful approaches while avoiding dissension and divisiveness. Employees teach and mentor students and help one another uphold our Community Covenant commitments. As a result of these expectations, all University employees act as ministers of the gospel of Jesus Christ by actively partnering with the University to carry out its mission and foster Bethel’s Christ-centered covenant community.

Other Duties: The essential functions, tasks and responsibilities of this position may change from time to time. Bethel University reserves the right to add or omit duties and responsibilities at the discretion of the University or its leadership. Additional tasks or duties required of the position, will be communicated to the incumbent with specificity to ensure the employee may perform their role with complete understanding. This job description is intended to describe the general level of work being performed; it is not intended to be all-inclusive.

Sponsorship Restrictions

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Travel: This position does not require travel.

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as desktop and/or laptop computers, photocopiers and smartphones.

The work environment involves working for a suburban, Christian university in which all employees are expected to have a demonstrated commitment and personal relationship with Jesus Christ, a commitment to the mission and values of the University, and an agreement to abide by all University policies.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus. The job requires extended periods of working on a laptop and traversing the Bethel Campus on a regular basis. Reasonable accommodations may be made to ensure people are able to perform the essential functions.

The mental and physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

Expected Hours Of Work

Typically, days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, with the expectation to work specific schedules and hours as identified and communicated by management. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand. This is a 40 hour per week, 12 months per year position.

Benefits

Bethel is committed to offering meaningful benefits to our employees including health insurance, retirement plans, and a generous time off package. Learn more about these offerings here.

Learn more about our commitment to diversity in hiring .

Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time

The Pay Range For This Role Is

53,000 – 58,000 USD per year(Bethel University)