Human Resources Associate

About the role

Thank you for considering a career with the Research Foundation of The City University of New York (RFCUNY).

The team at RFCUNY is made up of dedicated, talented professionals committed to providing the services that allow CUNY researchers, faculty, and staff to focus on their intellectual curiosity and scientific discoveries.

We are pleased that you are interested in exploring opportunities to join RFCUNY.

• Primary Location: CUNY INSTITUTE FOR STATE & LOCAL GOVERNANCE
• Bargaining Unit: No
• The Institute for State and Local Governance at CUNY: About Us

The Institute for State & Local Governance at the City University of New York (CUNY) is a public sector consultancy at CUNY. We partner with governments and community organizations to build effective policies and practices, balance budgets, and develop leadership skills and institutional capacity. By improving these systems and services, we help make communities stronger.

Our team holds expansive technical expertise in research and analysis, leadership education, and program design and implementation. We also have deep and broad subject-matter knowledge, including in municipal and state finance, criminal legal systems, education, public health, and social work.

Through this, we provide our partners with the responsive and flexible support to reach sustainable and practical solutions for the communities they serve.

Position Details

The CUNY Institute for State and Local Governance (ISLG) is seeking a detail-oriented and service-driven Human Resources Associate to oversee day-to-day human resources operations and serve as the primary liaison to the Human Resources department of the Research Foundation of The City University of New York (RFCUNY), ISLG's fiscal agent.

Supporting approximately 60 full- and part-time employees, the Human Resources Associate will play a key role across the employee lifecycle, with responsibilities spanning recruitment and onboarding, payroll and benefits administration, employee relations, leave management, compliance, and personnel records.

Reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer, the Human Resources Associate will ensure that HR processes are efficient, accurate, confidential, and responsive to the needs of employees and organizational leadership.

The ideal candidate is an experienced HR professional with strong technical knowledge, excellent organizational skills, exceptional attention to detail, sound judgment, and a commitment to providing responsive, high-quality HR support.

Key responsibilities include

Recruitment

• Oversee the full recruitment and hiring lifecycle for all employee positions, from workforce planning through candidate selection and onboarding.
• Partner with hiring managers to:
• Identify role requirements, key competencies, and organizational needs, and develop clear, accurate job descriptions aligned with ISLG's culture and operational priorities.
• Establish equitable, consistent, and effective hiring processes.
• Provide compensation recommendations informed by role responsibilities, organizational resources, and internal equity.
• Manage job postings, candidate screening, interviews, reference checks, and employment offers.
• Design and manage a structured, thoughtful, onboarding and orientation process that establishes clear expectations, introduces organizational policies and culture

Employee Relations and Performance Management

• Serve as the primary HR resource for employees, providing timely, accurate guidance on policies, procedures, and routine employment matters
• Liaise with the appropriate internal ISLG staff and RFCUNY on sensitive and complex employee matters, including performance concerns, policy violations, workplace conflicts, formal complaints, investigations, corrective action, and terminations.
• Manages CUNY ISLG's Annual Performance Evaluation process and work with department directors to recommend and implement improvements as needed

Payroll, Benefits, and HR Administration

• Serve as ISLG's primary liaison to the Research Foundation of CUNY (RFCUNY) on HR administration and related operational matters, including:
• Payroll coordination and issue resolution
• Benefits administration.
• Employee data accuracy, reporting, and records management.
• Maintain appropriate oversight of employee information and ensure the confidentiality integrity of personnel records.
• Draft ISLG's human resources policies and processes with input from relevant ISLG staff
• Performs other duties as assigned

Organizational Culture, Values, and Employee Engagement

• Collaborate with ISLG's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Officer on efforts to advance equitable and inclusive workplace practices.
• Develop and support initiatives that strengthen employee well-being, engagement, professional development, and retention.
• Promote a workplace culture grounded in dignity, respect, accountability, and trust.

We'd love to hear from you if you have

• Bachelor's degree required; a degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field preferred.
• At least three (3) years experience in human resources.
• Demonstrated experience managing core HR functions, including employee relations, employment compliance, benefits administration, recruitment, onboarding, and performance management.
• Strong understanding of confidentiality, ethical HR practices, and appropriate handling of sensitive personnel matters.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; experience with human resources information systems and WorkDay preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and follow-through.

Pay and benefits

This is a full-time position in New York City with a salary range of $75,000 to $85,000 and excellent benefits, including:

• Comprehensive medical/dental/vision insurance
• Paid vacation and personal days
• Paid sick leave
• CUNY tuition reimbursement program
• Pre-tax benefits for transit and healthcare costs
• Family/parental leave
• Life insurance
• A retirement plan with employer contribution.

Our staff also benefit from

• A positive work/life balance.
• Opportunities for advancement within the organization.
• Engagement with the broader CUNY network.
• Working with organizational leadership who have years of significant public sector and policymaking expertise.

How to Apply

• To apply please submit a cover letter describing your qualifications and interests and attach your resume.
• Questions about the position can be addressed to.
• Applications received prior to November 30, 2026 will be considered for an interview.

Pay Range

$75,000 - $85,000