Human Resource Manager

The Chicago Academy of Sciences / Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGER

The Chicago Academy of Sciences / Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum has a long history of hiring engaged, talented employees, and we’re looking for a Human Resources (HR) Manager to continue this tradition. The Human Resource Manager is a key member of the Nature Museum team and is responsible for supporting a collaborative, mission-driven culture and providing excellence in HR support and services. The ideal candidate will have experience in HR or employee recruitment, with a thorough understanding of HR policies and procedures. The bulk of the role will involve strengthening our collaborative and productive culture, as well as employee orientations, benefits administration, compensation, rewards, and conflict resolution, and there is great opportunity for developing and refining policies and systems. We are looking for a Human Resources Manager who connects easily with people and has a detail-oriented mindset for handling the dynamic nature of today’s workforce. This role is in-person at the Museum.

The Ideal Candidate Is

● A detail-oriented self-starter with prior experience in human resources

● Passionate about building collaborative cultures for mission-driven organizations

● Someone who exhibits sound judgment with the ability to prioritize and make decisions

● Empathic and an excellent listener

● A team player capable of cultivating productive working relationships across the organization

● Resourceful, with a can-do attitude

● Thrives in a fast-paced environment

Responsibilities

● Enhances the organization’s human resources framework by planning, implementing, and evaluating employee relations and human resources policies, programs, and practices.

● Maintains the work structure by updating job requirements and job descriptions for all positions.

● Supports organization staff by maintaining a recruiting, testing, and interviewing program; assisting managers with candidate selection when needed; conducting and analyzing exit interviews; and recommending changes.

● Prepares employees, for assignments as a part of both their onboarding and ongoing professional development, by establishing and conducting orientation and training programs.

● Manages a compensation plan by conducting periodic wage and salary surveys; scheduling and conducting job evaluations; preparing pay budgets; monitoring and scheduling individual pay actions; and recommending, planning, and implementing pay structure revisions.

● Ensures planning, monitoring, and appraisal of employee work results by training managers to coach and discipline employees; scheduling management conferences with employees; hearing and resolving employee grievances; and counseling employees and supervisors.

● Implements employee benefits programs and informs employees of benefits by studying and assessing benefit needs and trends; recommending benefit programs to management; directing the processing of benefit claims; liaising with benefits brokers; obtaining and evaluating benefit contract bids; as necessary; awarding benefit contracts; and working with the broker to design

and conduct educational programs on benefit programs.

● Ensures legal compliance by monitoring and implementing applicable human resource federal and state requirements, participating in investigations, and maintaining records

● Enforces management guidelines by preparing, updating, and recommending human resource policies and procedures.

● Retains historical human resource records by utilizing the HRIS (currently Paylocity) and maintaining past and current records.

● Cultivates professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, establishing personal networks, and participating in professional societies.

● Collaborates in cross-departmental initiatives such as the museum’s DEAI Strategy Team.

● Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.

● Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

● At least 5 years professional-level HR experience, with at least 3 years of exempt-level professional recruitment and ATS experience

● Knowledge of federal and state employment laws and regulations

● Experience working with employees in collective bargaining units in unions

● Experience managing multiple projects concurrently, demonstrating a sense of urgency, and results orientation

● Exceptional communication skills:,verbal, written, and presentation

● Strong customer relations and interpersonal skills with a high level of response to all inquiries

● Strong professional maturity and judgment; Ability to handle confidential information with discretion; Ability to deliver difficult messages

● Nonprofit experience a plus

Benefits

● Comprehensive Medical, Dental + Vision Plans

● Life + Disability Benefits

● EAP + Work/Life Program Services

● 401(k) Savings Plan

● Paid Time Off

● Paid Sick Leave

About Us

For 166 years, The Chicago Academy of Sciences/Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum (‘Nature Museum’) has been connecting Chicagoans to nature and science. As a leader in the field of scientific research, education and community programming, the Nature Museum’s mission is to create a positive relationship between people and nature through collaboration, education, research and collections, exhibitions and public forums to grow the region’s urban connection to the world of nature and science. The Nature Museum believes that nature and science should and can be accessible to everyone and seeks to be a spark that ignites and fosters a sense of wonder for nature, an understanding of science, and protection of the natural world.

Founded in 1857, the Chicago Academy of Sciences has a long history in Chicago and is one of America’s oldest scientific institutions. Created by members seeking to understand the natural world through methodical exploration and study, the Chicago Academy of Sciences became the first private scientific museum founded in the city of Chicago. When the Academy opened its doors to the public in 1869, the institution’s focus expanded to that of a community museum with the goal of welcoming and engaging Chicago residents and visitors. The scientific collections that have been curated and preserved through the Chicago Academy of Sciences have been used to help define human understanding of nature, ecology and the diversity of life in the United States. They are key resources in allowing the scientific community to interpret our present place in history as well as anticipate future conditions.

How to Apply:

Please send a resume and cover letter to hr-humanresources@ naturemuseum.org to apply.

The Chicago Academy of Sciences / Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in all areas of the organization. We strongly encourage applications from people of color and members of underrepresented groups.