Employment Specialist

Engineering a world of possibilities

The Employment and Payroll team within the Mines Administrative Processing Services (MAPS) office supports Colorado School of Mines community and its off-campus partners by providing efficient, accurate, and service-oriented employment operations. This work is essential to advancing the University’s mission and is guided by principles of exceptional customer service, regulatory compliance, and fiscal accountability.

In this role, you will help cultivate an environment focused on employment process efficiency, workforce data accuracy, and high quality service delivery. You will play a key part in reducing administrative burdens for campus partners through proactive system stewardship, continuous improvement, and strong collaboration across HR and MAPS functions.

This position requires an initial training period of 8 weeks, which takes place on campus in Golden, Colorado. Hybrid scheduling may be a possibility after that training period, in accordance with Mines policy and business needs.

Primary Responsibilities

Employment Processing

The Employment Specialist is responsible for full life‑cycle employment management and data integrity for all Mines employees—including classified staff, faculty, and student workers. This includes ensuring compliance with internal and external regulations and maintaining accurate records from hire through separation.

• Employment lifecycle management — Process and review all employment transactions (new hire, job change, compensation updates, separations, etc.) in Workday for accuracy and compliance.
• Workforce data accuracy — Enter and validate supplemental data required for employment records, benefits administration, and downstream processes.
• Cross‑functional collaboration — Participate in meetings with Employment Services, HR, and MAPS partners to stay informed on system updates, operational needs, and process changes.
• Compliance monitoring — Identify and communicate potential compliance risks related to employment regulations and institutional policies.
• Operational controls — Ensure employment processes adhere to segregation‑of‑duties requirements and other control standards.
• Process improvement — Recommend and implement procedural enhancements that improve service delivery and support campus departments.

Audit, Compliance & Reconciliation

• Employment audits — Complete required employment‑related audits accurately and on schedule.
• International employment compliance — Assist with 1042‑S administration in Sprintax Calculus, ensuring accurate records and compliance; collaborate with leadership on system updates as needed.

Support & Metrics

• Staff training — Partner with the Employment Lead to resolve complex issues and support training for MAPS team members.
• Campus engagement — Stay aware of campus employment activity to ensure shared services meet user needs and exceed expectations.
• Continuous improvement — Analyze employment processes to identify opportunities for efficiency and improved service delivery.
• Metrics development — Create and track metrics that assess service levels, performance, customer satisfaction, and operational effectiveness.
• Data analysis — Analyze employment data to identify trends, performance indicators, and areas for improvement.
• Team contribution — Contribute to a productive, collaborative, and service‑oriented work environment.

 

Minimum Qualifications  

• Bachelor's degree in a related field (human resources, communications, etc.) or equivalent experience. 
• Knowledge of human resources principles and the employment life cycle. 
• Understanding and appreciation for automation and the use of technology as an enabler of high-quality services and performance levels. 
• Experience managing multiple tasks and prioritize workload in a fast-paced environment. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 
• Demonstrated focus on customer service and compliance. 
• Experience transferring knowledge to co-workers in a collaborative and engaging manner. 
• Ability to work collaboratively and build strong partnerships. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of higher education culture, governance, structures and mission.
• Strong analytical skills and an understanding of how metrics and measures can drive innovation and service level quality. 
• Demonstrated ability to consider implications of complex problems and solutions and taking necessary actions to resolution. 
• Experience with Workday. 

Salary and Benefits

$58,000 - $61,000 annual salary rate

Mines takes into consideration a combination of candidate’s education, training and experience as well as the position’s scope and complexity, the discretion and latitude required in the role, work location, and external market and internal value when determining a salary level for potential new employees.

Colorado School of Mines offers a robust portfolio of benefits for all employees. For this role, that includes:

• Flexible health and dental care options
• Generous sick/vacation time: 13 paid holidays per year – including a week-long winter break for entire campus.
• Fully vested retirement plan on first day of employment, with generous employer contribution
• Tuition benefits (6 credits per year for employees, 50 percent discount for dependents)
• Free RTD Ecopass

All Mines employees also have access to discount programs through the State of Colorado and free tickets for Mines Athletics home games, as well as access to the state of the art Recreation Center (fitness classes and training, swimming pool and more) and equipment rentals through the Outdoor Rec Center. We are proud to have recently opened an on campus daycare center. For more details about benefits at Mines, visit mines.edu/human-resources/benefits.

How to Apply

Complete an online application (personal information, demographic information, veteran status)

• Upload a resume or CV
• Upload a cover letter

Candidates must be currently authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position now nor in the future.

This posting may be used to fill more than one vacancy based on business needs.

References will not be contacted until later in the selection process and you will be informed before that contact is made.

Application review will begin immediately. This posting may close without notice. For best consideration, pease apply as soon as possible.

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for this position.

About Mines & Golden, CO

When the world looks for answers, the world looks to Mines.

Colorado School of Mines is a top-ranked public university solving the grand challenges facing our society, particularly those related to the Earth, energy and the environment. Founded in 1874 with specialties in mining and metallurgy, Mines’ scope and mission have continually expanded to meet the needs of industry and society. Today, we are the No. 36 public university in the nation, recognized for our innovation and undergraduate teaching in science, technology engineering and math (U.S. News and World Report, 2025).

Mines graduates are change makers, boundary breakers and problem solvers. Since our earliest days, a Mines education has been and continues to be a transformational opportunity, with one of the strongest returns on investment out there for talented STEM students of all backgrounds.

At the same time, Mines faculty members are pushing their fields in new directions, whether that’s manufacturing, space resources, quantum engineering, carbon capture or more. Mines was recently classified as a R1 “Very High Activity” research institution by Carnegie, a notable feat for any university but particularly one of our size.

That size – roughly 8,200 undergraduate and graduate students – also translates to a close-knit campus community, where employees have opportunities to get involved in multiple ways, continued professional learning is valued and everyone can make an impact.

Community Alliance groups bring together employees for professional development, networking, and community involvement, and all Mines employees also have access to the wealth of activities happening every day on campus – nationally-renowned speakers, special events and Mines traditions like Engineering Days, just to name a few.

And don’t get us started on our hometown. We are located in the heart of Golden, Colorado --with its charming historic downtown and nearby hiking trails – and in close proximity to all that Denver and the Rocky Mountains have to offer. That includes the sunny, high-altitude climate and outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities that make the Denver area an ideal place to live, work and play.

Are you looking for an inspiring, mission-driven workplace where you can contribute to solving the world’s problems and educating the next generation of change makers? Are you an individual who values a community where our individual perspectives and experiences enrich the educational and work experience?

Look to Mines.

Additional Information and Reasonable Accommodation Requests
It is the intent of Mines to comply with the applicable requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008, and their implementation rules and regulations, in support of equal opportunities for qualified applicants with disabilities. To meet this goal, Mines will make reasonable accommodations during the employment selection process and within our working environment.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on our site as a result of your disability. You can request a reasonable accommodation by contacting our Human Resources team at hr@mines.edu or 303.273.3250 for assistance.

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for this position.

Equal Opportunity

Colorado School of Mines is committed to equal opportunity for all persons. Mines does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), ancestry, creed, marital status, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status or current military service. Further, Mines does not retaliate against community members for filing complaints regarding or implicating any of these protected statuses.

Mines’ commitment to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and equal access is reflected in the administration of its policies, procedures, programs and activities and in its efforts to achieve a talented student body and workforce.

Through its policies, procedures and resources, Mines complies with federal law, Colorado state law, administrative regulations, executive orders and other legal requirements to prevent discrimination (including harassment or retaliation) within the Mines campus community and to address potential allegations of inequality or concerns for safety.

Colorado's premier engineering and applied science university for 150 years and counting