Skip to main content
Southwestern Oregon Community College logo

HR Employee Engagement Specialist

Southwestern Oregon Community College
3 days ago
Full-time
On-site
Coos Bay, Oregon, United States
$49,978 - $54,098 USD yearly
Talent Retention & Development

Primary Purpose

Under the direction of the Director of Human Resources, the Employee Engagement Specialist serves as a strategic and operational partner in fostering a positive, inclusive and high-performing workplace culture. This position is responsible for designing, implementing, evaluating and managing employee engagement initiatives, recognition programs, professional development opportunities and organizational culture strategies that support the college’s mission, values and strategic goals.


This position closes at 11:59 PM on 11/3/2026.

Description of Essential Functions

Employee Engagement (approx. 50% of Time)

  1. Designs, implements, evaluates and manages employee engagement programs including onboarding initiatives in partnership with campus leadership to ensure high levels of engagement from all staff.
  2. Conducts employee satisfaction surveys, focus groups and exit interviews to gather employee feedback regarding the employee experience. Reports on the feedback collected and integrates feedback into the development of programs and initiatives.
  3. Serves as point person for Caring Campus initiatives in efforts to positively affect cultural change.
  4. Assists HR Director with organizational leadership development needs; designs and delivers programs intended to increase employee engagement and to develop employees in their positions.
  5. Manages, tracks and reports on key turnover and retention metrics and utilizes metrics to identify trends and to make recommendations.
  6. Develops and maintains communication channels that keep employees informed and connected.
  7. Assists with organizing training sessions, forums and workshops to help employees acquire new skills and knowledge relevant to their roles. 
  8. Provides recommendations and strategies to improve communication with employee groups and expand employee development programs.
  9. Implements recognition and appreciation programs across the organization including years of service and retirement. 
  10. Builds programs that allow employees opportunities for networking, participation in committees and celebrations. 
  11. Implements and manages a comprehensive wellness program to include activities, assessments, training and engagement opportunities. 
  12. Influence the writing of internal communications, event and program materials, including newsletters and websites for the purpose of communicating information to employees. 
  13. Work cross-functionally with key stakeholders to aid in enhancing the employee onboarding experience. 

 

Onboarding Coordination (approx. 30% of time)

  1. Assists Recruitment & Onboarding Specialist with a comprehensive onboarding program including timely communications, processes and training. Onboards employees by performing the first tasks related to hiring. Prepares necessary employment letters and forms for all employees. Ensures accuracy of data input into computer, including salaries, etc. Inputs all pertinent information online for new hires, completing new employee set-up using integrated college-wide information system (currently Jenzabar and Neo Ed).
  2. Manages a comprehensive onboarding program that is in alignment with the college’s strategic plan, supports new employees through the first 90-days and sets them up for long term success with the college.
  3. Designs, implements, evaluates and manages a new employee orientation program for all new hires.
  4. Collaborates with the Office of Instruction and Student Services to assist with faculty onboarding, provide support to the professional development committee and in-service program development.

 

General Human Resources Functions (approx. 20 % of time)

  1. Maintains all official employee personnel and recruitment records in accordance with applicable laws and bargaining agreements, protecting confidentiality of records at all times.
  2. With the HR Director, coordinates staff development programs as needed and/or requested, such as trainings for supervisory staff. Suggests agenda items, prepares handout materials, notifies staff, presents some items and responds to questions from staff.
  3. Provide subject matter expertise on human resources policies, procedures, and employment practices during collective bargaining negotiations. Analyze workforce data and operational impacts to ensure proposed contract provisions are feasible, compliant, and conducive to effective day-to-day operations within a public education environment.
  4. Works as a collaborative member of the Human Resources Department and is available to assist with general employee inquiries and day to day tasks. Provides back up to the HR Analyst and Recruitment & Onboarding Specialist as directed. 
  5. Maintains strong customer service relationships with students, employees, community members and other district-wide constituencies. Ensures employees are treated with courtesy and respect, showing concern for their needs and investigating and resolving requests and concerns. Ensures a welcoming, supportive and respectful work environment. 
  6. Assists with monthly roster reviews and entry of PAFs as needed ensuring timely processing of workforce changes.
  7. Maintains strict confidentiality of sensitive employee, departmental and organizational information.

Performs Other Duties and Special Projects as Required/Assigned

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Business Administration, Education, Psychology or related field. Education required may be substituted by three (3) or more years of experience working in the human resources field.

Three (3) + years of experience in progressive experience in employee engagement, organizational development, talent development, training or related field.

Experience planning and implementing employee programs and events.

Experience facilitating training, workshops or professional development activities.


Successful applicants for this position must possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities, or be able to explain and demonstrate that they can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation:

  • Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, using the English language with or without the use of an interpreter. Ability to effectively communicate orally with groups and/or individual, and deal with peers, the public and the community in a positive, empathetic and professional manner.
  • Ability to read and interpret federal and state laws, college policies, collective bargaining agreements, human resources professional practices, and professional literature.
  • Ability to work effectively and sensitively with individuals of diverse cultural backgrounds, perspectives, and abilities. Ability to consistently convey a pleasant and helpful attitude by using excellent interpersonal and communication skills to control sometimes stressful and emotional situations. Requires sufficient communication and human relations skills to resolve complaints/issues, defuse anger, and gain cooperation.
  • Knowledge of the theory, practices, and procedures of Human Resources, including recruitment administration, human resources policies and procedures, wage and hour laws, federal and state employment laws and regulations.
  • Knowledge of standard office procedures and equipment including computer proficiency and software applications including MS Word, Excel and those related to financial activities with a level of computer literacy sufficient to use software such as word processing, spreadsheets and data bases to produce correspondence, documents, and reports as required by the position.
  • Ability and willingness to manage a flexible work schedule with self-discipline, including travel, various hours and possible weekends/evenings, as well as work days at other college locations.
  • Ability to receive and process information in a professional, sensitive, confidential, and timely manner.
  • Model and ensure diversity and cultural competency (respect, inclusiveness, reflecting, valuing, and welcoming cultural differences) in all position responsibilities regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, social class, sexual orientation, ability, nationality, age, language, origin, or employment status.
  • Exhibit a high level of computer literacy sufficient to use software such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases to produce correspondence, documents, and reports; including but not limited to Word, Excel, Access, NEOGOV for recruiting and applicant tracking, and Jenzabar, an integrated college wide information system.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Human Resources Certification through SHRM, HRCI or other related organization.

  • Specific knowledge of computer applications utilized within the department, currently NEOGOV and Jenzabar.

  • Public Employer work experience, preferably higher education.

  • Work experience in a union setting.

  • Advanced presentation, facilitation and/or end user training experience.


SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS OR LICENSES:

N/A

Additional Job Information

JOB TITLE: HR Employee Engagement Specialist 

LOCATION: Coos Bay Campus

FTE:  1.0 FTE

ORGANIZATION: Southwestern Oregon Community College

PAY LEVEL: 25 ($49.978 to $54,098 for initial placement)

EXEMPTION STATUS: Exempt

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Attached

REPORTS TO: Director of Human Resources

CLASSIFICATION: MASSC

REVISION DATE: October 2026











SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Southwestern Oregon Community College only accepts applications through this online application system. We want you to be successful in applying with us. We highly encourage you to complete and submit your application in advance of the deadline.

For assistance with this, please email hr@socc.edu. For technical assistance with your application, please call (855) 524-5627.

Please note: We recognize that our application process can be lengthy, so before you begin, please read all of the stated requirements to determine if you meet them. Applicants must meet all of the stated minimum/special qualifications and additional requirements to be considered for this position. Based on your responses to the qualifying questions, the system may automatically screen you out from further consideration.

Required documents must be provided at the time of application. Please remove any personal information such as photographs, date of birth, gender, social security number, and other protected information from your documents. Documents containing protected information will be considered incomplete. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Positions are subject to budget consideration and approval. For the candidate who is hired into this position, salary placement will be based on guidelines in administrative policies and procedures or collective bargaining agreements (as applicable). For this reason, please be sure to include everything in your application that you want the college to consider towards placement.

The college does not sponsor employees in the visa application process if they intend to use this as their means to work in the United States. This means that all required work visas must be in place and supported by appropriate evidence to be employed by Southwestern.

Final candidates will be subject to a criminal background check as part of the employment process.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION STATEMENT

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

This job description is a general description of essential job functions. It is not intended as an employment contract nor is it intended to describe all responsibilities, skills, effort, or work conditions associated with the job someone in this position would perform. All employees of Southwestern Oregon Community College are expected to perform tasks as assigned by Southwestern Oregon Community College supervisory/management personnel regardless of job title or routine job duties.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

VETERAN'S PREFERENCE STATEMENT

Applicants are eligible to use Veteran's Preference when applying with Southwestern Oregon Community College in accordance with ORS 408.225, 408.230 and 408.235; and OAR 105-040-0010 and 105-040-0015. Preference will only be given if the applicant meets the minimum qualifications and any special qualifications for the position and electronically attach the required documentation at the time of application.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED:

  • MEMBER COPY 4 of the Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214 or 215) – OR – Letter from the US Dept. of Veterans Affairs indicating a non-service connected pension.
  • Disabled Veterans must also submit a copy of their Veterans disability preference letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs. 

For information regarding Veteran's Preference qualifications, visit the following website: http://www.oregonjobs.org/DAS/STJOBS/vetpoints.shtmlq

NON-DISCRIMINATION

It is the policy of Southwestern Oregon Community College Board of Education that there will be no discrimination or harassment on the grounds of race, color, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, political affiliation, parental status, veteran status or disability in any educational programs, activities or employment. Persons having questions about equal opportunity and nondiscrimination should contact Vice President of Administrative Services in Tioga 511. Phone 541-888-7206 or TDD 541-888-7368. All other issues, concerns, and complaints should also be directed to the Vice President of Administrative Services for referral to the appropriate Manager.

Annual Campus Crime/Annual Fire Safety (Clery Act) Report

The "Jeanne Clery Disclosure for Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act" (formerly the Campus Security Act) is a federal law that requires institutions of higher education to disclose campus security information, including crime statistics for the campus and surrounding area. As a current or prospective Southwestern student or employee, you have a right to obtain a copy of this information. You may review this information here: Annual Campus Crime/Annual Fire Safety (Clery Act) Report. You may also obtain a hard copy of this information upon request by contacting Administrative Services at 541-888-7206.