What are the responsibilities and job description for the Specialist, Protected Leaves and Accounting position at Portland State University, College of Urban and Public Affairs?
Position Announcement
Position Details
Proposed Start Date 10/01/2025 Classification Title Human Resources & Organizational Development Rank N - No Rank Working Title Specialist, Protected Leaves and Accounting Department 600300 - HRC Human Resource Center Position Number D90871 Representation UU - Unclassified Unrepresented Renewable Renewable End date, if applicable Position FTE 1.0 Tenure Status N - not applicable
Position Summary
Brief Description of PSU/School/Dept
Portland State University is Oregon’s most affordable public research university, located in the heart of one of America’s most dynamic cities. Our mission to “let knowledge serve the city” reflects our dedication to turning ideas into action — in Portland and around the world. The city is our campus, giving students unmatched access to career connections, a vibrant cultural scene and hands-on learning experiences with hundreds of community partners.
More than 27,000 students from all backgrounds bring diverse perspectives to our classrooms and campus life, from the tree-lined Park Blocks to the bustling Urban Plaza and state-of-the-art science labs. We are proud of our world-class faculty, groundbreaking research and international reputation for excellence in sustainability, community engagement and innovation.
The Office of Human Resources is committed to providing quality service that enables all employees to contribute at their highest level to support the mission of the University. We serve the PSU community in the areas of employee recruitment and retention, benefits, leaves, payroll, and many more.
Position Summary
The Protected Leaves & Accounting Specialist contributes to the effective administration of employee leave programs and the coordination of related financial processes at PSU. This hybrid role ensures leave compliance with federal and state leave laws (e.g., FMLA/OFLA, ADA, PLO/PFML), collective bargaining agreements, and institutional policies, while also providing accounting support related to payroll, benefits, and leave accruals.
The role requires collaboration across HR and other administrative offices to ensure accurate reporting and budgeting. This position reports to the Director of Employee & Labor Relations, Benefits & Leaves.
Minimum Qualifications
Education & Experience:
Contributes to a culture of environmental stewardship, practices resource conservation, and actively works toward achieving long-term sustainability goals.
Work Days/Hours Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm Total Compensation Range & Benefits Statement
Salary is dependent on several factors, and new employees will typically start around the Q1 level to allow for later growth within the salary band. PSU has a structured process for determining starting compensation, taking into account years of related experience, applicable skills, knowledge and abilities, market parity, and internal equity.
The starting annual salary for this position will be between $49,140 and $51,684, but may be negotiated above this range dependent upon the factors above, the budget of the hiring department, and approval from HR.
An excellent benefits package includes 95% premium paid healthcare; a generous retirement and vacation package; and reduced tuition rates for employee, spouse or dependent at any of the Oregon University System schools.
Please visit our total compensation calculator to see the full value of our benefits package.
Application Instructions
Additional Information
Special Working Conditions
Please list the names, telephone numbers and email addresses for three professional references.
Does this position require the employee to drive a motor vehicle? No Background Check Required Yes Position End Date (if applicable) If you have questions
Please email employment@pdx.edu.
Search Details
Posting Close Date Projected Close Date for Posting Open Until Finalists Identified Application screening begins 08/05/2025 Quick Link https://jobs.hrc.pdx.edu/postings/47975
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Required Documents
Position Details
Proposed Start Date 10/01/2025 Classification Title Human Resources & Organizational Development Rank N - No Rank Working Title Specialist, Protected Leaves and Accounting Department 600300 - HRC Human Resource Center Position Number D90871 Representation UU - Unclassified Unrepresented Renewable Renewable End date, if applicable Position FTE 1.0 Tenure Status N - not applicable
Position Summary
Brief Description of PSU/School/Dept
Portland State University is Oregon’s most affordable public research university, located in the heart of one of America’s most dynamic cities. Our mission to “let knowledge serve the city” reflects our dedication to turning ideas into action — in Portland and around the world. The city is our campus, giving students unmatched access to career connections, a vibrant cultural scene and hands-on learning experiences with hundreds of community partners.
More than 27,000 students from all backgrounds bring diverse perspectives to our classrooms and campus life, from the tree-lined Park Blocks to the bustling Urban Plaza and state-of-the-art science labs. We are proud of our world-class faculty, groundbreaking research and international reputation for excellence in sustainability, community engagement and innovation.
The Office of Human Resources is committed to providing quality service that enables all employees to contribute at their highest level to support the mission of the University. We serve the PSU community in the areas of employee recruitment and retention, benefits, leaves, payroll, and many more.
Position Summary
The Protected Leaves & Accounting Specialist contributes to the effective administration of employee leave programs and the coordination of related financial processes at PSU. This hybrid role ensures leave compliance with federal and state leave laws (e.g., FMLA/OFLA, ADA, PLO/PFML), collective bargaining agreements, and institutional policies, while also providing accounting support related to payroll, benefits, and leave accruals.
The role requires collaboration across HR and other administrative offices to ensure accurate reporting and budgeting. This position reports to the Director of Employee & Labor Relations, Benefits & Leaves.
Minimum Qualifications
Education & Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field plus a minimum 1 year of experience administering protected leaves and/or performing accounting or payroll functions; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Demonstrated experience administering or coordinating projects or programs.
- Proficiency in Excel (including pivot tables, VLOOKUP, and formulas).
- Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills, with a service-oriented mindset.
- High attention to detail and strong analytical thinking.
- Ability to manage confidential data appropriately and exercise sound judgment.
- Organizational skills to manage multiple tasks and meet compliance timelines.
- Ability to work independently and as a team member.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and professionally through email, in person and via telephone.
- Ability to handle ambiguity and adapt to changing rules, regulations, and policies.
- Proficient using Google Suite
- Demonstrated strong attention to detail.
- Demonstrated ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality and professionalism at all times.
- Demonstrated commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity.
- Experience working with union-represented employees and an understanding of collective bargaining agreements is highly preferred.
- SHRM-CP or PHR
- Certificate in School Business Management (CSBM)
- CPA or coursework in governmental/educational accounting (preferred but not required)
- Experience with education-focused ERP or HR systems (e.g., PowerSchool, PeopleSoft, Frontline, Escape, Banner).
- Familiarity with governmental accounting principles and fund accounting is a plus.
- Create an environment that acknowledges, encourages, and celebrates differences.
- Function and communicate effectively and respectfully within the context of varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities, and cultural backgrounds.
- Seek opportunities to gain experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings with a willingness to change for continual improvement.
- Adhere to all of PSU’s policies including the policies on Prohibited Discrimination & Harassment and the Professional Standards of Conduct.
Contributes to a culture of environmental stewardship, practices resource conservation, and actively works toward achieving long-term sustainability goals.
Work Days/Hours Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm Total Compensation Range & Benefits Statement
Salary is dependent on several factors, and new employees will typically start around the Q1 level to allow for later growth within the salary band. PSU has a structured process for determining starting compensation, taking into account years of related experience, applicable skills, knowledge and abilities, market parity, and internal equity.
The starting annual salary for this position will be between $49,140 and $51,684, but may be negotiated above this range dependent upon the factors above, the budget of the hiring department, and approval from HR.
An excellent benefits package includes 95% premium paid healthcare; a generous retirement and vacation package; and reduced tuition rates for employee, spouse or dependent at any of the Oregon University System schools.
Please visit our total compensation calculator to see the full value of our benefits package.
Application Instructions
Additional Information
Special Working Conditions
- Typical fast-paced office environment working with frequent interruptions and background noise.
- Repetitive hand/wrist/arm movements on a computer keyboard.
- Sitting for long periods of time in front of a computer terminal.
- Occasionally stoop, bend, lift, push, and carry items.
- This position works on the PSU campus. The supervisor may approve remote work for one day a week, following the training period.
Please list the names, telephone numbers and email addresses for three professional references.
Does this position require the employee to drive a motor vehicle? No Background Check Required Yes Position End Date (if applicable) If you have questions
Please email employment@pdx.edu.
Search Details
Posting Close Date Projected Close Date for Posting Open Until Finalists Identified Application screening begins 08/05/2025 Quick Link https://jobs.hrc.pdx.edu/postings/47975
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
- * Briefly describe how you meet the minimum qualification of "Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field plus a minimum 1 year of experience administering protected leaves and/or performing accounting or payroll functions; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience." (Open Ended Question)
- * Please evaluate your experience and skill level using MS Excel, based on the following options:
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced/Expert
- * How did you first find out about this position?
- PSU Website
- Indeed.com
- HERCJobs
- Urban League of Portland
- Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber
- Oregon Employment Department
- Social Media
- Person Referral
- Career Builder
- Glass Door
- Other - Please describe in the next Question
- If you selected Other, please describe. (Open Ended Question)
Required Documents
- Resume
- Cover Letter
- Professional References
Salary : $49,140 - $51,684