Human Resources Facilitator Program

Human Resources Facilitators (HRFs) are employees in University departments who process permanent, temporary or student personnel actions; handle leave, benefits or payroll matters for their department; or who supervise a work group that performs these functions. Most departments, schools, programs or curricula will have at least one HRF; many departments have several.

The Communications Director in the Office of Human Resources coordinates the HR Facilitator program and is a key contact person for Facilitators. 

New HR Facilitators, Facilitators who are changing departments, and Facilitators who are leaving their positions and need to be removed from the list should click here. Complete the form with the appropriate information and click Submit.

Deans, Directors, and Department chairs designate the HRFs for their departments. 

Because much information is communicated to departments through the HR Facilitator, it is important that departments keep in contact with the Communications Director in the Office of Human Resources regarding the arrival, departure and changing of HR Facilitators within the department.

Click here to join the HR Facilitator list, change departments or be deleted from the list.

Our primary mode of communication with HR Facilitators on a day-to-day basis is through a campus email listserv. Emails may include information about changes to policies, new training or discount programs, benefits changes or enrollment period, legislative actions and other HR-related policies and programs.

Only facilitators are eligible to be listed on the listserv. Some emails are specifically for HR Facilitators in the work that they do with the Office of Human Resources. However, many of these messages are sent so that HRFs can share the information with their co-workers. HRFs are asked to forward or otherwise distribute this information whenever appropriate.

Departments are strongly encouraged to have a "back-up" if the HR Facilitator is going to be away from the office so that emails may continue to be forwarded as needed.

Sending messages from the email list is limited to HR personnel to ensure that only HR-related information is distributed. All emails and attachments are archived on the HR website.

HR WEB SITE: The primary resource for HR Facilitators on HR policies, programs, and procedures is the Human Resources Web site. If HRFs have any difficulty finding particular information on the site, they should contact the Communications Director in the Office of Human Resources. We encourage you to take some time to explore the site and become familiar with its organization and offerings.

HR SYSTEMS TRAINING: Because HR Facilitators are often responsible for initiating personnel actions for their departments, you should first consider the appropriate systems training. Each of the classes below is held monthly. HR Systems training classes include:

• Human Resource Information System (HRIS) training: This computer-based classroom training introduces you to the HRIS system and leads you step-by-step through the types of employee actions for SPA permanent employees, SPA temporary employees and student employees. 
• EPAWeb training: Learn how to navigate the EPAWeb Personnel Action System, and gain an understanding of the new processes and terminology. Examine the process of how personnel actions are to be completed for EPA Faculty, EPA Non Faculty and EPA Students.
• HR Data Warehouse training: This class is designed to teach the user how to access and use the HR Data Warehouse. During the class we will explore the different report formats and fields available, as well as prepare some sample reports.
• SPA RecruitmentWeb training: Available online at www.recruitmentwebtraining.unc.edu.

HR FACILITATOR CERTIFICATE TRACK: We recommend that all new HR Facilitators strongly consider enrolling in the HR Facilitator certificate track. This track is for any employee who wants to gain knowledge on appropriate application of University human resource policies. These programs provide the opportunity to learn more about personnel policies and programs, to practice resolving workplace issues effectively, and to discuss frequent or complex personnel issues and possible solutions with University colleagues. (This series does not include direct HR Systems training.)

Requirements include five core courses, three electives and one capstone. Participants who apply for this track must complete all coursework within three years of their application date.

The five core courses are:

• Supervisory Resources
• Managing Classification & Compensation for SPA Employees 
• SPA Hiring: From Posting to Probation 
• Performance Management of SPA Employees 
• Determining Cause for Disciplinary Action (SPA)

SUPERVISORY RESOURCES / EPA MANAGEMENT BASICS: If you do not choose to pursue the HR Facilitator certificate track, you must still complete Supervisory Resources training as soon as possible.

This course is readily available online. Username is supervisor; password is training. A classroom version is held approximately every six months.

This comprehensive training program highlights SPA resources available at UNC-Chapel Hill. This course is designed to assist potential supervisors, managers, faculty members, department heads, and other administrators in daily activities, procedural issues, employee problems, and other related issues. 

HR Facilitators with EPA responsibilities should consider EPA Management Basics, a comprehensive training session covering basic position establishment, employment and management policies and procedures for EPA personnel. Additional topics include: policies relating to leave of absence, vacation and sick leave, salary increase processes, contract periods and overload payments.

OTHER TRAINING RESOURCES: Numerous policy and other training sessions are offered that may be of interest to HR Facilitators. You're encouraged to look online or in the semi-annual Training & Development Program Guide to seek out additional sessions that meet your needs.

You can see current schedules and register for any of the above training programs at the Online Training Registration Web site. Look in the University Operations category.

HR Facilitator Meetings are held quarterly to share information on new or upcoming policies and programs in Human Resources and to provide a forum for questions and concerns from Facilitators. The meetings are offered in two locations across campus so that HRFs may select the meeting date, time, and location that is most convenient  Meetings are advertised through the HR Facilitator mailing list and on the HR website, and meeting minutes are emailed to the HRF list and archived on the HR website after each round.

This award is given to one HR Facilitator each year to recognize overall excellence in performance and contribution to their department and to the University. Customer service, ambassadorship and teamwork are among the factors considered. Colleagues familiar with their job performance nominate Facilitators for the award, and the HR Facilitator Award Selection Committee chooses the recipient.

The recipient of the HR Facilitator of the Year is announced at an annual awards reception, usually in June. HRFs who have completed their certification training in the same fiscal year are also recognized at this event.