The Office of Human Resources, a unit of the Office of the Executive Dean of Agriculture and Natural Resources, oversees functions that support personnel at the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences and the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station. We are the first point of contact for issues related to the recruitment of faculty and staff, acting pay, reclassification requests, appointment changes, overtime requests, performance and compensation systems, salary-in-grade requests, layoffs, terminations, resignations, disciplinary issues, and affirmative action. We also manage sabbaticals, competitive leave fellowships, along with the promotion and tenure processes for tenure-track, and non-tenure track faculty.
Paul Elwood is responsible for the overall leadership and management of the Office of Human Resources which serves the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences and the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station. He develops and implements the policies and procedures associated with human resource functions and is also responsible for administrative leadership and support for all matters related to the hiring, reappointment, promotion, and tenure process for faculty. In addition, Paul is responsible for the interpretation and enforcement of employment terms covered by collective bargaining agreements and serves as a university representative in personnel-related activities including affirmative action, grievances, and harassment compliance.
Teresa Pergher, Master's in Labor and Employment Relations
Assistant Director
848-932-3683
tpergher@sebs.rutgers.edu
Teresa is responsible for providing direction and advisement to all SEBS departments on staff personnel-related matters. She manages the school's annual staff hiring plan process and develops/implements policies and procedures to support staff functions as it relates to recruitment, compensation analysis for salary offers, in-grades increases, reclassifications, acting appointments, and assists departments with salary benchmark data in order to prioritize equity across the school.
She serves as the school's staff representative for layoffs, progressive discipline, and is the liaison for workplace complaints.
Brianna Ortega (She/Her/Ella)
Personnel Manager
Director of Communications for CUPA-HR New Jersey's Chapter
848-932-3707
b.ortega@rutgers.edu
Brianna is the first line of contact for human resources inquiries and provides guidance to departments/units. As the primary school's approver, she reviews and approves all new hires, reappointments, and other transactions in HCM and is responsible for ensuring compliance of offer letters, contracts, and all staff actions. Additionally, Brianna reviews and approves all request types for Class 3, Class 4, Class 5, Class 6.
Oversees staff initiatives and serves as a facilitator for all Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion workshops. Brianna completes other work consistent with a broad understanding of the mission and goals of the Office of Human Resources at SEBS. Brianna also serves on the CUPA-HR New Jersey Chapter as the Director of Communications.
The Administrative Diversity Coordinator will play a key role in assisting the human resources office with embracing the University's mission of diversity, equity, and inclusion with a focus recruitment of under-utilized and underrepresented populations. As the Administrative Coordinator, will seek recruitment sourcing strategies and applications (advertising and memberships) are key in ensuring a diverse pool of applicants for vacant positions. Examines Class 4s in ROCS. Reviews class 4s and class 5s for rate exceedances.
The Administrative Diversity Coordinator also serves as the HCM preparer for SEBS-HR, performing routine HCM checks and responding to departmental inquiries, and serves as a liaison on OneSource and HCM transactional matters.
Process all system access requests and updates OHR's website routinely. Coordinates meetings and assists with special projects, as needed. Completes other work consistent with a broad understanding of the mission and goals of the Office of Human Resources at SEBS.