Human Resources

At UNC Pembroke, our greatest strength lies in our people — the dedicated faculty, staff, and students who shape our community daily. Whether you're a prospective employee, a new team member or have decades of service with UNCP, Human Resources supports your journey with purpose, opportunity and a sense of belonging. Join a university that encourages collaboration, promotes professional growth and empowers every employee to make a lasting impact on our students and community.

You Belong Here

Explore the benefits of working at UNCP — from comprehensive health plans and competitive compensation to career development and wellness initiatives. Join a university that values diversity, fosters innovation and empowers every employee to make a lasting impact on our students and community.

We’re excited about the possibility of you becoming part of the BraveNation family, where your contributions matter and growth is our priority.

Explore Open Positions
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Classifications & Compensation

UNCP, as part of the North Carolina University System, utilizes the Office of State Human Resources Career Banding system to classify and compensate SHRA (Subject to the State Human Resources Act) and EHRA (Exempt from the State Human Resources Act) positions, our structured approach to job classification helps create transparency, consistency, and room for professional growth. This means a clear understanding of job expectations, career pathways and how your role fits into the broader university community.

At UNCP, we use the Career Banding system — a UNC System-wide approach — to classify and compensate SHRA (Subject to the State Human Resources Act) positions.

This system groups similar jobs based on the skills and knowledge they require, and each role is assigned a competency level: Contributing, Journey, or Advanced. Our Classification and Compensation team helps ensure every position is clearly defined and fairly evaluated, so you know where you stand and how you can grow.

As part of the UNC System, most positions at UNCP fall under the State Human Resources Act (SHRA). However, some roles are classified as EHRA—which stands for Exempt from the Human Resources Act. These include:

  • Faculty
  • Exempt Professional Staff (EPS)
  • Senior Academic & Administrative Officers (SAAOs)

EHRA positions are central to the university’s mission. They focus on teaching, research, public service, or professional-level work that directly supports those activities. These roles require a high level of expertise and independent judgment, especially in shaping and evaluating academic or service-related programs.

To designate a position as EHRA, UNCP’s Office of Human Resources submits a request to the UNC System Office. The final decision is made by the UNC System President, who issues formal approval.

EHRA positions typically require an advanced degree (master’s degree or above) or equivalent independent experience in comparable instructional or educational activities or a comparable record of independent research productivity.

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is a federal law regulated by the United States Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division. The FLSA affects employees in the private sector and in Federal, State, and local governments, and covers five major areas:

  • Employee Status
  • Child Labor
  • Minimum Wage
  • Overtime Pay
  • Record Keeping

Positions may be classified as FLSA nonexempt or FLSA exempt based on salary level, salary basis, and job duties. The FLSA status of a position is determined by Human Resources Classification and Compensation and Position Management.

FLSA nonexempt employees are eligible for overtime compensation and are required to complete bi-weekly time sheets.  FLSA Subject employees whose regular work schedule is forty hours per week may be eligible for overtime compensation in the form of compensatory time off at time and a half for all hours worked in excess of forty hours. 

FLSA exempt employees are ineligible for overtime pay.

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Benefits

At UNC Pembroke, we are committed to supporting the well-being and success of our faculty and staff by offering a comprehensive range of benefit programs and services. These benefits are designed to enhance the overall employment experience and reflect our dedication to providing a supportive, balanced and rewarding work environment.

Eligible employees have access to comprehensive medical coverage through the State Health Plan, which offers two Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) options — the 70/30 Plan and the 80/20 Plan. These plans cover both in-network and out-of-network care, though in-network services come with lower deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.

The Plan also includes a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) designed to meet Affordable Care Act (ACA) requirements. This option is available only to employees eligible under G.S. §135-48.40(e).

All plans are administered by Aetna, with benefits funded by the state. Regardless of the plan you choose, ACA-required preventive services and medications are covered at 100% when received from an in-network provider.

Permanent employees working 30 or more hours per week and permanent part-time employees working 20 to 29 hours per week are eligible to enroll (note: part-time employees are not eligible for employer contributions). Enrollment must be completed within 30 days of hire, and coverage begins the first day of the following month. Employees can enroll or make changes through BraveWeb, where they can also access Aetna’s Member Portal to manage claims, locate providers and access wellness tools.

eBenefits in BraveWeb Aetna’s Member Portal
The NCFlex Program offers a wide range of pre-tax benefit options, including dental, vision, accident insurance, flexible spending accounts, critical illness, cancer & specified disease plans and TRICARE Supplement. Eligibility and enrollment timelines mirror the State Health Plan.
Learn More About NCFlex
Through a partnership with Securian Financial, the UNC System provides Group Term Life Insurance and Voluntary Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage for employees, spouses or domestic partners and dependent children. Premiums are payroll-deducted, and coverage options can be reviewed online, including cost estimators and special plan features.
Learn More
UNC Pembroke offers a comprehensive leave program designed to support the well-being and work-life balance of its employees. Eligible staff and faculty accrue various types of leave based on their employment classification and years of service. These include vacation leave, sick leave, community service leave and special types such as family and medical leave, military leave and personal observance leave. Leave accruals and usage policies are structured to ensure flexibility while maintaining operational needs, with clear guidelines on carryover limits, approval processes and payout eligibility upon separation.
Policies & Forms

Non-exempt employees earn time and one-half for all hours worked over 40 in a work week. Paid leave time which is not worked such as vacation, sick leave, civil leave, family medical leave and holidays does not count as work time for the purpose of determining overtime. An employee must actually work over 40 hours in a work week in order to earn overtime. Prior to authorizing paid overtime work, the supervisor must insure that funds are available.

Executive, administrative, and professional employees are exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Disability Income Plan of North Carolina
  • The Disability Income Plan of North Carolina (DIPNC) provides monthly replacement income to individuals in the form of short-term disability benefits, extended short-term disability benefits and long-term disability benefits if you become disabled while you are a permanent employee and are enrolled in either the UNC Optional Retirement Program (ORP) or the Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System (TSERS).

Supplemental Disability Plans
  • TSERS and ORP both offer voluntary supplemental disability plans underwritten designed exclusively for university employees who are members of the North Carolina Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System (TSERS) or University of North Carolina Optional Retirement Program (ORP).
Disability Income Plan UNC System Income Protection Benefits

Eligible employees have access to comprehensive medical coverage through the State Health Plan, which offers two Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) options — the 70/30 Plan and the 80/20 Plan. These plans cover both in-network and out-of-network care, though in-network services come with lower deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.

The Plan also includes a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) designed to meet Affordable Care Act (ACA) requirements. This option is available only to employees eligible under G.S. §135-48.40(e).

All plans are administered by Aetna, with benefits funded by the state. Regardless of the plan you choose, ACA-required preventive services and medications are covered at 100% when received from an in-network provider.

Permanent employees working 30 or more hours per week and permanent part-time employees working 20 to 29 hours per week are eligible to enroll (note: part-time employees are not eligible for employer contributions). Enrollment must be completed within 30 days of hire, and coverage begins the first day of the following month. Employees can enroll or make changes through BraveWeb, where they can also access Aetna’s Member Portal to manage claims, locate providers and access wellness tools.

eBenefits in BraveWeb Aetna’s Member Portal
The NCFlex Program offers a wide range of pre-tax benefit options, including dental, vision, accident insurance, flexible spending accounts, critical illness, cancer & specified disease plans and TRICARE Supplement. Eligibility and enrollment timelines mirror the State Health Plan.
Learn More About NCFlex
Through a partnership with Securian Financial, the UNC System provides Group Term Life Insurance and Voluntary Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage for employees, spouses or domestic partners and dependent children. Premiums are payroll-deducted, and coverage options can be reviewed online, including cost estimators and special plan features.
Learn More
UNC Pembroke offers a comprehensive leave program designed to support the well-being and work-life balance of its employees. Eligible staff and faculty accrue various types of leave based on their employment classification and years of service. These include vacation leave, sick leave, community service leave and special types such as family and medical leave, military leave and personal observance leave. Leave accruals and usage policies are structured to ensure flexibility while maintaining operational needs, with clear guidelines on carryover limits, approval processes and payout eligibility upon separation.
Policies & Forms

Non-exempt employees earn time and one-half for all hours worked over 40 in a work week. Paid leave time which is not worked such as vacation, sick leave, civil leave, family medical leave and holidays does not count as work time for the purpose of determining overtime. An employee must actually work over 40 hours in a work week in order to earn overtime. Prior to authorizing paid overtime work, the supervisor must insure that funds are available.

Executive, administrative, and professional employees are exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Disability Income Plan of North Carolina
  • The Disability Income Plan of North Carolina (DIPNC) provides monthly replacement income to individuals in the form of short-term disability benefits, extended short-term disability benefits and long-term disability benefits if you become disabled while you are a permanent employee and are enrolled in either the UNC Optional Retirement Program (ORP) or the Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System (TSERS).

Supplemental Disability Plans
  • TSERS and ORP both offer voluntary supplemental disability plans underwritten designed exclusively for university employees who are members of the North Carolina Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System (TSERS) or University of North Carolina Optional Retirement Program (ORP).
Disability Income Plan UNC System Income Protection Benefits

Retirement Options

Participation in a retirement plan is mandatory for permanent employees working 30 or more hours per week. Employees working less than 30 hours per week are not eligible to participate in the mandatory retirement programs. The two retirement programs available to UNC Pembroke employees are Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System (TSERS) and Optional Retirement Program (ORP).

The Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System (TSERS) is a defined benefit plan designed to provide a reliable and secure retirement for employees of North Carolina public institutions, including the UNC System. Unlike plans that depend on individual investment performance, TSERS offers a guaranteed benefit based on your salary, years of service and a set retirement formula—removing investment risk from the individual.

To become fully vested in the plan, employees must complete five years of membership service, which ensures a permanent right to earned retirement benefits, even if they leave the UNC System.

TSERS also offers additional support through health care, disability, and death benefits funded by the state’s contributions. Whether you're planning for retirement in the near future or just beginning your journey, TSERS is a valuable part of your long-term financial well-being.

TSERS Handbook

Manage TSERS Account

The Optional Retirement Program (ORP) offers a flexible, personalized approach to saving for your future. As a defined contribution plan, the retirement benefits you receive through ORP are based on the total value of your account at retirement—this includes your contributions, the university’s contributions and any earnings from your chosen investments.

You have the opportunity to shape your retirement plan by selecting investment options that align with your goals, and with that choice comes the responsibility of managing investment risk. Each month, you contribute 6% of your salary, while the university contributes 6.84%, supporting not only your retirement savings but also important benefits like retiree health care and disability income.

With TIAA as the current ORP carrier, you’ll have access to trusted resources and tools to help you build a retirement plan that works for you.

UNC System ORP Information

TIAA Representative

Rodney Matthews, Financial Consultant
919.687.5201
rodney.matthews@tiaa.org
Customer Service: 1.800.842.2888

Your UNC System Retirement

UNC Pembroke is committed to supporting your financial well-being by offering a variety of supplemental retirement plans. These plans provide additional opportunities to save for your future, complementing your participation in the Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System (TSERS) or the Optional Retirement Program (ORP).

Available Supplemental Retirement Plans:

TIAA Representative

Rodney Matthews, Financial Consultant
919.687.5201
rodney.matthews@tiaa.org
Customer Service: 1.800.842.2888

Each plan offers unique features to help you tailor your retirement savings strategy to your individual needs. By participating in one or more of these plans, you can take advantage of tax-deferred savings and potentially enhance your retirement income.

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HR Forms

Internal forms related to:

  • ADA
  • Contract, Compensation & Tax
  • Employee Information &Relations
  • Personnel Action
  • Leave
  • Payroll
  • Remote Work
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HR Policies & Procedures

State, UNC System and UNCP policies and procedures related specifically to employment, personnel and human resources.
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Worker's Compensation

Guidance for handling workplace injuries.

The Workers’ Compensation program provides benefits to any employee who suffers disability through accident or occupational disease arising out of, and in the course of employment, according to the provisions of the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act.

Professional Development

We emphasize continuous professional growth and development for faculty and staff through a supportive environment focused on enhancing your skills and knowledge, enabling you to contribute effectively to the university's mission.

Key highlights include:

  • Professional Development Opportunities: The Human Resources Office is dedicated to providing various avenues for professional growth.
  • Percipio Learning Management System (LMS): You'll have access to this online platform for self-paced training, fostering both personal and professional development.
  • Structured Performance Management: The Performance Management Cycle offers a clear framework for assessing performance, providing valuable feedback and guiding your development.
  • Diverse Training Resources: UNCP offers a range of training, including Microsoft 365 and WebEx, along with resources from the Office of State Human Resources and the NC Learning Center.

Our commitment to talent management and development signifies UNCP's investment in its employees' careers and overall success.

Employee Resources
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Equal Employment Opportunity

UNC Pembroke is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The university prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibits discrimination against all individuals based on their age, race, color, genetic information, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression and national origin. 

It is the responsibility of every manager and supervisor to ensure a workplace free of discrimination and harassment. If you feel you have experienced discrimination or harassment, you may:
  • Seek clarification from the UNCP Policy on Unlawful Workplace Harassment

Additional Resources

Discrimination and Harassment Prevention Training is required for all UNCP employees and multiple opportunities are provided annually.

The training focuses on developing awareness and building skills that can be used on the job and helps managers and supervisors understand important employment discrimination laws and how they impact day-to-day managerial decisions. The training is required for all North Carolina State government managers and supervisors who have been hired, promoted or appointed since July 1, 1991. UNCP offers the workshop twice annually.

 

Get In Touch

The professionals in Human Resources are ready to assist you.

Lumbee Hall 347
PO Box 1510
Pembroke, NC 28372
910.521.6279