The University of Houston’s recently launched Online Job Services (OJS) saves paper and time while offering more efficient application processing on campus.

“The entire hiring process has been automated,” said Sara Chelette, compensation analyst for the department and team leader for OJS implementation. “Being completely paperless, it can save hiring managers more than a week when filling positions.”

When requesting positions to be filled or tracking applications, hiring managers can visit the department’s Web site at http://www.uh.edu/admin/hr/, click on “OJS for UH Departments” and enter their user names and passwords. Those who have not registered a user name or password can do so at this site as well.

“Once logged in, a manager can request a job posting,” Chelette said. “When that request passes all departmental, college and provost approvals, human resources will approve the request and post the position.”

There still is a minimum posting period in which hiring managers will not be able to view applications for five to 10 days after they have been submitted into the OJS system. Despite the waiting period, all applications received by OJS will be reviewed in a timely manner and disseminated electronically to hiring managers.

“Before OJS, human resources personnel had to review each applicant’s qualifications, copy the applications and send them via inter-office mail to the hiring managers,” Chelette said. “Now, OJS will review all applicants’ minimum qualifications electronically, and we can forward applications to department managers with the touch of a button.”

Those applying for jobs also must create a user name and password. This information will be used for each applicant’s personal account. The account will contain the status of the positions an applicant has applied for. Applicants will be able to log in their account to update information, apply for positions and upload resumés.

Computer terminals are available the Department of Human Resources’ Room 347 in McElhinney Hall for applicants who elect to apply for jobs in person.

OJS is a product of PeopleAdmin, which manufactures recruitment software for higher education agencies. Among the other universities that utilize PeopleAdmin software are The University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University and Texas Southern University.

OJS training sessions for UH faculty and staff members will be held from 9 – 11 a.m. on Aug. 18 and Aug. 30 in Room 107 of the Graduate School of Social Work Building. To register for these training courses, e-mail hrtraining@uh.edu and include a name, phone number, e-mail address and inter-office mail code.

Mike Emery
memery@central.uh.edu