Department HR Specialist

NC State College of Engineering; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 34,000 - 71,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

Tuition assistance

Paid time off

12 holidays

Retirement programs

Job summary

NC State College of Engineering seeks an HR Specialist to provide comprehensive HR services for the Dean's Office/Administration within the COE. You will manage recruitment, onboarding, classifications, and records while coordinating with campus partners on policies and procedures.

You will also handle visa sponsorships (J-1, H-1B), time and leave administration, and faculty-related processes, ensuring data integrity and responsive service across departments.

Qualifications

• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills with experience interpreting complex policies for diverse audiences.
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities and high-volume deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Hands-on experience coordinating J-1 and H-1B visa sponsorships and federal compliance.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive HR support to the College of Engineering within an HR hub model.
• Coordinate recruitment, onboarding, classification, and personnel actions across departments.
• Oversee visa sponsorships (J-1, H-1B) and monitor end-dates to maintain work authorization.
• Serve as a department authority on HR compliance and handle non-standard payroll and leave issues.

Skills

Verbal and written communication

Discretion and judgment

Time management

Policy interpretation

HR systems knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of training and experience

Degrees from accredited institutions

Job description

Posting Details

Job Posting Information

Posting Number PG195223SP Internal Recruitment No Working Title Department HR Specialist Anticipated Hiring Range Commensurate with education and experience Work Schedule Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Job Location Raleigh, NC Department College Of Engineering - Dean's Office/Administration

About the Department

The College of Engineering (COE) Human Resources office, situated within the Dean’s Office, serves as the central strategic HR partner for the entire College. We provide comprehensive human resources services and coordination across our nine academic departments, multidisciplinary programs like Operations Research and Integrated Manufacturing Systems Engineering, and the Industry Extension Services (IES). Our dedicated team also manages all personnel aspects for the College’s extensive Distance Education Programs. We are responsible for coordinating and servicing all personnel actions, from recruitment to retirement, and maintaining official personnel records for the College.

You Belong Here! At NC State, our goal is for all employees to reach their fullest potential at work. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Proposition (https://news.hr.ncsu.edu/you-belong-here/) and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.

Wolfpack Perks and Benefits

As a Pack member, you belong here,, and can enjoy exclusive perks designed to enhance your personal and professional well-being. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Proposition and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.

What We Offer

• Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Flexible Spending Account
• Retirement Programs
• Disability Plans
• Life Insurance
• Accident Plan
• Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs
• 12 Holidays Each Year
• Tuition and Academic Assistance
• And so much more!

Attain Work-life balance with our Childcare benefits, Wellness & Recreation Membership, and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community.

Disclaimer: Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part-Time or Full-Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered.

Essential Job Duties

Reporting to the HR Strategy Partner, the HR Specialist provides comprehensive human resources support to the College of Engineering within an HR Operating Hub service-delivery model. The position coordinates and administers a broad range of HR activities across multiple academic departments, including employee classification and personnel actions, recruitment and onboarding, performance management, time and leave administration, visa sponsorship, employee records, and faculty-related processes. The role requires careful handling of confidential and sensitive information while maintaining accurate, timely, and consistent HR services.

In this role, you will independently manage HR processes from initiation through completion, balancing competing priorities and deadlines across multiple departments. You will serve as a key resource to faculty, staff, students and department leadership by interpreting and applying HR policies and procedures across different employee classifications, coordinating with College and University partners, and communicating complex information clearly. Your attention to detail, sound judgment, professionalism, and commitment to responsive service will help ensure employees and departments receive consistent and effective HR support.

Key Responsibilities & Scope

• Full-Lifecycle Personnel Administration: Manage end-to-end HR actions across all employee classifications (Tenured/Tenure Track and Professional Faculty, Staff, Post-docs, Unpaid Affiliations, temporary and Students).
• High-Stakes Academic Actions: Facilitate complex faculty processes, including Phased Retirement, Scholarly Leave assignments, Emeritus requests, and Tenure Clock extensions.
• Advanced Consultation & Problem Solving: Serve as a departmental authority on HR compliance; independently research and resolve non-standard personnel, payroll, and leave issues.
• Strategic Partnering: Working with the HR Strategy Partner, collaborate with Department Heads and Directors to translate complex University policies into clear, actionable advice while anticipating workflow bottlenecks.
• International Employment: Serve as the primary contact for non-immigrant international visa sponsorships (J-1, H-1B), managing submissions and monitoring end-dates to prevent gaps in work authorization.
• Payroll, Compensation & Leave: Oversee complex WolfTime leave management (biweekly and monthly), serve as the primary initiator for Additional Pay and Summer Salary, review the overpayment process and ensure payroll lockout compliance.
• Team Guidance & Process Optimization: Provide on-the-job training and advanced troubleshooting for Journey-level specialists, evaluating Hub workflows to improve service delivery.
• Records Governance & Approvals: Serve as the final HR approval authority for graduate student appointments and maintain official department records in accordance with retention policies.

Other Responsibilities

Other duties as assigned across the hub

Qualifications

Minimum Experience/Education

Bachelor’s degree; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of training and experience from an accredited institution.
• Demonstrated ability to independently research, fact-find, and creatively solve complex HR challenges with sound judgment and discretion.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills with experience interpreting complex policies for diverse audiences.
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities and high-volume deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Direct HR experience within NC State University, including working knowledge of NC State personnel policies and enterprise systems (PeopleSoft, WolfTime, PeopleAdmin).
• Hands‑on experience coordinating J-1 and H-1B visa sponsorships and federal compliance.
• Prior experience in a higher education, research, or HR Shared Services/Hub environment.

Required License or Certification

N/A

Valid NC Driver's License required No Commercial Driver's License Required? No

Recruitment Dates and Special Instructions

Job Open Date 09/21/2026 Earliest Close Date---- (Positions will be posted until 5:00 PM ET on this date. Positions remaining posted after this date are still accepting applications but may close at any time.) 09/28/2026 Notice to Applicants Special Instructions

Position Details

Position Number 00109687 Position Type SHRA Position Classification Band Title Human Resources Specialist Position Classification Band Level Advanced Position Classification Salary Range $ 34,320 - $ 70,983 Salary Grade Equivalency NC09 Alternate Option

If no applicants apply who meet the required competency level and training & experience requirements, then management may consider other applicants. Salary would be determined based on competencies, equity, budget, and market considerations.

Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week) 1.0 Appointment 12 Month Recurring Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather Non Mandatory - Adverse Weather Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events Non Mandatory - Emergency Event Time Limited Position No Time-Limited Appointment Length (if applicable) Department Id 140101 - College Of Engineering - Dean's Office/Administration EEO

NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.

If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at [phone] or [e-mail].

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.

NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.