Department HR Specialist

North Carolina State University; United States; On-site; USD 34,000 - 71,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Flexible Spending Account

Retirement Programs

Disability Plans

Life Insurance

Accident Plan

Paid Time Off

12 Holidays Each Year

Tuition and Academic Assistance

Childcare benefits

Wellness & Recreation Membership

Wellness Programs

Job summary

NC State University’s College of Engineering seeks an HR Specialist to provide comprehensive HR support across departments within an HR hub. You will manage classifications, onboarding, performance, time and leave, visas, and records with confidentiality and accuracy.

You will partner with department leaders to translate policies into clear guidance, handle complex faculty actions, and ensure timely, compliant HR services for faculty, staff, postdocs, and students.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• End-to-end HR actions across all employee classifications (Tenured/Tenure Track and Professional Faculty, Staff, Post-docs, Unpaid Affiliations, temporary and Students).
• Facilitate complex faculty processes, including Phased Retirement, Scholarly Leave assignments, Emeritus requests, and Tenure Clock extensions.
• Research and resolve non-standard HR issues with sound judgment and discretion.
• Translate complex University policies into clear, actionable advice with Department Heads and Directors.
• Coordinate J-1 and H-1B visa sponsorships and monitor end-dates to prevent gaps in work authorization.
• Oversee WolfTime leave management, Additional Pay, and Summer Salary processes; ensure payroll compliance.
• Provide on-the-job training and troubleshooting for Journey-level specialists; improve hub workflows.
• Maintain official department records and graduate student appointment approvals.

Skills

Research skills

Policy interpretation

Time management

Communication skills

Visa sponsorship

HR experience

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

PeopleSoft

WolfTime

PeopleAdmin

Job description

Posting Details

• 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

• 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

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.