HR Specialist - Benefits and Compliance

Flyknoxville; Alcoa (TN); On-site; USD 54,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Vacation leave

Sick leave

401(a) retirement

Job summary

The Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority (MKAA) is seeking a non-exempt HR Specialist focused on Benefits and Compliance to administer benefits programs, manage leave, and reconcile expenses. This on-site role requires attention to regulatory requirements and collaboration within a small HR team.

Ideal candidates will have a Bachelor's degree in business/HR with 2+ years in HR, and a willingness to handle various HR tasks including workers’ compensation and OSHA records.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, human resources, or related field is required or beneficial.
• At least 2 years of experience in human resources, benefits administration, absence/leave management, and reconciliation of benefits expenses.
• Certification in HR/benefits is not required but helpful.

Responsibilities

• Administer and maintain employee benefits programs including medical/dental/vision and retirement plans.
• Reconcile benefits expenses with elections and ensure accurate billing across providers.
• Provide guidance on leave options in line with policies and laws (FMLA, ADA, Workers' Comp).
• Support worker’s compensation activities and OSHA recordkeeping.
• Back up other HR employees as needed and assist with HR programs and events.

Skills

Regulatory compliance

Confidentiality

Organizational skills

Excel

MS Office

Time management

Communication skills

Customer service

Multi-tasking

Relationship building

Education

Bachelor's degree in business or HR

Associate’s degree with 4+ years in HR/Benefits

Tools

MS Office Suite

Excel for reconciliations

Job description

ABOUT US: THE METROPOLITAN KNOXVILLE AIRPORT AUTHORITY

The Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority (MKAA) was established in 1978 as a nonprofit agency to own and operate the city's aviation system, McGhee Tyson Airport and Downtown Island Airport, and has recently celebrated a full 88-years in service to the East Tennessee area. Being centrally located within a one day's drive or a few hours flight from major cities, MKAA continues to be integral to the air transportation system. If you are interested in helping contribute to the future success of the McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) and Downtown Island Airport (DKX), please read further.

The Position

We are currently seeking a non-exempt Human Resources (HR) Specialist, primarily focused on Benefits and Compliance. In this role, you will be responsible for administering and maintaining employee benefits programs and communications, compliance with leave management requirements and processes, reconciling benefits expenses with benefits elections, and supporting worker’s compensation activities. As part of a small team, this position also supports other activities within human resources operations. This is a fully on-site position, and at times, will require some overtime.

Responsibilities

Benefits Administration

• Administer and maintain employee benefits programs, including fully-insured health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance; retirement plans, and other related offerings;
• Support new hire orientation and on-boarding/off-boarding of benefits
• Respond to employee inquiries regarding benefits, eligibility, coverage, and claims
• Plan annual benefits open enrollment and prepare materials for distribution to employees; support the benefits portion of employee orientations and out-processing
• Coordinate with external benefit providers to ensure accurate and timely processing of benefit inquiries and qualifying events
• Maintain accurate records and prepare reports on benefits enrollment, participation, and cost
• Assist in the development and implementation of benefit policies and procedures
• Stay up-to-date on industry trends and changes in regulations related to employee benefits

Benefits Expense Reconciliation

• Reconcile benefits expenses with benefits elections to ensure accurate billing and payment of benefits across varied providers
• Work with benefit providers and finance teams to ensure accurate and timely reconciliation of benefits expenses
• Identify and resolve discrepancies in benefits expenses and benefits elections

Leave Management

• Provide guidance on leave options in accordance with company policies, and federal and state regulations
• Work with managers and employees to develop and implement effective absence and leave management strategies
• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations related to absence and leave management including FMLA, ADA, and Worker’s Compensation
• Raise awareness of issues needing further review to HR leads

Other Administration

• Assist the HR Department in all HR programs and employee events
• Administer and maintain worker’s compensation program
• Process and maintain OSHA’s recordkeeping files
• In a team environment, assist to back-up other HR employees in their absence
• General filing and additional duties as assigned in support of the HR Department

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate for this position will have a Bachelor's degree in business, human resources, or a related field. He or she will also have at least 2 years of experience in human resources, benefits administration, absence/leave management, and reconciliation of benefits expenses. Certification in HR, benefits or a related area is not required but helpful.

Minimum Qualifications

An Associate’s degree with 4 or more years of experience in related benefits administration, absence/leave management, reconciliation of benefits expenses, and/or human resources may also be considered.

Skills and Abilities Needed

• experience in and knowledge of federal and state regulations related to employee benefits and absence/leave management
• ability to maintain strict confidentiality of personal information
• excellent organizational and time management skills
• advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel for reconciliations; financial acumen
• proficiency with applicable software including MS Office Suite
• attention to detail and deadlines
• strong communication and customer service skills
• can be effective while assisting people during times of difficultly or high emotion toll
• multi-tasking skills and comfort with continuous learning
• ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships
• some project and event coordination experience
• enjoys working in both a collaborative team environment, as well, independently
• understands and applies records management and documentation

Salary and Compensation

The salary rate for this non-exempt position is $53,605 - $69,686 per year. MKAA offers a very competitive benefit package for this position, including medical/dental/vision benefits, disability/life insurance, vacation leave, sick leave, and a 401(a) retirement program. Final salary offer will be dependent upon experience.

Application Deadline

Sunday, October 4, 2026. Position open until filled.

Selection Process

Applications (and additional documents, if applicable) will be reviewed to identify applicants whose qualifications most closely meet the needs of the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority. Employment process includes a security background check and physical (if applicable), which includes drug testing.

TheMetropolitan Knoxville Airport Authoritycomplies with theTennessee Lawful Employment Actand federal law by participating inE-Verify. All post-offer new hires are verified electronically to confirm authorization to work in the United States.

Applicantsmust be currently authorized to work in the United States on a long‑term basis.

MKAAconducts random employee drug screenings.

MKAA is anEqual Employment Opportunity Employer