HR Specialist - Central Office

Arkansas Department of Transportation; Little Rock (AR); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Arkansas Department of Transportation is seeking an HR Generalist to provide broad HR support to hiring managers and Department officials under supervision of the Human Resources Division.

The role emphasizes recruitment, employee programs, policy interpretation, and collaboration with Civil Rights to promote diverse applicant pools, along with handling communications, training, and orientation. A criminal background check is required; the position is at-will.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of human resources management principles, methods, and practices.
• Knowledge of employment law.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Well-developed sense of urgency and follow-through.
• Ability to interpret and apply Department policies and procedures.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and ability to adapt to new technology.
• Ability to maintain strong cooperative working relationships.
• Ability to multi-task and balance multiple priorities.
• Knowledge of compensation management preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide assistance and support to Department management regarding interpretation and administration of Human Resources policies, programs, and procedures.
• Consult with and assist Department management with recruitment, reviewing candidate applications, verifying employment, checking references, scheduling and conducting job interviews, and assisting supervisors with the hiring process.
• Work with Department management and Civil Rights to actively recruit a diverse applicant pool for advertised positions.
• Assist with scheduling various meetings and employee programs and events.
• Assist managers and employees with Human Resources systems and other Department software applications as needed.
• Communicate with internal and external applicants regarding employment and the application/selection process.
• Plan, implement, and deliver professional and creative internal employee communications through a variety of methods, including electronic messaging, intranet content, written correspondence, presentations, and other methods as appropriate.
• Coordinate programs and events to foster employee engagement.
• Assist managers with performance evaluations and calibration meetings.
• Assist Department with inquiries and reviews of employee complaints and investigations of incidents.
• Assist Department management and supervisors with disciplinary action recommendations.
• Review career ladder promotion processes submissions and provide input to ensure consistency and compliance with established policies and procedures.
• Assist with reviews of, and provide input related to, competitive compensation practices.
• Assist with implementation and delivery of New Employee Orientation Programs.
• Attend career fairs as a Department representative for recruiting.

Skills

HR management principles

Employment law

Organizational skills

Written and verbal communication

Policy interpretation

Microsoft Office

Multi-tasking

Compensation knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management

High school diploma + 4 years HR experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Posting closes on 10/19/2026 Under supervision of Human Resources Division management, this position is responsible for providing a broad array of Human Resources support functions to hiring managers and Department officials.

Posting closes on 10/19/2026 Under supervision of Human Resources Division management, this position is responsible for providing a broad array of Human Resources support functions to hiring managers and Department officials.

Examples of Work

The following examples are intended only as illustrations of various types of work performed. No attempt is made to be exhaustive. Related, similar, or other logical duties are performed as assigned. The Department may require employees to perform functions beyond those contained in job descriptions. The Department may modify job descriptions based on Department needs. The Arkansas Department of Transportation is an "at will" employer.

• Provide assistance and support to Department management and supervisors regarding interpretation and administration of Human Resources policies, programs, and procedures.
• Consult with and assist Department management with recruitment, reviewing candidate applications, verifying employment, checking references, scheduling and conducting job interviews, and assisting supervisors with the hiring process.
• Work with Department management and Civil Rights to actively recruit a diverse applicant pool for advertised positions.
• Assist with scheduling various meetings and employee programs and events.
• Assist managers and employees with Human Resources systems and other Department software applications as needed.
• Communicate with internal and external applicants regarding employment and the application/selection process.
• Plan, implement, and deliver professional and creative internal employee communications through a variety of methods, including electronic messaging, intranet content, written correspondence, presentations, and other methods as appropriate.
• Coordinate programs and events to foster employee engagement.
• Assist managers with performance evaluations and calibration meetings.
• Assist Department with inquiries and reviews of employee complaints and investigations of incidents.
• Assist Department management and supervisors with disciplinary action recommendations.
• Review career ladder promotion processes submissions and provide input to ensure consistency and compliance with established policies and procedures.
• Assist with reviews of, and provide input related to, competitive compensation practices.
• Assist with implementation and delivery of New Employee Orientation Programs.
• Attend career fairs as a Department representative for recruiting.

Minimum Requirements

Education and experience: The educational equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in human resources management, organizational management, or closely related field; OR the educational equivalent to a high school diploma plus a minimum of four years of experience in the human resources field.

Knowledge, skills and abilities: Knowledge of human resources management principles, methods, and practices. Knowledge of employment law. Strong organizational skills. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills. Well-developed sense of urgency and follow-through. Ability to interpret and apply Department policies and procedures. Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and ability to adapt to new technology. Ability to maintain strong cooperative working relationships. Ability to multi-task and balance multiple priorities. Knowledge of compensation management preferred.

Working conditions: Office environment.

Licenses, registrations and certifications: Valid driver’s license.

(“Accredited” means the educational institution or program is accredited by an accrediting organization recognized either by the United States Department of Education or by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.)

A criminal background check will be required to determine suitability of employment, and failure to meet these standards may cause the applicant to be rejected or terminated from that position.

This position does not require theoretical and practical application of highly specialized knowledge or a bachelor’s degree or higher in a directly related specific specialty; thus, this position is not eligible for H-1B visa sponsorship.