HR Specialist: Tickle College of Engineering - UTK

University of Tennessee, Knoxville; Knoxville (TN); Hybrid; USD 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Tennessee, Knoxville (Tickle College of Engineering) is seeking an HR Specialist to provide college-wide HR operations support, processing, and subject matter expertise. The role handles end-to-end HR transactions from recruitment and hiring through onboarding, pay and reporting under the Director of Human Resources.

The position emphasizes compliant, timely HR service, work authorization support, student appointments, and training on DASH and time-entry, with a focus on

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• At least four years HR experience or related roles with discretion.
• Knowledge of Oracle and I-9/E-Verify; strong MS Office proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Process end-to-end hiring and onboarding for faculty, staff, students and graduates; ensure timely onboarding and I-9/E-Verify compliance.
• Manage full-cycle recruitment including postings, applicant communications, and records for assigned units.
• Process salary, additional pays, termination and retirement transactions; advise on EEF/RIF requirements; maintain workforce/pay tracking with finance.
• Manage HR intake via centralized system; provide payroll deadline training, biweekly reports, and maintain SOPs and training materials.

Skills

Organizational skills

Time management

Multitasking

Autonomy

Communication skills

Confidentiality

Learning new systems

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Oracle

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Teams

OneDrive

Microsoft Word

Job description

Job Description

The Tickle College of Engineering (TCE) is seeking an HR Specialist to provide college-wide human resources operations support, processing and a point of contact subject matter expert to support direction for our processes, Oracle training and procedural guidance. Reporting to the Director of Human Resources, the HR Specialist serves an assigned portfolio of TCE departments and units, managing service requests through Team Dynamix (TDX) and completing end-to-end HR transactions from recruitment and hiring through onboarding, pay and reporting.

This role is central to delivering consistent, compliant and timely HR service across a growing and innovative college. The HR Specialist supports work authorization support, manages student appointment processes, delivers DASH and time-entry training, and maintains the checklists and standard operating procedures that help departments get it right the first time.

Responsibilities

Hiring, Onboarding & Employment Eligibility Compliance (40%)

Processes end-to-end hiring and pay transactions for faculty, staff, students, and graduate assistants; ensures timely onboarding and I-9/E-Verify compliance; coordinates visa workflows with ISSS and monitors work authorization expirations; and manages semester Graduate Assistantship assignments.

Recruitment, Staffing & Search Administration (30%)

Reviews college-wide research position descriptions and provides backup PD review in TDX; manages full-cycle recruitment for assigned TCE units, including requisitions, postings, applicant communication, and accurate candidate records.

HR Transactions Affecting Pay, Funding & Employment Status (15%)

Processes salary, additional pays, termination, and retirement transactions; advises departments on EEF/RIF requirements and timelines; and maintains workforce and pay tracking tools with finance and budget partners.

HR Operations Support, Reporting & Process Improvement (15%)

Manages HR intake via TDX and the shared inbox; serves as a time entry and payroll deadline expert, including training and biweekly reporting; reviews and provides routine and ad hoc HR compliance reports; assists with maintaining SOPs and DASH training materials; and coordinates tuition waivers.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma or GED
• Experience: At least four years of experience in a human resources role, or a combination of work experience in full-cycle hiring, office management, advising on policies and procedures, data entry and/or office support in a setting that requires discretion.
• Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
  • Excellent organizational and time-management skills
  • Ability to multitask and prioritize based on the needs of others and time-sensitive deadlines, with follow-through to completion
  • Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team
  • Sound interpersonal and communication skills
  • Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, especially Excel, Teams, OneDrive and Word
  • Strong attention to details
  • Knowledge of personnel management applications such as Oracle
  • Knowledge of personnel processes, including hiring and I-9/E-Verify
  • Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality
  • Ability and willingness to learn new systems and processes as the college grows and changes

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-based visa status.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in human resources, business or a related field; SHRM-CP, PHR or related HR certification
• Experience:
  • Bachelor's degree with 1‑2 years of human resources experience related to full-cycle hiring, or a combination of work in full-cycle hiring, office management, advising on procedures, data entry and/or office support.
  • Human resources experience in recruiting, hiring, or employee relations at UT
  • Experience in an academic environment
  • Experience hiring foreign nationals and communicating with non-native English speakers
  • Certificates or training related to HR competencies
• Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
  • Knowledge of personnel management applications such as Oracle and Equifax
  • Knowledge of required hiring documents
  • Knowledge of employment laws and practices
  • Knowledge of USCIS (visa) processes
  • Knowledge of Power BI and Power Automate

Work Location

• Location: Knoxville, TN - Tickle College of Engineering
• Hybrid work schedule after the employee probationary period.

Compensation And Benefits

• UT market range: MR07 (non-exempt)
• Anticipated hiring range: $45,000 - $55,000
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

About The College

The Tickle College of Engineering (TCE) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville is one of the university’s largest and most research-active colleges, offering undergraduate and graduate programs across multiple engineering disciplines. TCE Finance & Administration supports the college’s academic and research mission through HR, budget, and operational services for faculty, staff, and departments across the college.

TCE Finance & Administration provides the business, financial and human resources services that keep the college running. The HR team partners with department heads, faculty and staff across the college to deliver responsive, consistent and compliant service, and is committed to a collaborative, team-oriented workplace where people feel supported and valued.

About Us

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.

UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.

UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone.

The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.

Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!