Operations & HR Coordinator for Academic Programs

University of Tennessee, Knoxville; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 39,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is seeking a capable administrative professional to support the Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology (EEB) in front-office operations, student services, and HR/payroll tasks. This role serves as a key contact for students, faculty, staff, and external contacts, coordinating undergraduate and graduate programs and assisting with Banner-related processes.

The position requires 3–4 years of office experience, strong MS Office/SharePoint skills, and the

Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma or GED.
• Experience: Three to four years of office experience.
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: MS Office, SharePoint, Adobe; strong written and verbal communication; ability to update websites and social media; multi-tasking and detail orientation; strong organization and prioritization; ability to work independently and in a team; ability to learn new systems.

Responsibilities

• Enter timetable information in Banner and assist curriculum committees; help students with registration issues; ensure grades are entered each semester; update courses, curricula, and handbooks; run reports and prepare spreadsheets for committees; collect syllabi; liaise between students, faculty and the university; advise on policies and timelines for EEB course offerings.
• Coordinate EEB undergraduate programs funded by external grants; manage the departmental database of undergraduates and alumni; work with faculty and TAs to schedule enrichment activities and events such as poster fairs and graduations.
• Graduate program support: oversee progress of ~60 graduate students and liaise with the Graduate School; provide policy information and ensure compliance; manage matriculation documents; coordinate Graduate Recruitment Weekend.
• HR responsibilities: process time entry and travel; handle stipend adjustments, hiring, I-9, terminations; maintain personnel files; assist with Interfolio dossiers and faculty leave/processes; back up time approval; hire Federal Work-Study students.
• Coordinate visa documents and update status in E-verify; ensure payroll alignment with sponsored project effort; assist with promotion and tenure dossiers and related submissions.
• Process forms and transactions: key requests, travel, petty cash, parking, room reservations; maintain inventories.
• Organize department events: retirements, seminars, recruitment weekends, awards receptions.
• Greet front-office visitors; handle calls and mail; respond to inquiries; edit correspondence; manage office equipment and supplies; assist labs and offices access.
• Maintain web/social media updates and news; assist newsletters.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

MS Office suite

SharePoint

Adobe

Oral and written communication

Website updates

Multi-tasking

Detail oriented

Organization & prioritization

Independent & team work

Diversity collaboration

Education

High school diploma or GED

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Banner knowledge

DASH knowledge

Job description

University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is seeking a capable administrative professional to support the Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology (EEB) in front-office operations, student services, and HR/payroll tasks. This role serves as a key contact for students, faculty, staff, and external contacts, coordinating undergraduate and graduate programs and assisting with Banner-related processes.

The position requires 3–4 years of office experience, strong MS Office/SharePoint skills, and the