The posting
Job Description
Position serves as the Human Resources subject matter expert, providing guidance, support, and consultative services for all HR functions throughout the College of Education, Health, & Human Sciences. Ensures salaries and wages are managed and maintained at levels consistent with the associated budgets, ascertaining the accuracy of employee classifications, appointments, salaries and unit assignments as well as processing all human resources documents to guarantee timely payroll for all employees. Maintains close working relationships with campus Human Resources, campus Finance and Administration, the Graduate School, and the Payroll Office as well as all units within the college. Decision-making and confidential record-keeping related to the full cycle of personnel directly impacts not only the fiscal welfare of the college but also the university's ability to follow consistent and compliant employment practices. Due to the sensitive nature of personnel issues the incumbent must be professional and discreet. Responsible and accurate execution of all aforementioned duties is paramount.
Responsibilities
Reviews all college faculty, staff, and student hiring, funding changes, and pay status transactions:
- Consults with departments, advises, and assists with development of position descriptions for 200+ staff positions (regular & temp) and facilitates submission of classification requests through HR compensation team.
- Reviews personnel change transactions for accuracy and completion and approves/rejects as needed. Validates budget alignment for personnel changes.
- Works with departments to confirm accuracy of faculty appointment status changes, including promotion and tenure changes, faculty development leave, and Post-Retirement Service agreements. Leads process for making those changes in the ERP systems.
- Audits payroll entries for the college, ensuring prompt and accurate time entry and approvals.
- Generates Work Expiry reports in advance of work permission end dates and actively engages employees / supervisors in visa renewal, extension or departure conversations.
- Monitors temporary employee status and advises units on termination actions or conversions to regular employment per one year guidelines.
- Approves student hiring and pay status transactions for 350+ students positions (200+ graduate students).
- Manages the college's payroll process for summer school and mini-terms; accesses student systems to build spreadsheets using course enrollment information and creates calculations that enable departments to determine fiscal viability of course offerings and associated instructor pay.
Partners with management to communicate Human Resources policies, procedures, programs, and laws:
- Develops training materials and trains department HR coordinators and business managers on preparation and submission of HR documents, college procedures, and campus HR policies. Maintains central inventory of training material.
- Fields questions from departments and individual employees; troubleshoots technical issues and provides resolution, uses independent judgment to interpret applicable policies and provides resolution for HR and payroll-related issues.
- Works closely with UTK HR Operations to facilitate payroll advances when necessary.
- Advises department leadership on Family Medical Leave, sick leave, longevity, promotions, reclassifications, elimination of externally-funded positions, reductions in force, and terminations.
- Provides guidance to leadership for procedures & processes related to annual performance reviews and employee performance management, refers complex issues to HR Manager. Works with HR Employee Relation and refers to them on all disciplinary actions.
- Serves as point of contact for workers compensation issues throughout the college and advises on appropriate reporting to campus risk management office.
- Represents the college at meetings, including quarterly attendance of campus HR Work Group meetings with HR Manager.
Provides direct HR support for CEHHS Administration units (approximately 60+ personnel): The Dean's Office, Associate Dean of Research & External Funding, Associate Dean of Graduate School of Education and the Office of Professional Licensure, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, CEHHS Access & Engagement Office, Finance and Administration, Marketing & Communications, Information Technology, Office of Advising & Student Services, Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs, and all centers reporting to the Dean or Associate Deans.
- Initiates personnel transactions for staff, faculty, and students in administrative units & related centers.
- Works closely with administration leadership and HR Manager to develop staff PDs and submit for review.
- Submits staff requisitions to fill vacant positions and works closely with administration leadership to conduct recruitments and process draft offers.
- Coordinates hiring processes and on-boarding of new staff.
- Posts faculty positions in Interfolio as needed.
- Serves as primary resource for HR/payroll questions and issues for administration units.
- Generates ad hoc reports as requested.
- Provides backup assistance on occasion to department/unit HR coordinators and business managers to initiate transactions at department level.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
Education:
- Bachelor’s Degree (Degree or equivalent experience required; degrees in human resources or psychology preferred.)
Experience:
- Three years experience in a human resources role related to recruiting, hiring, or employee relations.
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
- Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
- Ability to multi-task and prioritize tasks based on needs of others and with time-sensitive deadlines.
- Ability to work autonomously as well as within a team environment.
- Skilled at communicating effectively with diverse populations.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office.
- Knowledge of enterprise human resources and payroll systems.
- Ability to think critically and creatively to provide and implement solutions for human resource-related issues.
- Knowledge of employment laws and practices, including hiring and I-9 e-verification.
- Ability to practice a high level of confidentiality.
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:
- SHRM or PHR certification
Experience:
- Human resources experience in an academic environment.
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
- Knowledge of UT policies and procedures related to human resources.
Work Location
- Location: Knoxville, TN
- Onsite
Compensation and Benefits
- UT market range: MR09
- Anticipated hiring range: $65,000-$70,000
- Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
- Find more information on UT Benefits here
Application Instructions
To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments:
- Resume
- Three references
About The College/Department/Division
The College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville offers undergraduate and graduate programs that enhance the quality of life for others and prepare future educators, health professionals, and service industry leaders. We also provide numerous community-based collaborations and initiatives that help to empower people all over the world. As a college, we value our students, staff, and faculty and pride ourselves in our innovative cross-departmental collaborations.
Working at CEHHS connects you to award-winning educators, notable authors, Fulbright Scholars, world-class researchers, and outstanding professors.
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!
