Job Description
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (UTIA) is looking for a resourceful, service-minded HR Operations Coordinator who can turn complex work into clear, dependable processes. In this limited-duration role, you will connect UTIA Human Resources, HR Partners across the state, and UT Knoxville Human Resources to help personnel actions move forward accurately and on time.
This is an opportunity to make a visible difference in how HR services are delivered across a large, complex university environment. You will combine hands-on HR operations work with problem solving, cross-unit coordination, reporting, and process improvement. The successful candidate will enjoy bringing order to high-volume work, spotting issues before they become problems, and creating practical tools that help colleagues serve employees more effectively.
Responsibilities
Transaction Analysis, Triage, and Coordinated Resolution:
- Review HR transactions and service requests, resolve routine issues, and identify matters that need additional consultation.
- Coordinate assigned personnel actions in DASH, including new hires, assignment changes, employment record updates, and position-related actions.
- Keep time-sensitive work moving by monitoring queues and shared channels, following up on stalled items, and escalating issues with compliance, payroll, or operational implications.
HR Partner and Central Operations Coordination:
- Build strong working connections among UTIA HR, statewide HR Partners, and UT Knoxville Human Resources.
- Help colleagues navigate documentation, process steps, system requirements, and routing expectations.
- Coordinate key annual activities, including faculty promotion and tenure, College of Veterinary Medicine resident and intern onboarding, and the college's career path cycle.
- Manage competing requests and deadlines with clear communication, accurate status information, and reliable follow-through.
Workflow Management, Reporting, and Operational Tools:
- Create and maintain intake forms, trackers, dashboards, and other tools that make work easier to organize and follow.
- Turn DASH, Excel, Smartsheet, and other data into useful operational reporting.
- Spot workload trends, recurring errors, delays, and exceptions so the team can address problems early.
Process Analysis, Continuous Improvement, and Implementation:
- Look across HR workflows and handoffs to identify unnecessary delay, duplication, error, or rework.
- Recommend practical improvements to intake, routing, documentation, reporting, communication, quality control, and follow-up.
- Help put approved changes into practice through updated procedures, job aids, workflow tools, and training materials.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
Education:
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field.
Experience:
- Three years of progressively responsible experience in HR operations, personnel transactions, workflow coordination, or a closely related area.
- Relevant experience must include managing concurrent assignments, evaluating process requirements, coordinating issue resolution, and maintaining accurate follow-through across deadlines and stakeholders.
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.
To succeed in this role, you will need:
- A working knowledge of HR principles, employment processes, transaction controls, and service delivery.
- Strong attention to detail and the judgment to recognize missing, conflicting, or nonstandard requirements.
- The ability to organize a high volume of work, establish priorities, meet deadlines, and keep others informed.
- Clear, professional communication and a collaborative approach to customer service and cross-unit coordination.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel, and experience with Smartsheet or comparable reporting and workflow tools.
- Discretion with confidential information and the ability to apply established policies, work independently, and escalate matters appropriately.
- The ability to translate complex processes into clear workflows, reports, procedures, job aids, checklists, and training materials.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience:
- Experience in higher education or another large, complex organization.
- Experience with Oracle HCM, DASH, or a comparable HRIS.
- Experience with high-volume HR operations, operational reporting, workflow improvement, or process implementation.
Additional experience that would be valuable:
- Familiarity with University of Tennessee HR policies and procedures.
- Experience with DASH (Oracle HCM) transactions and workflow approvals.
- Experience improving processes or optimizing workflows.
- Experience creating Smartsheet forms, trackers, dashboards, job aids, user instructions, or training materials.
- Experience supporting HR operations in higher education or another large, complex organization.
Work Location:
- Location: Knoxville, Tennessee
- Work arrangement: Hybrid, with on-campus coverage required three or more days per week
- Schedule: First shift; occasional evening or weekend work may be required
Compensation and Benefits:
- UT market range: 07
- Anticipated hiring range: $48,000 - $53,000
The University of Tennessee offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employees' health, financial well-being, and professional growth. Final compensation will be based on the approved classification, qualifications, experience, and applicable university guidelines.
Application Instructions:
Apply online with a resume and cover letter. For full consideration, please submit a completed application by October 26, 2026.
About the UT Institute of Agriculture:
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture advances the university's land-grant mission through teaching, research, and outreach. UTIA Human Resources supports a diverse, statewide organization and partners with leaders and HR professionals to deliver responsive, consistent, and effective HR services.
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!
Job Info
- Job Identification 10332
- Job Category Human Resources
- Posting Date 10/14/2026, 02:02 PM
- Job Schedule Full time
- Locations 2621 Morgan Circle Drive, Knoxville, TN, 37996, US
The University of Tennessee is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA institution in the provision of its education and employment programs and services. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or covered veteran status.
Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), ADA (disability), ADEA (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the (EEO). Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at the EEO office.