Temporary HR Associate - College of Communication and Information - UTK

The College of Communication and Information is seeking an aspiring Human Resources Associate who is eager to learn and contribute essential administrative support to a dynamic working environment. This entry-level position will assist with a variety of HR functions, including onboarding new hires, maintaining employee records, processing payroll, supporting compliance with relevant HR laws and regulations, and other duties as needed. The HR Associate will assist the Assistant Director of HR in ensuring that CCI faculty and staff have the resources and support necessary to effectively pursue their teaching, research, creative endeavors, and community engagement.

Records and Compensation

• Enter individual compensation payments as needed
• Initiate personnel transactions such as salary changes, promotions, position transfers, and related
• Provide basic information to employees regarding benefits options and eligibility, connecting employees with appropriate contacts within the UT System when necessary
• Assist with preparation of payroll data and ensure timely and accurate system processing
• Respond to employee inquiries related to payroll information
• Recruitment, Onboarding, and Exit Process
• Assist with the coordination of the hiring process for faculty, staff, and students, initiating the onboarding journey as needed and completing I-9 verification with temporary and student employees
• Support hiring managers and search committees by answering questions about the recruitment processes at the university and providing them with resources
• Assist incoming employees who require sponsorship with the completion of necessary visa application paperwork
• Record data for contingent employees and non-workers, including guests, friends, and travelers of the University
• Enter termination requests according to university policy and coordinate with CCI IT and the employing unit on the exit process of departing employees

HR Compliance

• Assist with ensuring compliance with all relevant HR laws and regulations including employment eligibility verification, EEO laws, ADA, FLSA, etc.
• Consult HR policy and stay abreast of updates to relevant best practice protocols
• Ensure compliance in all personnel transactions including terminations, payroll, position changes, etc.

General Human Resources Support

• Complete various types of HR paperwork as needed
• Participating in department meetings and professional development opportunities
• Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

Education: High School Diploma or GED

Experience: One year of relevant work experience including customer service, administration, or human resources

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: Eagerness and ability to learn and grow within the HR field. Strong work ethic and commitment to providing excellence customer service. Flexibility and adaptability to changing priorities and demands. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Strong organizational and time-management skills. Attention to detail and accuracy. Proactive and resourceful problem-solving abilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Human Resource Management, Public Administration, or related
• Experience: Experience in higher education administration or operations.
• Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities: Microsoft Office proficient

Work Location

Location: Knoxville, TN

Onsite, Hybrid, or Remote: Onsite

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: MR05
• Anticipated hiring range: $41,600 - $47,800
• 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. To be assured of full consideration, completed applications with all requested materials should be submitted on or before November 11, 2026.

Resume

Cover Letter

Please note: finalists must provide three professional references, including a current or most recent direct supervisor.

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.

About The College/Department/Division

At the College of Communication and Information, we strive to ignite students’ passions so they can carry on the torch of excellence. Once they become a part of the CCI community, they’ll learn to be innovative leaders, thinkers, and Volunteers in whatever calling they choose to follow in the communication and information world.

We are part of a Land Grant Institution embedded in communities to make those communities a better place. Our alumni, students, faculty, and staff strive to positively impact the lives of people in our state through our teaching, scholarship, creative work, and through our engagement and service. CCI as a college is well poised to deliver upon all of those areas to become the most nationally distinctive but locally relevant College of Communication and Information in the country.