Human Resources Assistant Jobs in Oak Ridge, TN (NOW HIRING)

Position Summary: The Human Resources Generalist reports to and works closely with the Vice President of Administration, who oversees Human Resources, to support the full employee lifecycle. The position has primary responsibility for talent acquisition, onboarding, HRIS administration, employee support, benefits assistance, and employment-related compliance. This role also collaborates closely with hiring managers and employees across the organization and requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, sound judgment, discretion, and the consistent application of established HR policies and processes.

Work Schedule: This is a 32-hour-per-week position and scheduled for Monday through Thursday. The position is expected to work onsite during its established schedule.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The following duties are representative of the position and are not intended to be an exhaustive list:

Talent Acquisition and Onboarding

• Manage the recruitment process from the approved job requisition through new employee orientation.
• Prepare and post open positions using appropriate recruiting platforms and other candidate outreach methods.
• Work directly with hiring managers to understand staffing needs, position requirements, and preferred candidate qualifications.
• Proactively review resumes and applications to identify potential candidates to contact.
• Coordinate interviews and maintain timely communication with candidates and hiring managers throughout the selection process.
• Assist hiring managers in evaluating qualified candidates and making final hiring decisions.
• Prepare and extend employment offers in accordance with approved compensation and employment terms.
• Initiate and monitor pre-employment background screenings.
• Enter new employee information accurately and timely into the Human Resources Information System (HRIS).
• Prepare employee identification badges and request business cards when appropriate for the position.
• Assign required new-hire compliance training.
• Coordinate and conduct new employee orientation, ensuring that new employees receive a professional and welcoming introduction to the organization, its policies, benefits, and expectations.
• Maintain complete and accurate recruiting and onboarding documentation.

HR Administration and Employee Support

• Process employee changes and maintain accurate employee information in the HRIS.
• Respond to employment verification requests in accordance with company procedures.
• Assist with establishing and administering employee leaves of absence and maintaining the required documentation.
• Assist employees with benefit questions and direct complex issues to the appropriate internal or external resource.
• Assist in preparing, reviewing, and updating job descriptions.
• Review benefit carrier invoices for accuracy, reconcile enrollment and billing discrepancies, and approve verified invoices for payment by the Accounting Team.
• Maintain organized, accurate, and confidential employee records.
• Respond to employee and manager questions in a professional, timely, and service-oriented manner.
• Learn designated payroll responsibilities and provide backup payroll support as needed.
• Support other human resources programs, projects, and administrative responsibilities as assigned.
• Follow established HR policies, procedures, and documentation requirements.
• Maintain the confidentiality of employee, applicant, payroll, benefits, and company information.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Management, or a related field required.
• Four to six years of progressively responsible human resources experience required.
• Professional human resources certification, such as SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR, preferred.
• Experience supporting talent acquisition, onboarding, HRIS administration, benefits, employee records, and general HR operations preferred.
• Payroll experience or the ability and willingness to learn payroll-related duties required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Solid understanding of human resources processes, practices, and documentation requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to learn, follow, and consistently apply established processes.
• Strong recruiting and candidate-management skills.
• Ability to develop effective working relationships with candidates, employees, hiring managers, and company leadership.
• Ability to resolve issues promptly and effectively using sound judgment.
• Strong organizational, prioritization, and time-management skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with professionalism and discretion.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams.
• Experience working with HRIS, applicant-tracking, payroll, or benefits-administration systems.
• Ability to work independently while also contributing effectively as part of a collaborative team.