Administrator, Human Resources
Salary
Depends on Qualifications
Location
Sewanee, TN
Job Type
Temporary
Job Number
202100533
Division
Finance & Treasurer
Department
Human Resources
Opening Date
07/22/2026
Position Overview
Primary Function:
The Human Resources Administrator is often the first person employees, students, retirees, visitors, and campus partners encounter when they contact Human Resources. This role helps set the tone for an HR office that is welcoming, organized, responsive, accurate, and trustworthy.
This position provides front-facing service and administrative support for the HR team, with primary responsibility for coordinating student and summer employment processes. The person in this role will help employees and students understand what they need to do next, ensure employment documentation is complete and accurate, maintain HR data in HR systems, and support the daily operations of the HR office.
This is a strong fit for someone who enjoys helping people, notices details, follows through without being chased, and understands that good HR service is both warm and precise. The successful person will be professional, steady, discreet, process-minded, and comfortable working in a role where small details matter because they affect people's pay, employment records, access, compliance, and experience with the University.
Position Appointment Details:
Position Description
Typical Duties & Responsibilities:
Front Desk and HR Service
Serve as the first point of contact for the HR office, creating a professional, organized, and welcoming environment.
Respond to questions from employees, students, retirees, visitors, and campus partners.
Manage the HR main phone line and shared email inbox, ensuring timely, accurate, and helpful responses.
Triage requests to the appropriate HR team member when specialized support is needed.
Handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion, care, and sound judgment.
Office Coordination and Daily Operations
Support the daily operations of the HR office to help ensure consistent service and efficient workflow.
Maintain office supplies, coordinate equipment needs, and submit maintenance requests as needed.
Process invoices and assist with basic purchasing and departmental administrative functions.
Help schedule meetings, coordinate logistics, and support HR-sponsored events and engagement activities.
Maintain a clean, organized, and professional office environment.
Student and Summer Employment Administration
Coordinate student and summer employment processes from request through onboarding.
Partner with hiring managers to ensure job postings and hiring requests are complete and processed accurately.
Support students in completing employment documentation accurately and on time.
Coordinate with Financial Aid regarding work-study eligibility.
Partner with Payroll to support accurate onboarding, timesheet setup, and timely processing.
Enter and update student and summer employment data in Banner or other HR systems.
Records, Compliance, and HRIS Support
Process employment documentation in accordance with University policies and applicable regulations.
Enter and maintain HR data with a high degree of accuracy and consistency.
Assist with internal audits, compliance reviews, and recordkeeping projects as needed.
Help strengthen HR processes by identifying gaps, asking good questions, and documenting work clearly.
Machines & Equipment Used: Computer
Personal Interaction/Communication:
daily; taking messages, scheduling events, answering questions, providing information
daily; taking messages, scheduling events, answering questions, providing information
daily; taking messages, scheduling events, answering questions, providing information
Attributes of a Successful Candidate
The strongest candidate will combine service orientation with operational discipline. This role requires someone who can be kind without being casual about accuracy, helpful without bypassing process, and responsive without losing track of details.
Required Qualifications
High school diploma or equivalent.
At least two years of administrative experience.
Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
Strong organizational and prioritization skills.
Clear written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a high-volume, service-oriented environment.
Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
Comfort using standard office technology and learning HR systems.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience working in Human Resources.
Experience in higher education, nonprofit, public service, or another complex service environment.
Experience with Ellucian Banner or another HRIS/payroll system.
Experience supporting student employment, onboarding, payroll documentation, or compliance-related processes.
Qualities of Success
Professional judgment and discretion
Reliability and follow-through
Attention to detail and accuracy
Customer service orientation
Confidentiality and ethical awareness
Process discipline and compliance awareness
Clear communication and coordination
Adaptability in a high-volume environment
Supplemental Information
Confidential Information:
Personnel information including pay, benefits, investigations, complaints, and general employee information. HR information is not to be discussed outside of HR.
Working Environment:
Normal office environment
This position works in a professional office environment and uses general office equipment. The role is primarily sedentary but may require lifting up to 10 pounds.
This Role May Be a Good Fit If You:
Take pride in making complicated processes easier for other people to navigate.
Are the person who notices when a form is incomplete, a date is missing, or a process step has been skipped.
Can be warm and welcoming while still maintaining boundaries and confidentiality.
Like creating order, documenting work, and keeping tasks moving.
Understand that "administrative" work is not secondary work; it is often the structure that allows the whole office to function well.
Are comfortable asking clarifying questions before acting.
Follow through reliably, even on small items.
Want to be part of an HR team that values clear communication, good service, fairness, consistency, and practical problem-solving.
This May Not Be the Right Role If...
You prefer work that is mostly behind the scenes with little public interaction.
You are uncomfortable with repetitive details, documentation, or compliance steps.
You tend to move quickly without checking accuracy.
You prefer informal workarounds over clear processes.
You are uncomfortable handling confidential or sensitive employee information.
You need every task to be predictable; this role requires steady service even when the day shifts.
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The University of the South, familiarly known as "Sewanee," is home to a nationally recognized College of Arts and Sciences and a School of Theology. Sewanee is distinguished by its dedication to cultivate academic excellence, community values, and environmental stewardship that produces informed, self-aware, and participatory citizens for our democracy and servant-leaders for the world. Nestled on 13,000 acres atop Tennessee's Cumberland Plateau, the University offers both a uniquely beautiful setting and convenient access to nearby cities-Chattanooga, Nashville, and Huntsville. The University is affiliated with the Episcopal Church and seeks to be a place where individuals from a variety of backgrounds and experiences find support, opportunity, and purpose.
Support in the Hiring Process
If you have questions about a position or need assistance filing an application, or if you are a person with a disability and would like to request an accommodation in the application and interview process, please contact Human Resources at 931.598.1381 or hr@sewanee.edu.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of the South is an equal-opportunity institution, dedicated to treating all applicants fairly and fostering a welcoming environment for employees and students alike.
University Benefits
Employer University of the South
Address 735 University Avenue
Sewanee, Tennessee, 37383
Phone 9315981381
Website https://new.sewanee.edu/hr/