What are the responsibilities and job description for the Recruitment Human Resources Generalist 1 position at Tennessee Department of Transportation?
Who we are:
Transportation is so basic that many of us overlook its overwhelming importance in our daily lives. Practically everything used in our homes, offices, or schools across Tennessee – from furniture to food items to clothing – requires a large and complex transportation network. The Tennessee Department of Transportation provides citizens of Tennessee and travelers with one of the best transportation systems in the country. TDOT is a multimodal agency with responsibilities in building and maintaining roads, aviation, public transit, waterways, railroads, cycling and walking. Our involvement ranges from airport improvements to funding transit buses to planning for river ports.
The Department of Transportation has approximately 3,500 employees with four statewide region facilities in Knoxville, Chattanooga, Nashville, and Jackson.
Role of the Human Resources division:
The TDOT Human Resources division sets the vision and strategic direction for developing TDOT’s greatest assets – our people. The division empowers the organization by ensuring the effectiveness and advancement of individual employees and the organization. The division develops, implements, and supports policies and procedures that reflect equal opportunity, diversity, and our values and principles. The division provides organizational planning, workplace operations, technology integration, talent progression, and resource development to create a workplace where people and industry thrive.
Job Overview:
The Headquarters (HQ) HR Generalist 1 provides entry-level support for People and Talent Development programs that help attract, engage, and develop TDOT’s workforce. This role assists with administrative and coordination tasks related to recruitment, onboarding, learning, and development initiatives that align with TDOT’s mission and workforce goals.
Working under close supervision, HR Generalist 1 supports the daily operations of recruitment and development programs, helps organize logistics for events, maintains program materials, and ensures data accuracy for reporting. This position reports to the Recruiting Team Lead, People & Talent Development and works closely with other HR team members to ensure consistent, high-quality service to employees and partners.
Essential Job Responsibilities
Recruitment Support: Assist with scheduling interviews, sourcing and recruitment assistance support, posting job openings, managing external hiring platforms, and coordinating careerfair and outreach event logistics. Prepare materials and maintain records for internship, co-op, and early-career programs.
Recruitment Support Cont: Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to promote TDOT as an employer of choice. Assist the Recruiting Team Lead with outreach campaigns, communication of opportunities, and relationship management with schools, universities, professional organizations and community partners.
Onboarding and Orientation: Help assemble onboarding packets, track participant attendance, and ensure forms and resources are complete and accessible to new hires and interns.
Program Coordination: Provide clerical and logistical support for learning and development activities, including maintaining training calendars, distributing communications, and gathering participant feedback.
Data and Documentation: Accurately enter and maintain data in tracking systems for recruitment and development programs. Assist with compiling simple reports and verifying information for accuracy.
Communication and Customer Service: Respond to routine inquiries from applicants, employees, and school partners. Assist in sharing program information and opportunities through approved communication channels.
Operational Support: Assist in scheduling meetings, processing invoices or vendor forms, and maintaining shared files and templates that support HR operations.
Team Collaboration: Demonstrate a willingness to learn, seek guidance when needed, and contribute to a positive, collaborative, and inclusive workplace culture.
Qualifications:
Education and Experience: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree
Substitution of Experience for Education: Qualifying full-time professional or paraprofessional human resources experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis to a maximum of four years.
Ideal Candidate
The HQ HR Generalist 1 is a motivated, detail-oriented individual beginning their career in human resources and recruitment. They are eager to learn, organized in managing multiple tasks, and committed to delivering excellent service to employees, partners and candidates. They demonstrate curiosity about TDOT’s people and talent development programs, possess strong communication and relational skills, and has a team-oriented mindset that supports the division’s mission of developing Tennessee’s transportation workforce.