Human Resources Divisions

Through its 10 divisions and associated committees, the Department of Human Resources offers many services to state employees and other state government agencies. This department is responsible for the state-wide implementation of Human Resources policies and initiates and monitors legislation affecting state employees and government operations relevant to human resource programs.

Administrative Services - The Administrative Services division is responsible for the departments Human Resource Management, Fiscal Services and Planning. These areas of responsibility encompass payroll, employee counseling regarding deductions for life and health insurance, 401(k) deferred compensation, budget preparation and implementation, strategic and continuity of operation planning, contract management, procurement, facilities management, and messenger services. Also, the division reviews, as part of the established approval process, personal service contracts and delegated purchase authorities (DPA’s) processed by state agencies.

Americans with Disabilities - Responsible for implementing state government's compliance with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), this division develops and communicates information, practices and procedures for state agencies in technical ADA compliance matters, including program access and reasonable accommodations for state employees and job applicants and access issues for disabled persons. For more information, call (615) 741-1328 or TDD 615-741-6276.

Applicant Services - The Applicant Services division administers career service employment examinations and provides information to applicants regarding employment and promotional opportunities. Most jobs available with the state are covered by the career service, which is a merit system of employment based on an applicant's qualifications. There are approximately 1,400 different job classifications within the Career Service system. For the majority of these classifications, the examinations administered by Applicant Services consist of a rating of education and experience. There are only about 80 job classifications for which a written or computer administered test is required. For most job classifications, applications are accepted only during announced opening and closing dates (as posted on the Department of Human Resources Employment Information website). There are approximately 200 job classifications for which applications are accepted at any time and examinations are administered on a continuous basis.

Classification/Compensation - The Classification/Compensation division ensures that state employees are properly classified and fairly compensated. This division reviews and maintains data on salaries and benefits of private sector employees as well as those for other Southeast states. This data is used by staff in the division to assist in making recommendations for the salary administration policy and for adjustment's in the state's compensation structure. For more information, call (615) 741-4873.

Employee Learning and Development - Employee Learning and Development provides a variety of training and development opportunities for all state agencies and employees. Open enrollment for courses in the areas of professional skills, interpersonal skills, managerial skills, workplace compliance, organizational behavior, and critical thinking skills is available statewide. In addition, Employee Learning and Development is instrumental in providing training for all supervisors and managers through the Leadership Development Initiative. Additional services include strategic planning facilitation, problem solving and system process facilitation, and the development and delivery of workshops, special projects, retreats, and conferences. This division is responsible for the Tennessee Government Executive Institute and Tennessee Government Management Institute.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)/Affirmative Action (AA)/Americans with Disabilities - This division provides standards and procedures regarding the preparation and implementation of state agency affirmative action plans. It also reviews and assists in the content development of training programs regarding fair employment practices as well as other programs necessary to ensure the state’s compliance with federal and state laws, orders, and regulations prohibiting unlawful discrimination. To keep agency affirmative action officers abreast of fair employment practices, the division hosts regularly scheduled quarterly meetings. For more information, call Employee Development at 615-741-3673 or 615-253-7685.

Employee Relations - This division advises state employees, supervisors, managers, agency heads, Human Resources officers and the public regarding civil service laws, rules, policy and law. This includes providing information regarding the disciplinary and grievance procedures as well as other employment practices in the executive branch of state government. In addition, the Employee Relations Division administers the state's Performance Management/Evaluation Program, the State Employee Sick Leave Bank, the Employee Suggestion Award Program, the Tennessee Employees Charitable Campaign, and the Employee Service Award Program. Other responsibilities of the division include coordination of American Red Cross Blood Drives and approval of transactions related to grievances, civil service orders, court orders, and the Career Ladder Program for teachers employed by the State of Tennessee. For more information, call (615) 741-1646.

Examination Development - Responsible for assuring a sound employee selection system for the State of Tennessee, the division of Examination Development develops, monitors, and revises assessment methods for over 1,400 career services job classifications according to legal guidelines and changing job requirements. The selection methods developed include paper-and-pencil and computer-administered knowledge and performance tests, evaluations of applicant's training and experiences and structured oral interviews. For more information, call (615) 532-6187.

Research - The Research division serves as an internal consultant to the Department of Human Resources and to other Executive Branch agencies. Staffed by persons trained in industrial-organizational psychology, the division reviews and recommends policy options, conducts projects to develop special assessment methods, provides information and recommendations or assists state attorneys with legal issues.

Systems - This division is responsible for all the information systems support for the department in both mainframe and LAN/WAN environments. The division provides the analysis for the development and maintenance of mainframe systems, and supports the internal, as well as statewide users of these systems. The division also provides support and management for all LAN/WAN services and applications. Among these are the recently implemented computerized employment testing for clerical job classifications which are administered locally in Nashville and remotely in selected sites throughout the State. For more information, call (615) 532-2277.

Technical Services - The Technical Services Division provides assistance to state agencies regarding policies and procedures for attendance and leave, civil service registers, employee personnel transactions and certain payroll issues.  The division is also responsible for maintaining records of former employees and applications for employment, verifying employment and granting veteran's preference points.  For more information, call (615) 741-2086.

Related Boards and Commissions

Civil Service Commission - This independent commission, composing nine board members, serves as an appeals body for state employees through the state’s five-step grievance procedure. Board members are appointed by the governor for six-year terms. The commission reviews employee appeals and makes decisions based on the evidence presented at the hearings and examinations of employees’ work records. The Department of Human Resources coordinates these meetings and the Commissioner of Human Resources serves as secretary.

Advisory Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity - This committee is composed of nine board members including the Commissioner of Human Resources serving as chair. This committee meets semiannually and reviews state government policy and procedures to ensure compliance governing fair employment practices. The director of the Division of EEO/ADA, coordinates these meetings.

Tennessee Title VI Compliance Commission - The commission is govern by a board consisting of thirteen [13] members. Nine [9] members are citizens, appointed by the Governor, three [3] of whom reside in each grand division of the state. Two [2] members are state senators, appointed by the Speaker of the Senate; and the Speaker of the House of Representatives appoints two state representatives. The commission reviews current Title VI monitoring and enforcement procedures as required by federal and state statutes, rules, regulations, programs and services. It serves as the central coordinating agency for executive branch departments and agencies for technical assistance, consultation, and resources to encourage and assist compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.