Department of Human Resources
Deborah Story, Commissioner

Administrative Services || Applicant Services || Classification/Compensation || Strategic Learning Solutions || Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)/Americans with Disabilities (ADA)/Affirmative Action (AA) || Employee Relations || Examination Development || Research || Systems || Technical Services

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.
• 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.
• Strategic Learning Solutions
  The Strategic Learning Solutions (SLS) division mission is to partner with agencies and regional leaders to build and sustain high performing organizations that learn and evolve. SLS provides learning products and services that target four major areas critical to agency performance: Leadership Development, Talent Management, Performance Management and Professional Skills. For a complete listing of products and services please visit the SLS website at http://www.tn.gov/dohr/learning/learning.html.
• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)/Americans with Disabilities (ADA)/Affirmative Action (AA)
  This division oversees compliance with federal and state laws pertaining to Equal Employment, Americans with Disabilities and Affirmative Action. First, the division implements standards and provides assistance to agencies and employees regarding provisions of Title VII of the Federal Civil Rights Act which prohibits discrimination in terms and conditions of employment. This division is also responsible for implementing state government's compliance with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and the Americans with Disabilities Amendment Act (ADAAA), and 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. Finally, the division assists agencies in the preparation of its affirmative action plans. For more information, call the EEO/ADA/AA Division at 615-741-2958.
• 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) 253-7489.

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