Talent Acquisition Specialist

Talent Acquisition Specialist

Hope is a premier provider of educational and therapeutic services for children with special needs throughout the North Pittsburgh region. We are a model of excellence, a safe haven for students, and a steady advocate for families who need our support.

Guided by compassion, integrity, innovation, perseverance, and teamwork, our multidisciplinary team takes a best-practices approach to helping every student succeed. We will always be a source of hope.

As the Talent Acquisition Specialist at Hope, you will lead the organization's full-cycle recruitment process, helping attract, hire, and onboard exceptional employees who align with our mission and values. You'll partner closely with hiring managers to identify staffing needs, source qualified candidates, coordinate interviews, manage pre-employment requirements, and ensure every new hire has a seamless onboarding experience. From the initial job posting through Day 1 Orientation, you'll play a key role in creating an outstanding candidate and employee experience while ensuring compliance with organizational and regulatory requirements.

If you're an organized, relationship-focused professional who enjoys recruiting top talent and creating positive first impressions, we'd love to meet you.

As the Talent Acquisition Specialist, you will:

• Manage all phases of the recruitment process, including posting positions, sourcing candidates, screening resumes, conducting phone interviews, coordinating hiring manager interviews, extending offers, and maintaining consistent communication with candidates throughout the hiring process.
• Develop proactive recruiting strategies using job boards, networking, employee referrals, community partnerships, career fairs, and social media to attract qualified candidates for current and future staffing needs.
• Coordinate and monitor all required pre-employment documentation, ensuring candidates complete all necessary employment forms, background checks, clearances, certifications, and onboarding requirements prior to their start date.
• Maintain accurate records and monitor completion of required employment clearances and onboarding documents. Ensure compliance with organizational policies and applicable federal, state, and regulatory requirements.
• Prepare new hire paperwork, coordinate onboarding schedules, facilitate Day 1 Orientation, and ensure new employees receive the information, resources, and support needed for a successful start.
• Serve as a trusted recruiting partner by understanding staffing needs, providing hiring recommendations, coordinating interview schedules, and supporting timely hiring decisions.
• Represent Hope with professionalism and enthusiasm while maintaining consistent communication throughout the hiring process, ensuring candidates have a positive experience from application through onboarding.
• Utilize the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) and HRIS to maintain accurate candidate records, generate recruitment reports, track hiring metrics, and support continuous improvement initiatives.

Required Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred (or equivalent experience)
• Two or more years of full-cycle recruiting, talent acquisition, or Human Resources experience preferred
• Experience coordinating onboarding and employment documentation preferred
• Knowledge of employment laws, hiring best practices, and recruitment strategies
• Experience using Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and HRIS platforms preferred
• Strong organizational, communication, and time management skills
• Ability to manage multiple open positions while maintaining exceptional attention to detail
• Strong customer service mindset with the ability to build positive relationships with candidates and hiring managers
• Passion for supporting a mission-driven organization

Required Clearances:

• Act 33 – PA Child Abuse History Clearance
• Act 34 – PA State Criminal History Clearance
• Act 114 – FBI Clearance (Department of Education)
• Act 126 – Mandated Reporter Training
• CPR/First Aid Certification
• TB Test & Physical

Join Hope and help us continue to be a source of hope for the students, families, and employees we serve.