HR Onboarding Specialist

Serve as the primary point of contact

Serve as the primary point of contact for candidates during the pre-employment and onboarding process, delivering clear communication, issue resolution, and a positive experience.

Manage the onboarding workflow

• Manage the full onboarding workflow—from offer acceptance through first day—ensuring a consistent, timely, and compliant process across all Patterson-UTI entities.
• Monitor background checks, drug tests, physicals, and other pre-employment requirements; troubleshoot delays, escalate issues appropriately, and communicate updates to Talent Acquisition and Regional HR.
• Initiate and manage Form I-9 process; ensure timely completion.
• Cancel or correct I-9 records in alignment with federal guidelines for candidates who rescind, decline, or do not report for work.
• Participate in Regional HR calls to review upcoming start lists, identify risks to start dates, and provide progress updates.
• Track and manage contingent hire requests, approvals, and clearances in coordination with Company processes.
• Initiate relocation services and provide ongoing support to relocating employees; escalate exceptions or complex cases as needed.

Contribute to continuous improvement

• Maintain and update the consolidated onboarding tracker, including start dates, background progress, I-9 activity, relocation initiation, and lump-sum payment status.
• Proactively notify Talent Acquisition and Regional HR of any delays or issues that may affect onboarding timelines.
• Contribute to continuous improvement efforts by identifying process gaps and recommending updates to tools, workflows, and candidate experience practices.

Compliance and Confidentiality

• Ensure strict adherence to Company policies, procedures, and compliance requirements.
• Maintain Company and employee confidentiality at all times and handle sensitive information appropriately.

Qualifications

• Ability to maintain Company and employee confidentiality at all times and handle sensitive information appropriately.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple candidates and tasks simultaneously.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to provide clear instructions and respond professionally to candidates and internal partners.
• Demonstrated customer service orientation with the ability to build strong working relationships across HR, operations, and external vendors.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify issues, determine root causes, and escalate appropriately.
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment and meet multiple deadlines.
• Proficiency navigating HR systems such as Oracle HCM or similar platforms.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Experience supporting high-volume onboarding or hiring processes.
• Ability to travel occasionally, as required.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources, Business or related field of study.
• 1-2 years of experience in HR onboarding, shared services, talent acquisition, or a related HR support role.