Talent Acquisition Specialist

About the role

Hope is a premier provider of educational and therapeutic services for children with special needs. The Talent Acquisition Specialist plays a critical role in building the team that makes our mission possible.

Responsibilities

• Lead the organization's full-cycle recruitment process, helping attract, hire, and onboard exceptional employees who align with our mission and values.
• 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.
• Build strong talent pipelines using job boards, networking, employee referrals, community partnerships, career fairs, and social media to attract qualified candidates for current and future staffing needs.
• Manage pre-employment requirements, 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.
• Track required clearances and compliance, maintain accurate records, and 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.
• Deliver an exceptional candidate experience by representing Hope with professionalism and enthusiasm while maintaining consistent communication throughout the hiring process, ensuring candidates have a positive experience from application through onboarding.
• Maintain recruitment data using the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) and HRIS to maintain accurate candidate records, generate recruitment reports, track hiring metrics, and support continuous improvement initiatives.

Requirements

• 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
• Able 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

Qualifications

• 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

Skills

• Organizational skills
• Communication skills
• Time management skills
• Customer service skills
• Attention to detail
• Ability to build relationships
• Understanding of employment laws and best practices
• Experience with ATS and HRIS platforms

Benefits

Competitive benefits including health, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, paid holidays, retirement savings opportunities, and additional employee benefits.

Pay

$X per hour or $Y per year, depending on experience and qualifications.

Schedule

A predictable Monday–Friday, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm schedule from a private office in our Executive Suite. This is not a hybrid or remote opportunity.