Human Resources Specialist

Human Resources Specialist – Talent Acquisition & Management

Academy of Hope Adult Public Charter School
Location: Washington, DC (Hybrid Eligible)
Reports to: Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) or Director of HR
Department: Human Resources
FLSA Status: Exempt
Salary Range: $43,495.88 – $99,651.53 (commensurate with level and experience)

About Academy of Hope

Academy of Hope (AoH) Adult Public Charter School has served adult learners in Washington, DC since 1985. Our mission is to empower adults to earn high school credentials, build workforce-ready skills, and pursue postsecondary education. AoH is known for its learner-centered approach, strong community partnerships, and commitment to equity and access in adult education.

Why This Role Matters

Academy of Hope’s mission depends on attracting, hiring, and retaining talented educators and professionals who are committed to equity, adult learning, and community impact. The Human Resources Specialist – Talent Acquisition & Management plays a critical role in building a strong, diverse, and mission-aligned workforce. This position leads the full recruitment lifecycle—from workforce planning and employer branding to hiring, onboarding, and instructional contracting—ensuring a seamless, compliant, and people-centered experience for candidates, hiring managers, and new employees.

This role is essential to scaling Academy of Hope’s programs, supporting instructional excellence, and sustaining a positive employee experience.

What You’ll Do

Talent Acquisition & Recruitment

• Lead the full lifecycle recruitment process for instructional and non-instructional roles across multiple campuses and departments
• Partner closely with hiring managers to define staffing needs, develop recruitment strategies, and manage hiring timelines
• Draft, post, and manage job advertisements across Paycom ATS and external platforms
• Screen applications, coordinate interviews, facilitate hiring decisions, and extend offers in alignment with policy and compensation guidelines
• Ensure a consistent, equitable, and engaging candidate experience from application through hire
• Build proactive talent pipelines for high-need and recurring roles, including instructional, adjunct, and workforce positions

Applicant Tracking & Hiring Systems

• Serve as the primary administrator for recruitment workflows within Paycom ATS
• Maintain accurate, timely, and compliant applicant records and hiring documentation
• Monitor recruitment metrics (time-to-hire, applicant flow, yield) and identify opportunities for process improvement
• Ensure compliance with EEO, FCRA, and other hiring-related regulations

Onboarding & Employment Transitions

• Coordinate and manage onboarding for new hires, including offer letters, employment agreements, background checks, and system access
• Partner with hiring managers and operations teams to ensure new employees are prepared for their first day
• Manage instructional contracts, adjunct agreements, and support staffing documentation
• Support internal transfers, promotions, and employment changes in collaboration with HR colleagues

Collaboration & Workforce Support

• Serve as a trusted HR partner to campus leaders and department managers throughout the hiring process
• Collaborate with Payroll, Benefits, and Employee Relations colleagues to ensure seamless employee transitions
• Support workforce planning efforts and staffing analysis as needed

Compliance & HR Operations

• Ensure recruitment and onboarding practices align with federal, state, and local employment laws
• Maintain confidentiality, professionalism, and data integrity in all HR systems
• Contribute to continuous improvement of HR policies, procedures, and hiring practices

Who You Are

You are a people-centered and systems-savvy HR professional who thrives at the intersection of recruitment strategy, operational execution, and relationship building. You bring strong experience in talent acquisition, enjoy partnering with hiring managers, and understand how to move candidates efficiently from interest to hire without sacrificing equity or compliance. You are comfortable managing multiple searches at once, navigating an ATS, and supporting instructional and professional staff in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment. You bring sound judgment, strong communication skills, and a deep commitment to Academy of Hope’s values and adult learners.

Why Work for Academy of Hope

Academy of Hope Adult Public Charter School is a mission-driven organization committed to equity, access, and opportunity through adult education. For nearly 40 years, AoH has supported adult learners across Washington, DC in earning high school credentials, building workforce-ready skills, and pursuing postsecondary pathways.

Academy of Hope Adult Public Charter School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate in employment based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, physical or mental disability, age, military or veteran status, marital status, domestic partner or civil union status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field
• Professional experience in talent acquisition, recruitment, or human resources with a strong emphasis on full-cycle hiring
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple recruitments simultaneously, including instructional and professional roles
• Experience partnering with hiring managers to develop job postings, manage interviews, and support selection decisions
• Proficiency with applicant tracking systems (ATS); experience using Paycom or similar HRIS platforms preferred
• Working knowledge of employment laws and regulations related to hiring (e.g., EEO, FCRA, fair hiring practices)
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and hiring timelines
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including professional candidate and manager interactions
• High level of discretion, professionalism, and commitment to confidentiality
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and learner-centered values in hiring practices

Preferred Qualifications

• Three (3) or more years of experience in talent acquisition, recruitment, or human resources
• Experience recruiting for instructional, adjunct, or education-based roles
• Experience supporting onboarding, employment contracts, and staffing transitions
• Familiarity with workforce planning, recruitment metrics, and pipeline development
• Experience working in an education, nonprofit, or mission-driven organization
• SHRM-CP, PHR, or similar professional HR certification (required for senior-level placement or within a defined timeframe)
• Strong systems orientation, including experience improving recruitment workflows and candidate experience
• Experience collaborating cross-functionally with Payroll, Benefits, and Employee Relations teams

Total Rewards & Benefits
Academy of Hope offers a comprehensive total rewards package designed to support employee well-being, stability, and professional growth, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Employer-paid life insurance and AD&D coverage
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Employer-sponsored retirement plan (403(b))
• Generous paid time off, including personal leave, sick leave, and paid holidays
• Paid winter and spring breaks, aligned with the academic calendar
• Professional development opportunities, including training, conferences, and role-related learning

Hybrid work model (telework and on-site), based on role responsibilities and operational needs

Salary : $56,944 - $99,652