Talent Acquisition Specialist - Campus and Early Careers

Overview:

The Talent Acquisition Specialist – Campus & Early Careers is responsible for managing our organization’s end-to-end internship and campus recruitment. This role builds and manages relationships with universities, technical schools, and local organizations to build talent pipelines that support the company’s workforce and succession planning goals. The Specialist coordinates campus events, internships, and entry-level hiring programs while promoting the company’s employer brand and culture to students and recent graduates.

Essential Functions:

1. Campus and Early Career Recruiting: 40%

• Partner with hiring managers and HR leadership to identify early career talent needs and create recruiting strategies aligned with business goals.
• Manage full-cycle recruiting for internships and entry-level positions.
• Develop, coordinate, and administer early career programs, including internships, co-ops, and graduate recruiting initiatives.
• Manage candidate communication and engagement throughout the recruitment process, including timely updates, feedback, and guidance to candidates and internal stakeholders.
• Screen applications, conduct interviews, and evaluate candidates to find the best fit for internship and early career roles. 
• Track and evaluate program effectiveness, providing recommendations for improvement and scalability.
• Develop strategies to attract top student talent through on-campus events and online outreach.
• Collaborate with HR and hiring managers to coordinate onboarding for early career hires.

2. University & Community Partnerships: 30%

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key colleges, universities, trade schools, and community organizations.
• Serve as a company ambassador at career fairs, on-campus recruiting events, and community workforce programs.
• Act as the primary point of contact for career services offices and faculty partners.

3. Recruiting Compliance: 20%

• Maintain accurate candidate and program data within the Applicant Tracking System (ATS).
• Generate reports on recruiting activities, pipeline status, and conversion rates.
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local employment laws and company policies.
• Track key recruiting and campus metrics to analyze the success of the program and continue to look at new and innovative ways to improve it.

4. Performs other duties as assigned by management, such as assisting with special HR projects and initiatives. 10%

Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration or related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience is preferred.
• At least 3 to 5 years of experience, with a focus on talent acquisition, early career recruiting, campus recruitment is required.
• Previous recruiting and/or sourcing experience required; previous experience working with college students and university relations is preferred.
• Certification in HR or recruitment (e.g., SHRM-CP, PHR, AIRS certification) is preferred.

Skills/Abilities:

• Demonstrated communication skills (oral and written) with the ability to effectively interact with all levels within the organization, including senior leadership.
• Excellent negotiation and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Excellent organizational skills with a focus on efficiency and attention to detail.
• Strong understanding of employment laws and best practices in recruitment.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite is required.
• Working knowledge of SharePoint, UKG, and other ATS platforms, with the ability to learn and adapt to new company-specific software and technology platforms.
• Demonstrated poise, professionalism, and the ability to build credibility with senior leaders and other audiences.
• Proficient in utilizing ATS platforms, LinkedIn Recruiter, social media platforms, and various recruiting technologies to source and manage candidates effectively.
• Proven ability to attract passive candidates as well as build proactive and inclusive pipelines through cold calling, networking and other advanced sourcing tools and techniques.
• Proven ability to consistently meet goals and deadlines while excelling in fast-paced, high-pressure environments.
• Extensive networking experience and in-depth knowledge of advanced search practices.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and discretion.
• Skilled in managing multiple open roles concurrently and effectively prioritizing tasks to meet recruitment goals.

Work Environment:

• Office environment with occasional local travel required for recruiting events, such as career fairs and networking opportunities.

Physical Demands:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.