Recruitment & Development Specialist

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The Recruitment & Development Specialist is responsible for full-cycle recruitment, new employee onboarding, and the training development of new hires entering the Agency. The position serves as the primary recruitment partner to the WHA Hiring Managers and leads recruitment activities from initial intake through accepted offer, including job description development, candidate sourcing and screening, interview coordination, internal job bidding and employee movement.

The Specialist also coordinates the new-hire onboarding experience, participates in New Employee Orientation, and builds relationships with colleges, vocational and technical programs, workforce organizations, and community partners to strengthen WHA’s pipeline of entry-level and emerging talent. Once new employees join WHA, the Specailist with be hands-on with their development through their first year of employment as they settle into the workforce.

This is a hands-on role requiring strong candidate engagement, time management, organization, follow-through, and collaboration across the Agency. This position is onsite in Worcester, Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Recruitment & Internal Movement – Approximately 60%

• Own the full-cycle recruitment process for assigned positions, from hiring-manager intake through accepted offer.
• Partner with Hiring Managers to understand staffing needs, create a recruitment toolkit for managers with interview guides and assessment tools, update job descriptions where appropriate, and develop effective recruitment strategies.
• Post WHA job opportunities, review applications and resumes daily, and identify qualified candidates for consideration.
• Conduct initial candidate interviews and maintain a high level of candidate outreach and engagement, with a target of approximately 20–30 candidate conversations per week based on hiring volume.
• Provide sourcing support by engaging passive candidates through professional networks, online platforms, referrals, and other recruitment channels.
• Present qualified candidates to Hiring Managers, coordinate interviews, and maintain timely communication with candidates and managers throughout the selection process.
• Prepare and extend employment offers in coordination with HR leadership and maintain candidate engagement through the employee’s start date.
• Coordinate union job postings and bidding processes, as well as internal promotions, transfers, and other employee movement, in accordance with applicable collective bargaining agreements and HR procedures.
• Create engaging marketing material to showcase opening and grow candidate engagement across the agency with the support of HR and the Marketing & Communications teams.

Onboarding & New-Hire Experience – Approximately 25%

• Coordinate preboarding and onboarding activities with new employees, Hiring Managers, and internal departments to ensure a smooth transition into WHA.
• Serve as a primary HR point of contact for incoming employees from offer acceptance through the initial onboarding period.
• Facilitate designated portions of New Employee Orientation and present HR and organizational information to new employees.
• Lead new hire check-in process at 1, 3, and 6 months of employment.
• Along with other members of the HR team, provide training and development support to new associates entering the Agency.

Talent Pipeline & Outreach – Approximately 15%

• Build and maintain relationships with colleges, universities, vocational and technical programs, workforce organizations, and community partners to develop sustainable candidate pipelines.
• Represent WHA at career fairs, campus programs, networking events, hiring events, and other recruitment and community outreach activities.
• Develop and maintain pipelines of entry-level, emerging, and passive talent for recurring and anticipated hiring needs, while supporting recruitment marketing and outreach initiatives.
• Performs similar job-related duties, as assigned.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Communications, or a related field preferred; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in recruiting, talent acquisition, Human Resources, or a related field, with demonstrated experience supporting full-cycle recruitment.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish is preferred, but not required.
• Experience conducting candidate screening interviews, evaluating qualifications, and presenting candidates to Hiring Managers.
• Demonstrated ability to proactively source and engage both active and passive candidates.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build effective relationships with candidates, Hiring Managers, employees, and external partners.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple open positions, competing priorities, and deadlines simultaneously.
• Comfortable presenting information to groups and representing the organization at career fairs, networking events, and other external recruitment activities.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to appropriately handle confidential and sensitive information.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and experience with applicant tracking systems and/or HRIS platforms; ADP experience preferred but not required.

PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must have vali drivers license and the ability to occasionally travel locally to various WHA properties around Worcester, MA as well as to career fairs, colleges, community organizations, and other recruitment events as needed.
• Ability to perform work in a professional office environment, including prolonged periods of sitting and computer use.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and through virtual platforms.
• Ability to occasionally stand or walk for extended periods while attending recruitment and outreach events.
• Ability to occasionally lift, carry, and transport recruitment materials and supplies weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Worcester Housing Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs.