Human Resources V - Talent Acquisition Specialist

Job Description:
We are seeking a proactive and innovative Human Resources V - Talent Acquisition Specialist to play a pivotal role in TAG. The successful candidate will have a strategic mindset, excellent communication skills, and a passion for attracting and retaining top talent.

This is a specialized role that requires proactive leadership and initiative. We are seeking a self-starter who can identify opportunities for improvement and implement/recommend new processes with minimal supervision.

The ideal candidate has strong analytical skills to assess recruitment metrics and trends, provide insights that drive continuous improvement. They are adept at identifying new opportunities for sourcing candidates and implementing innovative recruitment techniques.

The candidate must exhibit excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. They will often serve as the first point of contact, to showcase how we can convey our organizational values effectively and foster positive relationships from the outset.

By fulfilling these expectations, you will contribute significantly to creating a supportive and exciting candidate experience that aligns with our organizational goals.

This positions performs advanced and/or supervisory (senior-level) human resources management work. Work involves coordinating and administering the operation of a human resources management program (recruitment and selection, compensation, classification, employee relations, and leave and benefits). May supervise the work of others. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude in the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Key Responsibilities:
• Develop and implement creative, data-driven recruitment strategies to attract high-caliber candidates
• Collaborate with leadership to understand hiring needs and ensure alignment with organizational goals
• Craft compelling job descriptions and promotional content that showcase our employer brand
• Manage job postings across various platforms and track key recruitment metrics
• Analyze recruitment data to identify trends, areas for improvement, and opportunities for innovation
• Build relationships with college campuses, leverage social media, and engage current staff in the referral process
• Serve as the primary point of contact for candidates, providing a positive and supportive experience
• Continuously evaluate and enhance our recruitment processes, recommending improvements as needed
• Operate with minimal supervision, taking the initiative to implement new recruitment techniques

Essential Job Functions:
Provides and/or oversees others who provide advice and counsel to employees and management on issues, rules, and policies related to human resources management, including handling issues and questions referred by other human resources staff; and develops solutions to problems by following procedures or applying policy.
• Determines the most appropriate and effective solutions by applying the TAG procedures or policies to the identified problem.
• Collaborates with other TAG and HR personnel to ensure consistent application of policies and practices across the organization.
• Offers guidance and recommendations to employees and management on human resources management issues, while adhering to established rules and policies.
• Deploys across DFPS divisions when another HS is out on extended leave or vacancy on team to recruit and hire, as needed.

Conducts and/or oversees others who conduct job analyses to determine proper classification and prepares new or revised job descriptions and job postings.
• Analyzes job descriptions and coordinates with DFPS HR Classification to ensure compliance with DFPS HR Policy and the State Position Classification Plan.
• Submits updates and revisions to the Webmaster for Job Posting templates that are on the DFPS SafetyNet, not the job description.
• Assist TAG managers to ensure compliance with posting, screening, and hiring requirement, and coordinates with DFPS HR Classifications when positions are required to be audited in accordance with DFPS HR Policy and the State Position Classification Plan.

Conducts and/or oversees others who conduct workforce analyses and develops workforce plans; advises management on executing workforce planning solutions.
• Leads and/or participates in workgroups to improve TAG processes to meet agency goals and requirements.
• Identifies hard to fill areas/positions and collaborates with hiring specialists to fill critical positions.
• Monitors and analyzes TAG's involvement in the retention process by tracking key performance indicators and their impact on overall success.

Conducts and/or oversees others who conduct objective, thorough internal investigations of grievances and complaints; and recommends appropriate action.
• Develop and maintain a standardized hiring related open records request procedure for hiring that includes clear guidelines for agency staff and applicants.
• Respond and provide necessary documents to hiring related open records requests for agency.
• Assist agency management with internal investigations regarding employee performance and works with HR to make recommendations for appropriate action.
• Assists TAG managers in the implementation of action plans following internal investigations.

Conducts reviews and evaluations and produces statistical or narrative reports of findings.
• Assists with the collection and review of information regarding knowledge and informational gaps pertaining to TAG policies and processes.
• Assists in developing reports pertaining to recruitment and hiring using excel spreadsheets, SharePoint, and other office software programs.
• Prepares reports of data results, presenting and explaining findings to senior leadership.
• Review and analyze legislation to the hiring and background check process.
• Identify and evaluate TAG unit trends and recommends development and implementation of unit changes.

Develops, reviews, revises, and implements human resources policies and procedures.
• Develops and revises the agency's existing policies and procedures to identify gaps, inconsistencies, or areas that need improvement.
• Reviews policy on a regular basis to ensure policy continues to comply with federal and state law and the needs of DFPS.
• Ensures implementation of policy and procedures to include the review and approvals of hiring decisions as it pertains to minimum qualifications.
• Provides feedback regarding the impact of DFPS Policy and hiring practices.

Coordinates the recruitment of applicants and makes recommendations for selection; and oversees the administration of employment tests.
• Utilizes specialized knowledge in recruiting to identify, attract, and engage top talent for various positions within the agency.
• Utilizes social media platforms for recruitment purposes.
• Stays up to date on current and emerging recruiting trends and educates TAG team as appropriate
• Monitors social media sites (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, etc.) to assist with responding to inquiries about hiring.
• Oversees the administration of employment testing for hire and refers candidates for additional testing.
• Directs and monitors posting efforts, conducts interview screening, schedules interviews, coordinates hiring panels with supervisor, conducts reference checks, and works with program to make recommendations for hire.
• Oversee TAG recruitment activities and provide consultation to internal and external stakeholders and agencies regarding TAG hiring program, services, policies, and procedures.

Coordinates the maintenance of human resources automated systems and records and the analysis of human resources reports and reporting procedures.
• Maintain tracking system of potential candidates for job openings in order to provide reports to program, TAG management, and executive team.
• Assist in the compliance and accuracy of all TAG related reports.
• Collect data for the analysis of human resources reports and reporting procedures to help optimize the decision-making process.
Prepares various human resources correspondence and reports, including confidential correspondence and reports.
• Demonstrate discretion, confidentiality and independent judgment related to highly confidential and sensitive assignments.
• Distribute the finalized reports or correspondence to appropriate recipients while maintaining privacy concerns in accordance with agency policies.
• Gather and review essential TAG hiring data to provide to the TAG Director to identify agency hiring trends.
• Provides technical expertise and guidance regarding questions related to the department.

Monitors and determines the effectiveness of human resources and administrative management programs and recommends solutions to problems.
• Assists agency managers with issues regarding agency job notice posting and hiring policies and processes, screening, interviewing, and hiring issues and applicant selection policies and procedures.
• Assists TAG staff in coordinating assistance to agency management regarding the state classification plan, position descriptions, organizational structure, and agency classification policies and procedures.
• Provides TAG subject matter expertise and technical guidance in accordance with all applicable state and federal laws, regulations, rules, and policies.
• Reviews weekly, monthly, and quarterly hiring reports for agency trends and recommend solutions to regional staff on recruitment and retention.

Plans, designs, and conducts general meetings, workshops, and human resources-related
training.
• Develops and/or update TAG training model for TAG staff to ensure
• Monitors and track new Hiring Specialists and admin training to ensure readiness.
• Prepares and develops plans, procedures, and related activities to meet HR administrative training needs.
• Develops and delivers training to regional supervisory staff as needed.
• Designs and conducts general meetings and workshops with HR, TAG, and regional staff to update the divisions on TAG recruitment and retention.
May assist with the preparation of budget estimates.
• Maintain and review the TAG budget and report to the TAG director, as needed.

May supervise the work of others.
• Provides TAG staff with work assignments, direction, and information on responsibilities and work performance standards as needed.
• Provide supervision to others, as needed, to ensure tasks are completed by deadline.

Knowledge Skills Abilities:
Knowledge of the principles and practices of human resources management; human resources
programs such as employment, compensation, classification, employee relations, benefits,
workers' compensation, or organizational development; and federal, state, and local laws and
regulations governing personnel activities.

Skill in oral and written communication, conducting interviews, using a computer and human
resources-related software applications, handling multiple tasks and prioritizing, and problem
solving.

Ability to explain policies and procedures to staff and the public; to maintain confidential and
sensitive information; to develop and analyze human resources processes; to establish and
maintain effective working relationships with applicants, employees, and the general public; to
communicate effectively; and to supervise the work of others.

Registration or Licensure Requirements:
N/A

Initial Selection Criteria:
• At least 3 years of experience in talent acquisition, recruitment, or a related role
• Proven track record of successfully attracting and hiring top talent.

Additional Information:
May be housed anywhere in the state that has office space.

MOS Code:
Note: There are no direct military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position. All active duty, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply. For more information see the Texas State Auditor's Military Crosswalk .

As a state agency, DFPS is required Texas Administrative Code (TAC 206 and 213) to ensure all Electronic Information Resources (EIR) follow accessibility standards. The staff must be familiar with the WCAG 2.1 AA and Section 508 to create accessible content including but not limited to; Microsoft Office documents, Adobe PDFs, webpages, software, training guides, video, and audio files.

HHS agencies use E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.

I-9 Form - Click here to download the I-9 form.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.