Talent Acquisition Specialist

The Talent Acquisition Specialist at Breakthrough Central Texas is responsible for leading the end-to-end recruitment process to meet the organization’s talent needs. This onsite role in Austin, TX partners closely with HR and AmeriCorps leadership to design recruitment strategies, manage the candidate experience from first contact through onboarding, and support timely, high-quality hiring outcomes.

You will help shape inclusive hiring practices and build talent pipelines that align with Breakthrough’s mission, values, and communities.

Role Overview

• Lead end-to-end recruitment for Breakthrough Central Texas organizational talent needs.
• Design and execute recruitment strategies that attract mission-aligned candidates passionate about expanding educational opportunities and serving the community.
• Report directly to the Director of Human Resources & Talent and work closely with the Associate Director of AmeriCorps and other stakeholders to meet recruitment goals.
• Ensure full-time staff and national service participant (AmeriCorps) positions are filled, with a strong candidate experience from first contact through onboarding.

What You’ll Do

• Partner with HR and AmeriCorps leadership to develop and execute recruitment strategies that reflect Breakthrough’s values and build high-quality candidate pipelines.
• Champion hiring practices that support access, inclusion, and candidate belonging throughout recruitment.
• Design and manage a recruitment funnel, including setting and tracking recruitment goals to fill all positions and support additional talent needs.
• Build strategic relationships with colleges, universities, community-based organizations, and other recruitment partners to promote service opportunities.
• Manage job postings across digital platforms, community job boards, universities, and social media to maximize visibility and attract a broad and diverse candidate pool.
• Represent Breakthrough at job fairs, school visits, info sessions, and community events.
• Screen applications, conduct interviews, and support hiring managers in selecting top candidates.
• Use LinkedIn and other talent sourcing platforms to identify and pursue prospective candidates, including for just-in-time hiring needs.
• Manage and support high-volume AmeriCorps recruitment teams and processes to meet hiring targets on time while maintaining candidate quality.
• Serve as an active member of the AmeriCorps Central Texas (ACT) recruitment committee and collaborate with peer organizations to share candidates and recruitment best practices.
• Lead multi-channel candidate engagement strategies using email, text messaging, social media, and recruitment events.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Communications to create recruitment materials that reflect Breakthrough and AmeriCorps brands and speak authentically to mission, values, and communities.
• Ensure timely, professional, inclusive communication with candidates, hiring managers, and recruitment partners.
• Create a positive, welcoming candidate experience aligned with fair and inclusive hiring practices, respect, and belonging.
• Track and analyze recruitment data and performance metrics to support continuous improvement and data-informed decision-making.
• Steward problem-solving related to recruitment barriers (including cost of living and candidate hesitancy around stipends) to ensure AmeriCorps slots are filled with qualified, mission-aligned members.
• Maintain the Applicant Tracking System and recruitment database with accuracy, confidentiality, and consistency.
• Work with the Chief Operations Officer and Associate Director of AmeriCorps to manage candidate files and documentation in compliance with Breakthrough policies and AmeriCorps/state regulations.

Requirements

• Champion closing the opportunity gap and increasing social and economic equity and mobility through educational attainment.
• Proven track record meeting recruitment targets and managing the recruitment cycle for high volume requisitions.
• Steward organizational culture so that policies, practice, systems, people strategy, and culture reflect Breakthrough’s values within talent acquisition.
• Build trusting, effective relationships that support collaboration, productive conflict and dialogue, honest conversations, and authentic partnership with colleagues, students, and community stakeholders.
• Skilled in executing complex projects, managing multiple priorities, and aligning operational systems to support departmental goals and innovation.
• Demonstrate cultural humility and strong written, verbal, and digital communication skills across 1:1, small group, and whole group settings to foster an inclusive environment.
• Support creation of cross-organizational partnerships to deliver HR and talent initiatives and training aligned with organizational goals, strengthening staff competencies and effectiveness.
• Develop data-driven strategies to attract, source, and acquire talent and oversee onboarding to ensure the right people are in the right roles.
• Collaborate with people leaders to set vision, ensure strategic alignment, steward organizational climate and culture, maintain operational efficiency, and create meaningful impact.
• Implement policies, programs, and practices that enhance job satisfaction, belonging, and retention.
• Deliver and refine accessible, user-centered processes and support staff in getting the most from them.
• Align talent acquisition strategy with departmental goals and vision while navigating change with creativity, clarity, confidence, and compassion.
• Exercise sound judgment and inclusive decision making in ambiguous situations with flexibility, agility, and a bias toward action.
• Embrace feedback and a growth mindset, pursuing opportunities to strengthen individual performance and collective outcomes.

Technologies

• LinkedIn
• Email
• Text messaging
• Social media
• Applicant Tracking System

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: USD 66,000 - 84,000 per year, depending on experience and qualifications.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance: Breakthrough provides a zero cost plan option.
• Long-term disability and life insurance.
• 401(k) matching retirement plan.
• Thirty days of annualized PTO.
• Generous leave policy.
• The salary range reflects the low and high end of the anticipated salary range for the year the position is filled.
• Breakthrough Central Texas offers a compelling total compensation packet with additional benefits.