Talent Acquisition Specialist (Recruiter)

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority seeks a Talent Acquisition Specialist (Recruiter) to lead end-to-end recruitment, sourcing, screening, and collaboration with hiring managers, with teleworking available one day per week.

Responsibilities

• Designs and implements targeted sourcing plans to identify qualified candidates.
• Leverages multiple channels—LinkedIn, job boards, ATS, referrals, and professional networks—and crafts personalized outreach to engage active and passive talent.
• Maintains candidate records in the ATS to ensure transparency and timely follow-up.
• Builds robust candidate pipelines that address critical hiring needs, shorten time-to-fill, and boost hiring manager satisfaction.
• Proactively develops and sustains pipelines across all agencies to meet hiring demands.
• Incorporates multi-channel sourcing and ongoing management of talent pools segmented by skill.
• Strengthens pipelines and shortens sourcing timelines for repeat and high-demand roles.
• Leads structured intake sessions to translate business needs into clear, measurable role criteria and candidate qualifications.
• Defines must-haves versus nice-to-haves, aligns on competencies and timelines, and coaches interview teams on structured evaluation.
• Results in more relevant candidates, improved interview consistency, faster decisions, and fewer failed searches.
• Assesses candidate fit against defined role criteria and organizational needs before presenting to hiring managers.
• Includes resume review for core competencies, structured phone screens, and clear ATS documentation to support transparency.
• Improves candidate profiles, reduces hiring manager interview time, and raises first-round pass-through rates.
• Prepares candidates for interview panels and ensures timely feedback from hiring managers.
• Provides candidates with detailed logistics, role expectations, and coaching on behavioral and competency-based questions to boost performance.
• Conducts debrief sessions after interviews, consolidates feedback, and documents next steps in the ATS.
• Drives faster, more consistent decision-making and reduces time-to-hire while enhancing the candidate experience.
• Manages the offer process to ensure competitiveness, equity, and compliance.
• Collaborates with Compensation on salary ranges, secures approvals, and records decisions in the ATS.
• Initiates and tracks background clearances and medical assessments where applicable.
• Monitors recruitment metrics, identifies bottlenecks, escalates challenges, and recommends process improvements.
• Maintains dashboards and analyzes sourcing effectiveness to optimize hiring outcomes.
• Works cross-functionally with the People Department, Labor Relations, and Legal to ensure alignment and compliance throughout the process.
• Handles special projects and other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Hands-on experience with full-cycle recruitment.
• Proficient in diverse recruiting techniques to identify, attract, and source passive talent via LinkedIn, Indeed, and other niche channels.
• Experience building talent pipelines across multiple sourcing platforms.
• Ability to consult, manage, and influence a range of stakeholders while partnering with hiring leaders.
• Proven ability to effectively sell an organization’s value proposition and benefits package.
• Understanding of staffing principles and state employment laws.
• Excellent written communication for crafting effective job postings.
• Strong interviewing, networking, interpersonal, communication, and customer service skills.
• Proficient with HR databases, ATS, and CRM systems; Jobvite experience is a plus.
• Exceptional time management, multitasking, and organizational skills with the ability to prioritize competing demands.
• Experience partnering with agency leaders and business partners to drive recruitment processes.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, with a strong work ethic, integrity, and confidentiality.
• Experience using diverse interview techniques and evaluation methods.
• Ability to generate ad hoc recruitment reports on request.
• Bachelor’s degree in human resources or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience from an accredited college.
• Minimum 3 years of related HR experience, with at least 1 year in recruitment/talent acquisition.

Technologies

• LinkedIn
• Indeed
• Applicant Tracking System (ATS)
• Jobvite

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field; relevant licenses or certifications in the specialty are welcomed.
• Familiarity with the MTA policies and procedures.
• Familiarity with the MTA collective bargaining procedures.

Other Information

• Pursuant to the New York State Public Officers Law and the MTA Code of Ethics, policymaking employees must file an Annual Statement of Financial Disclosure with the NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government.

Equal Employment Opportunity

• MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. The organization encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.