Human Resources Specialist II (Talent Acquisition and Recruitment)

shades of grey HR.; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 50,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dynamic Talent Acquisition & Recruitment Specialist to join their expanding HR team. This role involves leading the full-cycle recruitment process, crafting inclusive job postings, and collaborating with leadership to ensure new hires align with the organization's equity-driven mission. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in recruitment, particularly within public-sector or education settings, and a commitment to fostering an inclusive hiring process. If you're passionate about making a difference and have the skills to drive impactful hiring practices, this is the opportunity for you!

Qualifications

• 3+ years of full-cycle recruitment experience in education or mission-driven environments.
• Strong understanding of equity-driven hiring practices and compliance with employment laws.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end recruitment and enhance employer branding.
• Manage full-cycle hiring process and ensure compliance with employment laws.

Skills

Recruitment

Communication

Equity and Inclusion

HRIS Systems (Paycom)

Interpersonal Skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

Paycom

Job description

About Academy Of Hope

For more than 35 years, Academy of Hope Adult Public Charter School has provided high-quality education, career and student support services that change lives and improve communities. Located in Washington, DC and serving residents ages 18 and older, we support more than 800 adult learners each year, whether they come to us looking to complete their high school education, gain a diploma, take college courses, develop job skills or advance in their careers.

Our Human Resources (HR) team is expanding—and we need an HR professional who understands both the urgency and responsibility of building a team that reflects our community and values.

What You’ll Do

As The Talent Acquisition & Recruitment Specialist, You Will Lead End-to-end Recruitment, Bring Creativity To Employer Branding, And Elevate Our Hiring Practices To Reflect Our Equity-driven Mission. You Will

• Write compelling, inclusive job advertisements tailored to each position and aligned with our commitment to access and opportunity in adult education.
• Manage the full-cycle hiring process, from posting roles and screening applicants to scheduling interviews and coordinating offer letters.
• Guide hiring managers through every step of the process: intake meetings, application review, structured interviews, scoring rubrics, compliance paperwork, and compensation strategy.
• Become an expert in our HRIS system (Paycom), using it to post jobs, track applicants, communicate with candidates, and support seamless onboarding.
• Collaborate with the CHRO and leadership team to ensure every new hire meets our standards for skill, fit, and mission alignment.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable employment laws, including EEOC, ADA, FCRA, and internal equity policies.
• Maintain detailed, audit-ready documentation throughout the recruitment process and contribute to continuous improvement of our hiring workflows.
  
  

Who You Are

• A superb writer and communicator, with the ability to draft clear, engaging, and inclusive job postings that reflect both professionalism and warmth.
• A self-starter who knows how to move hiring processes forward and when to elevate to the CHRO or Director.
• Experienced in public-sector, education, nonprofit, or charter school recruitment—you understand the complexity and urgency of mission-driven hiring.
• Committed to equity and access, with a track record of reducing bias in hiring through structured screening, competency-based interviews, and outreach to diverse talent pools.
• Technically confident—especially in ATS or HRIS systems (Paycom strongly preferred).
  
  

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Communications, Public Administration, or a related field (Master’s preferred but not required).
• Minimum 3 years of full-cycle recruitment experience, with at least 2 years in an education or mission-driven environment.
• Demonstrated experience using ATS platforms (Paycom strongly preferred), and deep knowledge of recruitment best practices.
• Working knowledge of federal, DC, and employment laws related to hiring and recruitment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, professional discretion, and a strong sense of ownership and follow-through.