Onboarding Specialist

Lantern Community Services Inc; New York (NY); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals is seeking an Onboarding Specialist to manage the onboarding process for new hires. This position ensures compliance and a smooth experience from offer acceptance through the first 90 days. Responsibilities include coordinating onboarding paperwork, conducting orientation sessions, and partnering with HR and management. Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree, significant HR experience, and strong communication skills. The role requires managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 4 years of experience in Human Resources or onboarding.
• Prior experience working with HRIS required.
• Strong knowledge of employment law and HR compliance requirements.

Responsibilities

• Manage and coordinate the end-to-end onboarding process for all new hires.
• Conduct new hire orientation sessions.
• Facilitate benefits enrollment and respond to employee onboarding-related inquiries.

Skills

Excellent oral and written communication skills

Excellent organizational and time management skills

Strong interpersonal and customer service skills

Advanced Microsoft Office skills

Ability to manage multiple priorities

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field

Tools

ADP HRIS

Job description

Classification: Full-time, Non-Exempt

Reports to: VP of Human Resources

Location: Midtown, NY

Who We Are

Lantern Community Services helps New Yorkers impacted by homelessness move from surviving to thriving by pairing safe, supportive housing with wraparound services that build lasting stability and independence. Lantern was recognized as a Top 2025 Workplace by City & State New York.

About the Role

The Onboarding Specialist is a member of the Human Resources team and is responsible for managing and facilitating the full onboarding process for new hires. This role ensures a smooth, compliant, and engaging onboarding experience from offer acceptance through the employee’s first 90 days. The Onboarding Specialist partners closely with HR, hiring managers, IT, and leadership to support successful employee integration into the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and coordinate the end-to-end onboarding process for all new hires
• Prepare, distribute, and track completion of onboarding paperwork and required documentation
• Conduct new hire orientation sessions
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations
• Coordinate background checks, employment verifications, and pre‑employment requirements
• Facilitate benefits enrollment and respond to employee onboarding‑related inquiries
• Maintain accurate employee records in ADP HRIS
• Partner with hiring managers to develop onboarding schedules and first‑week plans
• Track onboarding progress through the first 90 days to ensure completion of required trainings and documentation
• Collaborate with IT and other departments to ensure proper system access and equipment setup
• Identify opportunities to improve and streamline onboarding processes
• Support offboarding processes as needed
• Perform other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred but not required
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in Human Resources or onboarding
• Prior experience working with HRIS required
• Strong knowledge of employment law and HR compliance requirements
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills
• Experience working in a nonprofit or multi‑site organization preferred
• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills
• Prior experience working with ADP HRIS is highly preferred

Work Environment

This position operates in an office setting, with occasional travel to supportive housing and shelter sites with a population who may experience mental illness, substance use, disability, HIV/AIDS, and other chronic illnesses.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, climb stairs, and/or kneel. Occasionally, the employee will have to lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

Note

Lantern Community Services provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Lantern Community Services (Lantern) values the diversity of all our clients, staff, Board of Directors, and partners. By bringing diverse individuals and viewpoints together, we create more vibrant, healthy, and just communities.