Onboarding Specialist

Pathways of Southwestern Pennsylvania; Washington (Washington County); On-site; USD 27,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

PathWays of Southwestern Pennsylvania is seeking an Onboarding Specialist in Washington, PA to create positive employee experiences and guide new hires through the onboarding journey.

The role emphasizes collaboration with hiring managers, coordination of pre-employment steps, and ongoing check-ins to support engagement and retention. Strong organization and people skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Associate degree (HR, business admin, communications, or related) or equivalent experience.
• At least 1 year of experience in HR, recruiting, onboarding, or admin support.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams).

Responsibilities

• Prepare and manage employment offers and guide candidates through onboarding.
• Serve as primary contact for new hires during onboarding.
• Coordinate pre-employment requirements (background checks, clearances, drug screens, physicals, credentials).
• Guide new employees through required paperwork and onboarding steps.
• Coordinate and conduct new employee orientation.
• Partner with hiring managers to ensure a smooth onboarding experience.
• Conduct 30-, 60-, and 90-day check-ins to support engagement and retention.

Skills

Onboarding

Recruitment

Communication

Relationship building

Team collaboration

Education

Associate degree in HR or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Outlook

Word

Excel

Teams

Job description

• Location Washington, PA, 15301,United States
• Base Pay $19.45 - $22.00 / Hour
• Job Category Onboarding, Recruitment, Human Resources
• Employee Type NonExempt - Full Time
• Required Degree 2 Year Degree
• Manage Others No

Description

Make an Impact Where People Matter Most

At PathWays, we believe our employees are the heart of everything we do—and the individuals and children we serve are our purpose. We're looking for an Onboarding Specialist who is passionate about creating positive employee experiences, building relationships, and helping great people get started on a meaningful career.

This is more than an administrative HR role—it's an opportunity to make a lasting first impression, support employees as they begin their journey with PathWays, and help build the teams that make a difference in our communities.

If you're organized, people-focused, enjoy connecting with others, and thrive in a collaborative environment, we'd love to meet you!

What You'll Do

Create a Great First Impression

• Prepare and manage employment offers, helping candidates navigate the transition from applicant to employee.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for new hires throughout the onboarding process.
• Coordinate pre-employment requirements, including background checks, clearances, drug screenings, physical examinations, and credential verification.
• Guide new employees through required paperwork, deadlines, and onboarding steps.
• Coordinate and facilitate new employee orientation to ensure employees feel welcomed, informed, and prepared for success.
• Partner with hiring managers and department leaders to create a smooth and positive onboarding experience.
• Conduct 30-, 60-, and 90-day employee check-ins to support engagement, answer questions, and identify opportunities to improve retention.

Help Build Great Teams

• Support recruitment efforts for administrative and office support positions.
• Review applications, conduct initial candidate screenings, and coordinate interviews.
• Maintain communication with candidates throughout the hiring process.
• Assist with applicant tracking and recruitment documentation.
• Provide recruitment support and coverage during planned or unplanned absences of the Recruiter.
• Participate in career fairs, hiring events, and other recruitment initiatives.

Keep Things Organized & Compliant

• Maintain accurate employee onboarding records and documentation.
• Ensure onboarding activities meet applicable federal, state, agency, and funding source requirements.
• Maintain confidentiality of applicant and employee information.
• Prepare onboarding updates and reports for the Human Resources Manager.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, strengthen communication, and enhance the employee experience.
• Support HR projects and initiatives focused on employee engagement, retention, and continuous improvement.

What You Bring

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with a genuine interest in helping people.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Attention to detail and a commitment to following through.
• The ability to build positive relationships with candidates, employees, managers, and community partners.
• Professional judgment and the ability to handle confidential information.
• A collaborative mindset with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Comfort using technology and learning new systems and processes.
• A commitment to diversity, inclusion, and person-centered practices.

Requirements

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Communications, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least one year of experience in human resources, recruiting, onboarding, administrative support, or a related field.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and Teams.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Experience with applicant tracking systems (ATS) and HRIS platforms.
• Experience in healthcare, human services, nonprofit, or disability services.

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What Makes PathWays Special

• Mission-driven work that directly impacts individuals and children in our care.
• The opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the employee experience.
• A collaborative and supportive Human Resources team.
• The ability to build relationships across departments and contribute to organizational success.
• An opportunity to grow your skills while supporting a mission that matters.

Join Us!

At PathWays, we believe that creating a great employee experience starts long before someone's first day. The Onboarding Specialist plays an important role in welcoming new employees, building connections, and ensuring our teams have the support they need to succeed.

If you're someone who enjoys helping people, staying organized, building relationships, and being part of something bigger than yourself, we encourage you to apply and become part of the PathWays team!

PathWays is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer . We value the unique experiences and perspectives that every person brings to our team. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), PathWays provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. We encourage prospective and current employees to discuss any accommodation needs so we can create a supportive, accessible, and empowering workplace for everyone. If you are in need of an accommodation, please reach out to use at 724.225.8145 or email us at [e-mail]