Recruiting and Engagement Specialist

Katbus; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 50,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

Knoxville Area Transit (KAT) is seeking a Recruiting & Engagement Specialist to drive full-cycle recruitment, onboarding, and employee engagement initiatives. The role focuses on attracting, screening, selecting, and onboarding a high-performing workforce while supporting wellbeing and retention across the organization.

Responsibilities include managing job postings, equitable hiring practices, background checks, I-9 compliance, and onboarding workflows.

Qualifications

• Requires an associate’s degree and 3 years of recruitment, onboarding, or HR experience or a bachelor’s degree with 1 year of HR experience.
• Military experience may be accepted in lieu of equivalent experience or education.
• Preferred: bachelor’s in HR/OD and HR certifications.

Responsibilities

• Conduct full-cycle recruitment and onboarding processes.
• Oversee onboarding workflows, HR documentation, orientation, and initial training.
• Coordinate employee engagement initiatives, recognition programs, and wellbeing efforts.

Skills

Strong communication

Data-driven

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

HR knowledge

Education

Associate degree + 3 years HR experience

Bachelor’s degree + 1 year HR experience

Military experience eligible for credit

Tools

Microsoft Office

Applicant tracking systems

Job description

JOB TITLE: Recruiting & Engagement Specialist
DEPARTMENT: Human Resources
REPORTS TO: Director of Human Resources
CLASSIFICATION: Exempt
SCHEDULE: Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
SALARY: $50,000 – $58,000 Annually
DATE POSTED: 07/29/2026

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Recruiting and Engagement Specialist at Knoxville Area Transit (KAT) plays a key role in attracting, onboarding, and retaining a high performing workforce. This position manages full cycle recruitment, oversees structured onboarding programs, and supports employee engagement initiatives that strengthen workplace culture and organizational effectiveness. The Specialist ensures job postings are strategically promoted, candidates are screened and selected using equitable and skills based hiring practices, and new employees receive a seamless transition into the organization.

In addition to recruitment and onboarding responsibilities, the role contributes to employee satisfaction and retention by coordinating well being initiatives, recognition programs, and development opportunities. The Specialist uses workforce analytics and recruitment metrics to provide leadership with actionable insights that support data driven decision making. Strong communication skills, relationship building abilities, and a solid understanding of hiring best practices are essential to effectively collaborate with candidates, employees, and leadership while advancing KAT’s organizational goals.

VETERAN COMMITMENT STATEMENT

We proudly hire Veterans and value the dedication, discipline, and leadership they bring to our workforce. We encourage Veterans and transitioning service members to apply and are committed to supporting their continued career growth in the civilian workforce.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Recruitment and Onboarding (75%)

• Utilize applicant tracking systems to streamline resume screening and candidate selection
• Work closely with the marketing team to ensure effective job postings across multiple platforms, including social media and professional networks
• Conduct structured interviews and collaborate with hiring managers to ensure equitable and effective hiring decisions
• Build and maintain talent pipelines for future hiring needs
• Oversee background checks, pre-employment drug testing, reference checks, and compliance with hiring regulations
• Process and file I-9 verifications to ensure compliance with federal employment regulations
• Develop and manage onboarding workflows, including HR documentation, orientation sessions, and initial training
• File and track medical certifications for safety sensitive positions in compliance with regulatory requirements
• Serve as a point of contact for new employees by providing guidance and support throughout their first weeks

Employee Engagement and Retention (15%)

• Design and implement employee wellbeing initiatives, including mental health support, work life balance programs, and internal engagement events
• Conduct employee engagement surveys and use insights to strengthen workplace satisfaction
• Develop career development pathways, mentorship programs, and leadership training opportunities
• Manage employee recognition programs to support morale and retention

Recruiting and Engagement Strategy (10%)

• Track and analyze key recruitment metrics, including time-to-hire, candidate conversion rates, and retention rates
• Utilize workforce analytics to forecast hiring needs workforce trends and employee engagement levels
• Generate HR reports that provide leadership with data driven insights related to talent acquisition and employee satisfaction
• Stay informed on HR best practices and recommend improvements to recruitment onboarding and retention strategies
• Perform other duties as assigned to support departmental and organizational needs

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

• An associate’s degree and three (3) years of recruitment, onboarding, or related human resources experience
• OR a bachelor’s degree and one (1) year of recruitment, onboarding, or related human resources experience
• Military experience may be accepted in lieu of equivalent experience or education

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

• A bachelor’s degree in human resources, organizational development, or a related field
• Three (3) years of recruiting or onboarding experience
• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR, or other relevant HR certification
• Experience in a unionized environment or the transportation industry

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Possess knowledge of HR policies, regulatory requirements, employment laws, and onboarding compliance practices
• Demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills for conveying information to candidates, employees, supervisors, and leadership
• Apply sound judgment by analyzing issues, identifying solutions, and resolving HR related concerns effectively
• Maintain intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Office applications to support recruitment, onboarding, and engagement activities
• Demonstrate strong organizational skills with the ability to maintain accurate records and manage confidential information appropriately
• Engage candidates, employees, and hiring managers effectively through strong interpersonal communication skills
• Manage multiple recruitment pipelines, onboarding workflows, and employee engagement initiatives with consistency and accuracy
• Use HR software, applicant tracking systems, and related tools to support recruitment and onboarding coordination
• Analyze recruitment, onboarding, and retention data to generate actionable insights for leadership
• Demonstrate strong attention to detail to ensure accuracy in hiring documentation, onboarding processes, and compliance activities
• Collaborate with internal departments to support process improvements across HR functions

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and reach with hands; use hands to feel objects, tools, or controls
• The employee is required to sit, talk, and hear
• The employee may experience repetitive motion of wrists, hands, and/or fingers
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to focus

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Work is performed in a standard office environment with a moderate work pace
• Duties are performed at a computer workstation for extended periods
• The role involves frequent interaction with candidates and employees
• Noise level is typically quiet

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

KAT is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We enforce a strict substance abuse policy providing for a safe drug-free / alcohol-free work environment. Full EEO Policy here.

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Office hours: Monday - Friday
8:30 am - 4:30 pm