Talent Acquisition Specialist

The Talent Acquisition Specialist at Breakthrough Central Texas leads end-to-end recruitment for the organization’s talent needs, helping ensure candidates experience a fair, inclusive, and mission-aligned process from first contact through onboarding. In this onsite role in Austin, TX, you will partner closely with HR and AmeriCorps leadership to design recruiting strategies, manage high-volume processes, and support hiring goals for both full-time staff and national service participants.

You will report directly to the Director of Human Resources & Talent and work closely with the Associate Director of AmeriCorps and other stakeholders to meet recruitment targets and maintain candidate quality across the hiring pipeline.

Recruitment strategy and candidate experience

• Partner with the Director of Human Resources & Talent and Associate Director of AmeriCorps to develop and execute recruitment strategies aligned with Breakthrough’s values and focused on high-quality candidate pipelines.
• Champion hiring practices that promote access, inclusion, and candidate belonging throughout recruitment.
• Create a positive and welcoming candidate experience reflecting Breakthrough’s commitment to fair and inclusive hiring, respect, and belonging.
• Ensure timely, professional, and inclusive communication with candidates, hiring managers, and recruitment partners.
• Collaborate with the Marketing and Communications team to create recruitment materials that elevate the Breakthrough and AmeriCorps brands and speak authentically to the mission, values, and communities.

Pipeline building, sourcing, and hiring support

• Design and manage a recruitment funnel, including setting and tracking recruitment goals to fill all positions and support additional talent needs.
• Build and sustain strategic relationships with colleges, universities, community-based organizations, and other recruitment partners to promote service opportunities.
• Lead job postings across digital platforms, community job boards, universities, and social media to maximize visibility and attract a broad and diverse candidate pool.
• Use LinkedIn and other talent sourcing platforms to identify and pursue prospective candidates, especially for just-in-time hiring needs.
• Represent Breakthrough at job fairs, school visits, info sessions, and community events.
• Screen applications, conduct interviews, and support hiring managers in selecting top candidates.

AmeriCorps recruitment leadership

• Manage and support high-volume AmeriCorps recruitment teams and processes to ensure hiring targets are met on time while maintaining strong candidate quality.
• Serve as an active member of the AmeriCorps Central Texas (ACT) recruitment committee and collaborate with peer organizations to share candidates and recruitment best practices.
• Steward problem-solving efforts related to recruitment barriers (for example, cost of living or candidate hesitancy around stipends) to help ensure AmeriCorps slots are filled with qualified, mission-aligned members.

Systems, data, and compliance

• Develop and execute multi-channel candidate engagement strategies using email, text messaging, social media, and recruitment events to cultivate interest and maintain engagement.
• Track and analyze recruitment data and performance metrics to drive continuous improvement and data-informed decision-making.
• Maintain the Applicant Tracking System and recruitment database with accuracy, confidentiality, and consistency.
• Collaborate with the Chief Operations Officer and Associate Director of AmeriCorps to ensure candidate files and documentation are managed in compliance with Breakthrough policies and AmeriCorps/state regulations.

Qualifications

• A champion for closing the opportunity gap and increasing social and economic equity and mobility through educational attainment.
• A proven track record meeting recruitment targets and experience managing the recruitment cycle for high-volume requisitions.
• Ability to steward organizational culture so policies, practice, systems, people strategy, and culture mirror Breakthrough’s values, particularly within talent acquisition.
• Strong relationship-building skills that enable collaboration, productive conflict and dialogue, honest conversations, and authentic partnership with colleagues, students, community partners, and other stakeholders.
• Skill in executing complex projects, managing multiple priorities, and aligning operational systems to support departmental goals and innovation.
• Cultural humility and written, verbal, and digital communication skills in 1:1, small group, and whole-group settings that contribute to an inclusive environment across diverse identities and experiences.
• Experience or capacity to support cross-organizational partnerships delivering HR and talent initiatives and training aligned to organizational goals.
• Ability to develop data-driven talent acquisition strategies and oversee onboarding to ensure the right people are in the right roles.
• Collaborative, strategic engagement with other people leaders to steward organizational climate and culture, maintain operational efficiency, and create meaningful impact.
• Experience creating accessible, user-centered processes and supporting staff in getting the most from them.
• Sound judgment and inclusive decision-making in ambiguous situations, with flexibility, agility, and a bias toward action.
• Commitment to feedback and a growth mindset, including curiosity and creativity to strengthen individual performance and collective outcomes.

Tools you will use

• LinkedIn
• Email
• Text messaging
• Social media
• Applicant Tracking System

Compensation and benefits

• Annual salary: USD 66,000 - 84,000, depending on experience and qualifications.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance; Breakthrough provides a zero cost plan option.
• Long-term disability and life insurance.
• Matching 401K retirement plan.
• Thirty days of annualized PTO.
• Generous leave policy.
• The salary range represents the low and high end of the anticipated salary range for the year in which the position is filled, and Breakthrough offers a compelling total compensation packet with additional benefits.

About the Talent Acquisition role: This position advances Breakthrough Central Texas’s mission by leading end-to-end recruitment for all organizational talent needs. The role designs and executes recruitment strategies to attract candidates passionate about expanding educational opportunities and serving the community, ensuring recruitment goals are met and candidates have a strong, mission-aligned experience from first contact through onboarding.