Talent Acquisition Specialist

Are you looking to make a meaningful impact on public health and the environment? Join the MWRA team! We deliver some of the nation's highest-quality drinking water to 3 million residents, restored Boston Harbor, and continue to invest in protecting vital public resources. Be part of a mission-driven organization where your work truly makes a difference in a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment.

Summary:

Assist in all aspects of the recruitment and hiring process to ensure positions are filled in a timely manner. Identifies and utilizes recruitment sources, participates in recruitment events, conducts applicant screenings and interviews, and supports candidate onboarding and employee orientation. Provides recruitment-related assistance and guidance to internal and external applicants throughout the hiring process.

Posting Period: 11/13/2026 to 11/19/2026
Location: Deer Island (Winthrop), MA
Salary: $75,465.37 - $110,992.02 Annually $1,451.26 - $2,134.46 Weekly
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:00pm

Key Responsibilities

• Serves as Administrator for the applicant tracking system, including maintaining job descriptions, managing user access permissions, and ensuring the accuracy of job postings and system information.
• Conducts initial screenings of applicants for contract, intern, and entry-level positions to determine whether candidates meet minimum qualifications and may be referred for interviews.
• Communicates with internal and external applicants regarding application requirements, missing documentation, and employment-related inquiries. Responds to recruitment-related questions from hiring managers and other stakeholders.
• Coordinates job postings, candidate referrals, and hiring packages for intern and contract employees. Participates in interview committees for intern and contract employee positions.
• Partners with hiring managers to understand position requirements and develop targeted recruitment and sourcing strategies. Identifies appropriate job boards, social media platforms, and specialized recruitment resources to attract diverse and qualified candidate pools, particularly for hard-to-fill positions.
• Monitors and analyzes recruitment activity and metrics to identify trends and opportunities to improve recruitment processes, candidate engagement, and time-to-fill.
• Assists with MWRA's Summer Intern Program, including coordinating the annual intern luncheon and serving as an attendant for the intern field trip program.
• Attends employee orientations, completes I-9 employment eligibility verification, and scans and reviews hiring documents to ensure accuracy and completeness. Serves as backup orientation facilitator in the absence of the Assistant Manager, Talent Acquisition.

Required Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, public administration or a related field; and
• General understanding of human resources and hiring practices and state and federal laws and regulations governing employment as acquired through at least two (2) years of professional experience including at least one year in recruitment, career planning, job placement, or human resources; or
• Any equivalent combination of education or experience.
• A valid Massachusetts Class D Motor Vehicle Operators License.
• May be eligible to telework up to 50% per week after an initial waiting period.

Knowledge and Abilities

• Strong ability to build talent pipelines and utilize LinkedIn and other social media sources.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Solid knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to use applicant tracking software.
• Strong internet research skills to identify job boards and other recruitment tools.

Tools and Equipment Used

Office machines as normally associated with a professional office environment, including the use of telephones, personal computers, word processing and other software, email, videoconference applications, copiers, scanners, and fax machines.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk or hear. The employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, including office equipment, or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to stand and walk.
There are no requirements that weight be lifted or force be exerted in the performance of this job. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in an office environment.
The noise level in the work environment is usually a moderately quiet office setting.

Supervision Received and Exercised

Works under the general supervision of the Manager, Talent Acquisition. May receive assignments from Assistant Manager, Talent Acquisition.

May supervise administrative staff and interns on projects.

Other Position Information
PCR: 8510023
Division: Administration
Department: Employment/Comp/Benefits
Union/Grade: United Steelworkers Local 9360 (Unit 6C)/Grade 9

Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sex or gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or veteran status.