Job Description

The Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS) is responsible for meeting the human services needs of Allegheny County residents. With an annual budget of over $1billion and a workforce of over 1,000 people, DHS is seeking an experienced human resource professional to assist with our Talent Acquisition activities which include the recruitment, retention and workforce planning functions of the division of Human Capital Management Services.

This is a professional position of a specialized nature in the Office of Administration, Human Resources Department, managing the proactive expansion of employment recruitment efforts. This role will focus on increasing the number of qualified and competent candidates for all DHS positions, with a particular emphasis on County Caseworkers in Child Welfare. The Talent Acquisition Specialist will coordinate efforts with DHS program office staff toward streamlining, improving communication and reducing barriers to the hiring process.

A career working at Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS) puts you on a rich and rewarding professional path. As the Talent Acquisition Specialist, you will gain a unique perspective of local government management, with a high-level view of the broad spectrum of work undertaken each day to ensure a safe, healthy and thriving county. Additional responsibilities will include:

• Assisting with the day-to-day recruitment operations with support of the Talent Acquisition Manager.
• Assisting the Talent Acquisition Manager with conducting organization-wide needs assessment and identifying gaps that need to be addressed.
• Working with DHS program support office staff to create and maintain a strategic, flexible and creative recruitment plan to meet the employment needs of DHS.
• Fostering effective relationships with DHS hiring managers and their staff; resolving recruitment-related problems.
• Working closely with management on all diversity initiatives involving recruitment to ensure fairness in hiring practices.
• Facilitating the implementation of best practices in recruitment and hiring.
• Collaborating with program and support staff to enhance the interview process and selection instruments; working to refine an evaluative process.
• Assisting in contacting applicants to inform them of employment possibilities, consideration and selection.
• Establishing and building relationships with local career/employment agencies such as CareerLink to leverage those networks and promote DHS job opportunities.
• Supporting DHS program support office staff with the recruitment of internships.
• Establishing and building ongoing relationships with local universities and colleges to educate students pursuing degrees relevant to DHS positions about employment opportunities in order to attract recent college graduates.
• Spearheading DHS participation in community and college job fairs and ensuring the scheduling and coordinating of presentations at local colleges.
• Working with DHS Office of Community Relations to forward and highlight recruitment efforts on social media, DHS News and other communications channels.
• Assisting with the writing, preparation and design of materials needed for recruitment efforts.
• Establishing effective tools with the goal of streamlining, improving communications and reducing barriers to the hiring process.
• Identifying and participating in a variety of recruiting and networking events.
• Maintaining thorough knowledge of current federal, state, and local regulations and requirements regarding recruitment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Highly organized and knowledgeable about recruitment strategies and processes.
• Able to maintain a high degree of discretion when dealing with confidential information.
• Demonstrated client service orientation with credibility and integrity.
• Knowledge and experience with recruitment concepts, practices and procedures.
• Able to collect, compile and analyze facts and exercise sound judgment in arriving at conclusions and translating observations and results in clear, concise reports.
• Able to be precise, thorough and detail oriented, with excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Possess excellent communications skills, both verbally and in writing.
• Team player, with excellent relationship building skills.
• Ability to speak in front of the public and varied groups of people.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and work independently.
• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office software.
• Knowledge of social media and other effective communications channels.
• Physically able to lift up to 20 pounds.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in business administration, human resources or related field, plus 3 years of experience working in a professional setting directly related to the responsibilities of the position. Valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle are required.

A COVER LETTER IS REQUIRED

If hired for a position, candidates would work for Allegheny County, Department of Human Services and be employed by Great Lakes Behavioral Research Institute.

ABOUT ALLEGHENY COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES (DHS)

DHS helps children grow up safer and healthier, older adults remain able to live independently, and neighborhoods to thrive—with the overall goal of improving the health and well-being of people in Allegheny County.

DHS is the largest agency in Allegheny County government, with a budget of nearly $1 billion. It serves more than 200,000 people a year through its staff and a large network of provider organizations. Its services include: Preventing unnecessary nursing home stays and supporting older adults in living safely and healthfully; protecting children and youth from abuse and neglect and preventing future occurrences of maltreatment; improving child wellness through family support, home visiting, early intervention and in-home services; providing treatment for behavioral health issues such as substance use disorders and mental illness; managing the care of adults with intellectual disabilities; and services that prevent homelessness and provide shelter and housing for families and individuals.

WHY DHS?

• It is innovative. Most recently, the national attention and awards we’ve gotten are for how DHS integrates data and uses them to improve the safety and well-being of children through tools that support front-line staff in making decisions (using predictive analytics).
• DHS is diverse, but we strive to be even more inclusive. Our director has made it his top priority that DHS is “the kind of place where a diverse group of talented people want to come, grow and do their best work.” This includes equity in hiring and advancement, as well as in unleashing the creativity and ideas of staff at every level of DHS.
• It has strong, assertive leaders. We do not hire yes-people.

You can make a big impact here. We stand out as one of the best human services organizations in the country. But we need problem-solvers, innovators and terrific leaders to make sure we are smart in how we use our funding so that we reach the people who most need our help to make lives better.

“DHS STRIVES TO BE THE KIND OF PLACE WHERE A DIVERSE MIX OF TALENTED PEOPLE WANT TO COME TO GROW AND DO THEIR BEST WORK.”

-From the organization’s statement on Equity and Inclusion

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER - M/F/V/D

Company Description

If hired for a position, candidates would work for Allegheny County, Department of Human Services and be employed by Great Lakes Behavioral Research Institute. About Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS) In Allegheny County, we appreciate people who think big, act boldly, and care about making a difference. You don’t have to be from here to feel at home, or to make your mark. With only 1.3 million people in the County, it’s small enough for motivated people to get things done. Allegheny County’s Department of Human Services (DHS) is a perfect place to get things done that directly affect people in need in a positive and lasting way. We help children grow up safer and healthier, older adults remain able to live independently, and neighborhoods to thrive. Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of people in Allegheny County. DHS is the largest agency in Allegheny County government, with a budget of nearly $1 billion. DHS serves over 200,000 people a year through services that include: Protecting children and youth from abuse and neglect and preventing future occurrences of maltreatment; improving child wellness through family support, home visiting, early intervention and in-home services; providing treatment for behavioral health issues such as substance use disorders and mental illness; managing the care of adults with intellectual disabilities; preventing unnecessary nursing home stays; and services that prevent homelessness and provide shelter and housing for families and individuals. Why DHS? *It is innovative. Most recently, the national attention and awards we’ve gotten are for how DHS integrates data and uses them to improve the safety and well-being of children through tools that support front-line staff in making decisions (using predictive analytics). *DHS is diverse, but we strive to be even more inclusive. Our director has made it his top priority that DHS is “the kind of place where a diverse group of talented people want to come, grow, and do their best work.” This includes equity in hiring and advancement, as well as in unleashing the creativity and ideas of staff at every level of DHS. *It has strong, assertive leaders. We do not hire yes-people. You can make a big impact here. We stand out as one of the best human services organizations in the country. But we need problem-solvers, innovators, and terrific leaders to make sure we are smart in how we use our funding so that we reach the people who most need our help to make their lives better. “DHS strives to be the kind of place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come to grow and do their best work.” -From the organization’s statement on Equity and Inclusion