Onboarding Specialist

The Strategic Operations, Analysis, and Research (SOAR) Sector of Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) is seeking an Onboarding Specialist. The Onboarding Specialist is responsible for overseeing the end-to-end onboarding process for new hires, ensuring they have a smooth and positive experience as they transition into the organization. The Onboarding Specialist will also assist with backup sourcing, salary analysis, creating offer letters, and addressing benefits-related questions. This role works closely with HR, Recruiting, hiring managers, and other departments to ensure alignment and a seamless onboarding experience.

Key Responsibilities:

• Onboarding Coordination: Manage the new hire onboarding process, including pre-hire paperwork, back-ground checks, orientation scheduling, and introduction to company culture.
• Sourcing Support: Provide backup sourcing support by assisting the recruitment team in screening resumes, scheduling interviews, and conducting preliminary candidate outreach when needed.
• Salary Analysis: Assist HR with internal salary analysis to ensure competitive compensation for new hires based on industry benchmarks and internal equity.
• Offer Letters: Draft and send personalized offer letters to new hires, ensuring all compensation, benefits, and other terms are clearly outlined and aligned with company policies.
• Benefits Inquiries: Serve as the first point of contact for new employees regarding benefits questions, including eligibility, coverage options, and enrollment procedures.
• Orientation Facilitation: Lead or assist in delivering virtual or in-person orientation sessions for new employees, covering company policies, benefits, and procedures.
• Onboarding Documentation: Ensure new hires complete all required documentation and have a smooth transition into their role.
• Compliance: Assist HR in ensuring onboarding processes adhere to company policies and legal requirements, including employment laws and regulatory standards.
• Collaboration: Work with hiring managers and department heads to ensure smooth transitions and integration for new hires into their respective teams.

Required Qualifications:

• 1-3 years of experience in HR, recruitment, or onboarding (experience in HR administration is a plus).
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships and collaborate across teams.
• Readiness to engage in recruitment events, including career and job fairs.
• Knowledge of HRIS systems and basic HR functions.
• Excellent organizational skills with attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Strong understanding of compensation and benefits programs.
• Experience drafting offer letters and handling salary/compensation inquiries.
• Experience with candidate sourcing strategies, sourcing tools, and recruitment best practices.
• US Citizen
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret Security clearance
• Must be able to report to the office a minimum of 4 days/week

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field preferred
• Knowledge of employment laws and regulations.
• Current or Active Secret or above clearance

COMPANY INFORMATION:

Applied Research Associates, Inc. is an employee-owned international research and engineering company recognized for providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences. The company, founded in Albuquerque, NM, in 1979, currently employs over 2000 professionals. ARA offices throughout the United States and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in defense technologies, civil technologies, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement. The corporation also provides sophisticated technical products for environmental site characterization, pavement analysis, and robotics.

At ARA, employees are our greatest assets. The corporation realizes that employee ownership fosters greater creativity and initiative along with higher performance and customer satisfaction levels. ARA gives its employees the tools, training, and opportunities to take more active roles as owners. The culture is challenging; innovation and experimentation are the norm. Employees are eligible for contributions which not only add to the company’s success, but also their own through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). The motto, “Engineering and Science for Fun and Profit” sums up the ARA experience. For additional information and an opportunity to join this unique workplace, please visit our website at www.ara.com.

Please apply at www.careers.ara.com for the ­­­­Onboarding Specialist position.