Talent Acquisition Specialist

TERRA Engineering, Ltd. is a multi-disciplinary firm offering full-service engineering, landscape architecture and land surveying expertise. Our Mission is simple: Enhance Communities. We do this through our commitment to TERRA's Values: Excellence, Integrity, Stewardship, and Collaboration. 

Our Chicago office has an opportunity for a Temporary, Part-Time Talent Acquisition Specialist in our Human Resources department. This temporary role is expected to support current hiring needs for 6-9 months and may extend or convert to a long-term, full-time position based on business needs and performance. 

The Opportunity

The Talent Acquisition Specialist is responsible for supporting TERRA's recruiting efforts by sourcing, screening, and coordinating interview activities for candidates in professional, technical, and administrative roles. This position partners with hiring managers and to attract and hire qualified talent while ensuring a positive candidate experience throughout the recruitment process.

This position manages recruiting activities from sourcing through offer acceptance and works under general supervision to support TERRA's ongoing hiring needs.

More specifically, you’ll: 

Talent Acquisition & Recruitment

• Manage full-cycle recruitment activities for assigned positions
• Partner with hiring managers to understand staffing needs, position requirements, and candidate qualifications
• Develop and execute sourcing strategies to attract qualified active and passive candidates
• Review applications, conduct initial candidate screenings, and present qualified candidates to hiring managers
• Coordinate interviews and facilitate candidate communication throughout the hiring process
• Assist with preparing employment offers within established guidelines
• Maintain a positive and professional candidate experience

Talent Pipeline Development

• Source candidates through job boards, professional associations, employee referrals, networking events, educational institutions, and other recruiting channels
• Build and maintain talent pipelines for current and future hiring needs, including specialized and difficult-to-fill positions
• Develop relationships with universities, industry organizations, referral sources, and recruiting partners
• Monitor labor market trends and recruiting best practices to improve sourcing effectiveness

Recruiting Administration & Compliance

• Maintain applicant tracking system records and candidate documentation
• Track recruiting activity, hiring metrics, and sourcing effectiveness
• Ensure recruitment activities comply with applicable employment laws, regulations, and company policies
• Assist with recruiting process improvements and special projects
• Follow all TERRA standards, policies, procedures, and safety requirements
• Perform other duties as assigned 

Education/Experience

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Communications, Marketing, or a related field 
• 3–5 years of recruiting, talent acquisition, or staffing experience
• Prior experience in the AEC industry recruiting for engineering, environmental, surveying, construction, or professional services positions
• HR and/or Recruiting certification a plus

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of recruiting and candidate sourcing practices
• Ability to identify and engage passive candidates
• Strong networking, relationship-building, and communication skills
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple open positions and competing priorities
• Proficiency with applicant tracking systems, Microsoft Office, LinkedIn Recruiter, and recruiting technologies
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently in a part-time environment. Ability to uphold workplace safety and follow TERRA's health & safety protocols
• Maintain a work schedule and location conducive to team collaboration and project-specific requirements

Benefits:

• Competitive compensation package
• Subsidized medical, dental, vision insurance
• Company-paid basic life/ADD and short- and long-term disability benefits
• Flexible Spending Account (health and dependent care)
• Supplemental insurance options (voluntary life/ADD, accident, hospital, critical illness)
• Retirement plan options with safe-harbor match and profit-sharing
• Annual bonus potential
• Paid holidays and time off
• Hybrid/Flexible work arrangements for most positions
• A personable culture conducive to growth and professional development

Estimated Salary Range: $27 - $31/Hour + performance-based hiring incentives

In accordance with local law, the salary range is applicable to the position and location associated with this posting. Compensation will vary based upon experience, education, skill level, geographical location, and other compensable factors.

A Little Bit More About TERRA:

TERRA Engineering, Ltd. was founded by Karen Steingraber and Jamil Bou-Saab in 1992, beginning their journey building strong relationships with clients. In 2000, Senior Vice President George Ghareeb joined the team and was appointed to manage operations in a then-newly opened office in Peoria, Illinois. Since then, TERRA has continued expanding our reach to broaden our markets and serve additional communities, having added offices in St. Louis in 2011, Milwaukee in 2013, and our newest office in Bolingbrook, IL in 2025.

We are proud of our 115+ employees who contribute their talent and skills to our success. As TERRA continues to grow, we maintain a strong focus on the development of our team members through mentorship, collaboration, and the continual refining of our collective body of knowledge. At TERRA Engineering, our mission of enhancing communities starts from within.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: 

The employment policy of TERRA Engineering, Ltd. is to provide equal opportunity to all persons. Our company, therefore, has made a commitment to equal employment opportunity through a positive and continuing affirmative action program. No employee or applicant for employment will be discriminated against because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, military and/or veteran status, or any other Federal or State legally protected classes.

TERRA Engineering, Ltd. will recruit, hire, train and promote qualified individuals in all job titles, and ensure that all other personnel actions are administered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, military and/or veteran status, or disability in accordance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, which require affirmative action to ensure equal opportunity in all aspects of employment. TERRA Engineering, Ltd. does not discriminate on the basis of national origin or citizenship status as provided under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.

Notice to Third Party Agencies

TERRA does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to TERRA in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where TERRA has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of TERRA and TERRA will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation – no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.

#LI-CB1