Metropolitan Transportation Authority Careers

This position is eligible for teleworking. New hires are eligible to apply 30 days after their effective hire date.    

Opening:

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is North America's largest transportation network, serving a population of 15.3 million people across a 5,000-square-mile travel area surrounding New York City, Long Island, southeastern New York State, and Connecticut. The MTA network comprises the nation’s largest bus fleet and more subway and commuter rail cars than all other U.S. transit systems combined. MTA strives to provide a safe and reliable commute, excellent customer service, and rewarding opportunities.

Position Objective:

The Manager of Talent Acquisition is a member of the People Team responsible for implementing talent acquisition strategies.  This would include planning, managing, and executing an effective recruitment and selection process that will source diverse and talented applicants in an efficient and timely manner.

This individual will manage a team and need to partner with key stakeholders across the agency, including other People group members, business unit executives, as well as department areas dealing with Labor, Legal, and Diversity. This position is also responsible for identifying best practices and standardizing these practices across all agencies. 

In addition, working within prescribed guidelines, policies, and procedures, this role will partner with the Compensation team to oversee and manage the Talent Acquisition team on all non-represented and certain represented salary offers.

Responsibilities:

• Design, plan, and execute an effective recruitment and selection process. Manage a team responsible for talent acquisition activities for client departments. Such activities include posting vacancies, screening applicants, qualifying resumes, candidate outreach, participating in interview panels, onboarding new hires, and processing packages for internal promotions. Ability to manage all aspects of assigned recruitment efforts for executive, administrative, managerial, operating, professional, skilled trade, hourly, and supervisory titles. Coordinate with employment testing on an as needed basis. Manage reference checks and the background verification process for new hires. Ensure a positive candidate experience. 
• Work with Agency People partners, business units, and other groups within Talent Acquisition to plan, develop, and implement talent acquisition strategies to ensure hiring goals and objectives are met, and positions are filled with the best possible talent. Provide innovative ideas for filling complex and hard-to-fill titles. Implement and adhere to industry best practices.
• Partner with Senior Manager, Talent Acquisition, to assign and track all recruitment efforts, identifying and reporting any bottlenecks in the process.  Assist with maintaining accurate and up-to-date recruitment activity reports. 
• Assist the  Senior Manager, Talent Acquisition, in conducting scheduled and unscheduled audits on ATS records and recruitment-related documentation.
• Assist in auditing and approving background check reports and Salary Worksheets. 
• Lead for submitting position update requests to HRIS.  Coordinate requests for new job codes and position numbers and track to completion. 
• Manage the efficient and timely sourcing of diverse and talented candidates. Ensure the delivery of diverse applicants to hiring departments. Work with the MTA’s recruitment advertising agency and various other recruitment companies to develop media plans for hard-to-fill positions. Build talent pipelines and assist with employment branding.
• Lead on tracking and auditing Prior Service Request.
• Use metrics to create reports and identify areas of improvement. Make recommendations and implement approved changes to the onboarding process and applicant experience. Ensure fair, ethical, and equitable adherence to recruitment processes and practices.
• Use applicant tracking systems and other recruiting software and CRM systems to track applicants through the selection phase, through to onboarding.
• Develop and motivate personnel within the unit, creating brand ambassadors.  Provide career development for subordinates. Manage the development of Talent Acquisition staff to ensure knowledge of multiple HR disciplines and federal, state, and local employment laws.  Provide prompt and effective coaching and counseling. Review the performance of staff. Create a professional environment that respects individual differences and enables all employees to develop and contribute to their full potential.
• Fosters a positive employee relations climate that ensures MTA principles, policies, and programs are consistently practiced.
• Counsel candidates on organizations benefits, salary, and environment.
• Partner with Senior Manager, Talent Sourcing and Outreach on recruitment and outreach activities, including participation in career fairs, coordination of information sessions and workshops on career opportunities, as well as meeting with students, faculty, and administrators promoting MTA career opportunities.
• Working within prescribed guidelines, policies, and procedures, partners with the Compensation team to oversee and manage salary recommendations and offers for all non-represented and certain represented roles.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Must have working knowledge of all related state and federal regulations regarding related human resource issues.
• Must have demonstrated knowledge of creating and delivering effective and efficient processes that help identify candidates in a timely manner.
• Must have knowledge of sourcing and recruitment of a diverse and skilled workforce in a civil service and/or unionized environment.
• Strong knowledge of full-cycle recruiting, sourcing, and employer branding.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute strategies to source and recruit top talent based on defined job criteria and competencies. +
• Must have experience assisting with coordinating or participating in Outreach events and Career Fairs.
• Demonstrated ability to execute effective staffing strategies and processes to ensure the ongoing development of a best-in-class workforce
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact effectively with all levels of the organization
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Working knowledge of labor agreements and employment laws, including Equal Employment Opportunity laws.
• Knowledge of MTA Compensation policies preferred
• Demonstrated ability to work with all internal levels within a given organization.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and interact well with external agencies.  External agencies may include the Governor’s Office for New York State, the New York City government, elected and other public officials, as well as any staff located at other federal or state agencies or authorities.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a high-profile, high-pressure environment effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to change priorities while meeting deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with key internal and/or external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated the ability to manage projects related to mass recruitment efforts or process improvement initiatives.
• Must have strong managerial skills to effectively direct a staff of professional and technical employees in implementing the short- and long-term goals and direction for the area of responsibility.
• Demonstrated analytical capabilities and quantitative skills.
• Understanding of the organizational culture.
• Ability to handle confidential matters and information.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite or comparable applications, i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in Talent Acquisition or related area, including at least 2 years of supervisory, managerial, or project management experience in a large, multi-faceted, fast-paced organization or governmental body preferred.

The Following is/are preferred:

• Master’s degree in a related field.
• Attainment of or in the process of attaining SPHR or SHRM certification in HR management.
• Prior experience working in a large, multi-faceted, fast-paced organization.
• Familiarity with the MTA’s policies and procedures.
• Familiarity with the MTA’s collective bargaining procedures.

Other Information

May need to work outside of normal work hours (i.e., evenings and weekends)

Travel may be required to other MTA locations or other external sites.

According to the New York State Public Officers Law & the MTA Code of Ethics, all employees who hold a policymaking position must file an Annual Statement of Financial Disclosure (FDS) with the NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (the “Commission”).

Equal Employment Opportunity

MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including those concerning veteran status and individuals with disabilities.

The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.