Talent Acquisition Specialist

Location: Gainesville, FL

Pay: $20.96/hr | Non-Exempt

For over 50 years, Meridian Healthcare has been a trusted provider of compassionate care for individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges. With service centers across 13 counties in North Central Florida, we are committed to transforming lives and communities from the inside out.

We live by our core values:
Hope, Empathy, Accountability, Resilience, and Teamwork (H.E.A.R.T.). If these resonate with you, we invite you to become part of our dedicated and mission-driven team.

At Meridian, our people make the difference. As a Talent Acquisition Specialist, you will play an important role in helping us attract, engage, and welcome talented professionals who are passionate about serving our communities. More than filling positions, you'll help shape the future of our workforce by connecting exceptional candidates with meaningful careers that support hope, healing, and wellness.

In this dynamic role, you will serve as a trusted partner to candidates, hiring managers, educational institutions, and community organizations throughout the recruitment and onboarding process. From sourcing top talent and coordinating interviews to supporting new employees during their transition into Meridian, you'll help create a positive and seamless experience while ensuring our organization continues to grow with dedicated and mission-driven professionals.

• Manage full-cycle recruitment activities, including job postings, sourcing, applicant screening, interviewing, selection support, and candidate communication
• Partner with hiring managers to understand staffing needs, recruitment strategies, and hiring timelines
• Conduct applicant screenings and phone interviews to assess qualifications and organizational fit
• Develop and maintain active candidate pipelines and talent pools for current and future hiring needs
• Attend job fairs, recruitment events, workforce development initiatives, and community outreach activities
• Support recruitment marketing efforts through job boards, social media, educational partnerships, and community engagement
• Monitor recruitment metrics and provide updates regarding hiring activity and open position status
• Serve as a primary point of contact for applicants throughout the recruitment and onboarding process
• Coordinate interviews between candidates and hiring managers
• Facilitate pre-employment requirements, including background screenings, drug testing, reference checks, and licensure verification
• Ensure employment documentation is complete, accurate, and compliant with organizational and regulatory requirements
• Coordinate onboarding activities and support new hires through their transition into the organization
• Maintain ongoing communication with candidates regarding application status, onboarding requirements, and start dates
• Coordinate internship, practicum, and student placement programs across the organization
• Serve as a liaison between educational institutions, students, supervisors, and leadership teams
• Track internship onboarding, compliance requirements, evaluations, and program completion activities
• Maintain recruitment, onboarding, and internship records within applicant tracking systems and HR databases
• Assist with audits, reporting, PSLF verifications, purchasing activities, and departmental administrative functions as assigned
• Participate in process improvement initiatives designed to enhance recruitment effectiveness, candidate experience, and operational efficiency
• Provide exceptional customer service to candidates, employees, hiring managers, and community partners

• High School Diploma or GED required
• Associate degree in Human Resources, Business…