Human Resources Specialist; Recruiter

Posted Friday, January 16, 2026 at 5:00 AM

Disclaimer:
Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time. Remote positions at the Institute for Humane Studies (IHS) require travel to our Arlington, VA office for two in-person team gatherings each year.

The HR Specialist (Recruiter) supports the Institute for Humane Studies’ recruiting and onboarding operations, serving as a key partner in executing full-cycle hiring processes and coordinating pre-hire and onboarding activities. This role manages day-to-day recruiting logistics, candidate communication, and onboarding coordination while supporting HR systems, documentation, and departmental projects. Reporting to the head of talent acquisition, the HR Specialist helps ensure efficient, organized, and consistent hiring and onboarding processes and contributes to a positive candidate and employee experience through clear communication, attention to detail, and reliable execution.

None.

• Execute day-to-day full-cycle recruiting operations, including job postings, candidate sourcing and screening, interview coordination, and pipeline management across multiple roles.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for candidates, ensuring timely communication and a professional, consistent hiring experience.
• Advance candidates through screening stages using established criteria, in partnership with HR leadership and hiring managers.
• Coordinate interview logistics, materials, and scheduling to support efficient hiring processes.
• Manage pre-hire and onboarding logistics, including reference checks, background screenings, offer and onboarding documentation, and HR system data entry.
• Execute onboarding schedules and materials in alignment with established frameworks, coordinating with internal teams to support successful new hire transitions.
• Maintain accurate records for candidates and employees, ensuring completion and proper filing of required documentation.
• Provide operational and logistical support for HR initiatives and projects.
• Contribute to and support process improvements within recruiting and onboarding workflows.
• Collaborate with HR team members on cross-functional projects and broader HR operations as needed.

• 2+ years of experience in recruiting coordination, HR operations, talent acquisition support, or a related administrative or operations role.
• Exposure to recruiting or hiring processes, such as candidate screening, interview scheduling, or candidate communications.
• Strong organizational skills detail-orientation, and the ability to manage multiple tasks, timelines, and priorities accurately and consistently.
• Willingness to learn and operate within established processes, systems, and HR functions while developing confidence and judgment over time.
• Clear, professional written and verbal communication skills, particularly in candidate- and customer-facing situations.
• High level of discretion and ability to handle sensitive and confidential information responsibly.
• Experience working with HR systems (Dayforce preferred), applicant tracking systems (ATS), project management systems (Asana preferred), or similar tools.
• Knowledge of and appreciation for the classical liberal tradition preferred.

• Resume
• Cover letter detailing your interest in this position.

We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

The Institute for Humane Studies (IHS) is a think network advancing the principles and practices of freedom in the academy, public policy, and civil society.

Founded in 1961, IHS believes that the liberal tradition has yielded unprecedented freedom and human flourishing. And in this moment, when the forces of illiberalism on both the left and right are gaining ground at an alarming pace, our vision is to spark a new spirit of liberal freedom.

• Cultivating a pool of intellectual talent for partners in policy, civil society, philanthropy, and the academy through $1.5 million in fellowship and career development programs.
• Catalyzing scholarship and academic networks to strengthen the fields of foundational and applied research that matter most to a free society.
• Equipping freedom-focused research centers, think tanks, foundations, and civil society organizations with the research and experts they need to maximize their impact in policy and in communities across the country.

We have a flexible, professional, open office environment that encourages innovation and entrepreneurship and provides substantial opportunity for professional growth. Salary is competitive and will be…