Talent Acquisition Specialist - Maintenance

The Talent Acquisition Specialist – Maintenance will lead full-lifecycle recruitment across our expanding public transit operations in the United States. Reporting directly to the Director of Talent Acquisition, this role is dedicated to sourcing, attracting, and hiring high-caliber technical talent for both hourly and salaried fleet maintenance positions nationwide.

In this role, you will partner directly with Regional Vice Presidents, General Managers, and Maintenance Directors to build pipeline strategies for mission-critical roles—ranging from entry-level and apprentice mechanics to master ASE-certified transit technicians, electro-mechanics, shop supervisors, and regional fleet leadership.

The ideal candidate brings deep familiarity with skilled trades or transportation/fleet recruitment, excels in union and non-union environments, and demonstrates a hands-on approach to candidate sourcing, community outreach, and interview coordination.

This position will be remote with 30% travel expected across the US.

Profile

Key Responsibilities:

Full-Lifecycle Technical Recruiting

· Manage full-cycle recruiting for hourly transit maintenance positions (e.g., Diesel Mechanics, Bus Technicians, Rail Vehicle Technicians, Electronic/Electrician Specialists, Utility Workers, Facility Technicians) and salaried maintenance management (e.g., Shop Supervisors, Maintenance Training Instructors, Maintenance Managers, Directors of Maintenance).

· Consult with hiring managers across regional operating locations to define position requirements, technical competencies, and tailored sourcing plans.

· Screen, qualify, and interview candidates for technical aptitudes, certifications, safety orientation, and cultural fit.

· Coordinate hiring manager interviews, technical assessments, and practical shop evaluations.

· Manage the offer extension process, including compensation negotiation, pre-employment screening (drug and alcohol testing, background checks, DOT compliance, and MVR checks), and onboarding handoffs.

Strategic Sourcing & Pipeline Development

· Develop robust sourcing strategies utilizing direct sourcing (LinkedIn Recruiter, Indeed, technical forums), professional associations (e.g., APTA, ATA, ASE), military transition programs, trade schools, and community colleges.

· Build active talent pipelines for hard-to-fill and niche technical profiles, particularly in markets with severe technician shortages.

· Partner with local technical colleges, diesel mechanic programs, and vocational schools to establish apprentice and entry-level technician feeder programs.

· Organize and represent RATP Dev USA at on-site hiring events, open houses, technical school presentations, and regional transit career fairs.

Stakeholder Collaboration & Compliance

· Maintain weekly recruitment metrics, time-to-fill benchmarks, source effectiveness data, and pipeline updates for TA leadership and field operations.

· Partner with local HR and site leadership to navigate Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs), seniority provisions, and internal bidding requirements where applicable.

· Ensure all recruitment and hiring practices comply with federal, state, and local regulations, including Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), Affirmative Action Plans (AAP), ADA, and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) / Department of Transportation (DOT) guidelines.

· Champion RATP Dev USA’s safety-first culture and core values of commitment, trust, and operational excellence throughout the candidate journey.

Qualifications:

Education & Experience

· Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Communications, or a related field; equivalent work experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.

· Minimum of 3–5 years of full-lifecycle recruiting experience, with a heavy emphasis on skilled trades, industrial maintenance, diesel fleet, automotive, or transportation/transit maintenance roles.

· Demonstrated track record of recruiting both high-volume hourly technicians and salaried operational leaders.

· Experience working in multi-site, multi-state corporate environments; previous experience in public transit, contract logistics, commercial fleet operations, or heavy industrial sectors strongly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

· Strong working knowledge of mechanic/technician skill sets, diagnostic tools, and industry credentials (e.g., ASE transit/medium-heavy truck certifications, EPA 608/609 refrigerant certification, CDL Class B with air brakes, electrical troubleshooting).

· Proficiency with modern Applicant Tracking Systems (e.g., Workday, UKG, iCIMS, or ADP) and advanced sourcing tools (LinkedIn Recruiter, Indeed Resume, Boolean search strings).

· Familiarity with unionized workforces and Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) as they relate to job postings, seniority rules, and wage schedules.

· Solid understanding of DOT/FTA compliance, pre-employment drug screening requirements, and safety-sensitive role designations.

· Outstanding communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills across diverse audiences, from shop floor mechanics to C-suite executives.

· Self-motivated and comfortable working independently in a fully remote setup while managing high requisition volumes.

Travel & Working Conditions

· Ability to travel up to 30% nationwide to conduct on-site interviews, attend career fairs, participate in contract transitions/start-ups, and visit local operations facilities.

· Home office setup suitable for remote work, including high-speed internet and quiet space for phone screens and video interviews.

What We Offer:

· Competitive base salary with annual performance incentive opportunity.

· Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance options.

· 401(k) retirement plan with company matching contributions.

· Generous paid time off (PTO) and company-paid holidays.

· Tuition reimbursement and continuing professional development opportunities.

· Equipment provided (company laptop, mobile stipend/phone, home office peripherals).

· Opportunity to play a central role in keeping American transit systems safe, reliable, and sustainable.

RATP Dev USA is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.