Talent Acquisition Specialist in Irvine, California at EKN Engineering

Talent Acquisition Specialist – Contract to hire

Engagement Type: Contract-to-Hire | 10 hrs/week to start, with the potential to increase hours and/or convert to full-time based on business needs and mutual agreement.

At EKN Engineering, we solve challenging problems with innovative engineering and configurable EKN Engineering is a fast-growing civil engineering and technology consulting company located in Irvine, CA. We are looking for a Talent Acquisition Specialist I to join us on our quest to further invent and innovate.

Role Overview:

As a Talent Acquisition Specialist at EKN Engineering, you will be responsible for managing the full-cycle recruitment process for a variety of technical, engineering, project management, data analysis, and project support roles. This position partners closely with hiring managers and business leaders to understand workforce needs, develop effective sourcing strategies, build strong talent pipelines, and ensure an exceptional candidate experience throughout the hiring process.

Key Responsibilities:

• Partner with hiring managers and department leaders to understand workforce needs, position requirements, project demands, and hiring priorities.

• Develop and implement effective and innovative talent acquisition strategies to attract top talent.

• Source, attract, and engage qualified candidates through professional networks, job boards, social media platforms, industry associations, employee referrals, and other recruitment channels.

• Develop and execute creative sourcing strategies to identify both active and passive candidates for technical, engineering, consulting, project management, utility operations, environmental, and corporate roles.

• Utilize advanced sourcing techniques, including Boolean searches and targeted market research, to identify specialized talent.

• Build and maintain robust talent pipelines to support current project staffing needs and future business growth.

• Conduct initial candidate screenings to assess qualifications, experience, technical skills, and cultural alignment.

• Coordinate candidate communications, interview scheduling, and recruitment activities throughout the hiring process.

• Create and distribute engaging recruitment outreach and employer branding content that highlights the company's culture, mission, and impact within the utility industry.

• Track and analyze recruiting metrics, including sourcing effectiveness, candidate conversion rates, time-to-fill, and quality-of-hire indicators.

• Maintain accurate candidate records and recruitment activity within the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) and other HR systems.

• Ensure all candidates receive a professional, positive, and respectful experience throughout the recruitment process.

• Stay informed of industry trends, labor market conditions, and emerging talent needs within the power, utility, engineering, and consulting sectors.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Communications, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

• Two or more years of experience in talent acquisition, recruiting, sourcing, or a related human resources function.

• Experience sourcing candidates through LinkedIn Recruiter, Indeed, professional networking platforms, and other recruiting tools.

• Familiarity with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), candidate databases, and recruitment technologies.

• Strong communication, relationship-building, and stakeholder management skills.

• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple requisitions and competing priorities.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple requisitions, competing priorities, and changing business demands in a fast-paced environment while maintaining attention to detail, organization, and a high level of customer service.

• Ability to effectively represent the company and communicate career opportunities to prospective candidates.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and other business applications.

Why Join Us:

At EKN Engineering, you’ll be part of a company that values innovation and accountability and supports our employees' professional growth and personal development. Here, you’ll work with teams that push the boundaries of engineering to create solutions that enhance our communities and the environment by making utilities safer.

Benefits & Perks

• 100% Company-Paid Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance – Comprehensive coverage to support your health and well-being.

• 401(k) with Company Match – We invest in your future with a dollar-for-dollar match on contributions.

• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) – Set aside pre-tax dollars for qualified healthcare and dependent care expenses.

• Exclusive Employee Discounts – Access our BenefitsHub for savings on travel, rental cars, hotels, theme parks, and more.

• Monthly Catered Lunches & Daily Office Snacks – Enjoy a well-stocked kitchen and regular team meals to keep you fueled throughout the day.

• Employee Engagement & Wellness – We value connection and balance. Our team enjoys a variety of events and activities throughout the year, including hiking outings, summer BBQs, sports games, holiday celebrations, and dedicated team-building days.

• JOYA Health Membership – Access to over $1,000 in annual skin health and wellness benefits, including complimentary facials or peels, aesthetic service credits, priority skin cancer screenings, teledermatology services, and discounts on skincare products.

• Wellness Perks & Support Programs – Access a variety of wellness resources including discounted gym memberships through One Pass, mental health and self-care tools via AbleTo and Calm, and monthly rewards for healthy activities through Rally.

Public Warning: Recruitment Phishing Scam Impersonating EKN Engineering

EKN Engineering has become aware of a phishing scheme targeting individuals with fraudulent interview requests and job offers. EKN’s secure IT systems and private applicant information have not been compromised; scammers are impersonating EKN employees, using the company name and branding to mislead and engage potential job seekers in fake recruitment processes. Scammers might reference real job openings or describe fake opportunities that generally match individuals’ professional backgrounds, with the goal of establishing communication and eventually obtaining private financial information to defraud people. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Federal Trade Commission warn that employment scams such as this are a growing cyber threat. EKN urges anyone who is contacted about employment opportunities to exercise caution and know that:

• All communication from EKN Engineering will be from an EKN employee using the @eknengineering.com email domain. We do not use third-party recruiters.

• EKN Engineering recruiters will only schedule interviews for candidates who have applied for a position through our secure portal.

• No corporate or IT systems at EKN are affected by this scam. The scammers are using EKN’s logo and employee names to impersonate the company.

• You can directly contact us at TAAdmin@eknengineering.com with any questions or concerns.

EKN is committed to ensuring the safety and security of our community. We caution individuals to be vigilant in protecting personal data and vetting communication with new contacts from any company. Do not respond or provide any personal information if contacted by someone claiming to represent a company to which you did not submit a job application or profile. This scam can be perpetrated against any business and individuals who recognize and trust its name.

For information on EKN recruitment practices and policies, please visit our career page or email talentacquistion@eknengineering.com. To report a scam, visit: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/.