Job Summary

Under the general direction of the Associate Director of Talent Acquisition, the Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist independently performs a full range of professional human resources functions in support of campus-wide recruitment for various positions. The position serves as a primary recruitment partner to hiring managers and campus departments, providing consultation on recruitment strategies to support effective and timely hiring outcomes.

The incumbent is responsible for managing full-cycle recruitment processes, including planning, sourcing, applicant evaluation, and offer development, while ensuring compliance with CSU systemwide policies, collective bargaining agreements, and applicable federal and state employment laws. The role will include interpreting policies, assessing candidate qualifications, and advising on equitable hiring practices.

Working collaboratively with campus stakeholders, the Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist contributes to the development and implementation of recruitment strategies and process improvements that enhance the University’s ability to attract and retain a diverse and qualified workforce. This position operates within established guidelines and is accountable for the quality, consistency, and compliance of assigned recruitment activities.

This position will start in-person and will then have the opportunity to work a hybrid schedule after successful onboarding. 

Department Summary

The Human Resources (HR) department within University Personnel at Cal Poly leads workplace strategies that enable our approximately 3000 employees (staff, faculty and management) to thrive in their roles.  Through traditional practices like recruitment, benefits, employee relations, information systems and performance management to strategic practices like professional development, organization development, workforce planning, and engagement, Human Resources is dedicated to cultivating the excellence of all employees.

Key Qualifications

• Working knowledge of CSU recruitment policies, classification standards, and collective bargaining agreements, with the ability to interpret and apply requirements across a wide range of staff recruitment scenarios.
• Knowledge of federal and state employment laws (e.g., EEO, ADA, FLSA) and ability to apply them to recruitment practices to ensure compliant and equitable hiring outcomes.
• Ability to independently plan, execute, and manage multiple concurrent recruitment processes, exercising judgment in sourcing strategies, applicant evaluation, and offer development.
• Ability to serve as a trusted advisor to hiring managers and campus partners by recommending recruitment strategies, outreach approaches, and position structuring based on labor market conditions and organizational needs.
• Ability to assess candidate qualifications, experience, and alignment with position requirements, including advising search committees on screening criteria and selection processes.

Education and Experience

• Equivalent to a bachelor's degree in a related field and two years of relevant experience. Additional experience which demonstrates acquired and successfully applied knowledge and abilities shown below may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis. An advanced degree in a related field may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.

Salary and Benefits

Anticipated Hiring Range: $72,708 - $85,188 per year

Classification Range: $63,288 - $92,208 per year

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Anticipated Hiring Range referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Classification Range may be broader than what the University anticipates paying for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).

Cal Poly offers a best-in-class benefits program, including health, dental and vision insurance, retirement participation in the Public Employees' Retirement System, and educational benefits for eligible employees. See our benefits website for additional information. 

Cal Poly

Cal Poly is a nationally-ranked public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, and known for its Learn by Doing philosophy. Each year more than 20,000 top-tier students come to San Luis Obispo to put knowledge into action, taking their learning outside the classroom as they prepare for careers in engineering, agriculture, science, business, humanities and the built environment. Cal Poly’s hands-on philosophy, small class sizes and close student-faculty mentorships result in graduates ready from day one to impact their communities, California and the world. For more information, visit calpoly.edu.

Please watch the video linked here to learn more about the CSU system. 

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

This position is open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal Poly provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. Cal Poly complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.

Cal Poly is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At Cal Poly, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

Supplemental Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. Cal Poly will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Cal Poly has designated as sensitive. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Cal Poly is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions. Applicants for staff and management positions must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended.  Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

Positions are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days.