Recruiter (Temporary)

Child Trends is looking for an experienced temporary recruiter to help us fill 40 to 50 positions, primarily research, analytic, and program roles, over the next several months. We need someone who can help sort through a large volume of application efficiently and fairly, keep hiring managers and candidates moving, and improve and automate the recruiting systems we already use so the process scales. This is a hands-on, independent role with a defined end date of 3/31/2027.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Applicant Pool Management and Screening (45%)
  • Review and triage high volumes of applications against job-related criteria using structured scorecards and screening questions.
  • Conduct structured phone screens and reference checks using approved question sets.
  • Track every applicant’s status and disposition consistently and keep candidates informed at each stage.
• Systems Improvement and Automation (15%)
  • Streamline our applicant tracking workflow in ADP, including requisition intake, candidate communications, scheduling, and status updates.
  • Utilize and improve templates, automated messages, and dashboards that reduce manual work.
  • Recommend and, where practical, set up tools that help us scale, and document the processes for future use after engagement ends.
• Hiring Manager and Interview Coordination (15%)
  • Run a short kickoff with each hiring manager to confirm requirements, interview panels, and timeline.
  • Coordinate interview schedules, send reminders, and track feedback deadlines.
  • Report weekly on pipeline status, time to fill, and where searches are stalling.
• Posting and Outreach (10%)
  • Post positions to our website and job boards with compliant pay ranges and language.
  • Conduct targeted outreach to broaden the applicant pool, including universities, professional associations, and organizations serving veterans and individuals with disabilities.
  • Flag job requirements that may unnecessarily narrow the pool.
• Compliance and Records (10%)
  • Follow federal and state requirements for postings, pay transparency, applicant records, and retention, including Section 503 and VEVRAA obligations as they apply to our contracts.
  • Keep complete candidate records in our systems for every requisition and escalate potential compliance issues to the HR team.
• Offers and Handoff (5%)
  • Prepare offer letters for review using our pay guidance.
  • Hand off accepted candidates to the HR team for onboarding.

Minimum Requirements

• At least 4-6 years of recruiting experience, including high-volume hiring.
• Experience using ADP Workforce Now to lead recruiting.
• Experience configuring or improving an applicant tracking systems.
• Comfort with Excel or reporting tools to track and present hiring metrics.
• Federal contractor experience required.
• Working knowledge of EEO requirements, state pay transparency and AI laws.
• Excellent written communication and sound judgment with confidential information.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

Preferred Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Experience recruiting in academic or research settings preferred.
• Experience with workflow automation or scheduling tools is a plus.

Work Arrangement: This will be a salaried full-time role with benefits. The position is temporary, not expected to last more than 6 months.

Location

This position (and all of the positions we're hoping to fill) will be fully remote, so location is flexible within the U.S. Child Trends does not yet operate everywhere in the US and may require additional set up time in certain states. We currently do not support work from overseas. All candidates must be authorized to work in the US to be considered.

Background Investigation

Jobs that involve interactions with children and positions that rely on high levels of trust to perform duties are subject to a background check at the time of hire, with roles being offered contingent upon results. We will always conduct interviews of qualified individuals prior to requesting a criminal background check and never inquire into an applicant's criminal history until interviews have been conducted and offer decisions are being made. Current employees may also be subject to future background checks depending on the nature of their duties. A criminal history will not automatically disqualify a candidate or current employee from employment; however, any convictions related to the responsibilities and requirements of the position may do so.

How to Apply

Please follow the “apply” link to submit your application. Please upload your resume/CV and cover letter, and three professional references.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Child Trends provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Child Trends does not require or request applicants’ salary. Protected veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact recruitment@childtrends.org.