West Region Talent Acquisition & Programs Specialist

The West Region Talent Acquisition & Programs Specialist plays a key role in attracting and developing the next generation of talent across Knife River’s West Region.  This position drives full-cycle recruiting across the region, helping attract talent for a variety of roles, including skilled trades, field operations, technical professionals, and early-career positions. 

The role leads early career recruiting efforts through college partnerships, campus engagement, and coordination of the region’s internship program, while also supporting recruiting strategies that strengthen the region’s craft and operations workforce.  In addition, the position tracks recruiting activity and maintains candidate pipelines through applicant tracking systems and recruiting platforms. 

Working closely with HR leadership and regional executives, the role helps build strong talent pipelines that support long-term workforce needs, including active participation in the West Region’s succession and mentorship initiatives.  This position also coordinates recruiting events, leadership meetings, training programs, and other regional initiatives that support workforce development and regional growth.

In this role, you will work closely with regional leadership to help shape the West Region's future workforce, connecting skilled trades professionals, operational talent, and emerging leaders to meaningful careers at Knife River.  Your work will support the continued growth of a company proudly listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: KNF) and part of the S&P MidCap 400. 

Role Impact

The West Region Talent Acquisition & Programs Specialist plays an important role in helping Knife River build the workforce that supports our continued growth.  By connecting talented people to meaningful careers across skilled trades, operations, technical, and early-career roles, this position helps strengthen the talent pipeline that supports our regional business priorities.

Working closely with HR leadership and operational teams across the West Region, this role contributes to recruiting initiatives, workforce development programs, internship and campus partnerships, and regional succession and mentorship efforts that help develop the next generation of Knife River leaders. 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

To succeed in this role, candidates should bring the following minimum qualifications and experience.

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Communications, Marketing, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Three or more years of experience in recruiting, talent acquisition, workforce development, HR operations, or a related role supporting hiring initiatives in a dynamic business environment.
• Demonstrated experience supporting full-cycle recruiting, including sourcing, screening, candidate coordination, and partnering with hiring managers throughout the selection process.
• Experience recruiting for a variety of roles, including skilled trades, field operations, technical professionals, and early-career talent, preferably in construction, industrial, manufacturing, transportation, or operational environments.
• Experience supporting college recruiting, internship programs, or workforce development initiatives, including building or maintaining relationships with universities, community colleges, trades schools, or workforce training programs.
• Proven ability to plan and coordinate events or programs, such as recruiting events, career fairs, training sessions, leadership meetings, or hiring initiatives.
• Experience using applicant tracking systems (ATS), recruiting platforms, and sourcing tools such as LinkedIn or similar systems to track recruiting activity and maintain candidate pipelines.
• Strong communication, relationship-building, and organizational skills, with the ability to work effectively with leadership, hiring managers, field operations, candidates, and external partners.
• Ability to manage multiple recruiting initiatives and programs simultaneously, including candidate pipelines, campus engagement, hiring events, and regional workforce initiatives.
• Valid driver’s license with acceptable driving record and willingness and ability to travel across the West Region, including overnight stays, and engage with field and operational leadership.

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:

The following experiences and qualifications are not required; however, they will help candidates stand out.

• Experience supporting recruiting and HR operations within the construction materials supply and contracting industry.
• Experience recruiting for hourly, skilled trades, technical, and field-based roles, including positions such as equipment operators, mechanics, drivers, plant personnel, or similar operational roles.
• Experience supporting college recruiting, internship programs, or workforce development initiatives, including partnerships with universities, community colleges, trade schools, or apprenticeship programs.
• Experience using UKG (UltiPro), Smartsheet, or a similar HRIS or applicant tracking system (ATS) to manage recruiting activity and candidate pipelines.
• Experience leveraging LinkedIn Recruiter, digital sourcing tools, or recruiting platforms to proactively identify and engage talent.
• Professional HR certification such as SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR, or progress towards certification.

DUTIES AND/OR RESPONSIBILITIES:

In this role, you will contribute to the following key initiatives across the West Region:

• Drive Regional Recruiting Efforts – Support full-cycle recruiting initiatives across the West Region, including sourcing, screening, requisition coordination, and hiring manager partnerships.
• Build and Maintain Talent Pipelines – Proactively source candidates through LinkedIn, recruiting platforms, job boards, and social media while developing pipelines for skilled trades, operations, technical, and early-career roles.
• Partner with HR and Operational Leadership – Collaborate with regional HR leaders, hiring managers, and business leaders to support workforce planning and staffing initiatives across multiple locations, business units, and product lines.
• Lead Early Career and Internship Programs – Coordinate the West Region internship program and support college recruiting initiatives, including campus engagement, career fairs, and partnerships with universities, community colleges, and workforce development organizations.
• Support Skilled Trades and Operations Recruiting – Assist in recruiting efforts for field-based roles including equipment operators, mechanics, drivers, and plant personnel by working closely with operations and field leadership.
• Support Succession and Mentorship Programs – Assist in coordinating West Region succession planning and mentorship initiatives that support leadership development, internal mobility, and long-term workforce growth.
• Maintain and Improve Recruiting Processes – Review and update job descriptions while supporting continuous improvement of recruiting tools, systems, and hiring processes.
• Track Recruiting Activity and Metrics – Maintain candidate pipelines through applicant tracking systems and prepare recruiting reports, statistics, KPIs, and insights for leadership.
• Plan and Execute Recruiting and Workforce Events – Organize and support recruiting events, career fairs, hiring initiatives, training programs, leadership meetings, and other regional workforce activities.
• Coordinate Regional Programs and Talent Initiatives – Manage calendars, communications, and resources across stakeholders and multiple time zones while serving as a regional point of contact for recruiting initiatives, special projects, and workforce development efforts that support regional HR priorities and business growth.
• Manage Event Planning and Logistics – Coordinate scheduling, materials, vendors, and logistics for regional programs and events while ensuring successful execution and follow-up.
• Perform Additional Duties as Assigned – Take on special projects and leadership initiatives that enhance the company’s people strategy and organizational effectiveness.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

The following knowledge, skills, and abilities support success in this position. 

• Talent Sourcing and Pipeline Development – Strong ability to identify, engage, and maintain relationships with potential candidates through proactive sourcing, recruiting platforms, and workforce partnerships.
• Relationship Building and Stakeholder Partnership – Skilled at building productive working relationships with HR teams, hiring managers, operational leaders, candidates, and external workforce partners.
• Communication and Presentation Skills – Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to represent Knife River professionally in candidate interactions, recruiting events, and leadership discussions.
• Analytical and Data Management Skills – Ability to track recruiting activity, maintain candidate pipelines, analyze recruiting metrics, and prepare reports that support informed hiring decisions.
• Technology Proficiency – Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office and the ability to effectively use HRIS, applicant tracking systems, and recruiting platforms.
• Adaptability and Initiative – Self-motivated professional who can work independently, managing shifting priorities, and take initiative to support recruiting programs and regional workforce initiatives.