A staffing specialist works in the field of human resources (HR) and is responsible for ensuring that an organization or company has adequate staffing. Recruiting, interviewing, and vetting potential candidates are common responsibilities of a staffing specialist. Staffing specialists may perform a variety of tasks depending on the company, or they may be more focused on a single HR function. Additionally, the specialist may provide internal staffing services for a single company, as well as source talent for an employment agency or recruiting firm. Preparation for this field typically entails some college coursework, a business degree, or on-the-job training in employee treatment laws and procedures.
A staffing specialist’s typical responsibilities include some level of involvement in the recruitment of qualified candidates for an employer. Someone in this position might, for example, staff a booth at a job fair or give a presentation to a group of college students who are about to graduate. When qualified candidates are in short supply, there may be fierce competition among employers for those candidates. In this case, the specialist might go above and beyond in terms of recruiting. In order to successfully lure candidates away from competitors, he or she may make recommendations to company management to develop more competitive and enticing compensation packages.
When the situation is reversed, with an excess of talent compared to available jobs, the specialist may take a different approach. He or she may advocate for a higher qualification standard for a specific position. A staffing specialist can also write job descriptions and job postings. This responsibility frequently entails legal obligations, such as providing fair and accurate disclosure of job duties, working conditions, and compensation packages. He or she might also advertise available job openings in places where potential recruits might see them.
A staffing specialist may also be involved in the vetting of potential job candidates. This usually entails checking the candidate’s references, fact-checking job applications, and confirming professional credentials, such as degrees received. Short interviews with those who the candidate listed as references are frequently conducted.
The staffing specialist may or may not participate in the candidate’s interview, but this is not always the case. Even if the specialist does not conduct the interview, he or she is welcome to observe it. This could happen because the staffing specialist wants to make sure the person conducting the interview follows proper protocol and follows all applicable laws. Completion of college-level coursework, or even a bachelor’s degree in business administration or a related field, is usually required to become a staffing specialist.