OUR COMPANY
Teacher absences result in vast amounts of lost learning time for students, particularly in under-resourced schools. Kokua solves this problem by bringing together a growing network of passionate guest educators who are dedicated to leveraging this time with students. With the pandemic only exacerbating teacher shortages across the country, Kokua is on a mission to help schools expand the pool of teachers available to meet the academic, social, and emotional needs of students. We believe that proximity is power and one role model can change a life forever. Join a dynamic, driven team looking to make a lasting impact for youth.
Kokua was started in Chicago in 2011 by former teachers and now services nearly 800 schools. We were recognized on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Education list and we have exciting growth plans ahead in the coming years. This is where you come in.
YOUR ROLE
As a Talent Specialist, you are at the heart of Kokua’s mission. You will identify, recruit, and onboard high-caliber Guest Teachers who make an immediate impact in the classroom. In this dual-facing role, you will use your instincts for talent to select the right candidates and your organizational skills to guide them smoothly through the onboarding process. You are personable, energetic, and detail-oriented, balancing efficiency with relationship-building to ensure Guest Teachers are both inspired and prepared to succeed.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Recruit & Hire Excellent Guest Teachers
- Source, interview, and hire top-caliber Guest Teacher candidates to meet hiring goals.
- Build candidate pipelines using digital and non-digital recruitment strategies.
- Invest candidates in Kokua’s mission and inspire them to see the classroom as a place where they can make a lasting impact.
Manage Systems & Data
- Maintain accurate, timely records in applicant tracking and onboarding systems.
- Use data to track progress, identify bottlenecks, and optimize the candidate journey.
- Update dashboards and reports in Google Sheets to keep teams aligned.
Build Relationships & Ensure Retention
- Serve as a primary point of contact for Guest Teachers, building rapport and promoting assignment fulfillment and tenure.
- Communicate with professionalism and empathy to deliver a strong candidate and partner experience.
- Act as a positive representative of Kokua, setting a welcoming tone for every Guest Teacher.
Collaborate Across Teams
- Work closely with Operations and Regional Talent Teams to ensure Guest Teacher supply aligns with school demand.
- Contribute to a collaborative, solutions-oriented culture where deadlines are met and goals are achieved together.
WHO YOU ARE
- A keen judge of talent who makes strong hiring decisions through insight, judgment, and experience.
- Organized, detail-oriented, and process-driven with strong follow-through.
- A relationship-builder who can establish rapport with candidates from diverse backgrounds.
- Tech-savvy and able to learn new systems quickly.
- Persistent and determined, with grit to hit goals and resilience to adapt in a fast-paced environment.
- A clear, efficient communicator who balances professionalism with warmth.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience preferred.
- 1–2 years of experience in recruiting, HR, customer service, or a related field.
- Experience teaching or working in K–12 education strongly preferred.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Proficiency with Excel, Google Suite, and digital communication tools (Zoom, Slack, TextUs).
- Experience with ATS or HRIS systems (e.g., Greenhouse, Paylocity) preferred but not required.
WHY KOKUA
At Kokua, we believe that every child has a unique and powerful gift to share with the world. By ensuring students have access to positive role models and strong educators, we help unlock that potential. Join us in ensuring that every classroom has an excellent teacher, every day — because one role model can change a life forever.
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