Every ORAU Workforce Solutions recruiter approaches filling a niche industry job as a full-scale project.
Every day, in organizations across the country, recruiters play a vital role in connecting talent with opportunities. At ORAU, the Workforce Solutions group takes this responsibility to the next level by specializing in niche industries, partnering with organizational leaders to fill talent needs and supporting critical national missions. Workforce Solutions works to fulfill ORAU’s responsibility to talent by keeping three critical focuses at the forefront: supporting our nation, supporting our communities and supporting our people.
Workforce Solutions is ORAU’s dedicated staffing group, managing every aspect of the hiring process for its customers from beginning to end. Led by recruitment manager Chelsea Hill, the team brings ORAU’s vision to life, articulating the group’s unique approach and unwavering focus. Hill’s leadership style is rooted in support and empowerment, ensuring her team has the tools, guidance and encouragement they need to succeed.
ORAU’s Workforce Solutions team recruits for a variety of government agencies like the NASA Postdoctoral Program as well as many non-government organizations.
Supporting our nation
“Workforce Solutions is an expert group of recruiters and project management professionals who partner with government agencies to find niche talent in efforts to further ORAU’s mission focus areas in support of our nation,” Hill explained. The team’s expertise spans science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) roles, as well as a multitude of craft and operations positions requiring unique skills. “‘Niche’ and ‘highly skilled’ doesn’t necessarily equate to everyone we recruit having a Ph.D.,” said Hill. “It means that the candidates we interact with have very specialized skills that contribute to specific roles and various missions for our nation.”
Workforce Solutions collaborates with a wide range of government agencies, including the National Nuclear Security Administration, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the NASA Postdoctoral Program, the Army Research Laboratory, as well as many non-government organizations.
To recruit for niche industries, ORAU’s Workforce Solutions offers resources such as resume workshops.
“What sets Workforce Solutions uniquely apart is our ability to work across so many different disciplines,” said Hill. “Our team’s strength lies in versatility. Human capital is a universal need, regardless of industry or technical area, and we’re able to support the full spectrum of workforce demands.”
This adaptability enables Workforce Solutions to provide staffing support for a multitude of diverse projects and initiatives, ensuring agencies and organizations across the U.S. have the talent they need to fulfill their missions and achieve their goals.
So, what does that support look like during the recruitment process?
“Every job our recruiters fill is considered a full-scale project, which is carried out from beginning to end,” Hill explained. “Our recruiters begin by working in strong partnership with hiring managers to determine their organizational needs. From there, we work diligently to generate interest, engage with candidates, and screen those who may be considered ideal fits for the specific role. From identifying candidates and scheduling interviews to extending offers and completing the onboarding process, our full-scale yet personalized recruitment process ensures that hiring managers and organizations have the talent they need to achieve their goals and serve the mission. And if we can make their lives a little easier by supporting them in this way, that’s even better.”
The core philosophy of Workforce Solutions centers on serving both candidates and customers. As a part of ORAU, a nonprofit organization, Workforce Solutions operates differently from traditional recruiting agencies. Unlike agencies that take a percentage of a candidate’s salary upon placement, Workforce Solutions takes a customer-focused approach by estimating the time required to fill a position and assigning a dedicated recruiter to the task. This distinctive model enables the team to prioritize finding the perfect match for each role, free from external pressures, ensuring that both candidates and customers benefit from a thoughtful and tailored placement process.
“We take care of our candidates, and we are customer focused,” said Hill. “Our entire goal is to find the right person for the right position at the right time.”
Empathy is a cornerstone of this philosophy, Hill explained.
“Recruiters must be able to recognize a candidate’s potential, or recognize when they’re not a good fit, very quickly,” she said. “Our success is about understanding the technical requirements of a position and knowing what type of individual will thrive in that role.”
As the nation evolves, Hill predicts that at least one thing will not change: the country’s need for defense and security. To support this critical need, Workforce Solutions maintains strong relationships with multiple agencies that support this cause and will always need skilled talent. ORAU is also poised on the forefront of the nuclear renaissance, as the ORAU STEM Accelerator prioritizes the nuclear industry and consistently strives to address gaps in the STEM workforce.
Supporting our communities
"We recognize the ongoing workforce challenges facing our nation, particularly the shortage of individuals entering key industries critical to our progress," said Hill. "To address these challenges, Workforce Solutions actively engages with local communities by offering resources such as resume workshops, interview preparation presentations, and career development support for K-12 and college students."
Hill emphasized the organization's commitment to making a positive impact: "Our goal is to support our community and empower those we connect with. Whether it's in Oak Ridge, across the county, or statewide, we strive to be a solid and dependable resource for students and job seekers. Through initiatives like resume workshops and interview presentations, we aim to give back and help individuals succeed."
Supporting our people
This spirit of service and collaboration is deeply embedded in the culture at Workforce Solutions, where Hill feels fortunate to work alongside an exceptional team. "I truly believe I have the best team in the world," she said. "Their intelligence, integrity, and dedication inspire me every day. My teammates make my job so enjoyable. They are some of the most honest, caring, high-performing, and motivated people I've ever worked with. I know I can trust each of them to give 100% every time, and they continually encourage and support one another."
ORAU’s Workforce Solutions is ready to help job candidates find the right position.
In addition to her admiration for her team, Hill finds joy in the opportunity to learn and grow through her work. "One of the things I love most about my role is that I learn something new every day. I have the privilege of working with incredibly smart people, both within and outside of my group. That’s my favorite part of the job—I never want to be the smartest person in the room. I always want to be surrounded by people I can learn from. “In essence, the foundation of the Workforce Solutions group lies in its unwavering commitment to supporting our nation, our communities, and our people every day. “When we partner with strategic leaders to connect talent with opportunities that drive meaningful work for our nation—and simultaneously transform candidates’ lives through life-changing career opportunities—we discover the true heart of what we do,” Hill explained.