Human Resources Compliance Specialist

Human Resources Compliance Specialist

Salary

$82,440.00 - $112,590.00 Annually

Location

10 Park Plaza, Boston

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

26-20105

Department

MBTA - Human Resources

Area

751-Human Resources

Opening Date

07/14/2026

Closing Date

8/17/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Bargaining Unit

MBTA Exec Main Fund

Licenses / Certifications

Please see job description.

Safety Sensitive

No; this is not a Safety Sensitive position.

On-Call or 24/7

No; this position is not classified as on-call or 24/7.

Essential Classification (Emergency Staff)

No; this position is classified as non-essential (during declared States of Emergency).

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

At the MBTA, we envision a thriving region enabled by a best-in-class transit system. Our mission is to serve the public by providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation. MBTA's core values are built around safety, service, equity, sustainability, culture, and accessibility, and each employee that works for the MBTA performs their roles based on our vision, mission, and values. This includes attendance, participation, and contribution in local safety committee meetings as needed.

Job Summary

The HR Compliance Specialist will be responsible for compliance requirements within the Workforce Department. They will assist with implementing and updating programs, policies, and procedures. This role requires excellent communication skills, strong attention to detail, and the ability to handle sensitive information with confidentiality.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Manage Human Resources (HR) compliance by conducting periodic reviews, audits, and annual submissions, including, but not limited to, gathering, reviewing, and analyzing internal records.
• Monitor and ensure compliance with Workforce policies and procedures and employment laws.
• Help draft Human Resources/Workforce procedures, processes, and policies to better facilitate compliance, including assisting with updating the Employee Handbook.
• Maintain compliance with current applicable local, state, and federal employment regulations, including, but not limited to, the Federal Transit Agency (FTA).
• Manage and track employee personnel folder request process and any other legal compliance requests (i.e., MCAD complaints). Assist in gathering the information when necessary.
• Assist with oversight of the E-Verify and I-9 process and its compliance for all hires, including collaboration with recruitment department, reviewing I-9 documentation, following up on non-compliance, and maintaining I-9 record compliance.
• Support the recruitment and onboarding process, including being responsible for background check adjudication process, evaluating background check results against MBTA policy and current regulations to determine eligibility for hire.
• Support the Authoritys compliance requirements related to proper U.S. work authorization.
• Maintain the Authority's electronic employee personnel records database and ensure compliance with the Massachusetts Statewide Records Retention Schedule.
• Conduct scheduled Human Resources compliance audits and prepared data summaries, presentations, and reports on findings status and recommendations.
• Coordinate with the Human Resources business partners on the exit interview process, including assisting the business partners in sending out interviews, conducting exit interviews, and gathering completed interviews.
• Responsible for reporting out exit interview information, including any trends.
• Work in collaboration with internal partners such as the Office of Diversity and Civil Rights, Legal, Labor Relations and other groups as needed.
• Aid in conducting analysis of employment-related data and prepares required reports; compiles raw data into usable reports to assist with reporting needs of the Workforce team.
• Exercise professionalism and confidentiality always, building trust and strong partnerships with clients.
• Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.

Additional responsibilities may include focus on one or more departments or locations. See applicable addendum for department or location specific functions.

Supervision

• No direct reports.

Minimum Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, public administration, or a related field.
• Four (4) years of Human Resources experience.
• One (1) year of compliance experience.
• Experience in a fast-paced team environment with strong attention to detail.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Human Resources practices, employment laws, and compliance experience.
• Strong awareness of state and federal employment regulations.
• Resourceful, analytical, and problem-solving aptitude.
• Excellent communication skills, interpersonal skills, ethics, and cultural awareness.
• Demonstrated experience responding to clients with a customer service attitude.
• Ability to maintain professionalism and confidentiality.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook) and comfortable learning new technical systems as needed.

Substitutions

• A High School Diploma or GED with an additional seven (7) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor's degree requirement.
• An associate degree from an accredited institution with an additional three (3) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor's degree requirement.
• A master's degree in a related subject substitute for two (2) years of general experience.
• A nationally recognized certification, or statewide/professional certification in a related field substitutes for one year of experience.

Preferred Experience & Skills

• Additional HR training or experience.
• PHR, SPHR, or SHRM certification.
• Experience in work authorization practices and procedures.
• Familiarity with HRIS systems, Tableau Server.
• Experience working in a union environment.

Job Conditions:

• Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English.
• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age, except if participating in an approved high school internship / co-op program.
• Ability to commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area, as required by the role.
• Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences.
• Ability to work effectively, independently, and as part of a diverse workforce team (or supervise, if required).
• Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers.
• Ability to adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the MBTA, including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies.
• Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if current student or recent graduate), including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection).
• Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and / or medical Clinic screening, potentially including physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings.
• Ability to work all shifts and / or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position, including (for some transit / operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service.
• Intern / co-op staff must be enrolled full or part-time in an accredited educational program and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for the entire duration of the internship / co-op. Additionally, interns / co-ops must have valid work authorization and U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting pre-employment screenings / pre-boarding, working in their positions, and throughout the duration of their program.

Disclaimers and Definitions:

• General Disclaimer: The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe a summary, general nature, and complexity of typical job functions and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position.
• Application Completion: It is each applicant's responsibility to ensure application details are entered completely and correctly, including updated work and education histories (past and current). Incomplete applications may not be considered. Attachments do not substitute for application fields. The recruitment team does not have access to existing employee data / history.
• Application Deadlines: Applicants should apply as soon as possible, as the MBTA may stop considering applicants after a sufficiently large applicant pool is established.
• Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here-in are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. See job description for role-specific requirements.
• Work Eligibility: All employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States and on an unrestricted basis. The MBTA does not have an employer work sponsorship program. However, if you have unrestricted work authorization, or are sponsored by a separate entity, you are welcome to apply. Further, all persons hired will require a U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting the position and employees will be required to complete a Form I-9 to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.
• Interviews: Candidates should ensure they arrive on time, are prepared, can remain for the duration, and if remote, are in a quiet place without distraction, for the interview. Candidates who do not attend their interview without advance authorization, including an email confirmation of a rescheduled time/date from Human Resources, will be considered a no-show and disqualified from consideration for the position. Related to rescheduling, on a one-time basis, and due to something emergent, you may be allowed to reschedule the interview. In addition, Human Resources may require documentation supporting the request. However, should you need to reschedule, you will need to contact your Recruiter directly by email.
• Safety Sensitive Positions: Employees working in this classification will be subject to periodic physical examinations plus random drug and alcohol testing.
• On-call or 24/7 Positions: Employees working in this classification must be available to respond to page / text / call and report to work as determined by assigned department or the Authority.
• Essential / Emergency Staff: During declared "states of emergency," employees working in this classification are required to report to work for their assigned work hours or as directed by management.
• ADA Accommodations: The MBTA makes reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during this process, please contact the MBTAs ADA Unit at 617-222-5751 or hradaaa@mbta.com.
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The MBTA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. For terms, descriptions, and definitions related to diversity, equity, inclusion, veteran status, and immediate family members that you may find on the application form, please visit mbta.com/careers-app-definitions.
• Intern / Co-Op Benefits: Employees taking part in an internship or co-op at the MBTA are eligible to receive accrued paid sick leave as well as a monthly transportation pass, based on the city from which the intern / co-op commutes to work, at no cost. However, no additional benefits are currently offered for interns or co-ops.

Employment Benefits at the MBTA

Full-Time Employees:

The MBTA offers comprehensive benefits packages. Types of benefits offered at the MBTA are subject to the union affiliation / Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) of the position to which you apply. Benefits that may apply to your position include the following:

• Insurance: Health, Dental, Vision, Life (basic and supplemental), and Long-Term Disability
• Paid Time Off (PTO): Vacation, Personal Days, Sick Leave, and Holidays
• Retirement: Pension or deferred compensation 401(a), plus MBTA contributions
• Complimentary pass for travel on the MBTA transit system (bus, train, ferry, and Commuter Rail)
• Tuition Reimbursement (up to $10,000 per year)
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) for student loans
• Commuter Choice Parking Program: Pre-tax benefits for parking
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA): Pre-tax benefits for healthcare-related expenses
• Discounted tickets for concerts, movies, travel / vacation, etc. via TicketsAtWork.com
• Shopping discounts via GovX.com
• Verizon and AT&T service discounts
• And more...

Disclaimer:

The above information is meant to be a general overview of the benefit programs offered by the MBTA, which may or may not apply to a specific position. This summary is not a contract and is not meant to change the provisions of union contracts or Authority policies and does not establish a binding practice. Please contact the assigned Recruiter directly or email hrstaffing@mbta.com for more information.

The MBTA is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer

01

Which below best describes your education and experience?

• I did not obtain a high school diploma or equivalent.
• A High School diploma or equivalent with eleven 4 years of Human Resources experience.
• An Associates degree with 7 years of Human Resources experience.
• A Bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, public administration, or a related field and 4 years of Human Resources experience.
• A Master's degree in a related subject with 2 or more years of relevant experience.

02

Do you have 1 year of compliance experience?

• Yes
• No

03

Please rate your experience in work authorization practices and procedures as well as employment laws.

• No Experience
• Beginner
• Intermediate
• Advanced
• Expert

04

Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B visa status)?

• Yes
• No

05

Are you legally authorized to work in the United States?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority

Address 10 Park Plaza

Boston, Massachusetts, 02116

Phone (617) 222-3200

Website https://www.mbta.com