Onboarding Specialist

The Onboarding & Employee Experience Specialist plays a key role in delivering seamless, compliant, and high-quality onboarding experience for all new hires across Patterson-UTI. This role is responsible for coordinating the full pre-employment and onboarding lifecycle, ensuring every new employee has a smooth transition into the organization. As the primary point of contact for candidates, the Specialist provides guidance, support, and timely communication to create a positive and professional new-hire experience.

Working closely with Talent Acquisition, HR Business Partners, Regional HR teams, and external service providers, the Specialist ensures all onboarding requirements are completed accurately and in accordance with Company policies as well as federal, state, and industry regulations. This includes advanced support for background adjudication, I-9 processing, contingent hire management, and relocation services.

Detailed Description

- Serve as the primary point of contact for candidates during the pre-employment and onboarding process, delivering clear communication, issue resolution, and a positive experience.

- Represent the Company’s values with professionalism, integrity, and strong customer service.

- Manage the full onboarding workflow—from offer acceptance through first day—ensuring a consistent, timely, and compliant process across all Patterson-UTI entities.

- Monitor background checks, drug tests, physicals, and other pre-employment requirements; troubleshoot delays, escalate issues appropriately, and communicate updates to Talent Acquisition and Regional HR.

- Review and adjudicate background checks in accordance with Company standards; consult with Regional HR for when necessary.

- Initiate and manage Form I-9 process; ensure timely completion. Cancel or correct I-9 records in alignment with federal guidelines for candidates who rescind, decline, or do not report for work.

- Participate in Regional HR calls to review upcoming start lists, identify risks to start dates, and provide progress updates.

- Track and manage contingent hire requests, approvals, and clearances in coordination with Company processes.

- Initiate relocation services and provide ongoing support to relocating employees; escalate exceptions or complex cases as needed.

- Maintain and update the consolidated onboarding tracker, including start dates, background progress, I-9 activity, relocation initiation, and lump-sum payment status.

- Proactively notify Talent Acquisition and Regional HR of any delays or issues that may affect onboarding timelines.

- Contribute to continuous improvement efforts by identifying process gaps and recommending updates to tools, workflows, and candidate experience practices.

- Ensure strict adherence to Company policies, procedures, and compliance requirements.

Perform additional related duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

- Ability to maintain Company and employee confidentiality at all times and handle sensitive information appropriately.

- Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple candidates and tasks simultaneously.

- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to provide clear instructions and respond professionally to candidates and internal partners.

- Demonstrated customer service orientation with the ability to build strong working relationships across HR, operations, and external vendors.

- Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify issues, determine root causes, and escalate appropriately.

- Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment and meet multiple deadlines.

- Proficiency navigating HR systems such as Oracle HCM or similar platforms.

- Strong Microsoft Office skills (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint).

- Experience supporting high-volume onboarding or hiring processes.

Ability to travel occasionally, as required.

Minimum Qualifications

- Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources, Business or related field of study.

- 2-3 years of experience in HR onboarding, shared services, talent acquisition, or a related HR support role.

Preferred Qualifications

- Experience in the oil and gas industry or a similar multi-entity, field-based operational environment.

- PHR or SHRM-CP Certifications

Additional Details

Work is primarily in a climate controlled / office environment with minimal safety / health hazard potential. The employee is regularly required to sit, stand, or walk with occasional lifting (overhead, waist level) from floor, bending and frequent near vision use for reading and use of computer, telephone and other office equipment.