Vacancy Announcement

Assistant Director of Human Resources & Payroll

Priority Consideration Deadline: Open Until Filled

ATTENTION CANDIDATES!

In order to submit a complete application and receive full consideration by the Search Committee, please include the following attachments with your online application:

1. Equity Statement (expected length 500 to 800 words) to include each of the following elements:
   1. A description of a time when you recognized an equity issue. What was the issue? What did you do to make a difference? What did you learn about equity through this experience?
   2. A detailed description of how you are seeking to learn more about equity related issues including but not limited to race, gender, LGBTQ+, disability (ableism), age (ageism), socioeconomic class, and body diversity.
   3. An explanation of how you will contribute to equity at Cascadia (i.e. closing the achievement gap and raising the retention rates amongst historically marginalized students), as well as actively work against the institutionalized norms of oppression against historically marginalized people.
2. Cover Letter (not to exceed 1,000 words) that specifically addresses how your qualifications and experiences meet or exceed the minimum qualifications, preferred qualifications, and the characteristics of the position.
3. Resume

Position Overview

Reporting directly to the Associate Vice President of Human Resources, the Assistant Director of Human Resources & Payroll serves as a key operational leader responsible for supporting and advancing the College's human resources, payroll, labor relations, and Title IX/EEO functions.

The Assistant Director provides leadership, oversight, and direct supervision of HR and payroll operations to ensure exceptional customer service, regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and effective service delivery across all employee groups. This position serves as a subject matter expert in human resources administration, payroll practices, labor contract interpretation, and employment compliance while supporting positive employee experience through equitable, inclusive, and employee-centered practices.

As a member of the Human Resources leadership team, the Assistant Director models Cascadia College's commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging by fostering a workplace culture grounded in respect, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Employee Type: Full Time Exempt, Temporary

Initial Salary: $84,812.09 (includes 5% King County Premium Pay) County Premium Pay (KCPP)

Supervising Position: Associate Vice President of Human Resources

Essential Duties

Operational Leadership & Service Delivery

• Provide day-to-day operational leadership for Human Resources and Payroll functions, serving as the primary resource for complex employee and management inquiries.
• Oversee payroll administration, employee benefits, leave programs, personnel transactions, and employee records management, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, confidentiality, and compliance
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve departmental procedures, workflows, and service standards to enhance operational effectiveness and customer service.
• Utilize and monitor HRIS systems, including ctcLink (PeopleSoft HCM), to ensure data integrity, streamline processes, and support informed decision-making.
• Evaluate operational needs and recommend process improvements that increase efficiency, mitigate risk, and support institutional goals.

Staff Supervision & Talent Development

• Directly supervise, train, mentor, and evaluate Human Resources and Payroll staff.
• Establish performance expectations, provide regular coaching and feedback, and support professional growth and development opportunities.
• Foster a collaborative, service-oriented, and high-performing team culture that promotes accountability, innovation, and continuous learning.
• Allocate and prioritize workloads to ensure effective service delivery and departmental responsiveness.

Labor Relations & Employment Compliance

• Interpret and administer collective bargaining agreements, providing guidance to administrators and supervisors regarding contract provisions, employee relations matters, and workplace practices.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal and state employment laws, Washington Administrative Code (WAC), Revised Code of Washington (RCW), State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) regulations, and College policies.
• Conduct position and compensation analyses, including classification reviews and Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) exemption determinations.
• Support workplace investigations, conflict resolution efforts, and employee relations processes while promoting fair, consistent, and equitable outcomes.
• Assist supervisors and administrators in addressing complex personnel matters and implementing effective workforce solutions.

Program Administration, Reporting & Special Projects

• Prepare, analyze, and present complex HR and payroll reports for executive leadership, governmental agencies, audits, and required state and federal reporting.
• Support Title IX, Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), civil rights, and compliance-related administrative processes, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements.
• Represent Human Resources on institutional committees, including the Campus Safety Committee, and participate in cross-functional initiatives.
• Lead and support departmental projects, strategic initiatives, and organizational change efforts.
• Perform other duties as assigned that are consistent with the scope and responsibility of the position.

Education & Experience

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, Organizational Leadership, or a closely related field; OR an equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible professional experience.
• Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in human resources, payroll administration, employee relations, labor relations, or a closely related field.
• One (1) year of supervisory, lead, or management experience with responsibility for directing the work of others.
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal and state employment laws, payroll administration, labor contract interpretation, and human resources best practices.
• Experience exercising sound judgment in handling sensitive and confidential employee matters.
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging in the workplace.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Professional Human Resources certification such as PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, IPMA-HR, or CPP.
• Experience in higher education, particularly within Washington State's Community and Technical College system.
• Experience working with ctcLink (PeopleSoft HCM/TAM) or comparable enterprise HRIS and payroll systems.
• Experience supporting Title IX, EEO, employee investigations, grievance administration, or equity-centered recruitment and hiring initiatives.
• Experience interpreting and administering collective bargaining agreements in a unionized environment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Comprehensive knowledge of human resources and payroll operations, employment law, labor relations, employee benefits administration, classification and compensation practices, and collective bargaining agreements.
• Strong understanding of equity-minded leadership principles and inclusive workplace practices.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex issues, identify solutions, and exercise sound judgment in a highly regulated environment.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with employees, supervisors, union representatives, and senior leaders.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and lead projects with minimal supervision.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365, HRIS platforms, payroll systems, and data reporting tools.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and handle sensitive information with professionalism and discretion.
• Proven ability to build collaborative working relationships across diverse constituencies and contribute positively to a dynamic higher education environment.

Physical Work Environment

Semi-Sedentary Work: Involves staying in a stationary position to a significant degree. Jobs are sedentary if moving is required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

The College is currently in hybrid operations, with many assignments completed in an online environment during this time. Full-time employees are expected to be on-campus at least three (3) days per week with the option to work remotely for the remainder of their working days. This position will perform work in a standard office setting, use standard office equipment and physically attend meetings both on and off campus and requires the ability to communicate in person or through appropriate means.

Positions in this class typically require operating a computer, communicating, observing, and repetitive motions.

This position involves exerting between 10-30 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently to transport, put, install, remove, or otherwise move objects, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Condition of Employment

As an institution that upholds the value of diversity, equity and inclusion of every individual, Cascadia College expects its employees to embody and promote these values. Both current and prospective employees of the College are encouraged to seek deeper understanding in these areas as part of professional growth.

Cascadia College maintains a drug-free work and learning environment and prohibits smoking in all college buildings and state-owned vehicles.

Benefits

Cascadia College offers comprehensive Benefits packages to support you and your family in a variety of ways. All eligible employees, retirees, and their dependents are offered: medical, dental, and vision plan options; life insurance; long-term disability insurance; medical and dependent care reimbursement accounts; leave programs; employee assistance programs; tuition waiver; optional credit union participation; optional home/auto insurance, and retirement planning.

To learn more about the benefits offered here, please click on the Employee Benefits tab located on our Jobs at Cascadia webpage or click here: https://www.cascadia.edu/about/jobs/default.aspx

Campus Safety

In recognition of the Jeanne Clery Act, information on our campus safety can be found at www.uwb.edu/safety .