Salary: $83,880.00 - $111,828.00 Annually
Location : Pierce County - Lakewood, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number:Department: Dept. of Social and Health Services
Division: OOS
Opening Date: 10/12/2026
Closing Date: 10/25/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
DescriptionThis career opportunity is for those who have a passion for building relationships with customers while providing high-level consultations in a fast paced environment on the employee relations side of HR and want to be able to make recommendations on how to improve Human Resource processes. If this sounds like you, keep reading, we have the opporhigh-qualityou!
Here's your chance to work on a dynamic team delivering high-quality senior level professional HR expertise and value-added support services that Washington State Department of Social & Health Services (DSHS) (OOS), Human Resources Division customers rely on. You will empower staff and customers to be the best as they serve the citizens of Washington State. Your reward will be the contribution you make every day by your team providing HR consultation support to our customers. Your specialized HR/employee relations work will center around consulting on employment law, agency policy and procedures, Collective Bargaining agreements and WAC/RCW's, while partnering with other subject matter experts to help guide management and supervisors in areas such as leaves and reasonable accommodation.
The service you provide primarily supports the within Pierce County and you will be assisting other programs within the agency as needed. This role offers a hybrid telework schedule with at leasttwo days per week on site at the designated location.
Some of what you will do- Deliver professional-level HR consultation to appointing authorities, managers, and supervisors on employee relations issues and topics such as performance management, investigation, and the just cause process.
- Demonstrate your initiative and innovative thinking when connecting with customers, building trust, and instilling confidence in those you support.
- Supervise one or two Human Resource Consultant 3's providing training and mentoring to them on a daily basis.
- Provide recommendations to appointing authorities on addressing personnel issues, and achieving organizational goals, making factual recommendations being able to articulate the "why" behind the recommendation.
- Draft a variety of HR related correspondences including disciplinary letters, and notices to staff informing them of pending investigations and alternate assignments.
- Interpret and apply Federal and Washington State laws, DSHS Administrative policies, Program policies, and collective bargaining agreements to provide informative consultation to appointing authorities, managers, and supervisors.
Who should apply Professionals with a bachelor's or higher degree involving major study in human resource management, business, public administration, social or organizational behavioral sciences or related field and five years of professional human resource administration experience.
Additional professional human resource experience may be substituted, year for year, for education. Professional-level Human Resource experience refers to working full-time as a Human Resource professional in a generalist, specialist, or managerial role.
Preferred knowledge, skills, and abilities
- Human Resources certification preferred.
- Master's degree in Human Resource Management, Business Administration, Public Administration or related field, and four years of professional Human Resource experience
- Demonstrate a detailed application and understanding of laws, rules, WACs, union contracts.
- Experience supervising, motivating, developing, coaching, and leading subordinate staff or other teams.
- Effective management skills serving as a consultant to business partners and staff.
- Providing options and advice to resolve highly complex human resource issues.
- Advocate for fair and equitable treatment of employees and work to achieve the highest level of employee morale and productivity.
- Manage change and influence positive management and workforce relationships.
- Governmental public personnel human resource management experience.
- Independently analyze highly complex human resource issues and develop solutions.
We partner with people to access support, care, and resources.
This job is classified as a WMS2.
Interested? Please list 3 professional references', including your most recent supervisors, contact information on your application and include your current resume and a cover letter explaining how your knowledge, skills, and abilities qualify you for this role.
Questions? Please reach out to DSHS Recruiter Grant Grady and reference job number 08347.
#WeAreHiring #InclusionWorks
Supplemental Information Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.
More than Just a Paycheck!Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Read about our benefits:The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.
Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.
Insurance BenefitsEmployees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.
Retirement and Deferred CompensationState Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
Social SecurityAll state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
Public Service Loan ForgivenessIf you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Holidays Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.
Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.
Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.
Sick Leave Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.
Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
Vacation (Annual Leave)Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.
Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.
Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
As provided in , an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.
Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for
exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.
Military LeaveWashington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.
Bereavement Leave Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.
Additional Leave 
