Salary: $89,250.00 - $105,000.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number:Department: Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
Division: Human Resources
Opening Date: 11/03/2026
Closing Date: 11/17/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
DescriptionWASHINGTON MANAGEMENT SERVICEJOB ANNOUNCEMENTEmployee Relations Business Partner - Human Resources
$89,250 - $105,000 annually
Closes November 17, 2026The Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) seeks to fill a Employee Relations Business Parter position. This full-time permanent position is based in Olympia, Washington. This position may be eligible for partial telework. Telework is a combination of in-building and off-site days. We encourage interested candidates to visit the OSPI website to gain insight into our agency.
Position OverviewThis position will independently provide expert labor relations guidance and consultation to supervisors throughout OSPI, ensuring compliance with the Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs). Develop positive and effective working relationships with other state agencies, union representatives, and shop stewards. Ensure the union receives proper and timely notices in accordance with the CBAs. Collaborate with HR Consultants and managers in the resolution of employee concerns and grievances. Collaborate with HR Consultants on the interpretation of and advice regarding the CBAs and labor-related topics. While the position is primarily focused on labor relations work, it will also support the HR team and agency by providing HR generalist assistance.
Duties- Provides consultation and interpretation of applicable CBAs and ensures consistent compliance with bargaining agreements, agency policies, best practice human resource management activities and business practices.
- Research and understand labor relation trends, employment data, wage data, and other labor-related information. Present relevant data and information to the Chief HR Officer (CHRO) and other members of the OSPI's Executive Leadership Team.
- Oversee mandatory subject notifications to ensure the unions are properly notified on changes to working conditions and manage OSPI's response to union demands to bargain, in collaboration with OFM State Human Resources labor relations staff.
- Coordinate scheduling, agendas, and lead Union-Management Communication Committee meetings.
- Responsible for processing and case-managing grievances, Union notifications, demands to bargain, Request for Information (RFIs), unfair labor practices, arbitrations, and other labor related activities and track to completion.
- Reviews, researches, and tracks Union RFIs. Gathers data and responds to Union requests.
- In collaboration with the HR Training Team, identify, create, develop, and provide collective bargaining training for supervisors and managers who may also be part of a union.
- Ensure policies and updates to policies do not conflict with collective bargaining agreements. Submit all proposed changes to policies to the exclusive representative before they are distributed to staff.
- Create, organize, and maintain comprehensive labor relations filing and tracking systems.
- Provide expert level consulting regarding human resource rules, policies, and procedures, RCWs and WACs and internal agency policies.
- Partner with agency administrators and recommends and assists with the selection, training, direction, and evaluation of staff, establishing and monitoring standards of performance.
- Compose letters, memorandums, etc. on behalf of the CHRO.
- Coordinates Union release time requests.
Required Qualifications:Option 1: - Bachelor's degree with focus on business, human resources, social or organizational behavioral sciences, or related field and
- Three (3) years of broad-based professional human resource experience that includes interpreting union contracts, advising, consulting on labor specific issues, grievance management and dispute/conflict resolution.
Option 2:- Associate degree with focus on business, human resources, social or organizational behavioral sciences, or related field and
- Five (5) years of broad-based professional human resource experience, that includes interpreting union contracts, advising, consulting on labor specific issues, grievance management and dispute/conflict resolution.
Option 3: - Seven (7) years of broad-based professional human resource experience that includes interpreting union contracts, advising, consulting on labor specific issues, grievance management and dispute/conflict resolution.
Competencies:- Relationship Building: Build constructive relationships with people inside and outside the OSPI characterized by a high level of acceptance, cooperation, and mutual regard.
- Tact & Diplomacy: Respond to difficult, stressful, or sensitive interpersonal situations in ways that reduce or minimize potential conflict and maintains good working relationships among internal and external customers.
- Communication Effectiveness: Communicate with a high degree of professionalism and composure to convey clear, timely, persuasive messages that positively influence the thoughts and actions of others.
- Analysis and Connection: ability to glean information, pay attention to small details, and make connections to the details that interlink to a larger picture.
- Initiative: Focus on results and desired outcomes and how best to achieve them. Proactively take appropriate action to get the job done.
- Planning: Logically integrate various ideas, intentions, and information to form effective goals, objectives, timelines, action plans, and solutions.
- Demonstrates Self-Awareness: Seeks and acts on feedback and willingly admits when alternate approaches could have been more optimal. Displays empathy in difficult situations or interactions and models open-mindedness and flexibility. Seeks to challenge their own assumptions, encourages others to do the same, and demonstrates vulnerability.
CompensationThe annual compensation for the position is $89,250 - $105,000 per year and depends upon experience, educational background and qualifications. Geographic differentials may be applied based on work location of successful candidate. Washington State offers a generous benefit package including health, dental and life insurance, retirement and an optional deferred compensation program. Please visit Health Care Authority for information regarding health benefits and the Department of Retirement Systems for retirement plan information. This is a Washington Management Position. This position is not represented by a bargaining unit.
Application ProcessThose interested in this position must apply through Careers.wa.gov. Applications must include the following documents in
MS Word or PDF format:
- A letter of interest specifically addressing the qualifications listed in this announcement;
- A current résumé, and;
- A list of three or more professional references.
NOTE: Your resume and letter of interest must be attached to your application. Please confirm they are attached before you submit.Please
address any questions to:
Sal Salazar, Human Resources
Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
600 Washington Street Southeast
Olympia, Washington 98504-7200
360-725-6278
: sal.salazar@k12.wa.us
Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may contact the Human Resources Office at (360) 725-6270 or (360) 725-6066, or e-mail hroffice@k12.wa.us.
New Jobs Alert ServiceOSPI offers a subscription service, which regularly notifies subscribers of new OSPI employment opportunities on careers.wa.gov. Subscribers are notified via text or email alert. If you are interested in this service, then please subscribe at this location.
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 e
