Classification & Compensation Specialist (Human Resource Consultant 4)

Full Job Description

About the Opportunity:
As the agency’s primary consultant on the State of Washington’s classification and compensation framework, you will lead complex, high-impact classification reviews and compensation analyses, and working in close partnership with HR Business Partners, you will standardize program practices and align technical decisions with organizational needs, serving as the primary liaison with OFM State Human Resources to drive consistency and strategic outcomes across diverse business areas.

Requirements

Some of What You’ll Enjoy Doing Includes:

• Lead complex classification and compensation initiatives for DES and small agency customers, ensuring alignment with statewide frameworks.
• Conduct in-depth analyses of new, revised, and restructured positions to determine appropriate classification, allocation, and salary levels.
• Provide expert consultation to executive leadership and HR partners on classification methodology, strategies, and compensation structures.
• Resolve sensitive or ambiguous issues, including overlapping duties and emerging roles, to maintain structural integrity.
• Ensure equitable and defensible decisions by performing comparative analyses across agencies and diverse business areas.
• Interpret and apply statewide rules, policies, and collective bargaining agreements to guarantee compliance with OFM standards.
• Standardize and oversee the classification program by establishing uniform intake procedures, review standards, and documentation templates to ensure consistency across DES and supported small agencies.
• Modernize workflows and transparency through the implementation of tracking mechanisms, reporting tools, and process improvements that streamline the evaluation of complex classification requests.
• Empower leadership and HR partners by developing comprehensive guidance materials and delivering formal training on classification methodology, criteria, and policy application.
• Support the Employee Relations Manager by scheduling and facilitating committee activities for the Washington Management Service (WMS) and Information Technology Professional Structure (ITPS).

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Demonstrates a deep knowledge of classification principles and compensation systems, preferably within Washington State or general government and possesses advanced proficiency in:
  • Reviewing and evaluating jobs and pay across a large, complex organization.
  • Applying classification concepts, organizational design, and compensation strategies in consultations and guidance related to internal equity and the competitive job market.
  • Using statewide classification systems, pay structures, and compensation to make or guide decisions.
  • Developing and improving tools, guidance, and resources for consistent application.
  • Interpreting and applying laws, rules, policies, and collective bargaining agreements for consultation and decisions.
  • Performing data gathering, such as salary analysis, equity reviews, market data analysis, statewide survey reviews, etc., and use analysis and reporting in support of decisions and recommendations.
  • Identifying and addressing systemic disparities or bias, applying equity principles in classification and compensation consultation and decisions.
  • Influencing decision making through clear recommendations grounded in data and policy.
  • Preparing defensible written analyses, recommendations, and reports ensuring decisions will withstand audit, grievance, or legal review.
  • Providing strategic consultation to all levels of staff on workforce and compensation issues; advising leaders and HRBP’s on staffing, job structures, and pay decisions.
  • Coaching HR staff and managers on complex classification and compensation issues.
  • Translating technical classification and compensation concepts into plain language.
  • Supporting collective bargaining strategy and negotiations.

Preferred Qualification:

Seven (7) years* of broad-based professional human resources experience, including three (3) years of experience making position allocation determinations and providing consultation related to classification and compensation issues to supervisors and managers.

NOTE: *Education may substitute experience, year-for-year.

Experience with one (1) or more of the following:

• Preparing classification and compensation biennial collective bargaining proposals for submission to OFM State HR
• Collaborating with agency management in drafting new or revised classification specifications
• Consulting with agency management and executives on reorganizations
• PHR/SPHR Certification or SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP

Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Competencies
Incumbents to this position must possess and demonstrate the following competencies:

• Able to learn and understand the language and concepts of our DES DEI culture and commit to being a part of creating and maintaining a diverse, equitable, respectful, and inclusive workplace.
• Demonstrate a commitment to growth, learning and self-awareness when provided training and opportunities to participate in improving our work environment.
• Participate and behave in a manner that creates trust and builds working relationships, promoting teamwork and collaboration in the work environment.
• Demonstrate the understanding that all people are valued; contribute to an equitable, inclusive, and respectful environment when working with members of the group, team, organization, or community.
• Commit to being an active participant in continually evaluating and improving strategies that promote equity and inclusion in our organization.

Additional Information

How to Apply: Interested? We would love to hear from you! Click “Apply” at the top of this page to start your application. You can save the application and come back to it, if needed. Be sure to complete the application fully to include a full work history and responses to the supplemental questions. Please provide the following documents in order to be considered; failure to do so may result in you not being considered for the position:

• A letter of interest that shows your personality and voice to describe why you are the successful candidate and how you meet the specific qualifications for this position
• A current resume, detailing experience, and education
• A current list of at least three (3) professional references with current contact information

Do not attach any documents that include photos or private information (social security number, year of birth, etc.).

Please Note: By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed. A resume will not be substitute for completing the “duties summary” section of the online application. Please do not refer to the resume for detail or your application may be disqualified.

Background Check Notice: Prior to any new appointment into the Department of Enterprise Services, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted as a condition of employment. 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 position.

Opportunity for All:
The Department of Enterprise Services celebrates our differences and we are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws.

You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our organization.

Contact Information:
For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact George Deguzman via email at jobs@des.wa.gov. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

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