HR Associate

Full Job Description

This recruitment will be used to fill a Term-Limited Temporary (TLT) or Special Duty Assignment (SDA) position and to create an eligibility pool to fill additional TLT or SDA vacancies that may occur within the next six (6) months.

Assignments are anticipated to last for up to 12 months but have the ability to be extended or end early based on business needs.

Summary

The Department of Public Defense (DPD) is seeking a detail-oriented, reliable, and customer service focused Human Resource Associate to provide essential administrative support to our HR Team.

In this role you will help ensure smooth day-to-day HR operations by supporting recruitment logistics, maintaining HR records, coordinating communication, and assisting with onboarding activities.

Working under the direction of the Human Resource Manager and in collaboration with a high performing HR team, you will play an important role in ensuring employees and candidates receive accurate, responsive, professional, and welcoming HR support.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys administrative work, excels at organization, and thrives in a collaborative, dynamic environment.

Our ideal candidate:

• Has an administrative background and is highly organized.
• Values customer service and relationship building.
• Enjoys working on a team.
• Is curious, adaptable, and eager to learn.

The Department’s Mission Statement The King County Department of Public Defense represents indigent adults and children facing a loss of liberty.

Our department is an independent voice that promotes fairness and equity for our clients and advocates for their objectives, interests, and dignity.

DPD provides high quality legal representation to indigent clients in felonies, misdemeanors, juvenile defense, family defense (dependency cases), involuntary commitment (mental illness), and sex offender commitment proceedings.

DPD advocates to reduce the harm and reach of the criminal and civil legal systems that restrict our clients’ liberty, and advances policy reforms to reduce systemic racism.

We strive to create a flexible workplace culture that is inclusive, respectful, and supportive, premised on a shared anti-oppression framework. To learn more about DPD, visit our website.

Requirements

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES include but are not limited to the following:

Recruitment, Preemployment, and Onboarding Support

• Assist in scheduling interviews and candidate meetings; prepare interview packets and materials.
• Respond to applicant inquiries via phone and email, ensuring timely and professional communication.
• Track recruitment and pre-employment activities using PeopleSoft, NEOGOV, Excel, and Trello.
• Support the onboarding process by preparing new hire materials, coordinating logistics, and helping create a positive welcome experience for new employees.
• Coordinate and complete all post-hire onboarding tasks, ensuring new employees stay on track by providing timely follow-up reminders.
• Close out recruitments and assist with post-hire administrative tasks.

Records Management Support:

• Support the transition of HR records to electronic systems, including maintaining, organizing, scanning, and archiving documents using Laserfiche and Content Manager.
• Organize and maintain the HR Team’s shared drive for accessibility and efficiency.
• Track and maintain records of Alternative Work Schedule (AWS) and Telecommuting Agreements in accordance with HR policies.
• Track and maintain records of incoming performance appraisals including probationary evaluations.

Administrative Support:

• Manage the general HR inbox and shared calendars; review, respond to and triage inquiries and schedule team meetings.
• Serve as administrative backup to HR Analysts as needed.
• Respond promptly to calls and emails, offering supportive assistance to employees.
• Perform other administrative duties in support of DPD’s mission as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of two years of progressive administrative experience in a business unit or department; HR experience is helpful but not required.
• Valid Washington State Driver’s License or ability to travel within King County in a timely manner.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) such as NEOGOV.
• Familiarity with HRIS systems such as PeopleSoft.
• SHRM or HRCI certification, or an AA/BS in Human Resources.
• Experience working with attorneys or in a law firm.
• Experience supporting HR operations in a unionized environment.

Knowledge Of:

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, and SharePoint).
• Basic human resources principles and guidelines.
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion concepts.

Ability To:

• Maintain confidentiality regarding all HR and employment matters and follow all applicable Federal, State, and County policies, and labor agreements.
• Provide excellent customer service and communicate clearly both orally and in writing.
• Stay organized and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrate strong critical and logical thinking skills, along with sound judgement.
• Build positive working relationships across the department.
• Conduct research and problem-solving effectively.
• Learn new software quickly and adapt to changing systems and processes.
• Edit, proofread, and prepare professional documents.
• Maintain reliable and predictable attendance.

Additional Information

At King County, our work is guided by our True North and values. Our True North is what we aspire to: Making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive.

www.kingcounty.gov/careersKing County offers great benefits, to include a pension plan, holidays, transit pass, plus training and education opportunities to promote growth and development. Our focus is to provide our employees with work life balance.

ARE YOU READY TO APPLY?

This opportunity is open to all applicants. Please apply at www.kingcounty.gov/careers.

To be considered for this role submit the following items:

• Completed King County application.
• A current/chronological resume.
• Cover letter detailing your background and what you can bring to the Department of Public Defense.

This recruitment will be used to fill a Term-Limited Temporary (TLT) or Special Duty Assignment (SDA) position and to create an eligibility pool to fill additional TLT or SDA vacancies that may occur within the next six months.

Assignments are anticipated to last for up to 12 months but have the ability to be extended or end early based on business needs.

Note: Special Duty opportunities are only open to current King County career service employees that have completed their initial probation. Special Duty applicants must have approval from their current supervisor to accept an assignment.

Pay Upon Special Duty Placement

Current employees selected for special duty will be compensated based upon the provisions of the King County Code/Personnel Guidelines for their base position.

If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions, please contact our Talent Advisors at dpd-hr@kingcounty.gov.

WORK SCHEDULE AND LOCATION:

The Human Resources team works in a hybrid model, with days in the office as well as telecommuting. The ratio of remote to onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change.

The primary onsite location for this position is the Dexter Horton Building, 710 Second Avenue, Seattle.

Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely.

The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment.

Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.

The typical workweek is 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This position is non-exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is eligible for overtime.

Rotations of work location and practice area and/or workflow are an essential function and can occur based on business need. You may be required to report to any of our Seattle and/or Kent locations.

DPD Policies

Outside Work Policy for Administrative Staff will apply to employees, such that you must receive approval from your supervisor before being permitted to engage in outside employment for compensation or volunteer.

Union Membership

This position is not represented by a union.

Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce.

To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity.

Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards.

We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class.

Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully.

If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions, please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, this salary reflects the full salary range for this position.

Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate's current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

King County offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, life and disability insurance for employees and dependents; retirement and deferred compensation.

For additional information, please review the detailed summary of benefits offered by King County.