Human Resources Manager II (Special Duty)

Full Job Description

**This position is open to current King County employees only**

The Department of Human Resources (DHR) and the Department of Local Services (DLS) have an exciting 6-month special duty opportunity for current King County employees interested in growing their strategic human resources skills while leading a team of skilled professionals. The most competitive candidate will demonstrate a commitment to equity and social justice, passion for public service, and success as a sound HR advisor and collaborative leader.

Utilizing your strong interpersonal skills, you will build effective relationships and influence change at all levels in the Department. Your excellent communication skills and strong project management abilities will be essential for managing competing priorities. You will lead and mentor a team, and ensure systems are in place to attract, retain and engage employees. You will apply your HR expertise and compassion when problem solving and addressing issues. You will champion the advancement of practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunities for all employees.

The Human Resources Manager II is an employee of the Department of Human Resources and reports jointly to the DLS Chief of Staff and the Human Resources Services Delivery (HRSD) Division Director for the County. This reporting structure ensures consistent delivery of HR policies and practices across the county, while supporting the unique and varied needs of each department’s line of business.

Requirements

The ideal candidate for this role will be a dynamic HR leader with experience in labor relations and workforce recruitment and will bring fresh ideas, recruitment strategies, and the ability to develop the organization from a performance and culture perspective.

They will implement and oversee initiatives that attract a diverse and well qualified pool of candidates for all job classes within the department and increase efficiency, standardization, and improve organizational health.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Provide overall direction for the integration of sound human resources practices and strategic initiatives for the department, building and leveraging relationships and networks at all levels as a valued and trusted HR partner.
• Develop and implement recruitment strategies in today’s dynamic and constricted labor market.
• Provide advice and consultation on workplace programs, policies, and procedures.
• Collaborate with DLS leadership to design systems for recruitment, development, and retention of a high quality, diverse workforce that is prepared for the evolving business needs of the future.
• Proactively assess and, in consultation with leadership, resolve employee relations issues objectively, interpreting employment law, labor agreements, and HR policies and practices to reduce liability and ensure consistency and compliance.
• Conduct investigations related to human resources issues.
• Participate in negotiations of collective bargaining agreements, support and participate in employee discipline and grievances as needed and implement and interpret contract language where warranted.
• Manage requests for accommodations (Americans with Disabilities Act, religious, and others as applicable by law) to ensure adherence to all federal, state, and local regulations.
• Provide supervision, guidance, and development to support and sustain a small HR team.
• Lead the implementation of strategies to strengthen employee engagement and advance equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Strong track record of growing responsibility in human resources and the skills needed to thrive in a dynamic, people-focused role, whether gained through professional experience, education, or a mix of both.

Other Qualifications:

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build effective work relationships, influence behavior, and manage change.
• Direct working knowledge of major HR functions such as recruitment, compensation and benefits, risk management, Human Resources Information Systems, employee relations, labor relations, leave management, performance management, training and development, and the relevant laws and regulations.
• Experience coaching and counseling supervisors to effectively develop employees and improve performance outcomes. Experience coaching supervisors in having candid conversations with employees regarding performance issues.
• Excellent customer focused service and ability to advise and partner at all levels of management on a variety of complex HR policies, procedures, and practices.
• Experience advancing equity and social justice, inclusion, and belonging. Comfort having candid and sincere conversations with all employees about race and equity in the workplace.
• Excellent understanding and demonstrated knowledge of progressive workplace practices, including advances in available technology and resources to adapt to a competitive and changing labor market.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate in both written and verbal form at a high level, bringing clarity to human resources issues and providing information to staff and leadership.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple and competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to bring a steady, people-centered style to resolving disagreements and turning friction into progress.

Additional qualifications that will be helpful in this role:

• Experience in the public sector, government, or other municipal agency.
• Experience performing HR service delivery in a unionized environment.
• Strong working knowledge of and proficiency with PeopleSoft.
• Strong working knowledge of and proficiency with NEOGOV applicant tracking system.

Additional Information

Work Schedule
This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not eligible for overtime pay. Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule, every other Thursday, comprising a 40-hour workweek (normally 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday). Occasional non-standard work hours may be required to attend events, job fairs, etc.

Who May Apply
This recruitment is open to King County employees only. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in an interview.

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.

Interviews are tentatively scheduled for the week of March 16th.

Required Application Materials

An Online employment application, completed at www.kingcounty.gov/jobs.

The employment history should go back at least seven years if you have seven years of employment, or more to include all relevant experience.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. All relevant experience must be included in the application.

A Cover letter no longer than two pages summarizing how you meet the required experience, qualifications, knowledge, and job skills listed above. In addition, please share why you are interested in this position.

NOTE: Applications that do not include the required materials may be considered incomplete and will not be considered.

Teleworking Requirement

The Department of Human Resources (DHR) 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 is the King Street Center, 201 S. Jackson, Seattle, Washington 98104.

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.

Union Status
This position is not represented by a collective bargaining agreement.

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.

For more information on this recruitment, please contact:
Jen Irwin, Talent Management Supervisor, by e-mail at jirwin@kingcounty.gov, or by phone at 206-263-0601. Connect with Jen on LinkedIn.