Fresh Listing

Posted: February 19, 2026 (1 day ago)

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Non-Perm Human Resource Consultant (HRC3) Labor Relations & Consulting

State of Washington

Employment Security Department

Fresh

Location

Washington, 98504

Salary

$5,666 - $7,622

per month

Closes

February 27, 2026

SES Pay Grade

Base salary range: $147,649 - $221,900

Typical requirements: Executive-level leadership experience. Senior executive qualifications required.

Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).

Job Description

Summary

This job involves acting as a senior advisor to managers on various employee issues, such as performance problems, workplace investigations, and ensuring fair treatment, all while following laws and agreements.

It's a temporary role lasting until March 2027, focused on helping create a supportive and compliant work environment in a state agency.

A good fit would be someone experienced in HR who is calm under pressure, good at building relationships, and skilled at solving people-related challenges with fairness and clear communication.

Key Requirements

  • Experience providing senior-level HR consultation on topics like performance management, investigations, discipline, recruitment, and equity/diversity/inclusion
  • Knowledge of HR policies, state and federal laws (WACs/RCWs), and collective bargaining agreements to offer legally defensible advice
  • Ability to investigate and resolve complex personnel issues, including grievances, complaints, and appeals
  • Skills in drafting disciplinary letters, preparing documentation, and maintaining confidentiality
  • Experience collaborating with management, unions, and labor relations teams on mediations, hearings, and settlements
  • Proficiency in supporting recruitment processes, such as reviewing job offers and verifying compliance
  • Commitment to staying current on HR best practices and promoting consistent, inclusive workplace guidance

Full Job Description

The ideal candidate for this position will have a kind and inclusive approach to their work, in addition to experience consulting on a breadth of human resource functions.

The Employment Security Department (ESD) is seeking two (2) knowledgeable, collaborative, and solutions-focused Human Resource Consultant 3s (HRC3) to provide senior-level HR guidance to assigned divisions.

Note: These are non-permanent positions anticipated to last until March 30, 2027.

The ideal candidate(s) is a steady, trusted advisor who brings clarity to complex personnel issues and communicates with confidence.

You will build strong relationships, navigate sensitive matters with professionalism, and offer sound, legally defensible recommendations.

You are committed to equity, understanding the importance of consistent HR practices, and will thrive in a role where strategic thinking and practical problem-solving go hand in hand.

As a senior HR consultant, you will serve as the primary HR point of contact for assigned divisions, providing expert consultation on the full scope of human resource services.

Your work supports ESD’s mission by helping leaders make informed decisions, ensuring compliance with state and federal requirements, and fostering a fair, inclusive, and productive workplace.

Requirements

In this role, you will advise managers on complex personnel matters, interpret HR policies and collective bargaining agreements, and guide leaders through performance management, investigations, corrective actions, and workplace concerns.

You will conduct and coordinate investigations, prepare documentation for grievances and disciplinary actions, and collaborate with labor partners and the Labor Relations Office.

You will also support recruitment processes by reviewing job offers, verifying appointment details, and ensuring compliance with HR rules and procedures.

Some of what you will do:

  • Provide senior-level HR consultation on classification, compensation, recruitment, leave programs, reasonable accommodation, performance management, investigations, discipline, and EDI-related matters.
  • Interpret and apply HR policies, WACs/RCWs, federal and state laws, and collective bargaining agreements, offering legally defensible guidance.
  • Advise and support managers on employee performance issues, including analysis, strategy development, and recommended actions.
  • Stay current on HR and labor relations policies and best practices to ensure consistent, compliant guidance.
  • Investigate and resolve complex personnel issues, including grievances, complaints, and appeals.
  • Draft pre-disciplinary and disciplinary letters and prepare supporting documentation.
  • Conduct and coordinate personnel investigations and maintain highly confidential information.
  • Collaborate with management, union representatives, and the Labor Relations Office during mediations, hearings, and settlement discussions.
  • Prepare and send personnel-related correspondence and maintain accurate documentation.
  • Support recruitment processes, including reviewing job offers, verifying salary and appointment details, and approving personnel actions.

To request a detailed position description, click here.


Qualifications

Option 1: - Six (6) years of professional human resource experience. Equivalent of education and experience.

Option 2: - An associate’s degree with focus on business, human resources, social or organizational behavioral sciences, or related field (AND) Four (4) years of professional human resource experience.

Option 3: - A bachelor's degree with focus on business, human resources, social or organizational behavioral sciences, or related field (AND) Two (2) years of professional human resource experience.

Required equity competencies:

  • The ability to take action to learn and grow.
  • The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

The required experience includes:

  • HR Policy Knowledge: Expertise in providing advice on HR rules and procedures; Risk Assessment Skills: Ability to identify compliance risks and propose mitigation strategies.
  • Relationship Management Skills: Ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships; Strategic Thinking: Proficiency in creating effective HR strategies.
  • Investigative Skills: Ability to assess and document workplace complaints; Problem-Solving
  • Expertise: Proficiency in recommending resolutions.
  • HR Communication Skills: Ability to convey HR strategies clearly; Strategic Alignment Expertise: Proficiency in linking HR initiatives with business objectives.
  • Change Management Expertise: Ability to guide HR initiatives effectively; Problem-Solving Skills: Proficiency in addressing gaps in HR programs and practices.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

  • Working knowledge of HR-related WACs, RCWs, Federal and State laws, and Collective Bargaining Agreements
  • Experience writing letters related to corrective and disciplinary actions, hearing union grievances, and writing grievance responses
  • Experience conducting personnel investigations
  • Knowledge with the Washington State Human Resource Management System (HRMS)
  • One (1) year as a Human Resource Consultant 2

Additional Requirement of Employment:

  • Must be able to pass an Unemployment Insurance (UI) Claim & Benefit Information Review.

Please submit only the required documents as noted below and ensure all Personal Identifying Information (PII) such as Social Security numbers etc. are edited out of your materials for privacy.

Additionally, we ask that you not include photographs or external links within your documents. Any documents uploaded through this platform will be securely transmitted electronically to support application review.

Please submit your Cover Letter* and Resume with your Online Application through the "Add Attachments" field.

A resume will not substitute for the "work experience" section of the application or vice versa.

Applications with blank fields, or supplemental question responses with comments such as "see attachments" may be considered incomplete.


Additional Information

Our agency's mission and values drive every decision that we make, determine how we interact with others, and are at the core of who we are. We value Access, Love, Belonging, Equity, and Stewardship. We understand that a work environment that respects your work/life balance is key; that's why many of our positions are eligible for flexible work schedules and teleworking opportunities. Through support, value, and trust, our employees are empowered to grow and develop into their best self.

Opportunity for All
We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, ethnic, racial, religious, sexual orientation, and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, people over 40 years of age, people with religious beliefs, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

The Employment Security Department is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

If you are a person needing assistance in the application process, if you need this job announcement in an alternate format, or if you have general questions about this opportunity, please contact
Katie Swanson or the Talent Acquisition Team, or Washington Relay Service 711 prior to the recruitment closing. If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please contact careershelp@des.wa.gov or (360) 664-1960 or toll free (877) 664-1960, Washington Relay 711.

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Posted on NEOGOV: 2/19/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 2/20/2026

Source: NEOGOV | ID: neogov-washington-5224538