Human Resources Manager II
- Summary
The Department of Human Resources (DHR) seeks an experienced Human Resource (HR) professional to join our team as the Human Resources Manager II for the Department of Public Defense (DPD). 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.
King County
As the only county in the United States named after Martin Luther King Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nations' history, King County is a vibrant community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the artistic and social traditions of many cultures. Together, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence.
We continue to build on an enduring legacy of shared values of equity and social justice, employee engagement, innovative thinking, and continuous improvement. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda aimed at advancing regional change and is developing the systems and standards necessary to achieve better outcomes for all residents, regardless of their race or income. All these qualities make King County one of the nation's best places to live, work, and play.Department of Public Defense
The Department of Public Defense (DPD) provides legal representation to adults and juveniles who have been charged with a crime and cannot afford an attorney, as well as people facing civil commitment, parents who could lose their children in a dependency action, and family members in inquest proceedings. DPD also works with partners to address racial disproportionality in the criminal legal system, the collateral consequences of system involvement, and other structural and systemic issues that harm our clients.
In 2021, DPD attorneys represented more than 15,000 individuals in King County courts and Seattle Municipal Court and handled more than 19,000 assignments. To learn more about the department, visit: Department of Public Defense.
- Job Duties
The Human Resources Manager II is an employee of the Department of Human Resources and reports jointly to the DPD Director 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.
The ideal candidate for this role will be a dynamic HR leader with experience in workforce recruitment who brings 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 DPD 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.
- Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
- 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, 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.
- Strategic thinker with extensive experience solving complex organizational problems through people-related solutions, with the ability to translate strategies into tactical actions and solutions.
- 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.
- A bachelor's degree in Human Resources Management, Public or Business Administration, or a closely related field; AND five years of increasingly responsible experience in human resources at the professional/management level; OR any combination of education and experience that clearly demonstrates the ability to perform the job duties of the position.
- Comfortable working in a criminal legal environment dedicated to providing quality legal representation and advocacy to people in need of assistance.
- 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.
- Supplemental Information
To Apply
If you are ready to bring your passion and enthusiasm for HR with a deep understanding and appreciation for the vital role it plays as a strategic partner in the department, we encourage you to apply. Please include a letter of interest that describes your skills, abilities and qualifications related to this role. This recruitment will remain open until filled. Applicants who apply by July 10, 2022, will receive first consideration in the process. For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact: jamie.robinson@kingcounty.gov.
Teleworking Requirement
The work associated with this position is currently being performed predominantly by teleworking; complemented with onsite work and meetings as needed. Frequency of onsite work will vary based on business and operational needs. 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. Please note that when an employee conducts work that is likely to bring them in contact with another individual, safety precautions are required, including wearing masks in some situations. King County is doing its part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and remains committed to reducing our carbon footprint.
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.
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement
King County Executive Branch employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If you are the successful candidate for the position you applied for, the County will send you a conditional offer letter.
As a condition of employment, prior to a final offer of employment, you will be required to:- submit proof of vaccination, or
- have an approved request for medical or religious exemption and an approved accommodation. Philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological objections to vaccination will not be considered for an exemption or accommodation.
The Executive Branch includes employees in the Executive Branch, the Assessor's Office, Elections, the King County Sheriff's Office, and the Executive Office.
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 Request Assistance
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.
King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage: King County pays 100% of the premiums for eligible employees and family members
- Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
- Retirement: King County employees are eligible to participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
- Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
- 10 paid holidays each year (plus 2 personal holidays)
- Generous vacation and paid sick leave
- Paid parental leave, family and medical leaves, and volunteer leave
- Flexible Spending Account
- Wellness programs
- Onsite gyms and activity centers
- Employee giving program
- Employee assistance programs
- Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
- Training and career development programs
This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails. Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.
NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.
-
01What best describes your experience?
- I am currently in a public sector role, providing leadership in a Human Resources position.
- I am not currently in a public sector Human Resources role, but was within the last 5-10 years.
- I have never been in a public sector role, but am currently providing leadership in a Human Resources position.
- I have never been in a public sector role and am not currently providing leadership in a Human Resources position.
02I have supervised, coached and mentored Human Resources professionals as direct reports within the last five years.- Yes
- No
03Do you have experience providing HR service delivery in a unionized environment?- Yes, in a public sector, government, or other municipal agency
- Yes, but not in a public sector, government, or other municipal agency
- No, I do not have this experience.
04Are you applying to this position as an eligible current or previous King County Employee Priority Placement Program Participant? Is this position the same or lower percentage of full-time when compared to the position held at the point of the notification of layoff? Do you possess the skills and abilities to qualify for this position?- Yes, I was given a layoff notice from my role at King County and I am within two years of the effective date of my layoff. Additionally, the position I was laid off from was the same or a higher percentage of FT status when compared to this one.
- No.
05If you answered yes to the question above and you are applying for this position as a Priority Placement Participant, to be considered, you must provide the following three pieces of information in the space provided: 1. The title you held when you received your layoff notice 2. The department you worked in 3. The effective date of your layoffRequired Question