HR Manager II-People Leader

King County • Seattle, WA

8d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Local Services is seeking an experienced Human Resources Manager (People Leader) to lead our complex department’s Human Resources team. Utilizing your experience and success as a sound HR advisor and collaborative leader with 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, mentor and inspire a team of dedicated HR practitioners whose work varies from employee and labor relations, recruitment, leaves and accommodations, and other disciplines, while developing systems to attract, retain, and engage employees. As our new leader, 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 a healthy and inclusive workplace culture for all employees.

About the Department of Local Services
King County Local Services is the local government service provider for the roughly 250,000 people who live in the unincorporated areas of the county. Together, the populations of these communities would form the second largest city in the state. The Department of Local Services includes a Director's Office, Road Services Division, and Permitting Division.

Our commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice
The Department of Local Services is deeply dedicated to fostering Equity and Racial and Social Justice in every aspect of our work. Our pledge is to cultivate, embrace, and celebrate the distinct experiences, viewpoints, and perspectives of our employees, our partners, and the communities we serve. We work to dismantle systemic barriers, address inequities, and actively confront prejudices and biases. We acknowledge that this journey is ongoing, and we remain steadfast in our efforts to create positive change for our employees and the communities we serve.

Requirements

• 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.
• 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 relevant laws and regulations.
• Demonstrated skill in resolving workplace conflict.
• 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.
• Experience with 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.
• Demonstrated comfort having candid and sincere conversations with all employees about race and equity in the workplace.
• Strategic thinker with 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.
• Comfortable working in a complex environment with multiple labor contracts.

Nice To Haves

• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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 support HR Analysts to 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.
• Develop and support Employee Labor Relations lead to 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.
• Coach and support HR Senior Analyst to manage requests for accommodations (Americans with Disabilities Act, religious, and others as applicable by law) ensuring adherence to all federal, state, and local regulations.
• Provide supervision, guidance, and development opportunities to support and sustain a mid-sized HR team.
• Lead the implementation of strategies to strengthen employee engagement and advance equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts.

Benefits

• The work week is normally Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., but may at times require work on the weekends, or outside of normal business hours.
• This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not eligible for overtime pay.
• Employees will be provided with a King County-issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.
• King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager