Human Resource Consultant 4 - Generalist

State of Washington•Olympia, WA

51d•$75,108 - $98,520•Hybrid

About The Position

The Washington State Department of Agriculture has been serving the state for more than 100 years. Through service, regulation, and advocacy, we keep agriculture viable and vital in Washington State, while protecting consumers, public health, and the environment. We work extensively with farmers and ranchers, but our responsibilities - from ensuring food safety to environmental protection - touch the lives of millions of people locally, nationally, and abroad. The agency includes 780 employees approximately and grows close to 1,000 employees at the peak of seasonal work. To learn more and view additional openings, please visit our Employment Page. The Human Resources (HR) Department is responsible for ensuring Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) is compliant with all state and federal labor laws and regulations, collective bargaining agreements, policies, and best practices. The staff within the HR department provides direction and consultation to managers, supervisors, and staff regarding all facets of human resource administration. The Opportunity: Reporting to the HR Section Manager, the Human Resources Consultant (HRC4) serves as a professional expert to provide resources and guidance to appointing authorities, managers, and employees. This position works in coordination and consultation with agency leaders and subject matter experts on complex human resources issues such as performance management; collective bargaining agreement interpretation; organizational planning, and layoff processes; performance investigations; leave and reasonable accommodations, and equity efforts (belonging, diversity, inclusion, access, justice) for assigned divisions. This non-represented position is an expert Human Resources (HR) Consultant that will offer generalist support to assigned divisions. We are looking for a candidate who excels in building relationships and trust with supervisors, managers, and employees. In this role, your primary responsibility will be to engage with management and employees and offer guidance as they have questions and encounter personnel issues. You will need to have a general understanding of all HR subject areas, and either be the lead consultant or work in partnership with HR subject matter experts to address issues as they arise. We want to hire someone who loves supporting their business partners. Your customers may be monitoring invasive species, certifying crops for export across the world, protecting our environment for generations to come, or buying food from local farmers to stock Washington food banks. As their HR consultant, you will be coming alongside programs like these to help set their teams up for success and fulfill the mission of the agency. This position is based out of Olympia, WA. As WSDA embraces modern work environments and processes, this position is eligible for flexible work hours and telework. The WSDA HR team works both in-person and remotely and this position is expected to work at least 60% of its time from its duty station in the Natural Resources Building. The HRC4 will work under the guidance of State and Federal regulations, Agency policies and procedures, and applicable collective bargaining agreements. This position interacts with all levels of managers, supervisors and employees within the agency, Payroll and Budget departments, HR service providers at State HR - OFM, and the general public.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree with focus on business, human resources, social or organizational behavioral sciences, or related field or equivalent education/experience
Three (3) years of broad-based professional human resources experience, including facilitating organizational development or change, and advising and consulting on human resource issues
Additional qualifying experience will substitute, year for year, for education.

Nice To Haves

Experience applying the "just cause" standard in discipline.
HR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, or CLRP certification.

Responsibilities

Helps resolve issues, questions, and requests in accordance with HR principles and rules.
Performs complex analysis of employee relations issues. This includes progressive discipline and performance management consultations.
Conducts complete, thorough, and fair personnel investigations in response to performance concerns and complaints.
Advises and counsels supervisors and managers on departmental labor relations matters.
Drafts correspondence including grievance responses and disciplinary letters.
Acts as the Unemployment Insurance Coordinator for the agency.
Monitor review periods and non-permanent appointments and consult with programs on compliance with rules and appropriate outcomes.

Benefits

A healthy work/life balance, which may include flexible work schedules, and teleworking.
WSDA provides an excellent benefits package beyond traditional benefits. State employment offers Dependent Care Assistance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Deferred Compensation
12 paid Holidays & Vacation and Leave Accruals.
All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required will be provided by the agency.
Commute Trip Reduction Program.

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