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State of Washington

Labor Specialist (Human Resource Consultant 4)

State of Washington, Olympia, Washington, United States, 98502

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Salary:

$6,259.00 - $8,415.00 Monthly Location :

Thurston County - Olympia, WA Job Type:

Full Time - Permanent Remote Employment:

Flexible/Hybrid Job Number:

2025-HR-004 Department:

Dept. of Enterprise Services Division:

Human Resources Opening Date:

09/03/2025 Closing Date:

9/17/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Description Labor Specialist (Human Resource Consultant 4)

Monday - Friday | 8AM - 5PM | HYBRID NOTE:

This position is eligible for full time remote/telework within Washington State. There may be instances where you will be required to work from the office or a field location. The hiring authority reserves the right to offer the position at any time after the required posting period, and during the recruitment process. It is to the applicant's advantage to apply as early as possible.

The Department of Enterprise Services (DES)

provides centralized business services to state government agencies; to other public entities such as cities, counties and tribes; and to Washington residents. DES' mission is to strengthen the business of government for a sustainable and just future. Learn more about DES.

About the Opportunity: As DES' Labor Specialist, you will serve as the agency's subject matter expert in labor relations, providing expert-level consultation and guidance to DES and small agency customers. You will facilitate collaborative relationships with labor partners and promote inclusive workplace practices, as well as interpreting and applying civil service rules, employment laws, and collective bargaining agreements. You will also be responsible for leading complex administrative investigations, advising leadership on potential policy or legal violations and providing support in decision-making related to disciplinary actions. This position plays a key role in fostering equitable, consistent, and legally sound human resource practices across the agency. Duties

Some of What You'll Enjoy Doing Includes:

Provide expert-level labor relations support to DES and small agency customers. Guide managers and supervisors on interpreting and applying collective bargaining agreements (CBAs), including grievance, arbitration, and bargaining procedures. Coordinate grievance processes to ensure compliance with CBAs and consistency in addressing procedural concerns. Assist with arbitration preparation, including documentation and witness coordination. Manage timely responses to information requests and facilitate meetings between management and employee organizations during labor activities Conduct complex administrative investigations involving potential policy or legal violations. Prepare thorough documentation and reports to support investigative findings. Draft and review corrective and disciplinary letters, ensuring appropriate tone and level of action. Consult with Appointing Authorities to recommend and implement next steps based on investigation outcomes. Provide expert-level human resource consultation to DES and small agency customers, offering risk-based guidance on HR policies, laws, collective bargaining agreements, and classification and compensation matters. Collaborate with agency leaders on strategic planning and HR needs, developing and implementing solutions to support effective workforce management and business goals.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor's Degree with focus in Business, Human Resources, Social or Organizational Behavioral Sciences, or related field.

NOTE : Qualifying experience may substitute this education requirement, year-for-year. Three (3) years of human resource experience advising and consulting on human resource issues to include Classification and Compensation, Performance Management, Corrective and Disciplinary issues, Reasonable Accommodation, FMLA, and Shared Leave. Two (2) years of direct Labor Relations experience to include grievances, demands to bargain, arbitration, union notification, and/or bargaining.

NOTE:

This experience may be concurrent with the above listed experience. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel and Word.

Preferred Qualification:

PHR/SPHR or SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP certification.

Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Competencies Incumbents to this position must possess and demonstrate the following competencies:

Able to learn and understand the language and concepts of our DES DEI culture and commit to being a part of creating and maintaining a diverse, equitable, respectful, and inclusive workplace. Demonstrate a commitment to growth, learning and self-awareness when provided training and opportunities to participate in improving our work environment. Participate and behave in a manner that creates trust and builds working relationships, promoting teamwork and collaboration in the work environment. Demonstrate the understanding that all people are valued; contribute to an equitable, inclusive, and respectful environment when working with members of the group, team, organization, or community. Commit to being an active participant in continually evaluating and improving strategies that promote equity and inclusion in our organization.

Supplemental Information

How to Apply: Interested? We would love to hear from you! Click "Apply" at the top of this page to start your application. You can save the application and come back to it, if needed. Be sure to complete the application fully to include a full work history and responses to the supplemental questions.

Please provide the following documents in order to be considered; failure to do so may result in you not being considered for the position:

A

letter of interest

that shows your personality and voice to describe why you are the successful candidate and how you meet the specific qualifications for this position A

current resume , detailing experience, and education A current list of at least

three (3) professional references

with current contact information Do not attach any documents that include photos or private information (social security number, year of birth, etc.).

Please Note:

By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed. A resume will not be substitute for completing the "duties summary" section of the online application. Please do not refer to the resume for detail or your application may be disqualified.

Background Check Notice:

Prior to any new appointment into the Department of Enterprise Services, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted as a condition of employment. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

Opportunity for All: The Department of Enterprise Services celebrates our differences and we are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws.

You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our organization.

Contact Information: For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact George Deguzman via email at Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

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DES job alerts More than Just a Paycheck! Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits: The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note:

If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note:

Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave) Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in , an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note:

Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for

exempt

employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave Leave Sharing

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 07-21-2025 01

Are you currently employed by Department of Enterprise Services (DES)?

Yes No

02

Are you willing to undergo a background check as a condition of employment?

Yes No

03

What is your level of education?

Some or no college. 1 year of college (30 semester or 45 quarter credits) with focus on business, human resources, social or organizational behavioral sciences, or related field. 1 year of college (30 semester or 45 quarter credits) in an unrelated field. Associate's degree OR 2 years of college (60 semester or 90 quarter credits) with focus on business, human resources, social or organizational behavioral sciences, or related field. Associate's degree OR 2 years of college (60 semester or 90 quarter credits) in an unrelated field. 3 years of college (90 semester or 135 quarter credits) with focus on business, human resources, social or organizational behavioral sciences, or related field. 3 years of college (90 semester or 135 quarter credits) in an unrelated field. Bachelor's degree with focus on business, human resources, social or organizational behavioral sciences, or related field. Bachelor's degree in an unrelated field. Master's degree (or higher) with focus on business, human resources, social or organizational behavioral sciences, or related field. Master's degree (or higher) in an unrelated field. None of these apply.

04

How many years of human resource experience do you have with advising and consulting on human resource issues to include classification and compensation, performance management, corrective and disciplinary issues, Reasonable Accommodation, FMLA, and Shared Leave?

Less than 1 year 1 or more years 2 or more years 3 or more years 4 or more years 5 or more years 6 or more years 7 or more years 8 or more years I do not have this experience.

05

How many years of labor relations experience do you have that includes grievances, demands to bargain, arbitration, union notification, and/or bargaining?

Less than 1 year 1 or more years 2 or more years I do not have this experience.

06

Are you proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel and Word?

Yes No

07

Do you possess a PHR/SPHR and/or SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP certification?

Yes No

08

How did you learn about this job posting?

Careers.wa.gov Friend Indeed Job Board Job Fair LinkedIn Other

09

We would like to know where you heard about this position.If you selected Job Fair, Job Board, or Other, please let us know the specific name of the college, job board, or place you heard about this position.If you selected a specifically named job board or webpage (listed above), please enter "n/a". Required Question