Employee & Labor Relations Specialist (Hrc3)

Employee & Labor Relations Specialist

 (Human Resource Consultant 3)

Join an exciting team!

Washington Technology Solutions (WaTech) is a national leader in adopting new, innovative technologies that transform the way Washingtonians receive state services. WaTech operates the state's core technology services and helps government function more efficiently, safely, and securely. Our Human Resource team supports WaTech staff with carrying out WaTech's mission - Advancing Washington's technology strategies and services.

About the opportunity:

The Human Resources Office within the Administrative Services Division of Washington Technology Solutions (WaTech) partners with managers and individual employees to provide customer-driven programs and services that support the agency in achieving its strategic goals while creating a work environment of employee empowerment.

As an Employee & Labor Relations Specialist, you will be providing human resource consultation and advice to executives, managers, supervisors, and employees on a variety of HR functions and issues. You will be relied on to independently perform professional level human resource assignments that are sensitive, complicated, critical personnel matters for WaTech management and personnel.

Some of what you can expect:

• Provide consulting to managers and supervisors in the labor relations process.

• Plan and conduct personnel investigations of alleged misconduct and/or violation of agency policy, labor contract and/ or employment law.

• Investigate Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) complaints and attend hearings as needed for resolution.

• Participate with litigation preparation as needed.

• Analyze and interpret department policies and procedures, collective bargaining agreement (CBA), regulations and personnel rules with department managers and supervisors.

• Attend grievance and disciplinary meetings with managers or supervisors.

• Prepare disciplinary and grievance responses and recommend appropriate personnel actions.

• Analyze organizational structure and propose alternative staffing strategies to enhance effectiveness of employee resources.

• Compile HR data and metrics from HR information systems and other HR sources, provide analysis and recommendations to improve outcomes.

• Provide innovative options to resolve complex employee performance problems and facilitate conclusion/resolution, including facilitating meetings with supervisors, employees and union as necessary to resolve.

• Conduct research and ensure compliance with policies, labor contracts and employment law.

• Provide recommended updates for labor contracts and policy language.

• Interpret, explain, and apply human resource rules, policies, regulations and procedures to resolve issues within scope of duties.

• Serve as back-up to the Leave Administrator.

Requirements of the position:

• High school diploma or equivalent.

• A bachelor's degree with a business focus, human resource management, or related field.  Two years' additional relevant experience may substitute for a degree.

• Four years of broad-based professional experience to include at least four or more of the following areas in an HR capacity (experience in the specified areas may be gained concurrently):

• Experience researching, interpreting, and applying employment laws.

• Interpretation and/or explanation of civil service rules and human resource related policies.

• Performance management.

• Corrective and disciplinary actions.

• Personnel investigations.

• Representing the agency in grievances or appeals.

• FMLA/ADA/reasonable accommodations.

• Consulting and advising management on human resource issues.

• Demonstrated computer skills with HR databases and Microsoft Office Suite.

Preference may be granted to applicants who possess the following:

• Experience representing management on union and labor relations issues.

• Knowledge of information technology industry and terminology.

• Experience with HRMS including organizational management and reports.

• S/PHR or IMPA-HR certification.

• Strategic planning experience.

• Organizational change management experience.

We value diversity and different perspectives:

WaTech is committed to providing equal access and opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees. We seek to attract and retain a diverse staff and welcome your experiences, perspectives, and unique identity.

What WaTech Offers:

As an employee of WaTech, you'll have access to an outstanding employee benefits package that includes medical and dental plan options for you and your family, paid leave and holidays, retirement plan options and more.

While WaTech is headquartered in Olympia, Washington, which is near some of the country's most scenic national parks, we are able to offer many of our positions telework and flexible schedule options to help support a healthy work life balance.

To learn more about WaTech, and what our employees enjoy about working here, please visit our website.

How to apply:

Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically. Please select the large "apply button" at the top of this announcement. You may need to create a profile and account in Washington state's automated application system. We invite you to include your name and pronouns in your material to ensure we address you correctly throughout the application process.

To be considered for this position you will need to:

• Submit your online application.

• Answer all required Supplemental Questions.

• Attach a Letter of Interest that addresses how your experience qualifies you for this role.

• Attach a Resume that clearly documents the work history, training, and education that makes you a viable and competitive candidate for this position.

• Include Three professional references and their contact information.

Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference should attach a copy of their DD-214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or signed verification of service letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to their application. (Please redact any personally identifiable data such as social security number prior to submittal.)

Note: Applications without the requested attachments identified above or containing supplemental question responses with comments such as "see resume" may lead to your application being disqualified from consideration.

Conditions of employment:

This position requires a background check. 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 and is a continued condition of employment.

Recruitment process:

First round of application assessments will be conducted seven days after the initial job posting date. The hiring authority reserves the right to offer the position at any time after the initial seven-day job posting date during the recruitment process. It is to the applicant's advantage to apply as early as possible. This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions.

Contact us: For inquiries about this position, please contact Rebekah Wilkes at (360) 407-8646 or email to Rebekah.Wilkes@WaTech.wa.gov

Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or for an alternative format may contact Human Resources at (360) 407-8242 or Human.Resources@watech.wa.gov. Persons of disability or those who are deaf or hard of hearing can call the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388. WaTech complies with the employment eligibility verification requirements of the federal Form I-9. The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States consistent with the requirements of that form on the first day of employment.