Non-Perm Human Resource Consultant (HRC3) Labor Relations & Consulting

The Employment Security Department (ESD) is seeking two (2) knowledgeable, collaborative, and solutions-focused Human Resource Consultant 3s (HRC3) to provide senior-level HR guidance to assigned divisions.

Note: These are non-permanent positions anticipated to last until March 30, 2027.

The ideal candidate(s) is a steady, trusted advisor who brings clarity to complex personnel issues and communicates with confidence. You will build strong relationships, navigate sensitive matters with professionalism, and offer sound, legally defensible recommendations. You are committed to equity, understanding the importance of consistent HR practices, and will thrive in a role where strategic thinking and practical problem-solving go hand in hand.

As a senior HR consultant, you will serve as the primary HR point of contact for assigned divisions, providing expert consultation on the full scope of human resource services. Your work supports ESD’s mission by helping leaders make informed decisions, ensuring compliance with state and federal requirements, and fostering a fair, inclusive, and productive workplace.

Duties

In this role, you will advise managers on complex personnel matters, interpret HR policies and collective bargaining agreements, and guide leaders through performance management, investigations, corrective actions, and workplace concerns. You will conduct and coordinate investigations, prepare documentation for grievances and disciplinary actions, and collaborate with labor partners and the Labor Relations Office. You will also support recruitment processes by reviewing job offers, verifying appointment details, and ensuring compliance with HR rules and procedures.

Some of what you will do:

• Provide senior-level HR consultation on classification, compensation, recruitment, leave programs, reasonable accommodation, performance management, investigations, discipline, and EDI-related matters.
• Interpret and apply HR policies, WACs/RCWs, federal and state laws, and collective bargaining agreements, offering legally defensible guidance.
• Advise and support managers on employee performance issues, including analysis, strategy development, and recommended actions.
• Stay current on HR and labor relations policies and best practices to ensure consistent, compliant guidance.
• Investigate and resolve complex personnel issues, including grievances, complaints, and appeals.
• Draft pre-disciplinary and disciplinary letters and prepare supporting documentation.
• Conduct and coordinate personnel investigations and maintain highly confidential information.
• Collaborate with management, union representatives, and the Labor Relations Office during mediations, hearings, and settlement discussions.
• Prepare and send personnel-related correspondence and maintain accurate documentation.
• Support recruitment processes, including reviewing job offers, verifying salary and appointment details, and approving personnel actions.

To request a detailed position description, click here.

Salary

• $67,992 - $91,464/year

Qualifications

Option 1: - Six (6) years of professional human resource experience. Equivalent of education and experience.

Option 2: - An associate’s degree with focus on business, human resources, social or organizational behavioral sciences, or related field (AND) Four (4) years of professional human resource experience.

Option 3: - A bachelor's degree with focus on business, human resources, social or organizational behavioral sciences, or related field (AND) Two (2) years of professional human resource experience.

Required equity competencies:

• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

The required experience includes:

• HR Policy Knowledge: Expertise in providing advice on HR rules and procedures; Risk Assessment Skills: Ability to identify compliance risks and propose mitigation strategies.
• Relationship Management Skills: Ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships; Strategic Thinking: Proficiency in creating effective HR strategies.
• Investigative Skills: Ability to assess and document workplace complaints; Problem-Solving
• Expertise: Proficiency in recommending resolutions.
• HR Communication Skills: Ability to convey HR strategies clearly; Strategic Alignment Expertise: Proficiency in linking HR initiatives with business objectives.
• Change Management Expertise: Ability to guide HR initiatives effectively; Problem-Solving Skills: Proficiency in addressing gaps in HR programs and practices.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• Working knowledge of HR-related WACs, RCWs, Federal and State laws, and Collective Bargaining Agreements
• Experience writing letters related to corrective and disciplinary actions, hearing union grievances, and writing grievance responses
• Experience conducting personnel investigations
• Knowledge with the Washington State Human Resource Management System (HRMS)
• One (1) year as a Human Resource Consultant 2

Additional Requirement of Employment:

• Must be able to pass an Unemployment Insurance (UI) Claim & Benefit Information Review.

Please submit only the required documents as noted below and ensure all Personal Identifying Information (PII) such as Social Security numbers etc. are edited out of your materials for privacy.

Additionally, we ask that you not include photographs or external links within your documents. Any documents uploaded through this platform will be securely transmitted electronically to support application review.

Please submit your Cover Letter* and Resume with your Online Application through the "Add Attachments" field. A resume will not substitute for the "work experience" section of the application or vice versa. Applications with blank fields, or supplemental question responses with comments such as "see attachments" may be considered incomplete.

Other Information

Our agency's mission and values drive every decision that we make, determine how we interact with others, and are at the core of who we are. We value Access, Love, Belonging, Equity, and Stewardship. We understand that a work environment that respects your work/life balance is key; that's why many of our positions are eligible for flexible work schedules and teleworking opportunities. Through support, value, and trust, our employees are empowered to grow and develop into their best self.

Opportunity for All
We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, ethnic, racial, religious, sexual orientation, and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, people over 40 years of age, people with religious beliefs, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

The Employment Security Department is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

If you are a person needing assistance in the application process, if you need this job announcement in an alternate format, or if you have general questions about this opportunity, please contact Katie Swanson or the Talent Acquisition Team, or Washington Relay Service 711 prior to the recruitment closing. If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please contact careershelp@des.wa.gov or (360) 664-1960 or toll free (877) 664-1960, Washington Relay 711.

**This organization participates in E-Verify**

Benefits

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 WAC 357-31-165(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 WAC 357-31-165(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 WAC 357-58-175, 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
Parental Leave
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay

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

Updated 01-07-2026