Deputy Director of Human Resources

Intercity Transit; Olympia (WA); On-site; USD 127,000 - 172,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Teleworking options

Job summary

Intercity Transit in Olympia, Washington seeks a Deputy Director of Human Resources to lead labor relations, HR operations, and equity initiatives. This role reports to the Director and shapes workforce strategy across the agency to support safe, accessible, and high-quality public transportation.

The successful candidate will bring eight years of HR experience, including 3–5 years in supervision, plus a BA in a related field.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration or related field.
• Eight years of professional HR experience, including 3–5 years in supervision/management.
• Labor relations experience in public sector preferred; arbitration experience a plus.

Responsibilities

• Support and coordinate labor relations, including negotiation strategy and investigations.
• Provide HR consulting, training, and guidance to managers and employees.
• Drive inclusive workplace initiatives and bias reduction.

Skills

Labor relations

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Negotiation

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration

Job description

INTERCIY TRANSIT IS SEEKING A DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES

Intercity Transit is an innovative, growing, and nationally recognized large urban transit system based in Olympia, Washington. We are a voter approved municipal corporation and are governed by an Authority Board that consists of elected officials, community representatives and a non-voting labor representative.

Our mission is to provide and promote transportation choices respectful of the safety, comfort, and diverse needs of all our customers, to support an accessible, sustainable, livable, healthy, and prosperous community.

We provide zero-fare public transportation that includes fixed route transit and ADA paratransit services. We also provide vanpool service to individuals who live or work in the greater Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, and Yelm communities.

We are seeking an exceptional Deputy Director of Human Resources to provide leadership and oversight across the full range of Human Resources operations, with expertise in employee and labor relations. This position oversees multiple functional areas, and is responsible for consistent, equitable, and legally compliant Human Resources practices aligned with agency values, strategic priorities, and workforce needs.

Just as importantly, we are seeking someone who believes that an effective HR organization is more than an administrative function - it is a strategic partner in building the workforce, culture, and capabilities in an organization now and for the future.

A successful Deputy Director of Human Resources at Intercity Transit will:

• Bring a collaborative leadership style, extensive HR expertise, sound judgement, and genuine commitment to serving the public with integrity and excellence
• Proven ability to navigate complex employee and labor relations matters, drive continuous improvement in systems and processes, build trusting partnerships, and lead strategic change initiatives.
• Foster a welcoming and inclusive workplace culture that promotes belonging, performance coaching, open communication, accountability, and collaborative problem-solving across the organization.
• Embrace an executive leadership team structure while modeling a healthy work life balance.

It's an exciting time to join Intercity Transit!

Intercity Transit is a leader, major advocate, and prime source of information for public transportation in Thurston County. Our service area covers approximately 100 miles and has a population of 200,000 residents.

Intercity Transit’s ambitious short- and long-rangeplans include expanding service to underserved populations, developing bus rapid transit, leveraging Intercity Transit’s Zero- Fare demonstration project to increase ridership, remove transportation barriers for the entire community, and reduce emissions by expanding the use of hybrid and zero emission vehicles.

We believe public transportation is vital to the quality of life and economic vitality of Thurston County. We are passionate about providing excellent service and are committed to maintaining our reputation as an employer of choice in Thurston County.

We operate out of a new state-of-the-art building and are currently in the middle of our next phase of the project, a significant renovation of our maintenance building which will be ready November 2026.

As a Deputy Director Human Resources, you will:

• Support and coordinate labor relations activities, including negotiation strategy, grievance management, misconduct investigations, and discipline. Provides expert guidance and interpretation of labor agreements to both management and employees. Serves as advisor to managers and supervisors, providing professional labor relations guidance. Act as the Director’s designee for department operations, labor and employee relations matters, grievance responses.
• Perform professional level work for human resources programs, serving as an internal Agency consultant. Provides counsel, training, and technical assistance to employees and managers. Helps managers and employees navigate complex and sensitive workplace matters and work toward timely, appropriate resolutions.
• Lead and support initiatives and actively contributes to and implements strategies and programs to foster an inclusive workplace, ensuring equitable practices and bias reduction. Collaborates to create a culture of respect and belonging.
• Maintain and administer agency classification and compensation system. Conducts job audits and position description questionnaires, makes recommendations for classification/compensation changes based on analysis results.
• Interpret and applies existing policies, contracts or regulations, and research past practices or established procedures. Oversee the delivery of consistent, accurate, and timely HR services across all divisions; ensure alignment with policies, collective bargaining agreements, and applicable laws.
• Develop and administer the Human Resources Department budget; monitor financial performance and ensure responsible allocation of resources.
• Direct HR supervisors and technical staff across the department.

Are you the one we are looking for?

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, or a related field;
• Eight (8) years of professional human resources experience, including at least 3 to 5 years in a supervisory or management capacity;
• Labor relations experience in a public sector environment desired. Experience with interest-arbitration eligible groups preferred;
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.
• Must submit to a criminal background check the results of which must meet hiring criteria for this role.

In addition, the ideal candidate will have the following essential knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Communicating clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing to audiences of various social, cultural, ethnic, educational, and economic backgrounds;
• Leading and developing teams and fostering a collaborative, respectful, and inclusive workplace;
• Strategic decision-making using qualitative and quantitative data;
• Negotiating, mediating, and resolving complex and sensitive HR matters;
• Presenting information clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences;
• Managing multiple competing priorities and complex projects;
• Building strong relationships with labor partners, internal clients, and external entities;
• Working with a variety of individuals from diverse backgrounds;
• Facilitating meetings and training sessions;
• Handling sensitive employee issues;
• Conducting thorough and impartial investigations into serious and/or complex employment situations;
• Interpreting and administering labor agreements;
• Drafting policies and procedures;
• Maintaining records;
• Defining problems, collecting data, establishing facts, and drawing valid conclusions and making sound decisions under pressure;
• Exercise sound independent judgment and maintain confidentiality;
• Apply a high level of cultural competence and emotional intelligence to workplace dynamics; and
• Analyze complex issues, develop solutions, and lead implementation.

What's in it for you?

• Work for an exceptional agency filled with great people and an unmatched culture.
• Receive a competitive salary of $127,212.80 - $171,787.20 annually in addition to annual general wage/cost of living adjustments typically received in January and step increases in July (if not at top of salary range).
• Receive an additional longevity pay increase when employed for 5 years, 10 years, 15 years and 20 years with a maximum annual salary of $182,083 when you reach 20 years of employment.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits including $150 per month Family & Wellness Allowance.
• Retirement contributions to Washington State Public Employee’ Retirement System (PERS).
• Generous vacation and sick leave along with observed floating holiday leave and bereavement leave.
• Deferred compensation options with an 8.5% employer match.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Teleworking and flexible schedule options.
• Educational benefits.
• Alternate transportation incentives – for employees using alternate options to travel to and from work such transit, cycling, carpooling, and walking.

Ready to jump on board?

Completed applications must be received by 5:00pm on Sunday, November 22, 2026.

Interviews are tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, December 2, 2026.

Intercity Transit is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer and strives to provide a culturally diverse workforce. Intercity Transit does not discriminate in employment or service on the basis of race, creed, color, origin, age, sex, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, or disability.

We also take pride in being a drug free workplace. Note that Intercity Transit is subject to requirements of the Federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and FR Part 40 & Part 655, which prohibits the use of marijuana at any time while employed by Intercity Transit.

For assistance, please contact -

Amy Meierhoff, Senior Human Resources Analyst, [e-mail]