DSHS OOS Human Resource Consultant 1

State of Washington; Lakewood (WA); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Orca Card

Job summary

Western State Hospital in Lakewood seeks an HR Consultant 1 to provide initial guidance on pay, benefits, leave and new-hire orientation. You will help set up HR/payroll for new employees and support supervisors with HR policies and CBAs.

The role emphasizes in-person service, onboarding, and adherence to WACs, RCWs, and HRMS processes within a hybrid schedule.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, human resources, social or organizational behavioral sciences, or a related field.
• Equivalent education and related experience may substitute, year-for-year, for the required education.

Responsibilities

• Provide first-level advice on HR policies, guidelines, laws (WACs, RCWs), and CBAs, consulting with higher-level HR professionals on complex issues.
• Oversee hiring processes, advise managers on screening, interview questions, reference checks, and compensation for new hires.
• Manage personnel/payroll actions for new hires, promotions, transfers, ensuring compliance with WACs, policies, and CBAs; resolve issues with Payroll and HRMS.
• Conduct onboarding, maintain staff records, and ensure compliance with I-9, E-Verify, and other employment requirements; lead new employee orientations.
• Assist employees with understanding and completing insurance, retirement, payroll, and other forms; resolve HR, Payroll, and retirement system issues.
• Monitor and process eligibility for insurance, retirement, leave usage, and other statuses; handle performance evaluations and employment verification.
• Maintain personnel and medical files, generate reports, and serve as backup for team members; attend meetings and perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Customer service

HR knowledge

Communication

Organization & time management

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Confidentiality

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

DSHS OOS Human Resource Consultant 1

Western State Hospital in Lakewood runs around the clock. Thousands of staff care for patients day and night. When those staff have questions about pay, benefits, leave or their first day on the job, they come to the HR office. As a Human Resource Consultant 1, you are often the first person they interact with from the Human Resources Division (HRD).

In this role, you'll help people start and grow in their jobs with care. Along with your team, new hires count on you to set them up in our HR and payroll system, write their appointment letters and lead New Employee Orientation. You'll answer questions about health insurance, retirement and leave. Supervisors will turn to you for guidance on HR topics and the rules and policies that go with them.

Many hospital staff work in direct patient care and cannot get to a computer during their shift. When these busy staff have questions for HR, they will stop by the HR office before work, after work or on a break. Your in-person help gives them answers so they can get back to caring for patients. You will work with a team of HR consultants who share covering in-office days and support each other.

Please note:

This position is currently approved to work a flexible/hybrid schedule that requires at least two in-office days per week. The schedule for this varies based on business needs - staff coverage, New Employee Orientation dates, trainings, etc.

Pierce County employees are eligible to receive an Orca Card for transportation needs.

Some of what you'll do:

• Provide first-level advice on HR policies, guidelines, laws (WACs, RCWs), and CBAs, consulting with higher-level HR professionals on complex issues.
• Oversee hiring processes, including SEIU Internal Transfer and WFSE Bid processes, advising managers on screening, interview questions, reference checks, and compensation for new hires.
• Manage personnel/payroll actions for new hires, promotions, transfers, and other appointments, ensuring compliance with WACs, policies, and CBAs; resolve issues with Payroll and HRMS.
• Conduct onboarding, maintain staff records, and ensure compliance with I-9, E-Verify, and other employment requirements; lead new employee orientations.
• Assist employees with understanding and completing insurance, retirement, payroll, and other forms; resolve HR, Payroll, and retirement system issues.
• Monitor and process eligibility for insurance, retirement, leave usage, and other employment statuses, and handle performance evaluations and employment verification.
• Maintain personnel and medical files, generate reports, and serve as backup for team members; attend meetings and perform other duties as assigned.

Who should apply?

Professionals with a bachelor's degree in business, human resources, social or organizational behavioral sciences, or a related field.

Note: Equivalent education and related experience may substitute, year-for-year, for the required education.

Additional knowledge, skills, and abilities we are looking for

• Customer service: Greet each person with patience and respect and explain HR rules in words people understand.
• HR knowledge: Apply knowledge of federal and state HR laws to give accurate, reliable guidance.
• Communication: Guide managers, supervisors and employees through clear spoken and written advice.
• Organization and time management: Set priorities, plan the workday and meet deadlines.
• Problem solving: Analyze problems and data to find solutions that work.
• Attention to detail: Check pay steps, dates and system entries carefully so employees are paid and covered correctly.
• Teamwork: Work side by side with coworkers, stay steady during busy times and handle interruptions calmly.
• Confidentiality: Protect private employee information and handle sensitive records with care.

The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.

Questions? Please reach out to DSHS Recruiter Georgina Pringle at [e-mail] and reference job number #08196.

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. 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 job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at [phone]. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

Relationship and Reporting Structure (Necropism) Disclosure

If you are selected for hire, you must disclose whether you have a relative, household member, close friend, or romantic partner within your potential supervisory chain of command. DSHS has a Relationships and the Reporting Structure policy that prohibits nepotism and can be reviewed here. Applicants whose appointment would result in a prohibited reporting relationship are not eligible for appointment to that position.

E-Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.