Human Resources Director (EMS3/DLS)

Washington State Health Care Authority; Olympia (WA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Meaningful work

Flexible schedules

Total compensation

Safe workplace

Free parking

Job summary

Washington State Health Care Authority is seeking a Human Resources Director (EMS3/DLS) to lead the agency’s HR portfolio and serve on the Executive Leadership Team. The role reports to the Chief Legal Officer and directs HR compliance, risk management, and DEI initiatives across the division.

The position will guide strategic HR operations, labor relations, recruitment strategies, and employee development, with on-site requirements in Olympia, WA, and telework eligibility based on business

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, public administration, business, law, social or organizational sciences, labor relations, or closely related field.
• Eight (8) years of recent, broad-based, progressively responsible professional human resources experience, which includes direct experience with the majority of the functions encompassed within the human resources portfolio.
• Three (3) years of recent experience managing professional human resources staff.

Responsibilities

• Direct an agile human resource unit and serve as the key advisor to the CLO and other agency executive leadership, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws.
• Represent HR on the division’s leadership team and actively participates in division initiatives, employer of choice strategies, portfolio management activities, and projects.
• Ensure the effective and proactive identification and management of risk as it relates to all human resources operations and functions.
• Plan, lead, and set the strategic direction of the human resource work performed by the agency.
• Collaborate across the agency in coordinating the interconnected operations of HR with other HCA divisions.
• Serve as key advisor to the HCA Director, Deputy Director, and agency executive leadership in all matters related to collective bargaining, labor relations, protected leave, and recruitment strategy.
• Guide and oversee employee and leadership development and training programs.
• Oversee and set the strategic direction of HCA’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) workforce initiatives.

Job description

Human Resources Director (EMS3/DLS)

70005266

This recruitment is posted continuously. Application review will begin on 8/21/2026 and you are encouraged to submit your application materials as soon as possible. The hiring manager reserves the right to close the posting at any time once a selection has been made.

The Health Care Authority is seeking a people leader who is able to develop and deploy strategic, relational, operational, and technical HR capabilities at scale, in alignment with the agency’s values and objectives. If you pride yourself on cultivating a culture of organizational connectedness, compliance, and equity, and have a strong background in HR administration or related field at the executive level, this may be the opportunity for you!

All HCA employees will apply an equity lens to their work, which may include but is not limited to all analyses of core business and processes

About the division:

The Division of Legal Services (DLS) provides support to the entire agency to mitigate risks, comply with changing laws, and assist the agency in accomplishing its strategic and tactical goals. DLS’ mission is to “deliver legal and specialized professional support so HCA can provide high quality health care through innovative health policies and purchasing strategies.” Its vision is to “be a model of excellent customer service and efficiency in the delivery of legal and specialized professional services.” In addition to the agency-wide values, DLS values include excellence, dependability, customer focused, and integrity.

About the position:

The Human Resources Director (HR Director), who is the Deputy Assistant Director of DLS and serves on the agency’s Executive Leadership Team, reports directly to the Chief Legal Officer (CLO).

The HR Director is responsible for the strategic and daily operational leadership of HCA’s human resources portfolio, including terms of employment, training and development, classification and compensation, recruitment, labor relations, protected leave and accommodations, employment risk management, employee performance management, employment investigation, just cause progressive discipline, HR data and reporting, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. This position acts under delegated authority of the CLO.

This position is eligible to telework but is frequently required to report on-site to meet business need. The default assigned work location of all Health Care Authority (HCA) positions – both on-site and telework eligible positions – is within the State of Washington. This position reports to Olympia, WA. Frequency of onsite work will vary based on business and operational needs. All agency employees are required to report on-site in Olympia on their first and last days of employment to pick up and return state-issued equipment, regardless of telework status or location.

Some of what you will do:

• Direct an agile human resource unit and serve as the key advisor to the CLO and other agency executive leadership, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws.
• Represent HR on the division’s leadership team and actively participates in division initiatives, employer of choice strategies, portfolio management activities, and projects.
• Ensure the effective and proactive identification and management of risk as it relates to all human resources operations and functions.
• Plan, lead, and set the strategic direction of the human resource work performed by the agency.
• Collaborate across the agency in coordinating the interconnected operations of HR with other HCA divisions.
• Serve as key advisor to the HCA Director, Deputy Director, and agency executive leadership in all matters related to collective bargaining, labor relations, protected leave, and recruitment strategy.
• Guide and oversee employee and leadership development and training programs.
• Oversee and set the strategic direction of HCA’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) workforce initiatives.

Required qualifications:

Qualifying candidates will satisfy all of the following criteria:

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, public administration, business, law, social or organizational sciences, labor relations, or closely related field.
• Eight (8) years of recent, broad-based, progressively responsible professional human resources experience, which includes direct experience with the majority of the functions encompassed within the human resources portfolio.
• Three (3) years of recent experience managing professional human resources staff.

Note: Additional years of progressive management responsibilities may substitute year-for-year for education.

Required competencies:

• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
• Expert knowledge of human resource management practices and strategies.
• Expert knowledge of employment, privacy, disability, and medical leave laws as they relate to employment.
• Superior interpersonal skills, especially the ability to build strong collaborative relationships with a variety of people at multiple levels to facilitate cross-agency and inter-agency initiatives.
• Excellent verbal and written communications.

Demonstrated ability to:

• Think strategically and innovatively, plan and execute with passion, communicate effectively, be a strong leader and developer of others, and formulate and implement policy.
• Consistently demonstrate the values of integrity, trust, sensitivity, and mutual respect.
• Influence organizational change; provide consultation to develop change strategies, is an effective change agent; and align changes with the organization’s strategic direction and objectives.
• Develop and execute sophisticated negotiation strategies in complex employment risk management and employment tort litigation.Proactively consult with and influence senior managers on organizational and management issues.
• Provide clear direction, coach, manage, and motivate staff and others to accomplish the agency’s strategic goals, in a manner that builds trust in public service.
• Adhere to the highest ethical and professional standards in support of the Governor’s policy initiatives and the agency director’s strategic direction while consistently meeting established deadlines.
• Work effectively and fairly with labor management representatives and in framing collective bargaining strategy.

Preferred qualifications:

• Master’s degree in human resource management.
• Direct experience working in human resources within a Washington State government agency, including experience in the following areas:
  • Washington State civil service rules.
  • Washington State classification and compensation system and appeals processes.
  • Just Cause principles and progressive discipline.
  • Washington State collective bargaining process.
  • Washington Federation of State Employees collective bargaining agreement.
  • Washington State Human Resources Management System.
  • State and federal protected leave and accommodation rules.
• Formal mediation and change management training or certification.
• Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) or SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) certification.
• Diversity management certification.
• Proficiency in independently completing complex, high-risk employment investigations.
• Experience responding to external complaints from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and/or Washington State Human Rights Commission (HRC).
• Experience representing the organization in formal hearings, mediation, and/or litigation.
• Strong organizational knowledge.
• Effective problem-solving skills.
• Excellent crisis management skills, including the ability to remain calm and make appropriate critical decisions under pressure.
• Strong facilitation skills.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders, such as Office of Financial Management (OFM), Attorney General Office (AGO), Department of Enterprise Services (DES), Governor’s Office, Executive Ethics Board, and the State Auditor’s Office.

About HCA:

Functioning as both the state's largest health care purchaser and its behavioral health authority, the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is a leader in ensuring Washington residents have the opportunity to be as healthy as possible.

There are three pillars of our work: Apple Health (Medicaid); the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) and School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) programs; and behavioral health and recovery. Under these pillars, HCA purchases health care, including behavioral health treatment for more than 2.7 million Washington residents and provides behavioral health prevention, crisis, and recovery supports to all Washington residents.

What we have to offer:

• Meaningful work with friendly co-workers who care about those we serve
• A clear agency mission that drives our work and is person-centered
• A healthy work/life balance, including alternative/flexible schedules and mobile work options.
• A great total compensation and benefit package
• A safe, pleasant workplace in a convenient location with restaurants, and shopping nearby.
• And free parking!

Notes:

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment.

HCA is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included, and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency. HCA has five employee resource groups (ERGs). ERGs are voluntary, employee-led groups whose aim is to foster a diverse, inclusive workplace aligned with HCA’s mission. Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace. Studies have shown women, racial and ethnic minorities, and persons of disability are less likely to apply for jobs unless they feel they meet every qualification as described in a job description. Persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans, as well as people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are also encouraged to apply. If you have any questions about the required qualifications or how your experience relates to them, please contact us at [e-mail]. Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact Jake Nelko at 360-725-0945 or [e-mail].

The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is an E-Verify employer. All applicants with a legal right to work in the United States are encouraged to apply.

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