Human Resources Manager

City of Longview, WA; Longview (WA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Longview, WA is seeking an HR Manager to support the HR Director in planning, organizing, and directing human resources functions, including recruitment, employee relations, benefits, and payroll. You will partner with department leaders to implement strategic initiatives and ensure high-quality HR service delivery across the organization.

Responsibilities include overseeing HR operations, guiding supervisors on performance and discipline, conducting investigations, and ensuring

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Public Administration, Business Administration, or related field.
• Five to seven years of progressively responsible HR experience.
• Public sector experience preferred.
• Experience with HRIS and Microsoft Office.
• Supervisory or lead experience preferred.
• Knowledge of employment laws and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Assist the HR Director in developing and implementing HR strategies, policies, and programs.
• Oversee day-to-day HR operations and ensure consistent application of policies and procedures.
• Provide guidance and support to supervisors on employee relations, performance management, and disciplinary actions.
• Conduct workplace investigations and recommend appropriate actions.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
• Supervise HR staff and support staff development and performance.
• Support collective bargaining, including preparation, research, and participation in negotiations.
• Interpret and administer labor agreements.
• Assist in grievance response and resolution.
• Conduct market salary studies and internal equity reviews.
• Oversee benefits administration and open enrollment and benefits communication.
• Provide support for the City’s risk management program, including workers’ compensation, liability, and property claims.
• Coordinate claims management and relationships with insurers and third-party administrators.
• Assist in identifying risks and implementing mitigation strategies.
• Coordinate and monitor workplace safety programs per OSHA/WISHA standards.
• Support safety training, incident reporting, and investigations.
• Promote proactive safety culture across departments.
• Oversee payroll processing and ensure accuracy and compliance with laws and policies.
• Coordinate with Finance on reporting, audits, and system integration.
• Ensure proper handling of deductions, leave tracking, and records.
• Develop and deliver training programs, including supervisory and leadership development.
• Support performance evaluation processes and employee engagement.

Skills

HR administration

Employee relations

Labor relations

Workplace safety

Payroll administration

Policy development

Communication

Confidentiality

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR or related field

Tools

HRIS

Microsoft Office

Job description

Position Information:

The Human Resources Manager supports the Human Resources Director in planning, organizing, and directing the City’s human resources functions, including recruitment, employee relations, labor relations, benefits administration, classification and compensation, and organizational development. This position also provides oversight of risk management, workplace safety, and payroll administration to ensure compliance, efficiency, and alignment with City goals. The HR Manager serves as a key partner to department leaders, helps implement strategic initiatives set by the HR Director, and ensures consistent, high-quality HR service delivery across the organization.

• Assist the HR Director in developing and implementing HR strategies, policies, and programs.
• Oversee day-to-day HR operations and ensure consistent application of policies and procedures.
• Provide guidance and support to supervisors on employee relations, performance management, and disciplinary actions.
• Conduct workplace investigations and recommend appropriate actions.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
• Supervise HR staff and support staff development and performance.
• Support collective bargaining, including preparation, research, and participation in negotiations.
• Interpret and administer labor agreements.
• Assist in grievance response and resolution.
• Conduct market salary studies and conduct internal equity reviews.
• Oversee benefits administration and serve as a resource for employee questions and issue resolution.
• Support open enrollment and ongoing benefits communication.
• Provide support and direction for the City’s risk management program, including workers’ compensation, liability, and property claims.
• Coordinate claims management and maintain relationships with insurance carriers and third-party administrators.
• Assist in identifying risks and implementing mitigation strategies.
• Coordinate and monitor workplace safety programs and compliance with OSHA/WISHA standards.
• Support safety training, incident reporting, and investigations.
• Work with departments to promote a proactive safety culture.
• Oversee payroll processing to ensure accuracy and compliance with applicable laws and policies.
• Coordinate closely with Finance on reporting, audits, and system integration.
• Ensure proper handling of deductions, leave tracking, and records.
• Assist in developing and delivering training programs, including supervisory and leadership development.
• Support performance evaluation processes and employee engagement efforts.
• Performs other duties as required.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Human Resources, Public Administration, Business Administration, or related field AND five (5) to seven (7) years of progressively responsible human resource experience OR a combination of education, training and experience which would provide the required skills, knowledge and ability to perform the job as determined by the department.
• Experience in an HRIS system and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Prior supervisory or lead experience preferred.
• Public sector experience highly desirable.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Knowledge of human resources principles and practices
• Knowledge of employment laws and regulatory requirements.
• Labor relations and collective bargaining experience.
• Risk management and workplace safety practices.
• Payroll systems and processes.
• Effectively implement direction from executive leadership.
• Build strong working relationships across departments.
• Handle sensitive situations with professionalism and confidentiality.
• Analyze complex issues and recommend practical solutions.
• Communicate in a professional business-like manner, both orally and in writing in English. Portray a professional image and attitude.
• Good interpersonal and customer service skills to courteously deal with and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, other City employees, vendors, local agencies and providers, and the general public.
• Initiative to take action and be self-motivated. Work well independently as well as in a team or cooperative setting.
• Able to exercise discretion over sensitive and confidential issues related to the department and its business and maintain strict confidentiality.
• Develop and maintain a general understanding of information that relates to the functions and services of the departments.
• The ability to handle job stress and interact effectively with others in the workplace.