Human Resources Partner - Employee Relations Specialist

Skookum Aerospace Manufacturing; Bremerton (WA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 93,000; Full time

Job summary

Tessera is seeking a Human Resources Partner to support employee relations, labor relations, training, and employment law compliance at our Lakewood, WA location.

Ideal candidates bring 3–5 years in HR, a Bachelor’s in Human Resources, and proficiency with HRIS systems (Workday). Travel to Virginia is required a couple of times per year to support partnerships and program needs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources required.
• 3–5 years of experience in Employee Relations and HR required.
• Knowledge of ADA and disability support services preferred.
• Proficiency with HRIS systems; Workday experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage employee relations and labor relations support.
• Provide training and guidance on HR policies and laws.
• Maintain personnel records and reports in HRIS/Workday.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state regulations.
• Support with leave administration and disability accommodations.
• Partner with managers on performance, disciplinary actions, and HR programs.

Skills

Employee relations

HRIS / Workday

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources

Tools

Workday

Job description

Join Tessera and make a difference. Tessera is a national leader in creating meaningful employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities and veterans. We are a dynamic and growing organization of social entrepreneurs dedicated to building strong communities and delivering exceptional service. About Tessera: A recognized leader in inclusive employment and workforce development. A mission-driven team of innovative and passionate professionals. Operating self-sustaining businesses across 15 states and the District of Columbia, with a workforce of more than 2,000 employees. Committed to providing outstanding customer experiences across all service lines. Focused on supporting employee growth through robust training, development, and support programs.

Location: Lakewood, Washington (Joint Base Lewis-McChord)

Type: Exempt

Compensation: $80,168.40 - $92,950.00 per year

Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday – Friday 7:30 am – 4:00 pm (flexible start and end times depending on scheduling needs)

Human Resources Partner Responsibilities

• Responsibilities include employee relations, conflict resolution, labor relations, training, and employment law support.
• Provide exceptional professional customer service and maintain effective working relationships with employees, colleagues, unions, other agencies, and community members.
• Work with new employees to ensure a smooth transition to Tessera culture and expectations of their position.
• Partners with and supports employees and management by communicating and assisting with training on various human resource policies, procedures, laws, standards, and other government regulations.
• Maintain working relationship with union officials and adheres to terms of labor contract by supporting Manager in the day‑to‑day implementation of policies concerning wages, hours, and working conditions.
• Perform a wide range of duties relative to the maintenance and processing of personnel records and reports in Workday (HRIS).
• Process changes on employee status as necessary (i.e., change in position, demotion, promotions, wage increases, Leave of Absence, terminations, etc.).
• Enter and/or retrieve data from Workday (HRIS).
• Prepares reports, verify accuracy of records and document adjustments; maintain confidentiality.
• Ensure that compliance is met under Federal and State regulations by monitoring, maintaining, and updating worksite posters.
• Participate in problem solving and conflict resolution.
• Analyze, interpret, and apply complex human resource rules, policies, program requirements in an unbiased, fair, and honest way to assist with resolving difficult situations.
• Work with managers on employee relation issues and concerns, union issues, classification, performance management, grievance resolution, leave of absence coordination, disability accommodation(s), Fitness‑for‑duty coordination, employee development, discipline, terminations, and Reductions in Force.
• Review requests for exceptions to Tessera policy and make recommendations regarding same.
• Investigate, prepare documentation, and recommend Tessera’s position on grievances, complaints, and appeals.
• Responds to employee relation issues such as employee complaints, harassment allegations, and grievances.
• Work with employees, employee representatives, Supervisors, Managers, and legal counsel to negotiate the resolution of grievances and complaints.
• Assist with or administer leave requests, particularly those arising under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and state and local leave laws.
• Support RVP and Project Manager with Union negotiations, drafting MOUs, and building partnership with Union representatives.
• Work with Supervisors and Managers on disciplinary actions.
• Write and/or edit disciplinary actions, Performance Improvement Plans, and other formal documentation.
• Maintain proficiency in HR related topics and continuous education on best practices, laws, and trends.
• Recommend new approaches and other areas for continual improvement to the HR Director, Sr. HR Partner, and greater HR team.
• Assists Managers/Supervisors in maintaining the Occupational Medical requirements as required for each position to include setting up clinics for testing, issuing vouchers, and answering questions regarding the requirements.
• Participate in the evaluation and the development of Human Resources and Cross‑functional team goals.
• Assist RVP and Managers with Department of Labor (DOL) compliance to include SCA, DBA, FLSA, etc. compliance requirements.
• Support and positively affect continuity between Tessera and employee goals, and safeguard Tessera’s position at all times.
• Always demonstrate and support Tessera’s culture and commitment to excellence.
• Assess employee morale and suggest ways to improve it to Project Manager and RVP.
• Work with the employee’s designated Vocational Specialist and Supervisor regarding employee concerns or employee relations issues that may be related to their disabilities.
• Identify and recommend training topics and resources to Managers, Supervisors, and employees.
• Assist and/or conduct presentations/trainings such as Supervisor Toolkit, New Supervisor Training, Respectful Workplace, Diversity and Inclusion, Anti-Harassment, etc. as requested.
• Complete an exit interview for all voluntary terminations and enters into HRIS.
• Assist with coordinating the annual Employee Engagement Survey.
• Assist Managers and Supervisors with Reasonable Suspicion drug screening process.
• Process Unemployment claims appeals.
• Participates in Unemployment claim hearings.
• Work with Managers, Supervisors, and Recruiters to update job descriptions.
• Coordinates Mandatory Employee Assistance Program referrals and documentation.
• May participate in employment recruitment by representing Tessera at job fairs and other outreach activities.
• May assist with new employee onboarding paperwork including completing required forms, and I-9/E-Verify process.
• Assist Payroll department by explaining payroll discrepancies or policies, and by completing employment verifications.
• Participate in departmental and CFT meetings and work on team projects.
• Must be able to occasionally support second shift employees after regular business hours.
• Travel to Virginia twice per year.
• All Other Duties as Assigned.

Desirable Attributes

• Consider yourself a people person.
• Love working on collaborative teams.
• Are dedicated to internal and external customer service.
• Take pride in your work.
• Are drawn to serving others and want to challenge yourself through mission‑driven work.

Full-Time Benefits of a Human Resources Partner at Tessera

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life & Short-Term Disability Insurance Elective 401(k) retirement plan with a 3% employer discretionary contribution after 90-days of employment Flexible Spending Accounts for both medical and dependent care 11 paid federal holidays, accrual of 12 paid days of vacation, paid sick leave Potential shared earning bonus Tuition assistance is available after 1 year of employment and potential scholarships for qualified dependents Professional development, certifications, and training opportunities Verizon wireless discount Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and an engaging wellness program Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility for full-time employees

Core Leadership Competencies

• Purpose – Understands and supports Tessera’s mission of creating opportunities for people with disabilities and veterans.
• Servant Leadership- Demonstrates self-awareness and personal growth, builds trust-based relationships, seeks to understand before acting, Prioritizes the growth and success of others.
• Safety Mindset – Builds the culture of safety into our hiring practices. Speaks up about hazards, concerns, and opportunities to improve safety. Participates in safety initiatives and continuous improvement efforts.
• Operations Excellence – Completes work with quality, reliability, and attention to detail. Takes ownership of responsibilities and contributes to team success through collaboration and consistency.
• Customer Service – Treats customers, coworkers, and stakeholders with professionalism and respect. Communicates clearly and represents Tessera positively in all interactions.
• Tessera’s Values – Inclusion: Treats others with dignity and respect, demonstrates awareness of people of all abilities, and contributes to an inclusive workplace. Partnership: Works collaboratively with coworkers, supervisors, and stakeholders to achieve shared goals. Integrity: Acts honestly, follows through on commitments, and takes accountability for actions and results.

Summary of Desired Skills and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources is required.
• 3 – 5 years of previous experience in Employee Relations and Human Resources is required.
• Previous experience with ADA and Disability Support Services is preferred.
• Combination of previous experience and education will be considered.
• Knowledge of and ability to apply local and federal labor laws and regulations, and general Human Resources standards is required.
• Proficiency in the use of HRIS systems is required, previous Workday experience is highly preferred.
• Due to the need to travel, a valid state driver’s license is required with the ability to obtain and maintain coverage by Tessera’s insurance.
• Access to a federal military installation requires a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or an acceptable alternative, such as a U.S. passport or military ID, in accordance with the REAL ID Act. Please visit this website for more information: https://www.dhs.gov/real-id.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain applicable security clearances and installation access.
• A background check and E-Verify will be conducted for this position.

Why join us? Tessera is proud to offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package to our eligible part‑time and full‑time employees.

Tessera is a national non‑profit, government contractor that is dedicated to “Creating Opportunities for People with Disabilities” through hiring and supporting individuals with disabilities and veterans with disabilities. We take pride in our mission‑focused culture, our Core Values, Diversity, Partnership, Commitment, Integrity, and Quality, and our dedication to providing a safe and respectful work environment to our employees. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Tessera is here to help you with the recruitment process. If you require an accommodation or support, please contact us at (360) 475‑0756 ext. 349, or email [e-mail].

Tessera is committed to creating opportunities for people with disabilities, a purpose that drives everything we do. As a trusted provider in facility management, manufacturing, and vehicle maintenance, we focus on investing in our people to deliver exceptional results for our customers. Our customers rely on Tessera to consistently provide high‑quality products and services, enabling them to achieve their goals. We fulfill our purpose when our customers meet theirs. At Tessera, we prioritize leadership development and are dedicated to specialized recruitment, career advancement, and job training. As a national leader in Disability and Veteran recruitment, hiring, and retention, Tessera continues to empower individuals and drive success across industries. At Tessera, we offer competitive wages and benefits, along with opportunities for professional growth. Working here is more than just a job; it’s a meaningful career that enables you to make a positive impact every day. We currently support over 1,700 employees across 13 states and Washington, D.C., and continue to expand nationwide.