Human Resources Specialist

City of Renton; Renton (WA); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Deferred compensation

Medical/Dental/Vision insurance

Paid vacation & holidays

PERS retirement

Job summary

City of Renton is seeking a Human Resources Specialist to support the Employee Relations Division and HR operations. You will assist with recruitment, onboarding, records management, and daily HR tasks, while ensuring confidentiality and compliance with policies.

The role offers hybrid work options, with opportunities to contribute to meaningful public service and ongoing HR projects. A bachelor’s degree in HR or related field is preferred, with four years of related experience acceptable.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in HR/related field.
• Experience supporting recruitment, onboarding and HR processes.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.

Responsibilities

• Staff the front desk reception area, greet visitors and assist employees.
• Input and maintain data in complex electronic databases.
• Maintain electronic databases and SharePoint content for HRRM.
• Create fillable PDFs, manage documents and conduct research as needed.
• Respond to HRRM inquiries and coordinate meetings and communications.
• Assist with records requests and ensure confidentiality of personnel files.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, background checks, and payroll paperwork.
• Update organizational charts and NEOGOV-related data; assist with training.
• Support city priorities during emergencies and participate in projects.

Skills

Recruitment support

HR data entry

Confidentiality

Customer service

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR/Business Admin

Four years of related education/experience

Tools

NEOGOV

Job description

Job Description

Do you have strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and an interest in recruitment, employee relations, and public service? The City of Renton’s Human Resources & Risk Management (HRRM) Department is looking for a motivated, organized, and service-minded Human Resources Specialist to join our Employee Relations Division. In this position, you’ll work alongside HR professionals and provide support throughout the employee lifecycle—from recruitment and selection through onboarding and ongoing employee support. You’ll work closely with hiring managers, employees, applicants, and HR staff while gaining a broad understanding of how Human Resources supports the City’s workforce. This is a great opportunity for an HR professional who enjoys a fast-paced, people-focused environment and wants to make a meaningful impact through public service.

Working for the City of Renton comes with an excellent benefits package, including:

• Deferred compensation with the city contributing 4% of the employee's salary.
• Medical, dental, vision and life insurance at affordable rates
• Paid leave for vacation, sick, eleven holidays and two personal holidays a year
• State of Washington Department of Retirement Systems Public Employee Retirement Systems (PERS) plan enrollment

What You’ll Experience

You’ll work directly with HR professionals and have opportunities to contribute to day-to-day operations, support employees and departments, and take part in meaningful HR projects.

HR Operations & Administrative Support

• Staff the front desk reception area to include greeting and directing visitors and assisting employees.
• Accurately input and maintain data into complex electronic databases.
• Maintain electronic databases, as scheduled and on an ad-hoc basis.
• May maintain current information on the City’s external website for HR&RM content. Create fillable PDF forms, upload, and organize documents on Sharepoint website.
• Conduct research as needed.
• Maintain confidentiality of personnel records and other sensitive information.
• Respond to a variety of internal and external inquiries about HR&RM matters in person and over the phone, refer inquiries to HR&RM staff or other City departments as needed.
• Assist department personnel with various clerical and routine administrative support duties; prepare emails; maintain files according to records retention schedule; schedule meetings and conferences; and arrange for meeting logistics.
• Collect and provide responsive records in response to Public Records Requests.
• File documents in LaserFiche and maintain electronic employee personnel files.
• Assure compliance with City policies and procedures, a variety of state and federal laws, and labor contracts.
• Contribute to an environment of teamwork and respect.
• Foster a culture of equity and inclusion by recognizing the diverse needs and perspectives of groups and individuals.
• Remain current with relevant technological advancements as it relates to field.
• Participate in and help provide cross-training in processes as directed by management to ensure a well-rounded team for coverage purposes.
• Maintain regular, reliable, and punctual attendance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• May be assigned to support City priorities during emergencies.

Employee Relations & Recruitment

You’ll work closely with Employee Relations staff and hiring managers to support recruitment, selection, hiring, and onboarding activities, including:

• Assist with the coordination of the recruitment and selection process for regular positions, work in partnership with departmental hiring managers and Employee Relations Analysts. Assist with job fair and recruitment efforts, serving as a representative of the HR&RM Department at these events.
• Manage the year-round hiring and onboarding process for supplemental employees, to include high volume of seasonal hiring; process includes conducting new hire orientations, ensuring background, and driving record checks are ordered and completed, distributing appropriate hire notifications, monitoring hours worked, and processing payroll and personnel paperwork.
• Prepare and gather interview materials and assist Analysts with interview preparation.
• Order volunteer background checks and communicate results to appropriate staff.
• Perform employment verifications over the phone and in writing.
• Assist with monthly Entry Level Police Officer interview scheduling.
• Research NEOGOV file feed errors daily and elevate to the appropriate person for resolution when needed.
• Assist with annual updates in NEOGOV Insight and Onboard – uploading new salary data, updating forms in Onboard, etc.
• Maintain organizational charts. Process reporting structure changes in various software systems and update class specifications in internal storage and NEOGOV.

To Be Eligible For This Position, You Must Be

• Able to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Able to demonstrate strong editing, organizational, planning, and attention-to-detail skills.
• Able to successfully pass a required background check.
• Able to successfully pass a required national fingerprint-based records check.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a closely related field; or
• Four years of relevant education and/or experience.

Selection Procedure

The City of Renton embraces a diverse and inclusive workforce and prides itself on promoting collaboration and teamwork in a positive environment while providing high quality services to the community. For more information about the City of Renton, please visit the following website: Why Renton?

Telework Program

The City of Renton supports workers performing in a hybrid capacity (partial telework/in-office) where job responsibilities can be performed remotely. This position may be eligible for a telework arrangement, up to 2 days remote, based on the operational needs of the City and specific Department. Regardless of job title or telework arrangement, City of Renton employees must reside in Washington State and within a reasonable distance to their worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

Accommodation

Individuals needing accommodation in the application, testing, or interview process may contact [e-mail] at least 2 days prior to the need.

Recruitment Process

The screening process will include a review of minimum qualifications and applicants selected for an interview will be invited via email to self-schedule a time through the Government Jobs account. At minimum, this position will be subject to a standard criminal background check and professional reference check. This position requires accessing areas that contain Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS). For that reason, this position is also subject to a national fingerprint-based records check.

Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance

• Employees are offered a choice of medical/vision coverage through either Kaiser Permanente or the City's self-insured plan. Preferred Provider Option is available through the self-insured plan. Rates for both plans are available on the Benefit webpage. Please click on the link at the bottom of the page for details.
• The dental insurance plan covers services such as regular checkups, x-rays, fillings and crowns. Orthodontia coverage is also provided.

Deferred Compensation Program

• The City contributes 4% of the employee's base wage rate into a deferred compensation retirement plan.
• Employees may also set aside a percentage of their earnings on a tax-deferred basis.

Retirement Plan

• Employees are enrolled in the State of Washington Department of Retirement Systems Plan (PERS).
• Both the employee and employer contribute to the plan.

Life Insurance

• A group term life insurance policy is provided to each employee at a value equivalent to the annual salary, up to $50,000.
• Each eligible dependent is also provided with a $1,000 policy. There is no cost to the employee.
• Optional supplemental insurance is available for employees and their dependents at group rates.

Long Term Disability Protection

• Many employees are provided with a long term disability policy up to the equivalent of 60% of their salary.

Flexible Benefits

• The City offers employees the opportunity to open two separate tax-free accounts through salary reduction. One account is to pay for expenses not covered by health insurance and the other account is for child care costs.

Vacation

• Employees accrue vacation beginning with the first day of employment as follows: 12 days per year (0-5 years); 18 days per year (6-10 years); 21 days per year (11-15 years); 24 days per year (16-20 years); and 27 days per year (21+ years).

Sick Leave

• Upon employment, the employee receives a sick leave bank of 24 hours, with an additional 24 hours awarded after three months.
• Thereafter, sick leave accrues at the rate of four hours each pay period.

Employee Assistance Program

• A confidential counseling assessment and referral service is available without cost to employees and family members for help with personal, family or job-related problems.

Paydays

• The City of Renton pays employees on the tenth and the twenty-fifth of each month (24 pay periods each year).

Holidays

• The City recognizes eleven holidays and offers two "personal" holidays each calendar year for most employees.

Hours of Work

• Flexible work schedules are available in many departments.

Transportation

• Unlimited free rides on various bus systems as well as various carpool and rideshare options are available for City employees.

Management Leave

• All non-represented employees that are non-overtime eligible shall be given a management leave bank of non-accruable leave in the following amounts: 56 hours for Administrators, Deputy Administrators, Directors, and the City Clerk; 40 hours for Managers, Analysts, and Others
• Non-accruable management leave is to be used within the calendar year that it is credited to employee's leave bank.
• Management leave may not be "rolled over" from one year to the next.

Please see the City of Renton Benefits webpage for more information.