The Department of Ecology’s priority during the Covid-19 health crisis is to keep our staff, candidates, and the public safe. We are still hiring and encourage you to apply to open positions. The majority of our staff are currently working from home; we have transitioned to a virtual recruitment process, to include web-based interviews.

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

Are you organized, detail oriented and enjoy working in a fast paced environment? Are you a knowledgeable, creative problem solver who works well in a collaborative, professional and responsive environment? If so, become a part of an organization that is focused on being the leader in protecting, preserving and enhancing the environment for the people in our Evergreen State.

Protecting Washington State’s environment for current and future generations is what we do every day at Ecology. We are a culture that is invested in making a difference. If you want to join a team that is highly effective, collaborative, has leadership that embraces the value of people, and believes in the fun factor, Ecology is a good fit.

The Human Resources Office (HRO) at the Department of Ecology in Lacey, WA is looking to fill a Senior Human Resource Consultant (Human Resource Consultant 4) (In-Training) position.

The Department of Ecology is a medium sized agency with 1600+ employees and 10 environmental programs. We employ a large group of highly educated people who are passionate about the environment. Take your career to the next level. This position gives you experience in both labor relations and in an HR generalist role. As a generalist, you have exposure to multiple areas of HR and have an opportunity to work on state-wide issues within the Washington State HR community. Because of our size and structure, you have an opportunity to work collaboratively with all levels of our management and executive teams. As an HR team, we value collaboration and inclusion and promote opportunities for growth.

As an agency, our mission is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington’s environment for current and future generations. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism and accountability.

To learn more about The Department of Ecology, please visit our website at www.ecology.wa.gov and follow, like or visit us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog.

Local efforts… Diverse people… Statewide impacts

Duties

The mission of Ecology’s Human Resources Office (HRO) is to develop successful employees, promote healthy and productive relationships, ensure a safe work environment and recruit great talent to achieve Ecology’s mission.

The Senior Human Resource Consultant (HRC4) position serves as the subject matter expert and HR consultant lead in Labor Relations. The position also provides consultation and training to HR staff and agency managers on the designated area of expertise.

Some of the key work activities at the Human Resource Consultant 4 level include:

• At the HRC 4 level the incumbent is an expert in human resource management, and employee and labor relations, is the strategic partner and advocate to the executives, managers, and supervisors in assigned programs for workforce planning, employee performance management, labor relations, and all other human resource management and personnel functions. Maintains confidentiality while in the performance of assigned duties as appropriate.
• As an expert in a designated HR sub-discipline, develops and maintains expert level knowledge and serves as the agency expert in the sub-discipline. Uses expert level knowledge to develop training, tools and training for HR staff, agency supervisors and managers or employees.
• Provides accurate and researched-based guidance on performance management, labor relations, and disciplinary processes to Ecology managers and supervisors so that actions align with Just Cause principles and stand up through the scrutiny of grievances and arbitrations. Ensures that the Department of Ecology is compliant with all provisions of the labor contract and civil service rules.
• Works collaboratively to support the goals of the programs/offices and the mission of the agency by strategically partnering with program staff to manage issues related to Classification and Compensation in assigned programs. Provides expertise and consultation on job classifications, compensation and workforce planning. Analyzes position descriptions and makes allocation determinations. Represents agency in classification appeals and coordinates preparation. Performs FLSA designation review and determinations. Serves as a member of the agency WMS Banding Committee.
• Consults with employees and supervisors and provides assistance regarding state and federal employment laws, civil service rules, collective bargaining agreements, agency policies, career development opportunities, classification and pay and other issues. Investigates and analyzes problems having broad potential impact, making recommendations, providing options, or suggests necessary actions on matters.

The successful applicant for this position will be expected to accomplish the following:

• Build and maintain strong business relationships and credibility with peers, customers, and the team.
• Identify and implement continuous problem improvement solutions to create more effective and efficient business practices.
• Meet established and mutually agreed upon service deliveries or timelines associated with work product.
• Contribute positively to our agency and team culture.
• Quickly learn about assigned business areas to be able to be a trusted, strategic business partner.

Opportunities to solve problems:

• This position has the opportunity to approach problems with the philosophy of providing risk-based advice with options. The conversation doesn’t begin or end with “no.” We seek to understand and provide creative solutions when possible, utilizing our subject matter expertise to clearly communicate risk associated with each option.
• Classification and compensation challenges – true position planning from start to finish.
• Performance management challenges – how to coach leaders to address issues appropriately to reach the best outcome.
• Opportunity to identify gaps in our processes and work together to resolve those gaps.

Interesting aspects of the position:

• This is an incredible opportunity to join a team that is dedicated to Ecology’s mission to protect, preserve and enhance Washington’s environment for current and future generations. Our agency is comprised of passionate professionals who are focused on protecting our environment. We highly value providing employees opportunities to learn and grow, in both formal training opportunities and informal on the job training. We are a strong team of HR professionals, who support our customers and each other, to provide the best service possible.

Culture of the team:

• We are a diverse, skilled, professional team who like to have fun too! We are committed to each other’s success and are invested in maintaining a happy, healthy workplace.

Please note: During Stay Home, Stay Healthy, staff are working a combination of in-office and/or telework based on position and business need.

This recruitment will remain open until filled. The initial screening will be February 12, 2021. In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application on or before February 11, 2021. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening.

To broaden the candidate pool, we will consider candidates that qualify at the Human Resource Consultant 3 or 4 levels. Please read the qualifications section below for more information.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

The Goal class for the position is a Human Resource Consultant 4 (HRC4). We will consider applicants who meet the requirements for both the HRC3 and HRC4 levels. If the finalist meets the requirements for the HRC3 level, they will be hired in as an HRC3 and will be placed into a training program to become an HRC4 within a specified period of time.

At the Human Resource Consultant 4 Level: Pay Range 59 – ($4974 – $6534) Monthly

There are multiple ways to qualify for this position; see the options below.

Option 1:

• A Bachelor’s degree with a focus on human resources, labor relations, organizational development, business, social or behavioral sciences.
• Three (3) years of broad-based professional human resources experience, including advising and consulting on human resource issues.

Option 2:

• A Master’s degree with a focus on human resources, labor relations, organizational development, business, social or behavioral sciences.
• Two (2) years of broad-based professional human resources experience, including advising and consulting on human resource issues.

Option 3:

• Seven (7) years of combined education and experience:
• Education: With a focus on human resources, labor relations, organizational development, business, social or behavioral science
• Experience: Broad-based professional human resources experience, including advising and consulting on human resource issues.

Additional (experience and education) combinations of how you can meet the requirements for this position:

Possible CombinationsCollege credit hours or degreeYears of required experienceCombination 1No college credit hours or degree7 years of experienceCombination 2I have 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter credits.6 years of experienceCombination 3I have 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter credits (AA degree).5 years of experienceCombination 4I have 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter credits.4 years of experienceCombination 5 A Bachelor’s Degree3 years of experienceCombination 6 A Master’s Degree2 years of experience

At the Human Resource Consultant 3 Level: Pay Range 55 – ($4509 – $5913) Monthly

There are multiple ways to qualify for this position; see the options below.

Option 1:

• A Bachelor’s degree with a focus on human resources, labor relations, organizational development, business, social or behavioral sciences.
• Two (2) years of broad-based professional human resources experience, including advising and consulting on human resource issues.

Option 2:

• A Master’s degree with a focus on human resources, labor relations, organizational development, business, social or behavioral sciences.
• One (1) year of broad-based professional human resources experience, including advising and consulting on human resource issues.

Option 3:

• Six (6) years of combined education and experience:
• Education: With a focus on human resources, labor relations, organizational development, business, social or behavioral science
• Experience: Broad-based professional human resources experience, including advising and consulting on human resource issues.

Additional (experience and education) combinations of how you can meet the requirements for this position:

Possible CombinationsCollege credit hours or degreeYears of required experienceCombination 1No college credit hours or degree6 years of experienceCombination 2I have 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter credits.5 years of experienceCombination 3I have 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter credits (AA degree).4 years of experienceCombination 4I have 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter credits.3 years of experienceCombination 5 A Bachelor’s Degree2 years of experienceCombination 6 A Master’s Degree1 year of experience

Desired Qualifications:

We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the desired experience below.

Note: Having some (or all) of this desired experience may make your application more competitive in a highly competitive applicant pool.

• At least 6 months of experience conducting just cause investigations into allegations of employee misconduct, including writing clear, concise, and comprehensive investigative reports.
• At least 6 months experience reviewing and allocating positions in the Washington State classification system.
• Prior professional human resource experience in public sector and/or unionized workplace.
• PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, or CLRP certification.

Why work for Ecology?

Joining Ecology means becoming a part of a team committed to protecting and restoring Washington State’s environment.

A career in public service allows you to help solve some of the most challenging problems facing our state, while keeping the health and financial security of you and your family a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to work/life balance.

Ecology employees may be eligible for the following:

Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*, 11 Paid Holidays per year*, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth

Student debt and how working for Ecology can help

Employees may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program, which forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer. See https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service for more details.

*See the Benefits tab in this announcement for more information

Supplemental Information

Application Instructions:

• Please complete the applicant profile when applying for this position. Or, you may paste the text of your resume within the profile’s resume text field.
• Please attach a cover letter describing how your experience, skills and abilities meet the required qualifications of this position.
• Please attach a resume outlining your professional experience.
• Please to do NOT include your salary history. Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion, if applicable.
• Please read the supplemental questions carefully and answer completely. Incomplete responses, including “please see resume,” may disqualify you from further consideration.

Important Note:

When attaching documents to your application (Resume, Cover Letter, Transcripts, DD-214, etc.):

• Please be sure to remove private information such as your social security number, date of birth, etc.
• Do not attach documents that are password protected as these documents may not be reviewed and may cause errors within your application when downloaded.

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It is in the candidate’s best interest to submit all of the documents listed above. Applications without these documents may be declined.

Department of Ecology employees, please make sure to answer the agency-wide questions regarding permanent status as a classified employee within the Washington General Service or Washington Management Service. Do not forget to select Department of Ecology as a response to question 2, and type your personnel ID number for question 3. If you are not sure of your status or do not know your personnel ID number, please contact Human Resources.

If you are reading this announcement in print format, please visit www.careers.wa.gov to access the online recruitment system. Click on “Look for Jobs” and select Dept. of Ecology under the “Department” search list. Click “Apply Search.”

Other Information:

If you need assistance applying for this job, please call 360-407-6186 or email careers@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not send an email to this address to follow-up the status of your application. You can view the latest status of your application on your profile’s main page.

If you have specific questions about the position, please email Mollie Clinton at: Mocl461@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Mollie to inquire about the status of your application.

The act of submitting application materials electronically is considered affirmation that the information is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information and any untruthful or misleading answers are cause for rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.

This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment announcement are filled, the recruitment may only be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days.

The Washington State Department of Ecology is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 407-6186. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.