Human Resource Business Partner (Human Resource Consultant 4)

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

Are you a knowledgeable, creative problem solver who works well in a collaborative, professional, and responsive environment? Do you want to be part of proactive problem solving and help to create change, rather than reacting to issues as they come up? 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.
 
The Human Resources Office (HRO) at the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a Human Resource Business Partner (Human Resource Consultant 4) position. This position is located in our Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA. Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

The Department of Ecology is a medium sized agency with 2000+ 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. As an HR generalist, you have exposure to multiple areas of HR (compensation, classification, employee relations, and labor relations) 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. We are able to have a strong influence on our leaders, and really make an impact at our agency. As an HR team, we value collaboration and inclusion and promote opportunities for growth.

Agency Mission: Ecology's mission is to protect, preserve, and enhance Washington’s environment for current and future generations.   
 
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.

Tele-work options for this position: This position will be eligible for up to a 90% tele-work schedule. Applicants with questions about position location options, tele-work, and flexible or compressed schedules are encouraged to reach out to the contact person listed below in “other information.” Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline: This position will remain open until filled, with an initial screening date of November 6, 2024. In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application on or before of November 5, 2024. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.

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 *Click here for more information 

About the Department of Ecology

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. Join a team that is highly effective and collaborative, with leadership that embraces the value of people. To learn more, check out our Strategic Plan. 
Ecology cares deeply about employee wellness; we go beyond traditional benefits, proudly offering:

• A healthy life/work balance by offering flexible schedules and telework options for most positions.
• An Infants at Work Program that is based on the long-term health benefits of infant-parent bonding and breastfeeding newborns.
• Continuous growth and development opportunities. 
• Opportunities to serve your community and make an impact through meaningful work.

Our commitment to DEIR

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect (DEIR) are core values central to Ecology’s work. We strive to be a workplace where we are esteemed for sharing our authentic identities, while advancing our individual professional goals and collaborating to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment for current and future generations.

Diversity: We celebrate and appreciate diversity; our unique perspectives and abilities enrich us all and lead to innovative approaches and solutions.
Equity: We champion equity, recognizing that each of us need different things to thrive.
Inclusion: We intentionally create and hold space so that we all have meaningful opportunities to participate and contribute to Ecology’s work.
Respect: We treat each other with respect and dignity, acknowledging the inherent worth of our diverse perspectives and lived experiences, even in times of uncertainty and disagreement.
We believe that DEIR is both a goal and an action. We are on a journey, honoring our shared humanity and taking steps to demonstrate our commitment to a vision where each of us is heard, seen, and valued.  

Duties

What makes this role unique? 

In this role you will serve as the subject matter expert and HR lead in Position Allocation and Classification. You will also provide consultation and training to HR staff and agency managers on the designated area of expertise. This position is not transaction-focused, rather the focus is on consulting, creating, and improving.
 
 
What you will do: 

• Work with team mates to ensure DEIR is integrated into position descriptions and the hiring process. We are working to ensure unnecessary barriers do not exist when seeking employment with Ecology, including updating our required minimum qualifications to account for alternative ways to be qualified, instead of always relying upon degrees, wherever possible. 
• Collaborate with assigned programs to identify workforce issues and be empowered to help resolve them. We encourage our HR Business Partners to identify creative solutions wherever possible, and not rely upon “the way we’ve always done it”. These opportunities may include working on classification & compensation proposals, modifying existing procedures, and working to ensure proposed policy meets our customers’ needs. 
• Become an expert in human resource management, and employee and labor relations; be 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. 
• As an expert in position allocation and classification, you will develop and maintain expert level knowledge and serve as the agency expert in this area. Use expert level knowledge to develop training, tools and training for HR staff, agency supervisors and managers or employees.  
• Provide accurate and research-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. 
• Work 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. Provide expertise and consultation on job classifications, compensation and workforce planning. Analyze position descriptions and make allocation determinations. Represent agency in classification appeals and coordinate preparation. Perform FLSA designation review and determinations. Serve as the coordinator for the agency WMS Banding Committee. 
• Consult with employees and supervisors and provide assistance regarding state and federal employment laws, civil service rules, collective bargaining agreements, agency policies, career development opportunities, classification and pay and other issues. Investigate and analyze problems having broad potential impact, making recommendations, providing options, or suggesting 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, including identifying workforce gaps that may lead to classification & compensation proposals.  
• Performance management challenges – how to coach leaders to address issues appropriately to reach the best outcome, including opportunities to provide focused, individual training or broader training to groups of employees.  
• Opportunity to identify gaps in our processes and work together to resolve those gaps. We empower our HR Business Partners to work closely with programs to provide specialized support and consultation.   

Culture of the team:   

We are a creative and productive team that appreciates the variety of personalities, perspectives, and communication styles of our teammates!  We are committed to each other’s success and are invested in maintaining a happy, healthy workplace. 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.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

Years of required experience indicated below are full-time equivalent years. Full-time equivalent experience means that any experience where working hours were less than 40 hours per week will be prorated in order to meet the equivalency of full-time. We would calculate this by looking at the total hours worked per week, divide this by 40, and then multiply by the total number of months worked. Examples of the proration calculations are: 

• 30 hours worked per week for 20 months: (30/40) x 20 months = 15 months full-time equivalent
• 20 hours worked per week for 12 months: (20/40) x 12 months = 6 months full-time equivalent 

Experience for both required and desired qualifications can be gained through various combinations of formal professional employment, education, and volunteer experience. See below for how you may qualify. 

A total of seven (7) years of experience and/or education as described below:

Experience in broad-based professional human resources, which includes some or all of the following: advising and consulting on human resource issues (professional development, organizational development, performance management, classification, investigations, reasonable accommodations, discipline/just cause, generalist functions). 

Education involving a major study in human resources, labor relations, organizational development, business administration, public administration, social or behavioral sciences or closely related field.  

Additional (experience and education) combinations of how you can meet the requirements for this position:
                                                                             
Possible Combinations: College credit hours or degree: Years of required experience

Combination 1; No college credit hours or degree; 7 years of experience

Combination 2; I have 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter credits; 6 years of experience

Combination 3; I have 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter credits (AA degree); 5 years of experience

Combination 4; I have 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter credits; 4 years of experience

Combination 5; A Bachelor's Degree or higher; 3 years of experience
 

Desired Qualifications:

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

• At least 6 months 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. 

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

Ecology does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov

Supplemental Information

Ecology seeks diverse applicants: We view diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect through a broad lens including race, ethnicity, class, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, military background, language, education, life experience, physical disability, neurodiversity, and intersectional identities. Qualified candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Need an Accommodation in the application and/or screening process or this job announcement in an alternative format?

• Please call: (360) 407-6186 or email: careers@ecy.wa.gov and we will be happy to assist.
• If you are deaf or hard of hearing you can reach the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
• If you need assistance applying for this job, please e-mail careers@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not send an email to this address to follow-up on the status of your application. You can view the latest status of your application on your profile's main page.
• If you are reading this announcement in print format, please enter the following URL to your search engine to apply: https://ecology.wa.gov/About-us/Get-to-know-us/Jobs-at-Ecology.   

Application Instructions:

It's in the applicant's best interest to submit all of the documents listed below. Applications without these documents may be declined.

• A cover letter describing why you are interested in this position.
• A resume outlining your experience and education (if applicable) as it relates to the minimum qualifications of this position.
• Three professional references.

Note: References will only be contacted during the final steps of the recruitment process for candidates selected as finalists. References will not be contacted without the candidate’s formal authorization.

Please do NOT include your salary history. Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion, if applicable.  
 
For Your Privacy:
When attaching documents to your application (such as 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. 

Additional Application Instructions for Current 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.

Application Attestation: 

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.

Other Information:

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.  

To request the full position description: email careers@ecy.wa.gov

Why work for Ecology? 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. 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 your health and financial security a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to life/work balance. 

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.

Equal Opportunity Employer: 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.

Note: This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency. 

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