Human Resource Consultant ; In-Training

About WSDOT

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is a multimodal organization with a global reputation for excellence! Our dedicated workforce is responsible to plan, design, build, and operate an integrated transportation system that safely and efficiently moves people and goods throughout the state. In addition to maintaining over 18,000 lane miles of state highway and 4,100 bridges, WSDOT manages the world's longest floating bridge, executes an award-winning Active Transportation Plan, holds a record for the world's widest tunneling project, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation!

WSDOT is seeking a highly skilled and detail-oriented Human Resource Consultant 4 to support Olympic Region in Lacey, WA. Reporting to the Human Resources Manager, this position serves as a trusted strategic advisor and subject matter expert for assigned business units, providing high-level consultation to leadership and staff.

This role requires sound judgment, initiative, and discretion, as the work frequently addresses complex, high-risk, and precedent-setting HR matters. The Human Resource Consultant 4 manages the organization’s most sensitive employee and labor relations issues and delivers expert guidance on a broad range of strategic and operational human resources topics, ensuring solutions align with organizational goals, employment laws, and best practices.

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Human Resource Consultant 4 will:

• Provide expert labor/employee relations consultative services to assigned management, staff, and employees.
• Administer labor relations policies, practices, and collective bargaining agreements (CBA) and independently make decisions on complex labor relations and employee relations issues with widespread impact, including providing clear interpretation of CBAs, civil service rules, and applicable state and federal laws.
• Facilitate, provide consultation, and share best practices for resolution of conflict and performance management issues.
• Research and conduct complex and sensitive investigations and prepare associated written reports, including Title VII, harassment, and retaliation complaints.
• Provide analysis and recommendations for action to the appointing authority and/or senior management—counsel supervisory staff on corrective and disciplinary actions.
• Participate in and guide the appointing authority or their designee through pre-disciplinary, disciplinary, grievance, and mediation processes.
• Prepare corrective actions, pre-disciplinary and disciplinary letters, appeal and/or grievance responses, and other related correspondence.
• Prepare mandatory bargaining notices as needed.
• Advise and consult on the development of Performance Improvement Plans (PIP) and performance evaluations. Maintain/management/investigatory files and databases.
• Provide supervisory and labor-management relations training.
• Provide coaching, feedback, and guidance on complex or unusual circumstances.

This is a Human Resource Consultant 4 position. However, the hiring manager reserves the right to fill the position at a lower level in the classification series based on candidate qualifications, providing an opportunity for an individual to gain the required experience on the job as part of a formal “in-training” plan.

To be considered for this opportunity, the following are required:

• Advanced HR Consultation & Employee Relations: Progressive experience in a broad-based human resources role providing independent consultation and guidance to managers and employees on complex and sensitive matters related to employee relations, labor relations, performance management, recruitment, retention, and workforce planning.
• Labor Relations: Demonstrated experience researching, interpreting, and applying employment laws (state and federal) and regulations, agency policy, and/or collective bargaining agreements accurately and consistently.
• Classification, Compensation & Compliance: Demonstrated experience analyzing job classifications and compensation, including evaluating position duties, scope, and impact; advising on…