Human Resources Consultant 4 (Olympia) HR Operations

Our vision is to ensure that “Washington state’s children and youth grow up safe and healthy—thriving physically, emotionally, and academically, nurtured by family and community."

Job Title: Human Resources Consultant 4 - HR Operations 
Location: Thurston County - Olympia, WA (hybrid with at least 2-4 times monthly in Office at Olympia, the first 1-2 months of onboarding will be more frequent.)
Closes: December 29th, 2025
Salary: $6,259.00 - $8,415.00 Monthly.

The Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is dedicated to supporting children and families by building resilience, improving health, and strengthening educational outcomes. DCYF partners with state and local agencies, Tribes, and community organizations across Washington to provide services at the most critical points in the lives of children and families, giving them the tools they need to succeed.

Click here to learn more about DCYF.  
  
The Opportunity:
In this role, you will directly support DCYF’s mission to protect children and strengthen families by serving as a trusted, expert-level HR consultant for an assigned region or functional area. You will independently advise managers and employees on a wide range of complex HR matters, helping resolve sensitive issues with agency-wide impact. As a key subject-matter expert, you will guide leaders in performance management, just cause principles, and progressive discipline, while also providing specialized expertise in layoff processes, reversions, and rights of return. This is an opportunity to influence equitable, consistent HR practices and strengthen the workforce that serves Washington’s children, youth, and families.

Some of what you will get to do: 

• Provides expert, legally sound HR consultation on performance management, investigations, disciplinary actions, leave, classification, and other complex HR issues.
• Interprets and applies collective bargaining agreements, federal/state laws, civil service rules, and agency HR policies for managers and employees.
• Partners with Labor Relations to advise on grievances, participate in hearings, and draft or review grievance responses.
• Reviews and advises on employee conduct and performance matters, including investigations, corrective action, and disciplinary processes.
• Prepares disciplinary documents, supports litigation/arbitration needs, and represents the agency in hearings related to disciplinary actions.
• Collaborates with Talent Acquisition to plan and assess recruitments, review interview materials, and guide managers through recruitment and selection compliance.
• Supervises HR Consultants by setting expectations, providing coaching, reviewing work, and conducting timely performance evaluations.
• Leads staffing actions by making hiring recommendations, interviewing candidates, and completing required background and reference checks.
• Plans, develops, and delivers HR-related training by assessing customer needs and collaborating with HR partners across key HR topics.
• Provides ongoing coaching, mentoring, and professional development to HR staff to ensure skill growth, proficiency, and completion of required training.

Required Qualifications:

Seven (7) years of experience and/or education, including:

• Experience in broad-based human resources work providing consultation and guidance on complex HR issues.

• Education with a major study in human resources, labor relations, organizational development, business, public administration, or social/behavioral sciences.

• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Demonstrated competency in:

• HR consulting and advisement

• Labor relations and contract interpretation

• Investigations and disciplinary processes

• Analysis, problem-solving, and conflict resolution

• Written and verbal communication

• Customer service and business acumen

• Change leadership and organizational effectiveness

• Team leadership, coaching, and supervision

• Research, data analysis, and report preparation

• Confidentiality and professional judgment

• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR/SPHR, or similar professional HR certification

• Experience using NeoGov and HRMS

• Prior lead or supervisory experience

How do I apply?

Complete your applicant profile on careers.wa.gov and attach the following documents:

• Current resume detailing experience and education.
• Letter of Interest.

Supplemental Information:

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is committed to Washington’s children and youth growing up safe, healthy, and thriving. We invite all candidates to join us in our mission to create a diverse and equitable workplace that reflects the communities we serve. If you are excited about this role but you believe that your education and/or experience might not align perfectly with every qualification in the job posting, we encourage you to apply anyway.

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment or if you would like to request an accommodation throughout the application/interview process, contact Cole Alford (Talent Acquisition Specialist) at cole.alford@dcyf.wa.gov. If you're experiencing technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, call NEOGOV toll-free at (855)524-5627 or emailsupport@neogov.com.

“Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214 or NGB Form 22, or other verification of military service. Please blackout (redact) the social security number before attaching any documents. For additional information on Veteran's Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click here. 

Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may call the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 360-664-1960.