Human Resources Specialist (Programs) - Hybrid

• FLSA: Non-Exempt
• Reports to: Human Resource Manager
• Supervisory Responsibilities: None
• Pay Grade: 19, (14-step scale, candidates typically start at first step)

SUMMARY:

Under general direction, this position is responsible for a variety of programs within the HR department, to include Employee Experience, Leaves and Accommodations, Employee and Labor Relations, and Safety. Provides support and guidance to all employees and leadership staff through effective communications, collaboration, facilitation and administrative efforts. Interprets policies and procedures for employees and leadership, and applies them consistently. Works collaboratively with other members of the HR team to ensure timely completion of day-to-day HR deliverables, as well as project-based work efforts. Champions employee engagement and promotes a positive employee experience.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Creates a welcoming environment and provides service to all employee levels by answering questions, sharing resources and information, completing paperwork, sending and responding to emails and messages, and explaining policies, processes, benefits, and programs. Promotes and maintains an open door policy.
• Facilitates a positive employee experience, addressing issues and concerns raised effectively and proactively, and communicating outcomes in a timely manner. Creates and administers employee engagement and pulse surveys, creating an environment of psychological safety for employees to provide feedback. Analyzes survey results and proposes actions in response.
• Conducts investigations objectively based on reported issues, following established procedures. Reports findings factually and makes recommendations to leadership for review and next steps.
• Works closely with the HR leader to address labor issues and concerns, promoting an open door policy.
• Follows union contractual agreements and procedures. Participates as a negotiations team member for collective bargaining.
• Serves as Leave Administrator for employee leaves, including FMLA, WPFMLA, and other statutory leaves. Completes required leave forms and meets all compliance deadlines. Tracks leave time, renewals, and paperwork requirements according to internal processes. Works with internal leadership to ensure their awareness and understanding of employee leave parameters. Respond to external requests for leave information based on compliance requirements. Ensures compliance with data privacy laws when administering employee leaves. Ensures knowledge of FMLA, WAPFML, ADA coordination, and other statutory leave laws remain current.
• Serves as the primary point of contact for ADA requests and secures the appropriate paperwork. Facilitates the interactive process with employees and leadership for potential accommodations. Tracks all ADA requests and paperwork requirements according to internal processes. Ensures compliance with data privacy laws when administering ADA requests. Ensures knowledge of the ADA and coordination with leave laws remains current.
• Coordinates Safety Committee meetings and addresses issues and concerns. Conducts ergonomics assessments, accident investigations, and completes workers compensation claims and OSHA reporting. Serves as liaison to the Facilities team to resolve building safety concerns as identified by the Committee.
• Notifies HR leadership of employee issues and concerns shared by employees or otherwise observed. As directed, work with HR team members or other leadership to address and resolve.
• Attends Wellness Committee meetings and collaborates with committee members to ensure the coordination of benefits and wellness offerings.
• Partnering with the HR Specialist (Operations), recommends and drafts new and changes to policies and procedures for their respective areas. Sends drafts for review and approval by leadership. Supports employee education on policies and procedures. Ensures adherence to departmental policies and procedures.
• Shares ideas and suggestions for process improvements based on individual, departmental and organizational needs.
• Collaborates with other team members, including cross-functional employees, to implement changes and improvements.
• Assists with the preparation of training materials, participant guides, training schedules and invites, LMS course maintenance and assignments, and follow up course surveys and reporting.
• Compiles reports and other data needs and requests relevant to their area. Ensures timely completion and submittal of reports and data by established deadlines.
• Serves as backup for HR Operations Specialist.
• Maintains confidentiality of employee files, forms, records, and other employee data, including online data.
• Maintains strict adherence to legal requirements surrounding sensitive employee data (PII and HIPAA).
• Provides HR support for new projects as needed.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL EFFORT:

• While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, stand, walk, sit, use hand to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls, and reach with hands or arms.
• The employee occasionally lifts or moves up to 35 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Periodic travel to and from office locations and other community and business locations is a requirement of this position.
• This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement (work from your home office) up to twice per week after successful completion of the introductory period.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum 3 years experience in Human Resources, preferably in a Generalist capacity.
• Minimum 2 years experience with labor relations and working in a union environment.
• Minimum 2 years leaves and ADA administration experience required (including WAPFML).
• Minimum 2 years prior experience with internal investigations.
• Prior experience with safety administration and benefits helpful.
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related degree required. May consider a combination of education and relevant experience in lieu of degree requirement.
• SHRM-CP or PHR required or willingness to obtain within first year of employment.
• Position requires the use of a reliable personal vehicle (mileage reimbursement provided) to complete assigned tasks and projects. Must have a valid driver's license at hire, along with vehicle insurance that meets agency requirements.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Solid understanding of US and State of Washington Employment and Labor laws, data privacy regulations, and compliance requirements with the ability to apply the laws and regulations appropriately and consistently. In particular, the FMLA, WAPFML, and other statutory leave laws, the ADA and PERC.
• Solid understanding and working knowledge of HR concepts and practices.
• Problem solving and critical thinking skills with a continuous improvement mindset. Strong curiosity for learning and development.
• Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills. Team oriented. Strong service focus and mindset.
• Analytical skills and facts based decision ability. Detail oriented, with the ability to sustain focus on detailed work efforts as needed.
• Self-directed with an ability to organize, plan, and prioritize work and deliverables.
• Ability to use sound judgement in the absence of data and support decisions accordingly; ability to use discretion and escalate issues when appropriate.
• Demonstrated ability to protect confidential and proprietary information, setting professional boundaries as needed.
• Good English communication skills – speaking, reading, writing, and comprehension.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced work environment with changing and competing priorities.
• Some scheduling flexibility needed during busy periods and annual projects (ie, open enrollment, contract negotiations, new year policy and programs updates), which could include overtime
• Solid working knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office 365 – Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, TEAMS required. Prior experience using formulas, pivot tables, and other data tools in Excel. Prior knowledge and experience with Paylocity preferred. Prior system administrator experience with an HRIS also preferred.

Benefits include WA state PERS retirement, medical, dental and vision insurance, personal holidays, and generous sick and vacation leave.

• AAADSW is an Equal Opportunity Employer
• Position is Open Until Filled
• A criminal background check will be administered.
• Revised: 05/07/2025

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required and the scope of responsibility but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods or otherwise balance the workload.