This position works in the Employee & Labor Relations team of Public Health’s Human Resources Office.  Its primary functions are to support supervisors and managers with daily employee and labor relations issues, including advising on employee performance and disciplinary issues, interpreting labor contracts, conducting investigations into employee workplace complaints, supporting labor contract negotiations, participating in Labor-Management meetings, and engaging with labor union representatives and King County’s Office of Labor Relations on labor issues.  

At Public Health - Seattle & King County (Public Health), our mission is to help protect and improve the health and well-being of all people in King County.  Our employees are our greatest asset towards accomplishing that mission. Our Human Resources Office is currently searching for a dedicated Career Service employee who is committed to serving both our employees and our organization in the role of Employee & Labor Relations Representative.

We are looking for a team member who can quickly build relationships, has good analytical and communication skills, attention to detail, is a quick and eager learner, will enjoy working with people from a variety of cultures, circumstances, and background, and can handle an exciting, fast-paced and varied workload. 

Interviews will be held for this position starting Thursday, November 5th.

• Coach supervisors and managers on the following issues:
  • Personnel rules
  • Employee disciplinary and corrective actions
  • Processing labor grievances (investigation, hearing, and written decision)
  • Conducting investigations into allegations of discrimination and misconduct.
• Establish and maintain on-going, effective relations with employees, shop stewards, union officials, and management; facilitate effective resolution of employee and labor relations issues.
• Advise and assist managers with the processing of grievances.
• Conduct workplace investigations; write investigative reports; and present findings and recommendations to management.

We are looking for candidates who:

• Commit to providing exceptional customer service to our employees, union representatives, and Public Health clients
• Are able to build cooperative relationships quickly and professionally
• Display compassion and patience, are approachable, are effective listeners, and will enjoy working with people from a variety of cultures, communities, backgrounds and experiences
• Are able to maintain their composure under pressure
• Are able to recognize, and work effectively with, sensitive situations
• Have strong analytical skills and can identify subtle, hidden, or difficult issues
• Handle confidential materials, personal employee matters, and business issues with discretion
• Are able to quickly organize, prioritize, and weigh ongoing needs of involved parties
• Are able to write clearly and communicate effectively with various audiences
• Are detail-oriented in their communication and review of rules and documentation

• Are able to see the larger picture, consider involved parties, consider ramifications, and identify possible outcomes
• Previous experience or education in a Human Resources role may be helpful.
• In particular, we are looking for someone who is a quick and eager learner, seeking professional growth, and open to constructive feedback.

Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact your recruiter listed on this job announcement.

Who May Apply:  This position is open to all qualified candidates.
 
Application Process:
The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy:
1. A resume
2. A cover letter addressing why you are interested in this position and about your qualifications for the job Your letter should effectively explain your interest in this position and why you believe you would be an excellent candidate.

Work Schedule: The normal work week is Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; however, as an FLSA-exempt position the employee is expected to work the hours necessary to satisfactorily perform the duties.

TEMPORARY TELECOMMUTING REQUIREMENT

The work associated with this position will be performed remotely, at least through January 8, 2021 in compliance with King County’s telecommuting mandate. It is possible that the work will be primarily performed remotely on an ongoing basis after January 8, 2021.  Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.  Employees must reside in WA state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.  There will be situations where the employee is required to report to a County worksite.  Please note that when an employee conducts work that is likely to bring them in contact with another individual, safety precautions are required by the department in alignment with the Public Health Directive from the Seattle & King County Public Health Officer.

To support employees during this time King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will be joining an innovative and progressive team. King County is doing its part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and remains committed to reducing our carbon footprint. 

The position is based at the Chinook Building located at 401 5th Ave, Seattle on the 10th floor, but is expected to be performed remotely on a full-time basis.

Contact: If you have questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Erika Yanak, Human Resource Analyst, at erika.yanak@kingcounty.gov.