HR Manager – Washington State Ferries (WMS2)

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! The Opportunity WSDOT is currently seeking an experienced leader and passionate Human Resources professional to fill the HR Manager role for the Washington State Ferries (WSF) Division. This position reports to Ferries' Deputy Director of Human Resources and is responsible for providing a full range of strategic and tactical HR services to WSF. This includes providing leadership, direction and guidance for employee relations, corrective action and discipline, recommended grievance resolution, ADA/FMLA, benefits, administration, classification and compensation, recruiting, operations, performance evaluation process, training, OEO and organizational development. The HR Manager will contribute as a member of management teams for HQ Human Resources, interface with WSF unions in the implementation of 13 collective bargaining agreements and participate in bargaining as a representative of WSF/WSDOT. Our top candidate will lead a team of HR professionals providing human resources consulting and services for an employee population of approximately 2100 permanent, seasonal, and non-permanent employees, therefore the ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships with all levels of the organization is imperative. What to Expect Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the HR Manager will: • Provide a full spectrum of HR services to WSF employees and program managers. • Oversee daily HR operations, ensuring the completion of a variety of processes, with accurate and timely submissions to HQ centralized functions. • Develop broad strategies to manage and lead HR professionals. • Provide effective coaching, training, and development opportunities to HR team. • Review, edit and provide guidance on written documents of HR team. • Conduct and lead HR team in investigating and responding to employee complaints. • Lead local HR teams to facilitate and champion respectful workplace and culture change initiatives. • Provide direction to the HR team in investigations of misconduct, discrimination, harassment, HR Public Disclosure requests, and HR tort issues, and in addressing inappropriate unemployment claims. • Partner with assigned WSF senior leadership teams to develop specific HR plans for the "people" strategy of the organizations. • Provide leadership, guidance, and coordination of recruitment, candidate selection, and training activities within WSF including staffing plan management and coordination of seasonal recruitment. • Analyze and interpret personnel policies, procedures and guidelines, and bargaining agreements. Qualifications To be considered for this opportunity, the following are required: • Seven (7) years of broad-based professional HR experience (college-level HR program coursework or HR certification may substitute year for year up to two years of required experience). • Management level/leadership experience including one (1) year of supervisory experience. • Experience in analyzing complex HR problems, developing creative solutions, and applying industry best practices to workforce management in a highly confidential environment. • Ability to research and explain personnel rules, contracts and legal requirements and synthesize with customer needs, • Demonstrated ability to lead HR staff in delivering multiple, complex, and diverse human resource programs. • Experience providing personnel/human resource administration to include recruitment and staffing, job assessment, ADA, and Protected Leave benefits, assessing reasonable accommodation needs, performance management, facilitating, advising, and preparing documentation for corrective and disciplinary action, personnel file management and using HRIS systems to access personnel data. • Experience working with government and/or private sector union organizations through contract administration and complaint resolution to mutually resolve disputes prior to elevating grievances to administrative hearing. • Experience professionally and effectively communicating to all levels of employees, both verbally and in writing. • Experience in delivering information and/or presentations to all levels of employees. • Customer service orientation with the ability to serve multiple customers and multiple levels in the region. It is preferred that qualified candidates also have: • Professional in Human Resources (PHR) or Senior in Professional Human Resources (SPHR) certification. • Experience working within a complex organization with diverse functional areas. Knowledge of US Coast Guard credentialing for maritime positions is helpful, but not required. • Experience supporting the HR function in government or public service organizations including state, county, municipal, federal government and/or non-profit organizations. • Experience applying and supporting the implementation of an employer’s guiding documents (vision, mission, values, goals, objectives etc.) in daily work. • Experience leading staff in delivering multiple, complex, and diverse HR programs. Important Notes • Candidates should be willing to work aboard a ferry/marine vessel in open waters, at ferry terminals and an active shipyard to meet with employees, union, and management staff. Travel to these locations throughout the Puget Sound is required, as needed. • This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options and requires occasional work after normal business hours to meet with day and evening crews. Incumbents are expected to flex their work week to accommodate for after-hours work. Periodic travel statewide to attend conferences, training or meetings may also include overnight travel. • The salary listed includes the legislative approved 5% salary premium for positions in King County. In addition to the general wage increase of 3% for all state employees effective July 1, 2024. • This position requires the highest level of confidentiality to the extent allowed by law within complex HR functions. • In addition to base salary, employees may be entitled to other forms of compensation depending on the type, duties, or location of the position. For union-represented positions, more information on other forms of compensation can be found in the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements. Information on other compensation types for non-represented positions can be found in Chapter 357-28 of the Washington Administrative Code. • WSDOT 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. Why WSDOT • Work-Life Balance – We are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individuals’ lifestyle. As such, there are a number of flexible schedule options available, including occasional telework for eligible positions. • Paid Leave – In addition to 12 paid holidays, full-time employees may earn up to 25 paid vacation days per year! • Tuition Assistance – Permanent employees have several options for assistance with education expenses, including tuition reimbursement programs, government discounts at participating colleges throughout the state, and eligibility for federal student loan forgiveness. • Plan For Your Future – WSDOT offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes a variety of healthcare options. Employees also have their choice of state retirement programs, and much more. Go to State Benefits for more information. Check out this video to learn more: Why WSDOT? How to Apply Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically. Your relevant experience may be evaluated to determine salary. Therefore, it is very important that the “Work Experience” portion of the application be completed in as much detail as possible. In order to be considered for this opportunity, please include the following with your online application: • An attached Resume outlining (in reverse chronological order) your experience to date. • An attached Cover Letter that further explains your qualifications and indicates why you believe you are a viable candidate for this role. • Contact details for a minimum of three (3) individuals who can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job-related competencies. NOTE: This information may be entered in the “References” section of the online application; does not require an additional attachment. Please click the "APPLY" button to proceed. Note that you will be prompted to either sign in or create an account. This step is required in order to submit an application to this opportunity. WSDOT is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included, and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency. Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace. All persons, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity, are encouraged to apply. Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the listed Recruiter via email. Contact Us For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter, at Robyn.Lovely@wsdot.wa.gov. Please be sure to reference 24DOT-HQ-0W314 in the subject line