Human Resources Manager

Salary: $8,349.00 - $12,123.00 Monthly
Location : Bellingham, WA 98225
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 202500294
Department: Human Resources
Opening Date: 04/14/2025
Closing Date: 4/20/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Summary
Whatcom County is seeking an experienced Human Resources Manager to join a dedicated team of Human Resource professionals to contribute to a respectful, inclusive, and innovative workplace culture.

The Human Resources Manager position assists in the administration of organization-wide Human Resources functions to accomplish the mission, goals and vision of the Administrative Services Department, the Human Resources Division, and the County. They will collaborate and manage projects involving key stakeholders to achieve cross-organizational goals and to address areas of concern with proactive recommendations and resolutions. They will provide oversight of daily HR operations including recruitment and selection, benefits administration, leave administration, training and development, labor and employee relations, compensation, legal compliance, and policies and procedures.

Key Duties Include:

• Oversees daily HR operations involving recruitment and selection, benefits administration, leave administration, training and development, labor and employee relations, compensation, risk management, legal compliance, and policies and procedures.
• Provides fair, consistent, and impartial supervision of assigned HR staff. Serves as a role model and leads by example for ethical behavior, fairness, and transparency in all supervisory actions, communications, and decisions.
• Provides strategic planning and leadership to manage organization-wide Human Resources functions in compliance with guidelines, procedures and regulations.
• May act for and assist the Human Resources Director by providing leadership and direction for human resources management and services to internal departments.
• Provides specialized labor relations activities of a highly sensitive and confidential nature, coordinating responses to complex employee relations issues.
• Receives and investigates employee complaints and employee misconduct allegations, ensuring due process, fairness and confidentiality. Acts as investigator, as assigned, and works with legal counsel when handling high-risk cases, such as harassment, discrimination, or policy violations. Participates in pre-defense review through the WA Counties Risk Pool (WCRP).
• Assists with the management of the self-insured workers' compensation program, including complex claims monitoring, loss control, data analysis, setting rates, reviewing reserves, and securing excess insurance coverage annually.
• Assists with preparation and monitoring of the Human Resources budget across multiple cost centers. Develops requests for proposals/qualifications, as assigned. Negotiates, secures, monitors and assures compliance with administrative contracts.

For more information, please review the

Supervisor: Director of Human Resources.
Hours of Work: Monday - Friday 8 AM - 5 PM

Salary Range:Hiring rate depends on qualifications. This position receives annual pay increases to the next step in the associated salary range (apx. 3.8%) subject to satisfactory performance, in addition to any negotiated Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA).
Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources Management, Business, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Five years of progressively responsible and broad experience in human resources.
• Three years of supervisory experience.
• Labor relations experience demonstrating thorough competency and knowledge of human resources in a multi-union environment.

Preferred:

• Public sector and WA State labor relations experience.
• Certified Labor Relations Professional (CLRP).

The ideal candidate will be a respected and unifying leader who is energetic, strategic, visionary, and responsive to a variety of unique and challenging demands. In addition, he or she should be exceptional in all aspects of communication, such as listening, persuasion, negotiation and relationship management.

At its sole discretion, Whatcom County may consider combinations of education, experience, certifications,
and training in lieu of specifically required qualifications contained herein.
Distinguish yourself in public service and make a commitment to our future.
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Whatcom County offers at no cost to employees, including:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage for employees AND their family
• Generous paid leave provisions, including vacation, sick leave, and an average of 13 paid holidays per year
• Lifetime pension through the Washington State Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS), with joint contributions required from the employee and the County
• $50,000 Life Insurance coverage for employees
• Option to invest in a 457 Deferred Compensation Retirement Plan.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) available for health care and/or dependent care expenses
• Voluntary Term Life Insurance and Personal Accident Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Additional is available online.