Salary
$151,754.51 - $192,357.57 Annually

Location
Seattle, WA

Job Type
Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week

Department
DHR - Dept. of Human Resources

Job Number
2023EM18394

Division
HR Director's Office

Closing
3/21/2023 11:59 PM Pacific

Summary

The Department of Human Resources (DHR) seeks a seasoned professional to serve as Chief of Policy and Legislation.

As a key member of DHR's leadership team, the Chief of Policy and Legislation will provide strategic guidance and leadership as they direct, plan, and organize DHR policies and legislation to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal labor and employment laws that impact all County employees. They will work collaboratively with the Executive Branch and the Office of Labor Relations on projects and issues that have a profound and enduring impact on how the County does business. They will also act as a liaison with the Executive's Office and King County Council.

The Chief of Policy and Legislation will provide knowledge and expertise about policies, strategic planning, labor and employee relations, processes and procedures to human resources professionals, county management, and executive staff. This role requires excellent communication and interpersonal skills to build respectful and productive relationships with internal colleagues and external partners.

Commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice
As the only county in the United States named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a diverse region that cherishes the artistic and social traditions of many cultures.

Applying equity and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. The Chief of Policy and Legislation will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices in all aspects of the work.

To learn more, please visit: http://www.kingcounty.gov/elected/executive/equity-social-justice.aspx

Who May Apply
This recruitment is open to the public and will be used to fill one career service position.

Other Position Information
This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and not overtime-eligible. Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule, every other Thursday, comprising a 40-hour workweek, normally 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. This position is not represented by a collective bargaining agreement and is classified as Chief of Policy and Legislation.

Job Duties

• Lead policy and legislative strategic planning, changes, and/or initiatives from inception to completion.
• Provide strategic and operational direction for new or revised human resource (HR) policies, systems, and strategies with complex administrative and financial impacts; and ensure compliance with evolving labor and employment-related regulations.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments at the federal, state, and local levels that impact HR practices, policies, or procedures; evaluate the impact on King County and recommend a course of action; advocate for HR-related legislative and policy decisions that meet the county's business needs; and collaborate with payroll, benefits, and systems groups to implement system and business process changes.
• Lead implementation teams to ensure policies, business processes, communications, systems, and tools are updated and in compliance with emerging and evolving legislation and regulations.
• Collaborate with the Office of Labor Relations on policy direction for bargaining.
• Manage HR's statewide legislative review process, and keep leadership appraised of the progress.
• Act as a consultant to HR professionals and executive management to address sensitive and controversial employee relations issues. Prepare responsive recommendations.
• Testify before legislative committees, at hearings, and arbitrations as an expert witness.
• Manage policy team. Coordinate work and develop the team through coaching, training, and mentoring.
• Oversee all personnel legislation transmitted to King County Council.
• Oversee all policy communications to Executive Branch agencies.
• Other duties as assigned.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, public administration, law, or social science with emphasis in management, organizational theory, or related field, AND
• Five years of increasingly responsible experience in human resources and/or public sector management, OR
• A combination of education and experience that clearly demonstrates the ability to successfully perform the job duties.

Other Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of employment-related laws and regulations.
• Advanced knowledge of public sector human resources management and labor relations.
• Demonstrated proficiency in policy analysis, development, and implementation.
• Skill to lead and operate within a complex multicultural and diverse government or related environment.
• Ability to lead strategic policy and compliance planning based on equity and social justice principles.
• Ability to effectively engage in and sustain relationships with people from diverse backgrounds, including sensitivity to and knowledge of various ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic groups.
• Ability to build effective working relationships with multiple internal and external partners to meet shared objectives.
• Ability to manage and direct policy staff and provide clear expectations and directions, and to make difficult and challenging decisions. Experience developing others through coaching, training, or mentoring.
• Experience handling complex issues and sensitive data with discretion and tact.
• Skill in critical thinking, problem-solving, and professional judgment.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communications.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality.
• Knowledge of County and local government structure.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member.
• Demonstrated ability to problem solve and resolve conflicts.

Supplemental Information

Selection Process
Applications will be reviewed as received, and they will be screened for clarity, completeness, and competitiveness. All materials will be evaluated for spelling, grammar, and punctuation usage. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in a series of interviews.

Forms and Materials Required

1. An online employment application completed at www.kingcounty.gov/jobs. The employment history should go back at least 10 years if you have 10 years of employment, or more to include all relevant experience. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. All relevant experience must be included in the application.
2. A cover letter no more than two pages summarizing how you meet the required experience, qualifications, knowledge, and job skills. In addition, share why you are interested in this position. This is a required application material. If a cover letter is not received, your application will be considered incomplete and will not be considered.

For more information, contact:
Elisha Mackey
HR Manager
206-477-0193
Elisha.Mackey@kingcounty.gov

Teleworking Requirement
The work associated with this position will be performed predominantly through telework, complemented with onsite work and meetings as needed. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. Please note that when an employee conducts work that is likely to bring them in contact with another individual, safety precautions are required, including wearing masks in some situations . King County is doing its part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and remains committed to reducing its carbon footprint.

King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment.

Forbes 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 the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage: King County pays 100% of the premiums for eligible employees and family members
• Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
• Retirement: King County employees are eligible to participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
• Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
• 12paid holidays each year (plus 2 personal holidays)
• Generous vacation and paid sick leave
• Paid parental leave, family and medical leaves, and volunteer leave
• Flexible Spending Account
• Wellness programs
• Onsite gyms and activity centers
• Employee giving program
• Employee assistance programs
• Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
• Training and career development programs

For additional information about employee benefits please visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page .

This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails. Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.

NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position.Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.

For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.