Director of Human Resources and Risk Management

This position is open until filled. First screening will be completed on Monday, January 6th, 2026.

The Director of Human Resources & Risk Management is responsible for the full scope of the County’s human resources and risk management programs. The Director administers the recruitment and employee selection processes, benefits, wages and job classification plans, training services; personnel records management; and labor relations and problem resolution processes for the County in accordance with governmental regulations and collective bargaining agreements. The position serves at-will with the concurrence of the County Manager and County Council.

The Director administers, with the support from the Risk and Safety Manager, the County’s risk management program, including placement of the general liability, property and auto liability programs through the Washington Counties Risk Pool, health insurance programs, safety and worker’s compensation programs. The Director also actively seeks to identify emerging threats and incident patterns in order to prevent accidents, assess risk, and manage potential losses.

The Director exercises considerable independent judgment and discretion in coordinating functions with all County elected and appointed officials, supervisory and line staff as well as with representatives of governmental or other entities affected by or working with the County.
• Manage County staffing processes. Prepare annual plan, administer recruiting and employment procedures, including establishment of hiring procedures, advertisements, coordination with departments and maintenance of employment application records; establishes employee orientation and exit interviews procedures.
• Manage wage and salary programs: prepare job descriptions; coordinate and direct the review of position descriptions by the Classification Committee; recommend classification based upon evaluation; conduct compensation surveys; maintain classification schedules; prepare compensation policy recommendations; exercise approval authority or recommend County Counsel action on all employee wage changes, classification changes and all other personnel actions as required.
• Manage employee benefits: negotiate and implement changes to the health insurance plans and health savings/reimbursement accounts; administer retirement, deferred compensation and leave programs. Interpret rules, policies, and labor agreements to guide supervisors concerning vacations, holidays, sick leave, bereavement leave, etc.
• Draft employment-related policies to reflect changes in federal and state laws for adoption by the County Council. Prepare interpretive and explanatory memoranda concerning policies and procedures as needed.
• Schedule and manage labor negotiations processes, draft contract language, and assist managers in interpreting and administering labor agreement. Partner with staff and union representatives to ensure all agreements are implemented as intended. Represent the County in arbitration and PERC hearings. Participate in long-term planning for the development of labor relations strategies. Perform research and analysis necessary to support negotiations and other labor relations activities.
• Investigate and administer claims in collaboration with the Risk and Safety Manager for property, third party liability, personal injury. Work with the Washington Counties Risk Pool (WCRP) and the Prosecuting Attorney’s office on lawsuits, claims, contract language and risk exposures.
• Manage property and liability insurance policies in collaboration with the Risk and Safety Manager through WCRP. Maintain current County information in WCRP database, updating at least annually.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state Safety and Health program requirements in collaboration with the Risk and Safety Manager, including OSHA, WISHA, HIPAA, and ADA legislation. Maintain all records required by law. Provide training for supervisors and employees. Work with Safety Committee to implement identified improvements.
• Provide training program within available resources: identify training needs of individual supervisors and of management as a group; recommend, develop and present training programs and/or obtain outside training assistance; support managers in their development as supervisors through coaching and training.
• Administer employment-related programs including new employee orientations, family medical leaves, unemployment compensation and workers' compensation. Investigate cases, represent County at administrative hearings, and take steps necessary to control costs.
• Assist managers in performance management of staff, including disciplinary procedures if necessary. Provide ideas and materials for improvement of employee performance, morale and productivity. Develop, maintain and administer employee performance appraisal system. Train supervisors in effective appraisal techniques. Maintain appraisal records.
• Manage employee records and prepare periodic statistical reports as requested in areas such as recruitment, health care costs and labor costs.
• Acting within the scope of their responsibilities, work as a public employee and municipal officer with courtesy and professionalism, adhering to the highest standard of ethics in accordance with RCW 42.52.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
This position requires a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in public administration, human resources, labor relations or a related field, and a minimum of seven years of executive, professional-level experience in human resources and risk management; or any combination of education and experience which provide the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential job functions.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Master’s Degree, PHR, or SPHR certification. Experience in local government human resources administration is highly desired.KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
• Experience negotiating and managing collective bargaining agreements.
• Experience in negotiating, implementing and administering complex health insurance programs.
• Excellent presentation, verbal and written communication skills.
• Updated knowledge of laws, regulations, court decisions, and developments affecting personnel management; communicate to others.
Ability to:
• Exercise diplomacy, common sense, and good judgement in situations that can be volatile. Comfort with ambiguity
• Impartially research, analyze data and situations and creatively solve problems.
• Work as a member of the senior management team, mentoring and coaching managers and supervisors
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:
• Work requires continuous sitting and operation of a computer including keyboard and mouse operation
• Frequent standing and walking
• Involves talking and hearing in person and on the phone
• Vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to differentiate colors and read computer monitor.
• Deals with customer stress and deadlines, which may require overtime, flexibility of time
• This position requires attention to detail and communication skills
WORKING CONDITIONS: Works primarily in an office environment although some travel to other locations may be required by boat or by air, including for field operations, which may involve inclement weather conditions.