Human Resources Operations Manager (WMS02) Chehalis

Our vision is to ensure that “Washington state’s children and youth grow up safe and healthy—thriving physically, emotionally and academically, nurtured by family and community."

 
Job Title: Human Resources Operations Manager (WMS02)
Location: Chehalis, WA | This hybrid role allows for a combination of in-office and remote work; regular in-office presence is required. This position supports customers at our Green Hill School, Harbor Heights Facility and Juvenile Rehabilitation Headquarters.
Closes: May 10th, 2026
Salary:  $94,627 - $108,576 Annually

If you're passionate about making a positive impact, DCYF has an exciting opportunity to join our Human Resource Department as an Operations Manager. This role plays a pivotal part in providing HR services that empower our divisions to excel in their fields as they serve the citizens of Washington State. Join us in this rewarding opportunity where your efforts directly contribute to a supportive and inclusive work environment for all.

Click here to learn more about DCYF.

The Opportunity:
This position manages a team of HR professionals to provide the full scope of human resource consultative services to appointing authorities, managers, supervisors, and employees in their assigned area. The result will be the effective deployment of DCYF’s workforce to enable the agency to protect children and youth and enable families to flourish.

Some of what you will get to do:

• Lead, Manage, and Mentor HR Consultants in Assigned HR Local Operations Unit:
  • Mentor/develop/coach HR consultants to achieve performance standards and development objectives. 
  • Provide prompt, ongoing affirmative and constructive feedback on performance as appropriate.
  • Cultivate consultants’ abilities to consult well, enabling them to assist agency leaders to strategically think through people-related issues.
  • Serve as the primary resource for unit consultants in their work to enable workforce development.
• Collaborate with HR Operations Management Team to provide Operations unit leadership:
  • Assess HR Operations needs and HR Division priorities.
  • Measure and review of Operations unit performance against defined strategies.
  • Problem-solve unit challenges and/or deficiencies.
• Provide comprehensive strategic HR consultation to assigned area:
  • Coordinate, deliver and, when needed, design training or other employee development opportunities to support workforce and leadership development. 
  • Provide Strategic Consultation Regarding People-Related Issues.
  • Develop a competent working knowledge of the program areas supported by the HR unit - their objectives, challenges, and opportunities.
  • Provide comprehensive HR-related consultation with employees, supervisors, and agency leaders.
  • Analyze complex circumstances, at times with no clear precedent, and design potential response options.
  • Assist supervisors and managers in understanding and applying an array of human resource topics to current and anticipated business circumstances. 
  • Provide technical assistance and support to appointing authorities or their designees in conducting investigative, pre-disciplinary and disciplinary meetings, grievance hearings, union/management communication committee meetings, arbitration hearings, and other such critical personnel meetings.
• Legal Support:
  • Interact with the Labor and Personnel Assistant Attorney General (AAG), under the direction of the HR Operations Area Administrator, to facilitate provision of legal counsel to customers.
  • Assist AAGs and agency leaders with discovery and responses related to litigation of employee-related issues. 
  • Interpret and explain the significance of relevant documents to the AAG. 
  • Direct and oversee preparation of documents for public disclosure, discovery, and other requests from the Attorney General's office.

Required Qualifications:

• Nine (9) years of progressively responsible, professional-level HR experience, preferably in a generalist role. 

OR

• Bachelor's degree* or higher with major study in HR management, Business, Public Administration, social or organizational behavioral sciences, or related field from an accredited college or university whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) AND Five (5) years of progressively responsible, professional-level HR management experience, preferably in a generalist role.

AND

• Three (3) or more years of experience directly supervising or leading a team of HR professionals.
• Demonstrated history of coaching, managing, leading, training, and mentoring professional staff.
• Strong writing skills and experience in writing pre-disciplinary and disciplinary letters. 
• Ability to effectively lead, manage, and engage a team of HR Professionals in a calm and professional manner.
• Knowledge of HR functional areas including performance management and labor relations.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally both verbally and in writing. 
• Ability to explain complex information, both verbally and in writing, to individuals or groups with varying backgrounds.
• Ability to interpret and apply WAC, RCW, CBAs, policies, laws, and other legal sources.

AND

• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:

• Six (6) months or more experience using NeoGov and HRMS.
• SHRM-CP/SCP, S/PHR, or other HR professional certification.
• Demonstrated conflict resolution and facilitation skills.

How do I apply?
 Complete your applicant profile on careers.wa.gov and attach the following documents:

• Current resume detailing experience and education.
• Letter of Interest that details how you meet the qualifications for the position.

Supplemental Information:

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is committed to Washington’s children and youth growing up safe, healthy, and thriving. We invite all candidates to join us in our mission to create a diverse and equitable workplace that reflects the communities we serve. If you are excited about this role but you believe that your education and/or experience might not align perfectly with every qualification in the job posting, we encourage you to apply anyway.

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment or if you would like to request an accommodation throughout the application/interview process, contact Cole Alford (Talent Acquisition Specialist) at cole.alford@dcyf.wa.gov. If you're experiencing technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, call NEOGOV toll-free at (855)524-5627 or emailsupport@neogov.com.

Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may call the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 360-664-1960. 

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214, NGB Form 22 or Predischarge Certification (issued not more than 120 days prior to End of Term of Service (ETS) by date of submission).  If claiming preference based on Predischarge Certification, individual will be required to provide their official discharge documentation, such as a DD form 214, NGB form 22, or equivalent, within 30 days after the date of discharge. Please blackout (redact) the social security number before attaching any documents. For additional information on Veteran's Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click here.

DCYF participates in the federal E-Verify program. The selected candidate must provide proof of identity and authorization to work in the United States, consistent with E-Verify requirements, on their first day of employment.