Classification and Compensation Specialist

Job Summary

Central Washington University is recruiting a Classification and Compensation Specialist to join our Human Resources team in Ellensburg, Washington. This role is an important member of our team as they enhance the vision for the University. The role is a campus-based position, which means you get to see the lives you are impacting. Were offering a competitive salary plus the awesome CWU benefits.

Who we are:

We are a team of individuals committed to Changing Students Lives. No matter what job, each of us plays a part in supporting and empowering our students to fulfill their dreams.

Working in higher education provides career growth and career choice. Think of a university campus like a mini city, operating across 380 acres. Youll find robust academics, libraries, athletics and sporting events, full service and quick serve dining, conferences and events from small to large, recreation centers, housing, health services, police and public safety for the campus population of ~8,300 students.

Central Washington University has been named a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Top Producing Institution for the 2022-2023 academic year. In addition, for seven out of eight years, CWU was a recipient of the prestigious Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. RentCafe has also named CWU #13 of the Top 20 Best College Towns in the U.S. in 2025.

Come join us on our journey to encourage, inspire, and create spaces where all identities thrive on campus.

Tour our campus in Ellensburg here. www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjdhOegDa9A

What we offer:

Our investment in you begins the day you join our team, a healthy and successful future for you is important to us. We offer medical, dental, life and disability insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, tuition assistance for you and your dependents, discounts across town, an employee assistance program for individualized counseling, and a wellness incentive program. Learn more: Benefits, Perks, and Leave and Total Rewards Calculator.

The Role:

The Classification & Compensation Specialist serves as a strategic human resources partner responsible for administering and advising on classification and compensation programs across the university. This position conducts comprehensive job analysis, evaluates positions for proper classification, exemption status, and salary placement, and ensures that compensation practices are equitable, competitive, and compliant with applicable laws, regulations, collective bargaining agreements, and university policies.

This position provides expert consultation to university leaders, managers, supervisors, and HR partners on position design, organizational structure, workforce planning, classification allocation, and compensation administration. Responsibilities include reviewing and analyzing position review requests, developing and maintaining job descriptions and classification structures, conducting market and equity analyses, benchmarking positions against internal and external labor market data, and recommending salary actions that support recruitment, retention, and organizational objectives.

All employees are expected to uphold and contribute to CWUs vision, mission, and values, fostering a culture of student success and institutional excellence. The Classification & Compensation Specialist directly affects the vision, mission and values of Central Washington University by promoting transparent, fair, and data-driven compensation and classification decisions through collaboration with institutional stakeholders that support the universitys strategic goals and employee career growth.

Job Duties

Classification & Compensation:

• Serve as a strategic consultant and advisor to executive leadership, supervisors, and HR colleagues on classification, compensation, organizational design, workforce planning, and position management matters.
• Provide guidance, consultation, and technical expertise to campus stakeholders and HR colleagues regarding position design, allocation decisions, classification structures, compensation administration, and related employment practices.
• Conduct comprehensive job analyses to evaluate positions and determine appropriate classification, salary placement, exemption status, and organizational alignment in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and collective bargaining agreements.
• Review and assess classification and compensation requests, including new positions, position reallocations, organizational changes, and salary actions; provide recommendations and communicate outcomes to campus stakeholders.
• Conduct market pricing, benchmarking, salary surveys, compensation studies, and internal equity analyses to identify compensation trends, evaluate salary competitiveness, recommend salary range adjustments, and support compensation program administration.
• Develop, update, and maintain employee position descriptions, classification specifications, salary structures, and related documentation.
• Monitor and promote internal equity and consistency in compensation and classification decisions across departments while supporting recruitment, retention, and workforce planning objectives.
• Interpret and apply university policies, classification and compensation procedures, state and federal regulations, collective bargaining agreements, RCWs, WACs, and other governing requirements; provide clear guidance and training to stakeholders.
• Prepare reports, analyses, recommendations, and presentations related to classification and compensation matters to support decision-making by university leadership.

Employee Services Support:

• Providing consultation and guidance to employees, supervisors, and executive leaders on employee relations, compliance, investigations, organizational development, change management, talent development, and leadership support.
• Assist university stakeholders with interpretation and application of federal, state, university, and labor contract requirements.
• Support employee relations activities, including conflict resolution, workplace investigations, grievance processes, mediation, and progressive discipline.
• Assist with organizational development and change management initiatives, including assessing needs, implementing change strategies, and fostering employee engagement.
• Serve as a resource for managers and employees on workforce planning, talent development, performance management, and employee growth opportunities.
• Build collaborative relationships across the institution, facilitating communication, consensus-building, and problem-solving among stakeholders.
• Represent Human Resources in meetings, hearings, grievances, mediations, and other employment-related proceedings as needed.
• Maintain knowledge of HR best practices, employment law, university policies, and compliance requirements to reduce institutional risk and support effective employee management.

Institutional Citizen

• Be an engaged and active member of the university community.
• Promote, foster, and model behaviors of a brand ambassador, culture keeper, community builder, innovator, and lifelong learner.
• Serve on CWU committees/steering committees/review teams representing HR.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Three years of experience in Human Resources with one year of experience in classification and compensation.
• Experience applying employment-related HR laws and rules.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Organizational and time-management skills which allow the incumbent to prioritize conflicting and demanding deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability and/or experience working collaboratively with students and/or colleagues to foster a supportive and effective learning and work environment.
• OR applicable combination of education and/or experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position.

Preferred Qualifications

• HR experience with a Washington State agency or institution of higher education.
• Experience with classification and compensation at a Washington State institution of higher education.
• Certification by HRCI (PHR/SPHR) or SHRM (SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP).
• Bachelors degree in human resources (or related field).
• Experience with an HRIS system such as PeopleSoft.
• Labor relations experience.
• Experience working to support a specified client base (managers, administrators, supervisors, and employees).
• Broad-based professional HR experience.
• Life experiences that demonstrate an ability to contribute to CWUs vision, mission, and values.
• Ability to incorporate a variety of perspectives and relevant societal issues into everyday conversations.

Competencies

• Accountability/Dependability: Accepts responsibility for quality of own work; acknowledges and corrects mistakes. Shows up on time, meets standards, deadlines, and work schedules.
• Judgement: Makes timely, informed decisions. Analyzes options and determines appropriate course of action.
• Teamwork: Promotes cooperation and mutual support to achieve goals. Encourages participation and mutual support.
• Adaptability/Flexibility: Responds positively to changing business needs and responsibilities. Adapts approach and methods to achieve results; recovers quickly from setbacks and finds alternatives.
• Commitment to Belonging: Values the uniqueness of every individual and fosters an environment where everyone feels respected and empowered to thrive.

Dont meet every single requirement? At CWU, were committed to creating a welcoming and genuine workplace. If youre excited about this role but your experience doesnt align perfectly with every qualification, we still encourage you to apply. This could be the opportunity youre looking for!

Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule

Salary: The Hiring Departments expected hiring range is $80,000 - $92,000 annually. Individual placement within the hiring range is based on the candidates current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position. In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the full annual salary range for this position is $66,273 to $96,097.

Schedule/Appointment: Monday - Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm (1 hour lunch)

Working Conditions: Work is performed in an indoor office setting with frequent in-person interactions. It is essential to be able to remain at a desk/computer work station for prolonged periods of time, perform extensive data entry and other computer-related tasks and create/maintain filing systems for departmental records. Some evening or weekend work and/or occasional travel may be required.

Benefits: CWU offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical and dental insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, life and disability insurance, along with vacation and sick leave plans depending on employment classification. For additional information please visit Benefits, Perks, and Leave and Total Rewards Calculator.

An employee of CWU may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program if the employee has student loans. To learn more, visit: https://ofm.wa.gov/state-human-resources/public-service-loan-forgiveness-program.

How To Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the on-line application and attach:

• A detailed cover letter clearly demonstrating how your education and experience: (a) meet the required (and, as applicable, preferred) qualifications, and (b) demonstrate the ability to perform the responsibilities as described by the posting;

• Resume including work history, education, training; and

• Contact information for three professional references.

Screening Begins: August 12, 2026

Priority will be given to applications received by the screening date. Incomplete applications may not be considered.

Contact Information

Name: Joey Bryant

Title: Director of Employee Services

Email: Joseph.Bryants@cwu.edu

Phone: (509) 963-1202

Website: https://www.cwu.edu/about/offices/human-resources/index.php

Please contact Human Resources at hr@cwu.edu or 509-963-1202 if you require technical assistance with the on-line application process.

Conditions of Employment

Background Check/Reference Check Process:

Prior to employment, final candidate(s) will be required to sign a Sexual Misconduct disclosure in pursuant to RCW 28B.112.080 and submit to a background check. All information obtained through background investigations will be strictly confidential and revealed only to those required to have access.

Notice to Prospective Employees:

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Statement

Central Washington University is an EEO/AA/Title IX Institution. Central Washington Universitys policies and practices affirm and actively promote the rights of all individuals to equal opportunity in education and employment. Discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, age, marital status, disability, or status as a protected veteran is prohibited. The university provides an internal procedure for reporting discrimination and affords protection against retaliation for participating in the complaint process. Central Washington University complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and executive orders including when soliciting bids and in the fulfillment of all contracts with governmental agencies. Direct related inquiries to Civil Rights Compliance, 202 Barge Hall, Ellensburg, WA 98926-7501; Telephone 509-963-2050; or email crc@cwu.edu.

Reasonable Accommodations

Central Washington University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact Human Resources at HR@cwu.edu or call 509-963-1202. This job announcement and other material on this site will be made available in alternate formats upon request to an individual with a disability.

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)

For the Central Washington University Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (i.e. Clery Report) which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, available online here or call CWU Police and Parking Services at 509-963-2959 for a paper copy.