HR Operations & Employee Relations Consultant (HRC2)

HR Operations & Employee Relations Consultant (HRC2)

Salary

$5,111.00 - $6,708.00 Monthly

Location

Thurston County - Tumwater, WA

Job Type

Full Time - Permanent

Remote Employment

Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number

2026-05489

Department

Office of the Insurance Commissioner

Division

Executive

Opening Date

07/01/2026

Closing Date

7/19/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary Information

The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

This recruitment will remain open until midnight July 19, 2026. The agency reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any time after the initial screening date on July 13, 2026. It is in the applicant's best interest to submit materials as soon as possible.

Make a Difference: Protect Consumers & Join Our Dynamic Team!

The Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) seeks a qualified individual for the HR Operations & Employee Relations Consultant (Human Resources Consultant 2) position. This role is within the Executive Division and is based out of our Tumwater Office.

We are an employer of choice! Here's why:

• Meaningful work: Ensure a healthy insurance market & protect Washington consumers.
• Impactful career: Make a daily difference in the lives of countless Washingtonians.
• Small agency, big opportunities: Gain a holistic understanding of our mission and build strong relationships with colleagues.
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion: OIC is committed to ensuring that all employees enjoy a respectful, safe, and supportive working environment - by fostering the inclusion of people from all backgrounds, cultures, and attributes.

About the Position

Are you passionate about helping people, solving workplace challenges, and keeping HR operations running smoothly? Join the Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) as an HR Operations & Employee Relations Consultant and become an integral part of a collaborative HR team that supports the agency's mission to protect consumers, the public interest, and Washington's economy through fair and efficient regulation of the insurance industry.

As the HR Operations & Employee Relations Consultant, youll serve as a trusted resource for employees, supervisors, and agency leaders across a wide range of human resources functions. This professional-level role offers a unique blend of employee relations, HR operations, consultation, onboarding, records management, reporting, and process coordination. Youll help ensure compliance with HR laws, policies, and collective bargaining agreements while providing responsive, customer-focused support that helps employees and managers succeed.

Reporting to the HR Operations Supervisor, youll be a key member of the HR team and often the first point of contact for the HR office. From conducting new employee orientations and coordinating personnel actions to supporting employee relations matters, maintaining critical HR records, and managing agencywide tracking and reporting processes, your work will help drive operational excellence across the organization. Youll also contribute to employee recognition programs, workplace safety initiatives, and continuous improvement efforts that strengthen the employee experience.

If youre a detail-oriented HR professional who enjoys building relationships, navigating complex processes, and making a meaningful impact behind the scenes, we invite you to bring your talents to a mission-driven agency that values integrity, accountability, collaboration, and public service.

This recruitment may be used to establish a qualified pool of candidates for Human Resources Consultant 2 vacancies in the next sixty days.

This is a Washington General Service position. The monthly salary range for this position is $5,111 - $6,708.

Benefits & Perks

• Comprehensive benefits package: Health, dental, vision, retirement, paid leave (vacation, sick, etc.) and much more!
• Supportive work environment: We value diversity, professional growth, and collaborative atmosphere.
• Wellness programs: Invest in your well-being with on-site resources and initiatives.
• Work-life balance: Flexible schedules with telework opportunities.
• Public service fulfillment: Contribute to a cause that matters and feel the satisfaction of serving the public good.
• Training & Development: Continuously learn and grow with tuition reimbursement, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and other programs.
• Free parking (Tumwater) & Public transportation pass (Thurston County): Save on commuting costs.
• And more! Explore our website for additional benefits: https://www.insurance.wa.gov

Duties

The duties of the position include but are not limited to:

• Serve as a primary point of contact for employees, supervisors, and managers, providing consultation, guidance, and support on a wide range of human resources policies, procedures, and programs.
• Support employee relations activities by responding to inquiries, assisting with workplace concerns, and helping ensure consistent application of HR policies, collective bargaining agreements, and employment laws.
• Coordinate and facilitate the agencys onboarding process, including conducting new employee orientation, processing required employment documentation, and ensuring compliance with hiring requirements.
• Manage and maintain personnel records, HR transactions, and employee data within HR information systems, ensuring accuracy, confidentiality, and compliance with records retention requirements.
• Develop, maintain, and analyze HR tracking systems, reports, and workforce data to support decision-making, operational planning, and agency compliance needs.
• Provide administrative and operational support for employee performance management processes, including probationary and trial service reviews, performance development plans, and annual review activities.
• Administer employee recognition programs and coordinate agency recognition events that celebrate employee contributions and service milestones.
• Assist with workplace safety and leave-related administrative processes, including maintaining confidential records and supporting reporting requirements.
• Support employee and labor relations activities by assisting with investigations, grievances, appeals, records gathering, and preparation of documentation related to employment matters.
• Prepare confidential correspondence, reports, and HR-related communications while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism, discretion, and customer service.
• Contribute to HR projects, process improvements, and operational initiatives that enhance efficiency, strengthen service delivery, and support the agencys strategic goals.
• Collaborate with HR team members, agency leadership, and external partners to ensure effective delivery of human resource services across the organization.

Contact Us: For inquiries about this position and its full duties, please contact us at recruitment@oic.wa.gov and add the requisition number (e.g., 2026-05489) and the job name to the subject line of your email.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

Five (5) years or more of progressively responsible, professional experience* in Human Resources or related field.

AND

Intermediate level in Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel

Academic Degree Equivalency Chart

Degree

Years of Relevant Experience Equivalency

Associate's Degree

2 years of experience

Bachelor's Degree

4 years of experience

Master's Degree

5 years of?experience

• A degree in human resources, labor relations, organizational development, business, public administration, or related field from an accredited institution whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council of Higher Education Accreditation, or a foreign equivalent may be substituted for relevant experience. Proof of degree may be required prior to employment. If a degree was awarded outside of the United States, candidates must provide a credential evaluation report.

Professional human resources experience means working full-time as a human resource professional performing HR functions (e.g. classification & compensation, employee relations, training & development, recruitment & staffing, onboarding & orientation, performance management).

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• Degree in human resources, labor relations, organizational development, business, public administration, or related field.
• One (1) year professional HR work experience in Washington State public sector.
• One (1) year professional level experience interpreting collective bargaining language, and assisting with inquiries and grievances in a unionized environment.
• One (1) year or more years of experience working within WA State HRMS system including a combination of data integrity and reporting, organizational management; personnel, and position actions.
• Beginner skills running queries and extracting reports/data from WWA.

Ready to join us?

Learn more about the OIC by visiting our website. We encourage you to check out our video below and listen to what our employees have to say about working here!

Welcome to the OIC

Submit your application today and take the first step towards a rewarding career at the OIC!

Cover Letter: Required

Resume: Required

Supplemental Information

• Wage/salary depends on qualifications or state rules of compensation (if currently a state employee).
• State law (RCW 48.02.090[5]) prohibits employees of the OIC from having any interest, directly or indirectly, in an insurance company other than as a policyholder. This prohibition includes the receipt of renewal commissions. If employment is accepted with this agency, you agree to abide by this state law.
• Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.
• If claiming veteran status, please send your DD 214 to recruitment@oic.wa.gov with HRC2_2026-05489 in the subject line. Please do not attach the DD 214 to your application materials. Please black out personally identifiable data such as social security numbers.
• The Office of Insurance Commissioner is an equal opportunity employer, 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. Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact the recruitment team at recruitment@oic.wa.gov. Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington Relay Service at 1-800-676-3777 or www.washingtonrelay.com.
• If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing (log in, password or email issues) or completing your application (error messages), please call toll-free at (855) 524-5627.
• Contact us: For inquiries about this position, please contact us at recruitment@oic.wa.gov.

More than Just a Paycheck!

Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. Thats why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:

The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits

Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation

State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security

All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays

Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave

Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)

Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave

Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave

Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave

Leave Sharing

Parental Leave

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026

01

This position requires you to be onsite (in-person) at our Tumwater location three (3) days a week. Do you agree to this requirement if hired for the position?

• Yes
• No

02

Which one of the following best describes your highest level of Microsoft Excel skills? (To qualify for the Intermediate level, you must also be able to perform the functions at the Basic level; to qualify for the Advanced level, you must also be able to perform the functions at Basic and Intermediate levels; to qualify for the Expert level, you must also be able to perform the functions at the Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced levels.)

• I do not have enough skills to meet the definition of the Basic level below
• BASIC: Create basic worksheets; create basic formulas; use basic functions; modify and format a worksheet; print workbooks
• INTERMEDIATE: Use advanced formulas; organize tables and worksheets; create and modify charts; analyze data using Pivot tables and Pivot Charts; insert and modify graphic objects in a worksheet
• ADVANCED: Create and edit macros; conditional formatting; apply data validation criteria; able to protect, share and merge files; trace cells and troubleshoot formula errors; uses data list outline; consolidate data and link workbooks; export and import text files and XML data; import data from the Web and create Web queries; analyze data using trend lines, Sparklines and scenarios
• EXPERT: Able to use and train others in all Excel functions listed above and uses advanced formulas, functions and arrays; uses information, date and time functions; uses advanced editing and formatting; advanced chart formatting; runs solver models and reports; embed and link information; set up customization including automation

03

Which one of the following best describes your highest level of Microsoft Word skills? (To qualify for the Intermediate level, you must also be able to perform the functions at the Basic level; to qualify for the Advanced level, you must also be able to perform the functions at Basic and Intermediate levels; to qualify for the Expert level, you must also be able to perform the functions at the Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced levels.)

• I do not have enough skills to meet the definition of the Basic level below
• BASIC: Create, save, preview and print a basic document; edit selected text; change font appearance; highlight text; format paragraphs with tabs, borders, shading and styles; page setup, use auto correct
• INTERMEDIATE: Insert graphic objects and visual effects to a document; add tables to a document or convert tables to text; add watermarks, borders, headers and footers; use the word look up (thesaurus, dictionary); customize tables and charts; modify pictures in document; create customized graphic elements; use templates
• ADVANCED: Insert content using quick parts; control text flow; perform mail merge function; uses macros for tasks; insert cover pages and table of contents; track changes and comments; insert bookmarks, footnotes and endnotes; add hyperlinks; cross-references and citations; link documents to excel worksheets; send document to PowerPoint; merge documents; redaction function; hide text; add digital signature, restrict access and use passwords; create, protect and automate forms
• EXPERT: Able to use and train others in all Word functions listed above

04

Which one of the following best describes your highest level of Microsoft Outlook skills? (To qualify for the Intermediate level, you must also be able to perform the functions at the Basic level; to qualify for the Advanced level, you must also be able to perform the functions at Basic and Intermediate levels; to qualify for the Expert level, you must also be able to perform the functions at the Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced levels.)

• I do not have enough skills to meet the definition of the Basic level below
• BASIC: Compose email messages; send and respond to messages; organize email into folders; create contact information; schedule appointments; schedule meetings, manage tasks and notes
• INTERMEDIATE: Set calendar options; sort, find and filter messages; create distribution lists; share and delegate folder access; customize toolbar, menu bar, quick access tool bar and the To-DO bar; customize message options; use the journal entry to track and record; assign, reply and track tasks; create public folders and send and post information
• ADVANCED: Personalize with stationary and themes; create signatures; configure email security settings; group items and create search folders; apply conditional formatting; manage data files; create mail merge using contacts; archive messages
• EXPERT: Able to use and train others in all Outlook functions listed above

05

Do you have at least five (5) years of progressively responsible, professional experience in Human Resources or related field as outlined in the required qualifications? If yes, please briefly describe your experience.

06

Please select all that applies to your professional experience and background:

• Degree in human resources, labor relations, organizational development, business, public administration, or related field.
• One (1) year professional HR work experience in Washington State public sector.
• One (1) year professional level experience interpreting collective bargaining language, and assisting with inquiries and grievances in a unionized environment.
• Beginner skills running queries and extracting reports/data from WWA.

07

In accordance with RCW 48.02.090(5), the Office of Insurance Commissioner employees are prohibited from having any interest, directly or indirectly, in an insurance company other than as a policy holder. This prohibition includes the receipt of renewal commissions and employees may not hold a valid Insurance license. If you have any interest in an insurance company you must forfeit the license prior to the effective date of your appointment. If hired, do you agree to FORFEIT your license and abide by this law?

• Yes
• No

08

As part of the pre-employment process, are you willing and able to undergo a criminal history background investigation? This would include a criminal records check.

• Yes
• No
• N/A - I am currently an OIC employee

Required Question

Employer State of Washington

Address View Job Posting for Agency Information

View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504

Website http://www.careers.wa.gov