Human Resources Associate

Human Resources Associate

Salary

$37.54 - $50.64 Hourly

Location

Bremerton

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

202600027

Department

Human Resources

Opening Date

10/06/2026

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Purpose of the Job

Under general supervision, perform, plan and/or assist in Human Resource functions which includes coordinating support for all medical leaves including Family Medical Leave Act qualifying absences, Washington Paid Family Medical Leave, disability plans and Workers Compensation. Effectively coordinate all leaves/claims to include general administration, comprehensive leave management and program compliance with all federal and state leave and employment laws.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities

Under general direction and guidance, serve as the liaison between employees and their departments for all medical leaves and workers' compensation claims.

Interpret and administer leave programs and policies in accordance with applicable federal and state employment laws (FMLA, WPFML, Pregnancy Discrimination Act, etc.). Ensure that the workers' compensation program is managed in accordance with applicable OSHA and workers' compensation laws.

Administer all aspects of medical leave and workers' compensation programs in a timely manner and in compliance with all applicable deadlines. Provide extensive leave management and coordinate all administrative aspects of medical leaves and claims. Conduct/coordinate investigations of all reported workers' compensation claims.

Receive, coordinate, review, input and maintain the database for on-the-job injuries. Ensure investigative paperwork is completed by employees and supervisors. Coordinate and process Workers Compensation claims. Communicate with employees, health care providers and third-party administrators regarding L&I claims and light duty; facilitate in placing the injured worker in the light duty job and monitor the return-to-work process. Create and distribute the annual OSHA federal statistical reports. Monitor and update the agency bulletin boards to ensure compliance with legal requirements.

Provide substantiating documentation for the Department of Labor and Industries Stay At Work reimbursement program.

Independently approve and/or deny leave requests based on relevant medical information. Coordinate and organize all medical information and ensure that HIPAA and Employee Privacy guidelines are closely monitored and effectively executed. Ensure that all reportable workers' compensation claims are submitted within 48 business hours from the date of the incident.

Manage all administrative aspects of leave and workers' compensation claims to include tracking and ensure that paperwork submitted substantiates the need for leave.

Receives, reviews and processes short- and long-term disability claims; communicates with and coordinates claims processing with insurance companies; reviews and approves/denies employee applications for self-insured portion of long-term disability claims.

Work closely with departments to ensure that all relevant completed medical documentation is submitted for timely review. Maintain contact with employees on leave and coordinate all aspects of their return to work.

Work closely with supervisors and other department staff to identify, research and resolve leave-related issues. Partner closely with other Human Resources staff on all leave issues and workers' compensation claims. Partner closely and contact other department staff regularly to review employees' leave status and develop legally sound strategies for resolution.

Produce and manage reporting metrics and analytics for all leaves and workers' compensation claims. Gather and analyze data for trend analysis and present reports as requested.

Manage vendor relationships (Association of Washington Cities, Kaiser Permanente Occupational Medicine, etc.). Ensure that Short-Term and Long-Term Disability claims are coordinated with FMLA, PFML or other medical leave programs.

Prepares and processes HR related invoices and paperwork for submittal to the Finance department.

Provide back-up support for correspondence with the Employment Security Department and Secure Access Washington.

Review and suggest modifications to the agency's medical leave and workers' compensation programs for greater efficiency, quicker return-to-work and lower claim costs.

Perform other Human Resources related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications and Knowledge Skills and Other Characteristics

Minimum Qualifications:

Associate's degree or equivalent in Human Resources, business administration or a closely related field and three (3) years of in-depth Human Resources experience with a focus on program management experience in Human Resources functions such as leave management, workers compensation, etc. or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Other Characteristics:

Knowledge of:

• Kitsap Transit operations, programs, policies and practices
• Principles, practices and policies of public personnel administration, including leave administration, Workers Compensation, OSHA etc.
• Relevant local, state and federal employment laws
• Current laws and legal issues in Human Resources

Skill in:

• Maintaining confidentiality and sensitive information
• Implementing, assessing and managing agency leave programs
• Presenting information clearly and effectively orally and in writing
• Working independently, addressing problems and tasks
• Performing work on various projects simultaneously under strict timelines
• Maintaining and evaluating records and preparing comprehensive reports
• Gathering relevant data, analyzing problems, evaluating and making appropriate recommendations
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with employees and the public
• Understanding, interpreting, and explaining programs, regulations, procedures and guidelines
• Conducting insightful discussions
• Using personal computer and office software including word processing, spreadsheets and database programs in a Windows-based operating environment
• Problem solving, time management and prioritizing
• Empathizing with employees as they go through possibly life altering circumstances

Ability to:

• Analyze information and convert related activities into a comprehensive work plan
• Communicate and make recommendations to Supervisor
• Identify basic problems and procedural irregularities, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions
• Multi-task and drive multiple projects
• Work independently in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities and tight deadlines
• Deal with confidential information

Licenses/Certifications, Benefits, ADA and Other Requirements

Positions in this class typically require: dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard and other equipment, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions.

Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Generous benefits package including: Medical, Dental and Vision for employee and dependents, disability and life insurance. Kitsap Transit also participates in the WA State Public Employees' Retirement Plan (PERS) and a generous general leave accrual and 10 holidays plus 2 floating holidays.

Visit our Benefits page at Kitsap Transit.

01

Are you or will you be at least 18 years of age at the time of hire?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have the legal right to work in the U.S.? Note: All employment offers are contingent upon proof of eligibility to work in the U.S.

• Yes
• No

03

Do you have a High School diploma or GED?

• Yes
• No

04

Educational Institution:

05

Do you have an Associate's degree or equivalent in human resources, business administration or a closely related field?

• Yes
• No

06

Do you have at least three years in-depth human resources experience with a focus on program management experience in various human resources functions such as leave management, workers compensation, etc.?

• Yes
• No

07

Do you believe you have an equivalent combination of education and experience? If yes, please provide employment and/or credentials that you believe are equivalent.

08

5. Please describe your work that demonstrates your familiarity and depth of experience with the following software: a. MS Word b. MS Excel c. MS Outlook d. MS Publisher e. MS ACCESS Be sure to include the name of the program and type of work performed or documents you created.

09

Kitsap Transit has various non-revenue vehicles that are available to all staff for agency business. In order to limit liability, we are required to utilize a service to monitor employee driving record activity. Do you agree to have your driving records monitored during your employment with Kitsap Transit?

• Yes
• No

10

Information and Instructions During the initial selection process for this position, we will review your application and evaluate your experience based on the responses you provide in this supplemental questionnaire. We will also use your answers to evaluate your ability to express yourself in a clear and concise manner. At the end of this process, we will contact those candidates whose experience most closely matches the requirements for this position. Failure to follow the instructions for the supplemental questionnaire may result in the disqualification of your application. Your response should contain enough detail to reflect both the breadth and depth of your experience. Be sure to include in your response any information that you feel is important in our evaluation of your candidacy. At a minimum, please include the specific information we ask for in each question. PLEASE ENSURE THAT THE EMPLOYER INFORMATION YOU LIST IN THIS SECTION IS ALSO REFLECTED IN THE EMPLOYMENT HISTORY SECTION OF YOUR APPLICATION. Reference to your resume in lieu of completing any portion of the application or the supplemental questionnaire is not acceptable. Please limit your responses to no more than one page per question. Please ensure that each page of your response to the Supplemental Questionnaire has the following information included in the header, LASTNAME SQ. ? For each item, include the name of your employer, your job title and dates in which you did this work. If you have experience in one area with several employers, please list your experience with each employer separately.

11

Please describe your experience with medical leave administration specifically FMLA, WPFML, L&I, disability plans and any other types of medical leaves that you have experience with. What were some challenges and how did you resolve them?

12

Please describe your experience with managing workers' compensation. What were some challenges and how did you resolve them?

13

Please describe an HR program that you managed/administered. What was your level of responsibility? What were some challenges and how did you resolve them?

14

What is the most complex report you created? What made it complex? What are some things you learned in the process?

15

I authorize release to the Kitsap Transit Human Resources Department or its designees of any and all information concerning me, my work record, my professional reputation, criminal records, education, and recommendations. I understand that information of a confidential or privileged nature may be included. The information will be used to assist the Human Resources Department in determining my qualifications and fitness for the position I am seeking with Kitsap Transit. I understand my rights under Title 5, United States Code, Section 552a, the Privacy Act of 1974, and waive those rights with the understanding that information furnished will be used by the Human Resources Department in conjunction with employment procedures. I hereby agree to release you, your organization, and others from any liability or damage, which may result from furnishing the information requested.

• I agree
• I do not agree

16

All statements submitted in response to these questions set forth above are subject to investigation and verification prior to appointment. Kitsap Transit may verify any conviction record or offenses against persons, adjudications of child abuse in civil actions, and disciplinary board final decisions. We may verify your record of criminal convictions for offenses against persons, civil adjudications of child abuse, and disciplinary board final decisions. YOUR EMPLOYMENT IS EXPRESSLY CONDITIONED ON OUR RECEIPT OF A SATISFACTORY REPORT. I, the undersigned, have received a copy of this disclosure statement and do hereby certify, under penalty of perjury, that my responses to the questions set forth above are true, correct and complete. I understand and agree that if I am hired, I can be discharged for any misrepresentation or omission to the above questions. Further, I understand and agree that if I am hired, my employment is specifically conditioned on Kitsap Transits receipt of a satisfactory report.

• Yes, I understand
• No

17

Regarding Procurement of Information for Employment Purposes Important: Please read carefully before signing A consumer report and/or investigator consumer report - which may include information concerning your character, employment history, general reputation, personal characteristics, police record, education, qualifications, motor vehicle record, mode of living and/or credit and indebtedness - may be obtained for employment purposes in connection with your application for and/or continued employment with Kitsap Transit. Under federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, the term "employment purposes" when used in connection with a consumer report means "a report used for the purpose of evaluating a consumer for employment, promotion, reassignment or retention as an employee." 15 U.S.C. §1681a(f). Before any adverse action is taken, based in whole or in part on the information contained in the consumer report and/or investigative consumer report, you will be provided a copy of the report, the name, address and telephone number of the reporting agency, and a summary of your rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. I authorize Kitsap Transit to obtain a consumer report and/or investigative consumer report to be used for employment purposes. This authorization shall remain in effect over the course of my employment. I agree that a copy of this authorization has the same effect as the original.

• I agree to authorize Kitsap Transit to obtain a consumer report and/or investigative consumer report to be used for employment purposes.
• I do not agree to authorize Kitsap Transit to obtain a consumer report and/or investigative consumer report to be used for employment purposes.

Required Question

Employer Kitsap Transit

Address 60 Washington Ave.

Bremerton, Washington, 98337

Phone (360) 479-6962

Website http://www.kitsaptransit.com