Salary Range
7,339.00 - 11,010.00
Job Summary
As one of the fastest growing cities in the Pacific Northwest, Vancouver is building a city of the future through innovation, sustainable development, excellent leadership and effectively working with an engaged community. If you’re interested in fostering a collaborative, inclusive, innovative, compassionate and empowered work environment, the City of Vancouver might just be for you!
We are recruiting for an experienced Human Resources professional who can collaborate with leaders to implement HR strategies that align with organizational goals. You need to provide expert advice on broad HR subject matters that will include employee and labor relations, workforce planning, performance management and employee engagement. The primary responsibilities for the job are to serve as a business partner/consultant to employees, supervisors, and managers in City departments by providing guidance and assistance on a wide variety of human resources issues and workforce planning needs. Oversee grievances, interpret labor union contracts, draft contract language and/or memoranda of understanding, participate in labor negotiations, and develop and deliver citywide training on employment policies and related topics.
This is a full-time, regular, exempt position. The schedule for this position is M-F, 8am to 5pm.
Job Details
Essential Functions:
• Collaborate with leadership to develop and implement HR strategies aligned with organizational goals and objectives. Provide expert advice on HR-related matters, including workforce planning, employee engagement, performance management, and succession planning.
• Provide accurate, timely, and reliable employee relations consultation to employees, managers, and supervisors. Advise management and employees on disciplinary actions, performance problems, productivity, and other issues to resolve disputes.
• Provide labor relations consultation to employees, supervisors, managers, and union leadership. Work with employees and union leadership to interpret and implement various City labor contract provisions. Oversee and provide management of grievances through complete process to resolution.
• Assist with the development and deployment of department projects and initiatives, such as performance management systems, HR-related trainings, employment policies, or other initiatives as assigned.
• Establish and maintain relationships with managers to stay abreast of current and future employee relations issues to help prevent potential employee relation problems.
• Provide support in labor negotiations for various City bargaining units. Research information provides technical assistance and data, and draft contract language. Draft memoranda of understanding and related documents.
• Oversee and/or conduct investigations and fact-finding regarding complaints by interviewing involved individuals, gathering related documents, and making recommendations.
• Review documentation and lead interactive processes to determine reasonable accommodation and make recommendations to departments.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Qualifications
Experience and Education
• Five (5) years of high-level employee and labor relations experience, including working directly with employees, supervisory staff and unions on informal coaching, corrective actions, discipline, investigations, and grievance management; Labor relations experience in a multi-union, public sector environment is highly desirable.
• Equivalent to a Bachelor's Degree with major course work in human resources, public administration, or a closely related field highly desired.
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
Computer Skills
• Intermediate skills in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Experience with database software and automated HR/Payroll systems are desirable e.g., Workday
Required Licenses and/or Certifications
• Possession of Human Resources certification (e.g., SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, CLRP, PHR, or SPHR) is desirable.
Knowledge
• Operational characteristics, services and activities of employee and labor relations,
• Principles and techniques related to employee and labor relations,
• Collective bargaining laws, procedures, and practices,
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws and ordinances that pertain to employee and labor relations,
• Principles and implementation methods of employment policies,
• Investigative and analytical techniques, procedures, and requirements,
• Techniques and methods for effective training of human resources fundamentals,
• Modern office procedures, methods, and computer equipment,
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws
• Modern office procedures, methods, and computer equipment
• Use of personal computers and basic software
Abilities
• Provide employee relations consultation and respond to requests for information and assistance from employees, supervisors, unions, and managers in a professional and confidential manner,
• Effectively resolve employee/management disputes involving both represented and non-represented employees,
• Effectively oversee high-level grievances and investigations,
• Research and provide management-level analysis of issues and develop potential solutions; work collaboratively to identify and implement resolutions,
• Effectively negotiate, interpret, implement, and oversee labor contracts and assist with arbitration with a variety of unions,
• Create, update, and interpret HR policies and procedures,
• Develop and effectively deliver HR-related training programs for delivery throughout the organization on an ongoing basis,
• Work with team members to ensure compliance with pertinent federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and ordinances,
• Strive for and promote inclusiveness of diverse backgrounds and perspectives in all areas of human resources and the organization,
• Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing,
• Exercise exemplary judgment and maintain a high degree of confidentiality, and maintain professional demeanor and composure in stressful or confrontational situations,
• Manage or participate in projects that support the business and work plans of the Human Resources department,
• Operate a personal computer and appropriate software,
• Work in a manner consistent with the City of Vancouver’s Vision and Values,
• Work and act as a team player in all interactions with other City employees,
• Provide a high level of customer service at all times,
• Project and maintain a positive image with those contacted in the course of work,
• Develop and maintain collaborative and respectful working relationships with team members and others,
• Consistently provide quality service,
• Maintain regular and dependable attendance.
• Demonstrate a commitment to valuing differences among people and to being inclusive.
• Show the utmost respect for others, and act as a team player.
• Promote safety as a guiding principle and a regular practice in accomplishing work by focusing on safe practices and complying with safety and health policies and procedures.
• Recognize unsafe conditions which may be hazardous to an employee or to the public.
• Works in safe and responsible manner; not putting self or others at risk. Complies with applicable policies and procedures including but not limited to using personal protective equipment, observing warning signs, learning about potential hazards, and reporting all unsafe conditions.
This position is subject to successful completion of a pre-employment reference check and a basic criminal background check.
The City of Vancouver is committed to advancing equity and creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace. We recognize that progress depends on more than just a verbal commitment; it depends on making meaningful organizational change. We developed and continue to develop strategies to enhance employee-centered programs, eliminate recruitment and advancement barriers, elevate employee understanding of DEI and cultural competency and build an inclusive and welcoming place to call work. We hope you’ll consider joining us on the journey!
Safety: The City of Vancouver believes every employee plays a role in maintaining a safe workplace. The City of Vancouver promotes safety as a guiding principle and practice and accomplishes work by creating safe work environments, complying with safety and health policies and procedures and consistently seeking improvements that support operational excellence.
Diversity and Inclusion: At the City of Vancouver, we value and foster a workplace comprised of people with a range of different backgrounds, experiences and cultures. We recognize that a diverse and inclusive team is key to innovation, effectiveness and a positive culture. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: The City of Vancouver is dedicated to maintaining a work environment that extends equal opportunity to all individuals, regardless of their race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability sexual orientation or gender identity. Employment decisions will be made to further the principle of equal employment opportunity and to comply with state, federal and local laws. We affirm through this policy statement our continuing commitment to the principles of equity and nondiscrimination.
Veterans’ Preference: Under Washington law, qualified veterans may be eligible for Veterans’ preference when applying for City of Vancouver positions. Honorably discharged Veterans, their surviving spouses or spouses of honorably discharged Veterans with a permanent and total service-connected disability who would like to be considered for a Veterans’ preference for this job should provide the qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.
ADA Accommodation: Accommodations will be considered for applicants or candidates with a qualifying disability that prevents them from participating in this process. Accommodations will be made where the City can reasonably provide them without imposing an undue hardship on the business or compromising the integrity of the recruitment process. An applicant with any disability who believes that they need an accommodation should contact Human Resources: call 360-487-8417 or email hrfront1@cityofvancouver.us
Job Posting End Date
April 22, 2026