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

Job Title: Human Resource Consultant 1 (HRC1)

Location: Thurston County - Olympia, WA (Hybrid with 1-2 in-office days per month, additional days during onboarding and as needed for trainings, meetings, etc.)

Closes: May 24th, 2026

Salary: $53,136 - $71,472 Annually.

The Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families is seeking a Human Resources Consultant 1 (HRC1) to join their collaborative and customer-focused Human Resources Operations team. This position offers an exciting opportunity for an HR professional who is passionate about supporting employees, building strong partnerships with leadership, and contributing to a mission-driven organization dedicated to protecting children and strengthening families across Washington State.

As a first-level HR consultant, you will play an important role in supporting employees and management by providing guidance on a wide range of human resource matters including personnel actions, employee relations, leave administration, onboarding, and HR policies and procedures. This position is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, values teamwork, demonstrates strong attention to detail, and enjoys helping others navigate complex HR processes with professionalism and compassion.

Opportunity: In this role, you will provide professional human resources consultation and operational support to managers, supervisors, and employees while helping ensure compliance with Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) policies, procedures, Civil service laws (WAC), Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA) and laws pertaining to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). You will work closely with HR team members and agency leadership to support workforce operations and contribute to a positive employee experience throughout the organization.

Some of what you will get to do:

Provide first-level HR consultation and guidance to employees, supervisors, and managers on HR-related policies, procedures, and employment practices.
Assist with personnel and payroll actions including new hires, promotions, transfers, separations, and other employee transactions.
Support onboarding activities, including presenting benefits orientation, and help ensure new employees have a successful start with DCYF.
Respond to employee questions regarding leave, benefits, classifications, salary placement, probationary periods, and other HR processes.
Review and process HR documentation while ensuring accuracy and compliance with applicable laws, rules, policies, and collective bargaining agreements.
Assist managers with attendance management, performance management support, and employee relations concerns.
Maintain confidential personnel files and HR records in compliance with agency requirements.
Partner with HR team members on projects, reporting, training initiatives, and operational support activities.
Build and maintain positive working relationships with employees and leadership across the agency.
Help support a collaborative, responsive, and service-oriented HR environment.

Required Qualifications:

A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a focus in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Behavioral Sciences, Social Sciences, or a related field. OR Professional human resource experience totaling two (2) years.
Professional human resource experience is defined as full-time experience performing professional-level human resources functions.
In addition, successful candidates will demonstrate:

Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to interpret and apply employment laws, rules, policies, and collective bargaining agreements.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Ability to prioritize and manage multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.
Strong customer service and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
Proficiency using Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Word, and Excel.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

SHRM-CP/SCP, S/PHR, or other professional HR certification
Professional experience providing consultation and administrative support within a Human Resources Office.
HRMS and NeoGov experience.
Proficient in Excel.

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.

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 would like to request an accommodation throughout the application/interview process, contact DCYF Recruiter. If you're experiencing technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email support@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, the 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 Veterans’ 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.