The Office of Secretary of State (OSOS) offers some of the most unique and diverse job opportunities in state government. Its critical responsibilities include: ensuring a fair and accurate elections process; connecting Washingtonians through the power of libraries; protecting our important government records; and registering corporations and charities. The Secretary of State also administers vital community programs that inspire giving, document our history, and assist crime survivors in avoiding further abuse. This independent office under the state Constitution operates from facilities in the Olympia area and statewide.
The OSOS is looking for top-performing employees who embody its core values of integrity, service excellence, visionary leadership, collaboration and teamwork. It is committed to both employee growth and work-life balance. The benefits of working in state government also include potential eligibility for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
The Operations Division is the heart of the Office of Secretary of State, supporting the Executive Office and every division through the internal functions of Public Records, Financial Services, Budget, Facilities, and Human Resources. This division serves as a trusted and knowledgeable resource to both its internal and external customers. Its success depends on the expertise of employees who ensure public access to information, protect financial resources, and help develop our most valuable asset: people.
Recruitment and Classification Specialist (HRC4)
Full-Time, Permanent
This position reports directly to the HR Manager and serves as an expert consultant across multiple human resources disciplines, including classification, compensation, benefits, employee and labor relations, recruitment, training, rule interpretation, FMLA, FLSA, reasonable accommodation, and payroll support for the Executive Team. The role is responsible for designing, implementing, and managing recruitment strategies for the Office, as well as performing comprehensive classification and compensation activities such as full-cycle position allocations and supporting new employee onboarding.
In addition, this position manages learning and development activities within the WA State Learning Center (TLC) and leads the creation, delivery, and continuous improvement of the Office’s customized leadership development program, the Leadership Academy.
This position has an option of a 12 month in-training at the Human Resources Consultant 3 level and can be filled at either the HRC 3 or HRC 4 level.Manages Full Cycle Recruitment
Tasks include:-
Serves as the office’s technical expert on recruitment methodologies, advising executive leadership and hiring authorities on best practices, emerging trends, and innovative sourcing strategies.
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Oversees implementation of complex recruitment programs, including hard-to-fill and mission-critical classifications, by tailoring strategies that meet the Office’s specialized workforce needs.
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Leads the collaboration process with co-workers, customers, and stakeholders to build robust recruitment strategies with core components in each plan for various job classes, hard-to-fill positions, and other vacancies.
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Provides expert consultation to managers on complex recruitment situations, such as organizational restructuring, new program implementation, or classification redesign.
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Manages job postings using NeoGov including, but not limited to updating hiring documents, screening candidate applications and materials, and relied upon to be the subject matter expert on the Online Recruiting System (OLRS).
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Serves as the main contact for hiring managers and division leadership to develop application questionnaires.
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Builds relationships with hiring managers and supervisors across the office to ensure a seamless and efficient recruitment and onboarding process.
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Incorporates diversity, equity, and inclusion in all job postings.
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Attends career/job fairs representing the office and employment opportunities.
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Manages the end to end onboarding process of all new hires to include coordinating communication, preparing onboarding documentation, scheduling orientations (as needed), and input into HRMS.
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Ensures all appropriate recruitment records are stored and retained according to the State General Records Retention Schedule.
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Reviews interview questions to ensure they are in accordance with policies and RCWs.
Classification and Compensation
Tasks include:-
Determines and decides the appropriate allocation of positions independently including, but not limited to continuity of positions, ensuring adherence with classification specifications, and in accordance with Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs).
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Leads complex classification studies, including multi-position restructures, new program builds, and organization-wide reallocation projects, ensuring consistency, equity, and compliance with state classification frameworks.
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Develops and interprets classification and compensation policies, providing expert guidance to executives, managers, and HR partners on rule application, job family alignment, and long-term workforce planning implications.
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Manages and oversees classification and compensation processes including, but not limited to establishing uniform intake procedures, reviewing standard processes, and creating documentation templates to ensure consistent practices across the office.
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Applies current knowledge and expertise of Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and overtime laws, project employment, in-training employment, and other required actions in the administration of classification and compensation for the office.
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Provides guidance to executives, managers and supervisors when establishing, reallocating, or updating position descriptions to ensure consistency and alignment across the office.
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Reviews and analyzes management-initiated establishments and/or management/employee-initiated reallocations of Washington General Service positions.
- Provides expertise during audits, appeals, or classification review processes, representing the Office’s position and ensuring documentation and rationale support defensible decisions.
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Provides accurate interpretation and explanation of applicable WACs, RCS, CBA, agency policies and procedures related to classification and compensation, providing clarification when needed.
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Maintains electronic position files, ensuring all required documents are included.
Training Specialist
Tasks include:-
Serves as the office representative at statewide training manager meetings.
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Creates and updates training curriculum for classes.
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Serves as the liaison with Executive team to facilitate the OSOS Leadership Academy.
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Subject matter expert on The Learning Center (TLC), responsible for uploading training.
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Coordinates all internal and external training requested by office leadership, to include scheduling and administrative requirements.
HR Consultant Support
Tasks include:-
Serves as the HR consultant to the Executive team.
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Works on special projects as they arise to meet HR’s mission, goals, and deadlines, to include policy development.
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Assists in investigations as needed.
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Monitors shared email inbox; processes requests, responds to inquiries, and/or forwards to appropriate staff members as needed.
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Responds to routine employment verification inquiries.
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Runs monthly, quarterly, and annual reports.
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Supports the HR Operations Manager by scheduling and facilitating committee activities for the Washington Management Service (WMS) and Information Technology Professional Structure (ITPS), may represent HR on various committees.
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Performs as a member of the HR team, opens mail, orders supplies, and files.
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Other duties as assigned.
Human Resource Consultant 3
Incumbent would provide consultation and guidance, but not at the expert level for every HR discipline. Expert level consultation would be expected in at least 2 of the following subject areas: payroll, recruitment, reasonable accommodation, position description writing and allocation, and/or FMLA. In addition, incumbent would not be responsible for providing guidance to HR staff in the other HR disciplines that they are not considered to be an expert in.
HRC4 level - Pay Range 63 ($6,384-$8,583)
Required Qualifications:
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At least five years of experience providing support or consultation in more than one human resource discipline; Experience should include at least one year at expert level for at least one HR discipline and also include independently composing business communications, managing records, and responding to customer inquiries; Education may be substituted for up to 2 years of required experience
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Attention to detail and accuracy
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Ability to present training and speak in front of groups
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Ability to efficiently use a personal computer and applicable software to successfully perform the essential job functions of the position
Experience and education may be gained concurrently
Preferred/Desired Qualifications:-
Experience within Washington State government recruiting.
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Experience with full-cycle recruitment.
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Experience using NEOGOV applicant tracking system.
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Experience creating curriculum and providing training.
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Experience allocating positions and working with position descriptions.
HRC3 level - Pay Range 59 ($5,779-$7,774)
Required Qualifications:-
At least four years of experience providing support or consultation in at least two human resource disciplines; experience should also include independently composing business communications, managing records, and responding to customer inquiries; Education may be substituted for up to 2 years of required experience.
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Ability to efficiently use a personal computer and applicable software to successfully perform the essential job functions of the position.
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Attention to detail and accuracy
PLEASE READ: If you have gotten this far and are thinking you do not qualify, consider again. Studies have shown that members of historically marginalized and underrepresented communities, specifically women and people of color, are less likely to apply to jobs unless they clearly meet every single qualification.
At the Office of the Secretary of State, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic work force with a foundation of belonging. If you are excited about this role and have relevant experience and skills, but question whether your experience aligns perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply regardless. You may just be the ideal candidate this office needs.
Working Conditions
The incumbent will be working with a tightly knit team of established HR professionals. The majority of day will be spend working at a desk with standard office equipment: computer copier, scanner, fax and phone. Must be able to and maneuver boxes weight up to 30lbs. The standard business hours are Monday - Friday from 8am -5pm. The option to adjust work hours will be given. Depending on emergencies or natural disasters, the incumbent may be required to work outside normal business hours. Additionally, the incumbent will work with both internal and external customers by phone, email, and in person. Incumbent must have the ability to handle complaints and interact with difficult and impatient people/customers.
How to Apply:
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To be considered for this position you must attach the following:
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Letter of interest describing how your experience and qualifications relate to the duties and qualifications of the position
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Current Resume
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Three Professional references. Personal references will not be considered.
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You must complete the supplemental questions at the end of this application. Incomplete responses such as "see resume" will not be considered. In addition, if the employer you identify in the additional information section is not included on your resume or work experience profile and/or you do not identify an employer, you will not receive credit.
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All veterans must include a copy of your DD214 to receive preference in the hiring process. You must black out your social security number before attaching it to your application.
The Office of the Secretary of State is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, creed, sex, sexual orientation, disability, familial status, marital status, and age. All interested candidates are encouraged to apply. Persons of disability needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this announcement in alternative format, should email [email protected]. 