Associate Director for Equity, Organizational Culture and Human Resources

Description

Duties

Some of what you will do includes:

Strategic HR Consultation and Supervisor Support

• Collaborate with managers to develop professional development plans aligned with the agency’s values and goals.
• Provide expert guidance on position classification, performance coaching, progressive discipline, and conflict resolution.
• Support HR and agency-wide priorities that drive equitable talent management and organizational effectiveness.

• Partner with hiring managers to design inclusive position descriptions, interview questions, and evaluation tools that mitigate bias.
• Lead the development of recruitment strategies that expand the diversity and quality of applicant pools.
• Facilitate evidence-based interview and selection training for hiring teams.
• Design and deliver onboarding experiences that connect new hires to WSAC’s mission, culture, and strategic goals.

• Lead learning sessions and all-staff meetings that foster shared values and collective learning.
• Create DEIB communications, resource hubs, and internal campaigns to build shared ownership of equity goals.
• Evaluate recruitment and onboarding effectiveness; adjust strategies based on data and feedback.
• Conduct focus groups, surveys, and exit interviews, and translate the results into actionable recommendations.

• Draft, revise, and train staff on HR policies that reflect legal compliance, operational consistency, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) principles.
• Guide employees and managers in applying HR policies with equity and clarity.
• Manage accommodation and leave programs, ensuring timely and inclusive support processes are in place.
• Collaborate with providers and internal leaders to design sustainable solutions for complex personnel matters.
• Ensure accurate HRMS reporting and completion of mandatory staff training.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Exceptional written communication (assessed via application materials).
• Intermediate-to-advanced Excel skills (e.g., formulas, charts, and data visualization).
• Demonstrated ability to use data and evidence to drive equitable HR strategies and support organizational impact. [Tied data use directly to mission and equity.]
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and the ability to apply an equity-centered lens to the work of the Associate Director.
• Experience resolving complex personnel issues while promoting organizational learning and inclusion.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Four (4)+ years of combined education and/or experience, including:
  • HR work in recruitment, DEI, accommodations, employee relations, or workforce planning;
  • Application of employment laws, rules, and policy interpretation;
  • Network building in DEIB or talent strategy communities;
  • Facilitating inclusive training or staff development experiences;
  • Coursework or degree in HR, organizational development, social/behavioral science, education, or a related field (education may substitute year-for-year for experience).

We encourage you to apply even if you do not have many of the preferred qualifications below:

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced training in DEIB, organizational behavior, or adult learning.
• Experience leading agency-wide DEIB implementation or culture change efforts.
• Proficiency in HRIS systems and workforce analytics.
• HR credential (e.g., SHRM, HRCI).
• In-depth knowledge of employment laws and best practices at the state and federal levels.

Supplemental Information

To be considered for this position, you must possess the required qualifications listed above. Find this job posting and complete your profile at www.careers.wa.gov. A complete application package includes:

• 
  Letter of Application. A letter of application that addresses how you meet the required education and experience described in this announcement. Applications with generic cover letters will be considered nonresponsive and may be eliminated from further consideration.
• Resume. A detailed resume including all educational and professional experience.
• References. A list of names, titles, and current telephone numbers of three (3) employment references.
• Your responses to the supplemental questions.