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Human Resources Specialist

Salary

$34.35 - $41.75 Hourly

Location

Tacoma, WA

Job Type

Classified

Remote Employment

Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number

1114-25

Department

Human Resources

Opening Date

09/05/2025

Closing Date

9/18/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

Position Description

Exciting news for job seekers interested in Human Resources! The City of Tacoma's HR team is seeking a Human Resources Specialist to join our Benefits Team. We're seeking candidates who are action-oriented, communicative, collaborative, resilient, and resourceful, with moderate computer skills using Microsoft Suite and web-based applications. We understand the importance of work-life balance and are thrilled to offer hybrid/telework options to our employees. Additionally, the City of Tacoma offers exceptional benefits that outshine those in the private sector, providing you and your loved ones with peace of mind for the future.

Benefits duties include: assisting with duties related to the administration of the organization's health and welfare benefit programs, which includes medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, employee assistance program, flexible spending, deferred compensation, health savings accounts, health reimbursement accounts, commute trip reduction program, and Supplemental Union benefits. This entails providing guidance and assistance to employees and retirees on a wide variety of benefit issues as well as processes various benefit enrollment and change requests and coordinating with providers to ensure appropriate benefit coverage.

Not only do we have an immediate opening on our Benefits team; this recruitment also creates an eligible list that can be used to fill HR Specialist vacancies in functional areas such as Talent Solutions, Human Resources Management System (HRMS), and Learning & Development.

Talent Solutions duties include: working with hiring managers throughout the organization to attract top-notch candidates, while also utilizing our NEOGOV applicant tracking system to implement job-related pre-employment and promotional candidate testing and assessments.

HRMS duties include: managing employee and position data in SAP/HRMS, ensuring compliance with personnel rules, compensation plans, and payroll processes while supporting reorganizations, budgeting, and workflow issues. In addition, the position provides consultation to supervisors and managers, prepares reports, and participates in special projects.

Learning Development duties include: supporting training program logistics, including class enrollments, scheduling, and troubleshooting. Participating in the development and maintenance of training programs and initiatives. Responding to employee inquiries regarding their participation in Citywide trainings.

Depending on your assignment, you'll have a variety of responsibilities such as recruiting top talent, providing information to employees and the public, developing and implementing HR programs and policies, creating and updating reports, and administering training programs. Don't miss your chance to get on our eligible list of candidates!

This is an incredible opportunity to join our team at the City of Tacoma and make a difference in the lives of our community members. We can't wait to welcome our newest HR Specialist!

Qualifications

Qualifications (Education and Training) **

+ Associate's degree with a focus on business, human resources, social or organizational behavioral sciences, or related field

AND

+ One (1) year of professional human resource experience

**Equivalent experience may be substituted for education to meet the minimum qualifications

Knowledge & Skills

COMPETENCIES:

+ Customer Focus: Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions

+ Instills Trust: Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity

+ Communicates Effectively: Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences

+ Interpersonal Savvy: Relating openly and comfortably with diverse groups of people

+ Decision Quality: Making good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward

+ Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives

+ Situational Adaptability: Adapting approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations

+ Ensures Accountability: Holding self and others accountable to meet commitments

+ Organization Savvy: Maneuvering comfortably through complex policy, process, and people-related organizational dynamics

+ Being Resilient: Rebounding from setbacks and adversity when facing difficult situations

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

City of Tacoma Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

At the City of Tacoma, we're on a mission to make our workforce as diverse and inclusive as the community we serve. We're committed to eliminating racial and other disparities, and we actively seek out candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. Join our team at the City of Tacoma and help us build a more vibrant, inclusive, and equitable community for all.

The City of Tacoma believes that diversity of thought, background, and experience contributes to our success and innovation. If you’re passionate about this role and our mission, we encourage you to apply. If you have a less traditional background, we want to hear about your transferrable skills and experience. We value a variety of perspectives and are excited to see what you bring to the table.

The Community

Tacoma is centrally located just 32 miles south of the city of Seattle and 31 miles north of the state capital, Olympia. The City of Tacoma is also home to the Port of Tacoma, which is among the largest container ports in the United States. Like most cities in the northwest, Tacoma is surrounded by beautiful nature, offering residents many opportunities for outdoor adventures.

Largely suburban in nature with a small, but dense, urban core, Tacoma is home to numerous institutes of higher learning that attract students from across the country. The University of Washington Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University, University of Puget Sound, a satellite campus of the Evergreen State College, three community/technical colleges, and several trade and business schools are within Tacoma's geographic area. Downtown's Cultural District is the site of the Washington State History Museum, Museum of Glass, the Tacoma Art Museum, and America's Car Museum.

With its affordable housing and distinctive neighborhoods and business districts, the city has been recognized numerous times as a best city to live in the nation. View this exciting video to learn more about the City of Tacoma: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n5MWl8KFvI

To be Considered for this Rewarding Career

Interested individuals should apply online by completing the application and attaching a resume and cover letter by the closing date and time listed on the job announcement. Applications received without attaching the required materials may not progress in the selection process. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for veteran's preference points, please attach a copy of your DD214 to your application.

Examination Process

This is a competitive selection process. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will have their responses to Supplemental Questions #4 - #8 scored as the experience and training (E&T) test which will be used to establish an eligibility list for this job classification. Applicants who pass the exam will be placed on an Eligibility List for potential interview and hiring consideration. Those who closely meet the business needs of the department may be invited to participate in the interview process.

Appointment is subject to passing a background check. New employees must successfully complete a nine-month probationary period prior to obtaining permanent status in this classification. Positions in this classification are represented by a Labor Agreement between the City of Tacoma and IBEW Local 483.

Communication from the City of Tacoma

NOTE: For questions regarding this specific recruitment contact Kat Flores, ([email protected]) HR Analyst.

We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails from Tacoma.gov and/or governmentjobs.com should be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk email folders.

Get Assistance

For assistance with the NEOGOV application process, questions regarding this job announcement, or if you are experiencing complications while applying, please contact the Human Resources office at 253-591-5400 by 4:00 PM of the closing date of the job announcement. This will allow time to assist you before the job announcement closes. ( For technical difficulties using the NeoGov system , call the applicant support line at 1-855-524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time.)

Compensation & Benefits

Pay Details:

Hourly Rate: $34.35 - $41.75

Annual Salary: $71,448.00 - $86,840.00

Employee Benefits | City of Tacoma (https://tacoma.gov/government/departments/human-resources/employee-benefits/)

The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System (alternate plan for Police/Fire); continuing education and advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives.

Medical Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age 26 or younger.

Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age 26 or younger.

Vision Coverage: For eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

Paid Leave: City employees are entitled to received paid holidays, sick/vacation leave or personal time off (PTO), depending upon union affiliation and appointment type.

Insurance Plans: Employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance plans are also available to employees. The State Industrial Insurance Act also covers employees.

Deferred Compensation: Income can be set aside on a pretax basis and invested for supplementation of normal retirement income.

Retirement: All employees of the City, except members of the Police and Fire services, Tacoma Rail and certain project employees, are included in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System. Information on the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System can be found at www.cityoftacoma.org or by calling (253) 502-8200.

Other Employment Information

Direct Deposit: Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule by direct deposit.

Salary Increases: Based on satisfactory job performance, the City provides for a regular progression of salary increases for most classifications according to the salary schedule.

Union Affiliation: Many job classifications are covered by union security provisions which require union membership, dues, or payment of equivalent service fees.

Note: The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.

01

Responses to supplemental questions must be original content created by the applicant using their own words. The use of online tools or resources to create responses, such as Artificial Intelligence (ChatGPT, etc.), Google, Bing, etc., or plagiarism in any form, is considered cheating and falsification of the application. I understand that any form of cheating or falsification will disqualify my application for further consideration.

+ Yes

+ No

02

Select the option that best describes your education and work experience.

+ An Associate's degree with a focus on business, human resources, social or organizational behavioral sciences or related field AND one or more years of professional human resources experience.

+ Three (3) or more years' of professional human resources experience.

+ My education and experience do not meet or exceed the above qualifications.

03

Please indicate the professional experience you have in the following areas. Check all that apply.

+ Benefits

+ Employee relations

+ General HR administration

+ HR data management

+ Learning development

+ Recruitment

+ Workforce analytics

04

How many years of experience do you have coordinating administration for HR programs (benefits, recruiting, onboarding, training, etc.)

+ No experience

+ Less than 1 year

+ 1 year to less than 3 years

+ 3 years to less than 5 years

+ 5 years or more

05

How many years of experience do you have using Human Resources Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.)?

+ No experience

+ Less than 1 year

+ 1 year to less than 3 years

+ 3 years to less than 5 years

+ 5 years or more

06

How many years of experience do you have providing customer assistance interaction requiring special handling, such as reports and other confidential inquiries?

+ No experience

+ Less than 1 year

+ 1 year to less than 3 years

+ 3 years to less than 5 years

+ 5 years or more

07

How many years of experience do you have using Human Resources-related applications (Applicant Tracking Systems, Learning Management Systems, Human Resources Information Systems, etc.)?

+ No experience

+ Less than 1 year

+ 1 year to less than 3 years

+ 3 years to less than 5 years

+ 5 years or more

08

How many years of experience do you have providing information to employees and the public regarding assigned areas of specialty such as benefits programs; classifications; personnel requisitions; training; and recruiting.

+ No experience

+ Less than 1 year

+ 1 year to less than 3 years

+ 3 years to less than 5 years

+ 5 years or more

09

Please tell us how you learned about this job opening. Select one.

+ Job Interest Card notification

+ Professional organization

+ Military organization

+ City of Tacoma employee

+ Online job board posting

+ Word of mouth

+ LinkedIn

+ Tacoma Training & Education Program (TTEP)

+ Indeed

+ Facebook

+ Instagram

+ Careers in Government

+ Government Jobs

+ Outreach Event

+ National Diversity Network

+ African American Job Network

+ Disability Job Network

+ Asian Job Network

+ Latino Job Network

+ Retirement Job Network

+ LGBT Job Network

+ Veteran Job Network

+ International Association of Venue Managers

+ Teamwork Online

+ Venue Coalition

+ Venues Now

+ International Entertainment Buyers Association

+ Other (see below)

10

Please provide specific information regarding how you learned about this job opening. Thank you, your feedback will be used to evaluate our success reaching the public and refine our methods for future job postings.

Required Question

Employer

City of Tacoma

Address

Human Resources Department 747 Market Street Tacoma, Washington, 98402-3764

Phone

253-591-5400

Website

http://www.tacoma.gov

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