HR Manager II

This recruitment will remain open until the position is filled. Applications submitted on November 6, 2026 by 11:59 p.m. will have first consideration. 

Are you a strategic HR leader who thrives in a complex, fast-paced, and highly unionized environment? We are seeking a Human Resources Manager II to lead a team responsible for delivering critical HR programs and services that support organizational effectiveness and workforce success. In this role, you will partner with department leaders and supervisors to provide expert guidance across a broad range of HR functions, including recruitment, training and development, classification and compensation, and performance management. This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact by strengthening HR practices, supporting leaders, and helping the organization meet its workforce and operational goals.

The DAJD Human Resources Unit, within the Administration Division, provides comprehensive HR support across five divisions: Seattle and Kent Detention Facilities, Juvenile Detention, Community Corrections, and Administration. The unit consists of an HR Manager III, an HR Manager II (this position), an Employee and Labor Relations Representative, three Senior HR Analysts, five HR Analysts, an Administrative Specialist II, and an HR Associate. The department’s workforce includes employees represented by 12 bargaining units, requiring broad HR expertise, effective labor relations, and strategic workforce planning. Reporting to the HR Manager III, the HR Manager II directly supervises the recruitment team and plays a key role in developing and implementing strategies to address current and future workforce needs.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD) is an Executive branch department with five divisions and approximately 940 budgeted employees supporting two adult detention facilities, a juvenile detention facility, various community supervision programs, and administrative services. The two adult secure detention divisions are the Seattle Division, which operates the King County Correctional Facility (KCCF), and the Kent Division, which operates secure detention at the Maleng Regional Justice Center (MRJC). The Juvenile Division operates secure detention at the Clark Children and Family Justice Center (CCFJC) in Seattle. An average daily population, as of March 2026, the adult jails combined housed more than 1325 adult residents, the CCFJC housed more than 33 juvenile residents and supervised 40 juvenile clients in the community, and the Community Corrections Division had approximately 675 individuals supervised under electronic home monitoring and day reporting programs.

DAJD MISSION: We provide in-custody and community-based services that are data informed, advance safety, lead system change, and promote equitable outcomes for the people we serve.

DAJD VISION: We lead the Nation in providing exemplary services that transform lives. 

DAJD PRIORITIES

To learn more about DAJD, please visit our website at: https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dajd;

The job description is an overview and is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not to be an exhaustive list of all the functions and tasks required of this position.

• Provide direct supervision, leadership and guidance to the DAJD recruitment team which consists of two Senior HR Analysts, five HR Analysts, and an Administrative Specialist II.
• Create and implement strategic recruitment plans to improve and increase the efficiency of the Department's recruitment efforts with a focus on the recruiting of Corrections Officers and Juvenile Detention Officers.
•  Assist with recruitment for Correctional Officers, Juvenile Detention Officers, and specialized civilian positions, including role definition and scope development.
• Contribute to budget planning and contracting needs for recruitment-related services, including pre-employment testing (PAT) vendors and psychological evaluations.
• Create and implement strategic recruitment plans focused on outreach to effectively network and establish relationships with underrepresented populations, and other internal and external stakeholders.
• Create and implement development plans and goals for employee at all levels within the organization. 
• Create and implement, in collaboration with leadership, the vision and goals for the Human Resources Unit; develop metrics and benchmarks while utilizing continuous improvement methods to deliver human resources functions. 
• Interpret employment law and human resources practices and procedures and communicate that to department leadership.
• Create and implement programs to support employee engagement; serve as the department lead in recruitment development strategies that serve to advance the Department and County vision, mission, values including the Equity and Social Justice Strategic Plan.
• Support the collective bargaining process, including providing language recommendation and implementing collective bargaining agreements. 
• Conduct and support department employment investigations and respond to complaints from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Office of Civil Rights (OCR), and Office of the Ombuds, as needed. 
• Fill in for the HR Manager III within DAJD Human Resources on an as needed basis. 

• At least 5 years of demonstrated experience in successful recruitment strategy delivery and implementation.
• Knowledge of HR generalist functions including: employment law, labor relations, training, recruiting, classification and compensation and performance management.
• A proven track record developing and implementing innovative human resources strategies, best practices and goals.

• Ability to extract and analyze critical data, using insights to inform strategic decisions and drive process improvements.

• Demonstrated experience providing legally defensible advice and opinions to applicants, employees, supervisors and managers.
• Demonstrated ability to develop strong and effective working relationships with employees, colleagues and external stakeholders.
• Working knowledge of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and HR Information Systems (HRIS)
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Suite 365 (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)

DESIREABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

• A proven track record of developing and implementing innovative strategies, best practices, goals, and ability to develop metrics and benchmarks, particularly in the recruitment space.
• An in-depth and progressively responsible experience managing daily HR Service Delivery, or any combination of education and experience that clearly demonstrates the ability and skill to perform the scope of job duties of the position.
• Knowledge of and skill in implementing recruitment and organizational development practices including an understanding of employee engagement.
• Experience as a HR consultant providing advice to managers, executives and other key organizational leaders.
• Skill and experience in implementing training development aimed at bettering the job performance of individuals and groups in organizational settings and making small and large group presentations. 
• Demonstrated successful approach to navigate through potentially conflicting stakeholder perspectives. 
• The ability to adapt to working in a multi-faceted and continuously changing environment. 
• A proven track record of collaborating with other departments and/or agencies.

HOW TO APPLY: Completion of the full King County application and supplemental questionnaire is required. Resumes or letter of interest alone WILL NOT substitute for a full application. A copy of your current resume and a letter of interest detailing your qualifications is required. If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions, please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

UNION MEMBERSHIP: This position is not represented by a collective bargaining agreement.

WORK SCHEDULE: This position will work a 40-hour workweek. Standard hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Evening and/or weekend work may be required.

This position is exempt under the provisions of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), meaning that it is not eligible for overtime pay or compensatory time accrual, and the incumbent will be required to work the hours necessary to meet position responsibilities.

WORK LOCATION: The work associated with this position will be performed through a hybrid work model that will require both onsite and remote work. At this time, employees working under a hybrid schedule are required to work onsite three days per week. The ratio of remote to onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change.

 

The primary onsite work location for this position is the King County Courthouse at 516 3rd Avenue, E245, Seattle, WA, 98104. However, candidates must be willing and able to report to work at different secured detention facilities in Seattle and Kent.

Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and, when working remotely, must maintain a workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: It is a hiring requirement that all staff employed by DAJD successfully pass a thorough background investigations process, which includes fingerprinting, criminal history check, reference checks, and other tests as deemed necessary.

DEPARTMENT CONTACT: Questions regarding this announcement or position may be directed to: Jaclyn Smith, DAJD Sr. Human Resources Analyst; at Phone Number: 206-263-3379 or via email jacsmith@kingcounty.gov

Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

King County's Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values unite us.

King County serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency, delivering on commitments with transparency and accountability. We are action-oriented, creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles, engage directly with communities, and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact. As a unified team, we uphold high ethical and stewardship standards, embrace change, stay curious, and continuously improve. Across all interactions, we listen first, act quickly, and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust. Learn more about our Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values here and visit our Why work at King County page here.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on sex, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religious affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age except by minimum age and retirement provisions, pregnancy, status as a family caregiver, parental status, marital status, military status or status as a veteran who was honorably discharged or who was discharged solely as a result of the person's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, citizenship or immigration status, genetic information, or other protected class. However, to the extent that distinction or differential treatment on the basis of citizenship or immigration status is authorized by either federal or state law, regulation, or government contract, it is not an unfair practice.

Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.