**We are only accepting applications from current King County Metro, Employee Services Division career service employees. **
King County Metro's Employee Services Division is seeking a collaborative and forward-thinking Talent Acquisition Training Manager to lead and evolve our Talent Acquisition function. This role is ideal for a hands-on leader who is passionate about building high-performing teams, strengthening recruitment practices, and driving continuous improvement across hiring programs.
This position manages a team of HR Associates and plays a critical role in shaping the employee experience from first contact through onboarding. The Talent Acquisition Training Manager will design and deliver new talent training, maintain recruitment standard operating procedures (SOPs), and ensure the team remains current on employment laws, policies, and best practices.
We are looking for someone who brings both operational excellence and strategic thinking, who can translate data and insights into improved hiring outcomes while fostering an inclusive, equitable, and customer-focused recruitment environment.
Role Overview
Reporting to the Human Resources Manager II, this role provides day-to-day leadership for Talent Acquisition operations. The Talent Acquisition Training Manager ensures consistent, high-quality hiring practices across the division by aligning people, processes, and tools. This is a working manager role, balancing supervision and direct involvement in recruitment strategy, training, and process improvement.
This recruitment process will be used to fill one (1) Special Duty Assignment (SDA) position. This SDA is expected to last 12 months in duration, with the possibility of extension.
Applying equity and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. All employees are expected to model and apply our equity and social justice shared values, behaviors, and practices. As the Talent Acquisition Training Manager, you will:
Team Leadership & Development
- Supervise, coach, and develop a team of HR Associates supporting recruitment and hiring activities
- Set clear performance expectations and foster a culture of accountability, learning, and continuous improvement
- Build team capability through mentoring, feedback, and skills development
Training & Workforce Development
- Design, develop, and deliver training for new talent acquisition staff (Associate, Advisor, and Sr. Talent Advisor)
- Create onboarding and ongoing learning programs to strengthen recruitment competencies
- Promote consistent application of equitable hiring practices across teams
Recruitment Operations & SOP Management
- Develop, maintain, and continuously improve recruitment standard operating procedures (SOPs)
- Ensure consistency, efficiency, and compliance in hiring practices across the organization
- Partner with HR leadership and stakeholders to enhance recruitment systems and workflows
Continuous Improvement & Project Management
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives within Talent Acquisition
- Manage HR or recruitment-related projects, including implementation of new processes, tools, or strategies
- Use data and metrics to evaluate effectiveness and drive improvements in hiring outcomes
Policy, Compliance & Communication
- Monitor and interpret federal, state, and local employment laws
- Ensure the Talent Acquisition team is informed of new laws, policies, and procedural updates
- Provide clear, consistent guidance to staff, hiring managers, and leadership
Strategic Recruitment Support
- Partner with business leaders to develop effective recruitment strategies
- Support hiring for complex or hard-to-fill roles
- Advance equity, diversity, and inclusion goals through recruitment practices
Minimum Qualifications:
- Five (5) years of progressively responsible HR experience, including Talent Acquisition and experience leading or supervising staff, or an equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the role
- Experience with developing, training, and mentoring staff
- Demonstrated experience designing, improving, or managing recruitment programs, processes, or service models
- Strong knowledge of recruitment in complex or unionized environments, union contracts, HR practices, employment laws, and policies, including EEO, disability accommodations, FLSA, FMLA, and related regulations
- Experience facilitating meetings, leading discussions, and presenting complex information in an accessible manner
- Proficiency with PeopleSoft and NEOGOV applicant tracking systems
- Strong interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills
Desirable Qualifications:- Experience in continuous improvement, process optimization, or HR project management within a Talent Acquisition setting
- Experience supporting recruitment functions ranging from safety sensitive trades to non-trades job classifications
- Experience developing and delivering recruitment or onboarding training programs, establishing and maintaining recruitment SOPs
- Experience managing or mentoring HR Associates or early-career HR staff
- Strong ability to use data and metrics to drive decision-making and outcomes
- Familiarity with Metro Transit Division (MTD) policies and procedures
Applications without the following required materials will not be considered for this position:
An online King County application. Updated with accurate contact information, and relevant work history going back at least 10 years (or more, if necessary), with all job duties, dates of employment, and reasons for leaving explained clearly.
Completed supplemental questions.
- Please submit a cover letter (no more than one (1) page) that addresses the following:
- Leadership & Team Development: Describe your experience leading HR or talent acquisition staff, including how you support performance, accountability, and employee development.
- Training, SOPs & Continuous Improvement / Project Management: Describe your experience creating training programs and developing or improving recruitment processes or standard operating procedures (SOPs). Include an example of a talent acquisition or HR project you led, outlining how you identified the need for improvement, the data or insights that informed your approach, the steps you took to manage the project, and the measurable impact of your work.
NOTE: Application materials will be screened for competitiveness, completeness, and written communication skills. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more interviews and possibly other selection process elements. Final offers are contingent on successful completion of reference checks and/or a record review.
Who May Apply
This recruitment is open ONLY to current King County Metro, Employee Services Division employees.
Work Schedule
This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not overtime eligible. Work hours are comprised of a 40-hour work week within core hours of workday, normally 6:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Work Location
The primary location of the position is at the King Street Center offices, 201 S. Jackson St., Seattle, WA 98104.
Telework
The Metro Transit Talent Team Managers work in a hybrid model with a minimum of 3 days onsite per week, as well as telecommuting. Additional onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change. Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various King County facilities.
Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
Union Membership: This position is not represented by a union.
Class Code: 117401/ Human Resources Manager I
To Apply
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: Khadija Al-mohanawy, kalmohanawy@kingcounty.gov
Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers. Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. 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.
Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region, a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. 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.
