The Department of Public Defense (DPD) is recruiting to fill one or more Human Resource Analyst positions. Positions may be filled as Career Service, Term-Limited Temporary (TLT), or Special Duty Assignments (SDA) based on departmental needs.
This recruitment will also be used to establish an eligibility list to fill future HR Analyst vacancies within the Director’s Office for the next six months.
DPD’s HR Analysts provide a wide range of professional human resource services supporting recruitment, workforce administration, and HRIS functions through an equity and social justice lens. Final workflow assignments will be determined based on candidate strengths, experience, and evolving organizational needs. Potential specialty areas include:
- Recruitment and Talent Acquisition
- HRIS and Workforce Data Management
- Workforce Administration and HR Operations
All analysts will also participate in cross-functional training, team support and backup responsibilities.
These positions report to the Human Resources Manager and work collaboratively within a high-performing HR team committed to providing responsive, equitable, and high-quality HR services.
The Department’s Mission Statement
The King County Department of Public Defense represents indigent adults and children facing a loss of liberty. Our department is an independent voice that promotes fairness and equity for our clients and advocates for their objectives, interests, and dignity.
DPD provides high quality legal representation to indigent clients in felonies, misdemeanors, juvenile defense, family defense (dependency cases), involuntary commitment (mental illness), and sex offender commitment proceedings.
DPD advocates to reduce the harm and reach of the criminal and civil legal systems that restrict our clients’ liberty, and advances policy reforms to reduce systemic racism. We strive to create a flexible workplace culture that is inclusive, respectful, and supportive, premised on a shared anti-oppression framework. To learn more about DPD, visit our website.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES include but are not limited to the following: 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 these positions.
Recruitment and Talent Acquisition
- Lead full-cycle recruitment for a variety of roles, including job postings, interview coordination, candidate communication, and selection documentation.
- Partner with hiring managers to design recruitment plans and create equitable selection processes.
- Facilitate interview panel pre-briefs and debriefs, ensuring consistency and documentation of selection decisions.
- Coordinate new employee orientation and support employee lifecycle processes such as probation tracking and offboarding.
- Attend job fairs and community events to promote employment opportunities.
- Maintain recruitment files and personnel records using systems such as Laserfiche and Content Manager.
- Coordinate bar license renewal processes and jail clearances requirements for attorneys and applicable staff.
HR Operations & Workforce Administration
- Review, process, and verify Personnel Change Notices (PCNs), ensuring accuracy and compliance with payroll and HR policies.
- Coordinate employee status changes, position updates, and wage adjustments.
- Support year-end workforce administration tasks, including general wage increases, bonuses, and acting assignment reinstatements.
- Maintain departmental organizational charts and ensure timely updates.
- Provide guidance to employees and supervisors on HR processes, policies, and procedures.
- Monitor compliance requirements (e.g., I-9s, certifications, training deadlines) and coordinate follow-up.
HRIS & Workforce Data Management
- Serve as a subject matter expert for PeopleSoft HRIS processes and PCN workflows.
- Build and maintain simple to complex PeopleSoft queries for reporting, analysis, and compliance needs.
- Ensure the accuracy, integrity, and security of workforce data.
- Manage departmental security access and dynamic groups in coordination with Payroll and IT partners.
- Assist in the development of data reports, dashboards, and HR metrics to support strategic decision-making.
- Participate in user testing, system updates, and configuration reviews as needed.
Customer Service & Employee Support
- Provide excellent customer service by responding promptly, diplomatically, and confidentially to inquiries.
- Demonstrate cultural responsiveness when engaging with a diverse employee population.
- Maintain confidentiality and exercise good judgement when handling sensitive or personal information.
- Serve as a reliable resource by answering calls, emails, and supporting staff across the department.
Continuous Process Improvement & Team Collaboration
- Assist in documenting HR processes and recommend process improvements to enhance efficiency and consistency.
- Participate in cross-functional projects that improve HR service delivery and employee experience.
- Collaborate with HR team members to standardize practices and share knowledge.
- Serve as backup to other HR staff during absences or high-volume periods.
- Use software tools such as Word, Excel, SharePoint, and HRIS reporting applications to create and maintain documents, templates, and workflows.
- Other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications:- Three (3) or more years of demonstrated progressive experience in human resource service delivery, OR any equivalent combination of education and experience that clearly demonstrates the ability to perform the essential duties of the position.
- Have a valid Washington State Driver's License and/or have the ability to travel to required destinations around King County in a timely manner.
- Experience supporting HR processes such as recruitments, employee lifecycle actions, HR documentation, or HR operational tasks.
- Experience entering, maintaining, or auditing employee or HR-related data in an HRIS or similar database.
- Strong attention to detail, accuracy, and the ability to work with sensitive and confidential information.
- Use communications skills that foster positive rapport with individuals from diverse backgrounds and various organizational levels.
- Proven ability to provide responsive, confidential, and customer-focused service.
- Ability to work independently while exercising good judgment and initiative.
- Demonstrated experience applying racial equity, social justice, or culturally responsive practices within HR work.
- Demonstrate organizational and time-management skills to proficiently prioritize tasks in a deadline driven environment.
- Have regular, reliable, and predictable attendance to support timeliness and follow-through on work items.
- Positively present the Department of Public Defense to internal and external partners.
- Work independently, take initiative, and handle multiple tasks effectively.
- Ability to collaborate and work effectively in a team-oriented environment.
The Most Competitive Candidate Will Have: - Experience leading or coordinating high-volume recruitments, preferably including interview logistics, applicant screening, and candidate communication.
- Experience using Applicant Tracking Systems (e.g., NEOGOV) or supporting hiring managers through structured selection processes.
- Experience working in a public-sector, legal, or unionized environment.
- Experience supporting or working with attorneys or within a legal practice setting.
- Experience maintaining, auditing, or reporting workforce data in PeopleSoft or other HRIS platforms.
- Experience creating or modifying queries, reports, dashboards, or metrics for HR decision-making.
- Experience interpreting and applying HR policies, payroll rules, or collective bargaining agreements in relation to workforce administration.
- Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and communities.
- Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office tools, especially Excel (such as data filtering, pivot tables, data validation).
- Experience with SharePoint, workflow tools, or digital document management systems.
- Ability to maintain composure, professionalism, and confidentiality when working with sensitive or time-critical HR matters.
- Critical thinking skills and the ability to analyze HR data or troubleshoot HRIS workflow issues.
- Experience participating in or leading process-improvement initiatives.
- SHRM or HRCI certification, or an AA/BS in Human Resources.
At King County, our work is guided by our True North and values. Our True North is what we aspire to: Making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive.
King County offers great benefits, to include a pension plan, holidays, transit pass, plus training and education opportunities to promote growth and development. Our focus is to provide our employees with work life balance.
ARE YOU READY TO APPLY?
This opportunity is open to all applicants. Please apply at www.kingcounty.gov/careers.
To be considered for this role submit the following items:
- Completed King County application.
- A current/chronological resume
- Cover letter detailing your background and what you can bring to the Department of Public Defense.
This recruitment may be used to fill Career Service, Term-limited-Temporary or Special Duty Assignment HR Analyst positions, and to establish an eligibility list for HR Analyst vacancies that may occur within the next six months. Term-Limited Temporary and Special Duty Assignments typically last up to 12 months and may be extended or end early based on business needs.
Note: Special Duty opportunities are only open to current King County career service employees that have completed their initial probation. Special Duty applicants must have approval from their current supervisor to accept an assignment.
Pay Upon Special Duty Placement: current employees selected for special duty will be compensated based upon the provisions of the King County Code/Personnel Guidelines for their base position.
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 our Talent Advisors at dpd-hr@kingcounty.gov.
The selection process may include evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, references, a personnel file review going back the last three (3) years, and if applicable a background check. You must completely fill out the application with your relevant education and work experience and attach the required documents to your application.
WORK SCHEDULE AND LOCATION
The Human Resources team works in a hybrid model, with days in the office as well as telecommuting. The ratio of remote to onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change. The primary onsite location for this position is the Dexter Horton Building, 710 Second Avenue, Seattle.
Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment. Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.
The typical workweek is 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This position is non-exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is eligible for overtime.
Rotations of work location and practice area and/or workflow are an essential function and can occur based on business need. You may be required to report to any of our Seattle and/or Kent locations.
DPD Policies
Outside Work Policy for Administrative Staff will apply to employees, such that you must receive approval from your supervisor and Managing Attorney before being permitted to engage in outside employment for compensation or volunteer.
Union Membership
This position is not represented by a union.
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.
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 the recruiter listed on this job announcement.
SALARY AND BENEFITS:
In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, this salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate's current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position. King County offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, life and disability insurance for employees and dependents; retirement and deferred compensation. For additional information, please review the detailed summary of benefits offered by King County.
