Talent HR Manager

THIS OPPORTUNITY IS OPEN ONLY TO CURRENT KING COUNTY EMPLOYEES

King County Metro is seeking a hands-on, collaborative Human Resource Manager I with a strong passion for recruitment and workforce development
. This role provides tactical leadership to support the development and retention of a highly skilled workforce while delivering high-quality, customer-focused HR services. A strong commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, transparency, and employee engagement is essential.

This position supports department-wide recruitment efforts and works closely with Division and Department leaders to strengthen organizational health and labor practices.

The Human Resource Manager I reports to the Metro Transit Human Resource Manager II and supports the division by identifying best practices, following standard work, and continuously improving HR recruitment services. Success in this role requires strong interpersonal skills, the ability to build effective teams and partnerships, and the capacity to influence change and solve complex problems.

This is a working manager position
. In addition to supervising a team of nine HR professionals
, you will actively support employee relations across the division, interpret and apply employment law, and ensure HR policies and practices are followed. The goal is to provide reliable, efficient, and consistent HR services while minimizing organizational risk.

This recruitment will fill one (1) Career Service Human Resource Manager I position
. The selection process may also be used to create an eligibility list for future Career Service (CS), Special Duty Assignment (SDA), or Term Limited Temporary (TLT) opportunities in this classification. The eligibility list may be used for up to 12 months at the discretion of the hiring authority.

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 HR Manager I, you will:

• Lead and manage timely, high-quality HR services for Metro Transit
• Design and implement systems to recruit, develop, and retain a diverse, high-performing workforce
• Oversee HR data and records management systems
• Communicate complex HR concepts clearly to diverse audiences
• Ensure HR practices comply with collective bargaining agreements and applicable federal, state, and local laws

• Allocate staff and resources to meet recruitment demands and workload changes
• Coach, mentor, and develop direct reports; support other managers in developing their teams
• Set and monitor goals for high-quality, customer-focused service

• Foster continuous learning and skill development
• Promote accountability for service excellence
• Create and maintain a welcoming, inclusive work environment
• Provide performance feedback, manage performance issues, and handle disciplinary actions with compassion and consistency

• Five (5) years of progressively responsible Human Resources experience, with an emphasis on recruitment
  , including at least one (1) year of staff management
  ; OR
• An equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities
• Demonstrated success leading and developing recruitment or talent acquisition teams; including coaching, feedback, goal setting, and performance management
• Knowledge of HR generalist functions such as recruitment, labor relations, training, classification/compensation, and performance management
• Proven success in designing and improving recruitment strategies, processes, and service models
• Strong knowledge of recruitment practices within unionized and complex labor environments
• Ability to provide legally defensible HR guidance to applicants, employees, supervisors, and managers
• Strong relationship-building skills with internal and external stakeholders
• Excellent customer service, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to handle sensitive situations with professionalism, fairness, and respect
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and inclusive supervision

• Experience working in a public-sector HR environment
  , including navigating political or public accountability contexts
• Experience developing and delivering recruitment-related training
• Experience supervising multiple employees or teams
• Experience collaborating with external stakeholders to meet hiring needs

• 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.