[Hiring] Talent Acquisition Specialist @State of Washington

Role Description

The Employment Security Department (ESD) is seeking a solutions-oriented and collaborative Human Resource Consultant (Talent Acquisition Specialist) to join our high-performing Human Resources division. The ideal candidate is an expert communicator and proactive problem-solver who brings clarity to state civil service rules and navigates complex staffing challenges with tact. You are inclusive, relationship-driven, and dedicated to equity in employment practices. You thrive in a consultative role, bridging the gap between technical civil service requirements and the strategic hiring needs of managers across the agency.

Please note: This is an internal-only recruitment and is only open to current employees of the Washington Employment Security Department. This is an in-training opportunity, which means the selected candidate may be hired on at either the HRC3 OR HRC4 level. Please see qualifications for additional details.

Duties

• Provide expert-level recruitment and workforce planning consultation to supervisors and managers across ESD.
• Serve as a trusted advisor, helping programs acquire qualified, diverse talent for agency-wide job openings.
• Ensure strict compliance with all relevant authorizing environments, state and federal pre-employment laws, collective bargaining agreements, and merit system rules.
• Independently analyze staffing issues and design effective sourcing strategies.
• Mitigate agency risk by oversight of the pre-employment process.
• Guide hiring managers through position-specific recruitment plans.
• Lead outreach initiatives and represent the agency at hiring events.
• Provide mentorship and training to hiring authorities and HR peers.
• Resolve complex recruitment issues and identify technically and politically viable solutions for hard-to-fill, mission-critical vacancies.
• Formulate job announcements, supplemental questionnaires, and assessment criteria.
• Review interview questions for hiring managers to ensure legal compliance.
• Develop and execute comprehensive sourcing plans.
• Coordinate and lead recruitment events, career fairs, and outreach activities.
• Prepare recruitment marketing materials and report on recruitment details.
• Document and maintain all phases of sourcing, recruitment, and pre-employment activities.
• Conduct and present training to agency managers and admins on recruitment systems and selection best practices.

Qualifications

• To qualify at the HRC3 level:
  • Two (2) years of professional level human resource consulting experience providing HR advice and consultation.
  • OR One (1) year of experience as a Human Resource Consultant 2 with Talent Acquisition experience.
  • OR Two (2) years of experience independently providing end-to-end recruitment services.
• To qualify at the HRC4 level:
  • Option 1: Seven (7) years of broad-based professional human resource experience.
  • Option 2: Associate degree with focus on business, human resources, social or organizational behavioral sciences, or related field and five (5) years of broad-based professional human resource experience.
  • Option 3: A bachelor’s degree with focus on business, human resources, social or organizational behavioral sciences, or related field and three (3) years of broad-based professional human resource experience.
  • Option 4: A combination of equivalent education/experience that equals seven (7) years.
• Required equity competencies:
  • The ability to take action to learn and grow.
  • The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
• Required experience includes:
  • Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning Expertise.
  • Interpersonal Communication & Problem-Solving Skills.
  • Crisis Management & Discretion Skills.
  • Investigative Skills.
  • Equity & Inclusion Expertise.

Requirements

• Must be able to pass Unemployment Insurance (UI) & Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) claim and fraud check.
• Please submit only the required documents as noted below and ensure all Personal Identifying Information (PII) such as Social Security numbers etc. are edited out of your materials for privacy.
• Additionally, we ask that you not include photographs or external links within your documents.

Benefits

• Flexible work schedules and teleworking opportunities.
• Supportive work environment that values work/life balance.

Company Description

Our agency's mission and values drive every decision that we make, determine how we interact with others and are at the core of who we are. We value Access, Love, Belonging, Equity, and Stewardship.

• Opportunity for All: We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, ethnic, racial, religious, sexual orientation, and gender identity diversity.
• The Employment Security Department is an equal opportunity employer/program.
• Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.