Senior Human Resources Generalist

Position Description
Invitation to Compete #34-25: Senior Human Resources Generalist

Central Library, Human Resources Division, 1000 4th Ave, Seattle
Regular, FLSA exempt, full time (40 hours per week)

Salary range: $45.96 - $55.87 per hour

This recruitment is open to the public and to The Seattle Public Library’s employees. Please read the How to Apply section of this bulletin for more information. Please submit your application, cover letter and resume in NEOGOV by 5:00 p.m. on July 10, 2025.

Overview

The Seattle Public Library’s mission is to bring people, information, and ideas together to enrich lives and build community. We view Seattle as a city where imagination and opportunity continue to thrive.

The Library works every day to foster and support a healthy city and a healthy democracy. We do this work guided by the principles of intellectual freedom, literacy and the love of learning, racial equity, privacy and confidentiality, respect for the community, strong partnerships, and innovation. We are an active and committed partner in the City of Seattle's Race and Social Justice Initiative.

Library employees are highly regarded by the public for their knowledge, quality of service and caring. As a workplace, we value respectful and transparent communication, partnership, and engagement. We are enriched individually and organizationally because of our diversity and growth mindset. We take time to recognize and celebrate the achievements of others.

If you share these values and meet the qualifications listed below, the Library invites you to apply for the Senior Human Resources Generalist position.

The Human Resources Division is one of four divisions that reports to the Chief Librarian and is responsible for:

Compensation and Payroll
Employee and Labor Relations
Employee Benefits and Leaves
Human Resources Data Management and Analytics
Learning and Development
Occupational Safety and Health
Performance Management
Talent Acquisition and Employment
Volunteer Services and Internships
Workforce Development

The Senior Human Resources Generalist reports to the Human Resources Manager of HR Operations. The position is engaged in multiple activities and projects at any given time, and must exercise elements of work planning, prioritization, and project management. Priorities and service needs frequently change in response to new organizational needs. Duties listed are examples of the work to be performed in this role, but are not intended to be a complete list of the tasks and responsibilities of this position:

The primary focus of this position is in the areas of talent acquisition lead, new hire orientation, HRIS entry and related administrative support. This position will also assist with policy development and implementation, project support and implementation, and organizational development activities related to EEO and affirmative action. The position provides backup support for various HR operations and will supervise the work of HR Associate(s).

The responsibilities of the position are performed within a variety of deadlines, many of which are inflexible. Work must be planned and organized accordingly. An important characteristic of the work is that the information that the position deals with is highly confidential. The core functions of this position may be updated based on operational need.

The ideal candidate will be an individual with the professional-level skills and abilities needed to effectively lead full-cycle recruitment and supervise the work of staff. This position requires a well-organized, detail-oriented and self-directed individual who is also committed to working collaboratively in an open space and team environment.

The Human Resources team members currently work a hybrid schedule, with a combination of in-office and remote, telework days. The current minimum in-office requirement is 2 days per week, with additional days related to in-office work needs. In-office requirements are subject to change at any time. Accommodations are considered on a case-by-case basis. The Senior Human Resources Generalist will work from a home location at the Central Branch but is expected to travel to all 27 branch locations and to recruitment events on an as-needed basis.

Job Responsibilities
Full-Cycle Recruitment and New Hire Orientation Management: Lead end-to-end recruitment and selection processes for various departments including screening, assistance with offer negotiations, new hire orientation, onboarding, preparing recruitment materials, using online applicant tracking systems, developing screening tools, writing interview questions, scheduling and participating in interviews, revise and approve selection decision. Generate candidate offer letters. Ensure all hiring activities are aligned with equity, inclusion, and belonging best practices and contribute to a diverse workforce.Maintain in-depth knowledge of legal requirements related to recruitment and selection, reducing legal risks, and ensuring compliance.
Supervise Support Staff: Supervise support staff with functional areas of recruitment and selection, HRIS, new hire, orientation, and related tasks.
Candidate Sourcing & Relationship Building: Utilize advanced sourcing methods including, social media, job boards, professional networks (LinkedIn), and partnerships with universities, industry groups, and recruitment agencies. Build and maintain talent pipelines for critical and high-turnover roles. Proactively engage passive candidates through networking, direct outreach, and branding campaigns. Cultivate a positive and professional candidate experience throughout all stages of the hiring process, ensuring timely communication and feedback.
Data Analysis & Reporting: Track and report on recruitment metrics (time-to-fill, cost-per-hire, source of hire, applicant conversion rates, various metrics, etc.).Provide quarterly hiring trend reports and insights highlighting successes, challenges, and areas for optimization.Maintain accuracy and integrity in all related data systems and reports.Prepare various queries and reports, as needed, to assist in the administration of the HR initiatives.
Systems Management & Process Improvement: Manage and continuously improve the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) and recruitment tools to increase efficiency and usability. Identify bottlenecks in the recruitment process and implement process improvements to streamline operations and enhance quality of hire. Ensure compliance with employment laws, OFCCP/EEO, and internal practices throughout all hiring practices. Lead or participate in HR and cross-functional projects, such as technology implementations, workforce planning, or employer branding initiatives.
Employer Branding & Talent Marketing:Partner with marketing and communications teams to develop employer branding strategies, including social media content, recruitment marketing campaigns, and career events. Represent the Library at career fairs, job expos, community events, etc. to build brand visibility and attract prospective talent. Oversee and refresh career site content to ensure alignment with brand and values.
Documentation and Compliance: Maintain accurate and organized documentation related to recruitment, selection, decisions, and onboarding according to relevant laws and Library practices.
Guidance and Support: Provide guidance to hiring supervisors and managers regarding recruitment requirements, procedures and best practices. Guide and train hiring managers on effective interviewing, selection techniques, and legal hiring practices. Ensure all hiring activities are aligned with equity, inclusion, and belonging best practices and contribute to a diverse workforce.
Qualifications
Application materials should demonstrate that a candidate possesses the following experience and qualifications:

Commitment to Advancing Racial Equity and Social Justice Principles: Basic understanding of the City’s Race and Social Justice Initiative. More information can be found through the City’s webpages for RSJI and the Office of Civil Rights – seattle.gov/rsji and seattle.gov/civil-rights
Education: A high school diploma or a Graduate Equivalency Degree (GED) is required. A combination of training and/or experience which provides the background to perform the work of the class will be considered.
Experience: Three years of professional level work experience in the human resources field, with an emphasis in full-cyclerecruitment and selection, workforce metrics and retention, and employee onboarding activities, including state and federal employment paperwork requirements. Prior experience recruiting in a unionized environment is highly desirable. Experience with Workday is desired. Experience supervising and developing staff is highly desirable.
Ability to prioritize and manage daily tasks: Must be organized, efficient, proactive with a strong attention to detail and accuracy. Ability to track and accurately maintain relevant documentation. Ability to timely and accurately communicate status updates. The successful candidate must be able to recognize and adjust what work needs to be done to support the successful operation of the Human Resources office. This may include completing other duties as assigned.
Commitment to The Seattle Public Library’s Mission and Core Values: A demonstrated commitment to the Library’s mission and organizational values of respect, partnership, engagement, diversity and inclusion, transparency and recognition, and intellectual freedom.
Communications: Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills, including ability to communicate sensitive and technical information a respectful and caring manner, develop detailed and technical written materials, provide presentations and participate in training. Ability to work cooperatively with a wide variety of groups and individuals.
Tact, Diplomacy and Confidentiality: Ability to exercise discretion, tact and diplomacy in the handling of sensitive and confidential information. Ability to maintain strict confidence in performing job duties. Excellent and responsive customer service.
Analytical and Organizational Skills: Ability to identify information needs and develop effective strategies to produce necessary reports. Skilled in gathering and analyzing data from a wide variety of sources, use various analytical methods and interpret information for others. Ability to track and accurately maintain documentation and organized filing structure.

Skill Requirements:
Full-Cycle Recruitment Expertise: Skilled in managing the entire hiring process from requisition to onboarding.
Coaching & Development: Experience mentoring or managing recruiting staff, setting performance goals, and providing feedback.
Project Management: Able to lead and execute recruitment projects, such as system implementations, inclusion initiatives, or hiring events.
Candidate Relationship Management: Strong ability to build rapport and maintain communication with candidates throughout the hiring process.
HRIS Systems: Experience with integrated HR platforms for employee data, reporting, and compliance. Workday experience is desirable.
Problem-Solving: Able to resolve bottlenecks in the hiring process and overcome challenges creatively.
Confidentiality: Maintains a high level of discretion when handling sensitive candidate and company information.
Solid understanding of employment law, EEO/OFCCP guidelines, and recruitment compliance Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to provide clear, sensitive guidance to employees at all levels.
Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple requests and maintain accurate, detailed records.
Must have the ability to prioritize competing priorities in a fast-paced environment to ensure effective action and follow-through.
Self-starter with the ability to consistently meet deadlines and respond to inquiries and requests in a timely manner.
Problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities, with the capacity to find creative, practical solutions.
High level of confidentiality and discretion in handling sensitive information.
Work independently and as part of a team. Proven ability to work with limited supervision.
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: A High School Diploma and a combination of education, training and/or experience which provides the background required to perform the work of the class may be considered. Recruitment certification is a plus.

Experience: At least three (3) years of work experience in the human resources field with emphasis in recruitment and selection, workforce metrics and retention, and employee onboarding activities, including state and federal employment paperwork requirements.
Prior experience recruiting in a unionized environment is desirable.
Prior experience working in a unionized and/or public sector environment is desirable.
Prior work experience in the area of equity and social justice within a Human Resources department is desirable.
Interpersonal and communication skills. Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills, including ability to develop a wide range of written materials, make presentations, engage in conflict resolution activities, and to persuade and motivate. Ability to communicate sensitive and technical information to Library employees in a respectful and caring manner. Ability to work in a team-based environment and collaborate with others. Ability to manage meetings, facilitate the resolution of issues and influence others. Ability to develop and maintain a multi-cultural perspective.
Tact, Diplomacy, and Confidentiality. Ability to exercise discretion, tact, and diplomacy in the handling of sensitive and confidential employee information. Ability to maintain strict confidence in performing job duties.
Analytical and Organizational Skills. Ability to identify information needs and develop effective strategies. Ability to gather and analyze data from a wide variety of sources and use workforce data/analytics to interpret information for others. Able to prioritize multiple job requirements and tasks and to ensure effective action and follow-through.
Computer and Equipment Use: Work experience using word processing, spreadsheet, e-mail, and database management applications, particularly in Microsoft Office platforms. Applicant tracking and HRIS system experience. Neogov and Workday experience is preferred.
Commitment to Library Core Values: Demonstrated commitment to intellectual freedom; race and social justice; internal organizational values of Respect, Partnership, Engagement, Diversity, Transparency and Recognition; and the Library’s overall strategic mission.
Additional Information
How to Apply

Candidates who meet the qualifications are asked to submit the following items in NEOGOV by 5:00 p.m. on July 10, 2025 to be considered for this position.

Online application
A cover letter that describes how your experience and skills align with the stated job responsibilities and qualifications. Please let us know why you are interested in this/these position(s).
Current resume that summarizes relevant education, professional experience, training and skills.

Applications that do not include a cover letter, resume, and complete online application will not be considered.

Applicants will be screened for competitiveness, completeness, and written communication skills. Initial screening will be based on a review of application materials. The employment history detailed in your application materials MUST validate/support your responses to the supplemental questions. If your responses cannot be validated, you will not proceed to the next steps of the review/selection process. The most competitive candidates will be invited to participate in a series of one or more interviews.

Benefits and Salary Information

The full salary range for this position is $45.96 - $55.87 per hour

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans
Information about retirement plans can be found at: https://www.seattle.gov/retirement


Additional Information

If you have questions regarding this bulletin or employment at The Seattle Public Library, please send an email to job.applications@spl.org. The Library promotes diversity and inclusion in employment. If accommodations are needed during the selection process, please contact us.

Please keep in mind that job offers are contingent on a review of criminal history as well as verification of information provided by the applicant as part of the application process.


The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.