HR Partner

Job Summary

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Central Washington University is recruiting a Human Resources Consultant to join our Human Resources team in Ellensburg, Washington. This role is an important member of our team as they enhance the vision for the University. The role is a campus-basedposition, which means you get to see the lives you are impacting. The position has a salary range of $64,974 - $94,213. The anticipated hiring salary is $84,000 annually plus the awesome CWU benefits.

Who we are:

We are a team of individuals committed to Changing Students' Lives. No matter what job, each of us plays a part in supporting and empowering our students to fulfill their dreams.

Working in higher education provides career growth and career choice. Think of a university campus like a mini city, operating across 380 acres. You'll find diverse academics, libraries, athletics and sporting events, full service and quick serve dining, conferences and events from small to large, recreation centers, housing, health services, police and public safety for the campus population of ~10,000 students.

Central Washington University has been named a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Top Producing Institution for the 2022-2023 academic year. In addition, for the seventh time in eight years, CWU is a recipient of the prestigious Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. RentCafe has also named CWU #13 of the Top 20 Best College Towns in the U.S. in 2025.

Come join us on our journey to encourage, inspire, and create spaces where all identities thrive on campus.

Tour our campus in Ellensburg here. www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjdhOegDa9A

What we offer:

Our investment in you begins the day you join our team, a healthy and successful future for you is important to us. We offer medical, dental, life and disability insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, tuition assistance for you and your dependents, discounts across town, an employee assistance program for individualized counseling, and a wellness incentive program. Learn more: Benefits, Perks, and Leave and Total Rewards Calculator.

The Role:

The HR Partner serves as a skilled professional Human Resources (HR) expert, provides administrative direction and counsel to management and employees on HR issues, and prioritizes and manages issues within designated area of responsibility. This position provides guidance and consultative services at all levels of the organization including employee relations, classification and compensation, performance management, recruitment, hiring and retention, and other functions relating to human resource management.

All employees are expected to uphold and contribute to CWU's vision, mission, and values, fostering a culture of student success and institutional excellence. HR Partners directly affect the vision, mission and values of Central Washington University by providing clear and concise information, resources and coaching to employees and supervisors in all aspects of their work life. In this way, employees are well-prepared to serve students, employees, and the entire CWU community in the best way possible.

Job Duties

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Strategic IMPACT (HR) Partnerships:

• Engage as a strategic partner with institutional leaders, building relationships and providing guidance, support, and consultative services.
  
• Serve as the HR expert for assigned departments, offering direction, counsel, and support on the full-range of HR, employment, and leadership topics.
  
• Interact with customers to demonstrate their concerns are heard, build trust, and foster belonging.
  
• Link HR policies and programs to CWU's mission and HR's vision for service, promoting sustainability and engagement.
  
• Apply organizational development principles that support CWU values.
  
• Adapt HR services to organizational culture, promoting a welcoming and supportive environment.
  
• Design and implement HR services that incorporate business system applications.
  
• Use HR principles to improve business process efficiency and effectiveness.
  
• Use consensus and coalition-building skills to enhance communication.
  

Employee Champion:

• Develop the talent to maximize potential, fostering a sense of support and development.
  
• Mentor individuals to ensure they feel valued and supported in their growth.
  
• Balance competing interests while promoting mutual respect .
  
• Build trust relationships to support CWU's vision, mission, and values.
  

Employer Representative:

• Interpret and apply Federal, State, and University compliance requirements for managers and supervisors.
  
• Guide managers and supervisors in fostering CWU's culture, aligning with its vision, mission, and values.
  
• Consult with leadership on HR issues.
  
• Represent CWU in hearings, grievances, mediations, and conversations.
  

Change Consultant:

• Assess the readiness for change and identify appropriate strategies, ensuring team members feel included and valued.
  
• Design and implement fair and consistent change processes.
  
• Apply innovative strategies and recommend solutions to various HR issues.
  
• Uses consensus, consultation, and negotiation skills to influence action and foster trust.
  
• Promote integrity and ethical behavior.
  
• Collaborate and work in teams.
  
• Communicate effectively.
  

Technical Expert:

• Apply expertise in the full range of HR arena to support CWU's vision, mission, values, and business needs. Expertise is on a progressive growth level, advancing knowledge and competency with increased time in the position.
  
• Maintain in-depth knowledge of institutional culture and legal and administrative requirements to manage employees, reduce risks, and ensure compliance.
  
• Use surveys and tools to create an effective and efficient work environment.
  
• Adapt information technology to HR management.
  
• Manage and resolve complex employee relations issues. Work with supervisors and appointing authorities on progressive discipline. Conduct effective, thorough, and objective workplace investigations.
  
• Coordinate and manage employee classification and compensation process, ensuring compliance with labor contracts and State and Federal labor standards and classifications
  

Institutional Citizen

• Be an engaged and active member of the university community.
  
• Promote, foster, and model behaviors of a brand ambassador, culture keeper, community builder, innovator, and lifelong learner.
  
• Serve on CWU committees/steering committees/review teams representing HR.
  
• Perform other duties as assigned.
  

Minimum Qualifications

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• Bachelor's degree in human resources (or related field).
  
• Experience applying employment-related HR laws and rules such as ADA, ADEA, FLSA, FMLA, etc.
  
• Broad-based professional HR experience.
  
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
  
• Organizational and time-management skills which allow the incumbent to prioritize conflicting and demanding deadlines.
  
• Experience working to support a specified client base (managers, administrators, supervisors, and employees).
  
• Demonstrated ability and/or experience working collaboratively with students and/or colleagues to foster a supportive and effective learning and work environment.
  
• OR applicable combination of education and/or experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position.
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Certification by HRCI (PHR/SPHR) or SHRM (SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP).
  
• Labor relations experience.
  
• Experience with an HRIS system such as PeopleSoft.
  
• HR experience with a Washington State agency or institution of higher education.
  
• Life experiences that demonstrate an ability to contribute to CWU's vision, mission, and values.
  
• Ability to incorporate a variety of perspectives and relevant societal issues into everyday conversations.
  

Competencies

• Accountability/Dependability: Accepts responsibility for quality of own work; acknowledges and corrects mistakes. Shows up on time, meets standards, deadlines, and work schedules.
  
• Judgement: Makes timely, informed decisions. Analyzes options and determines appropriate course of action.
  
• Teamwork: Promotes cooperation and mutual support to achieve goals. Encourages participation and mutual support.
  
• Adaptability/Flexibility: Responds positively to changing business needs and responsibilities. Adapts approach and methods to achieve results; recovers quickly from setbacks and finds alternatives.
  
• Commitment to Belonging: Values the uniqueness of every individual and fosters an environment where everyone feels respected and empowered to thrive.
  

Don't meet every single requirement? At CWU, we're committed to creating a welcoming and genuine workplace. If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification, we still encourage you to apply. This could be the opportunity you're looking for!

Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule

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Salary: This position has a minimum annual salary of $64,974 and maximum salary of $94,213. In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the hiring range is based on the candidate's current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

Schedule/Appointment: Monday - Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm (1 hour lunch)

Working Conditions: Work is performed in an indoor office setting with frequent in-person interactions. It is essential to be able to remain at a desk/computer work station for prolonged periods of time, perform extensive data entry and other computer-related tasks and create/maintain filing systems for departmental records. Some evening or weekend work and/or occasional travel may be required.

Benefits: CWU offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical and dental insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, life and disability insurance, along with vacation and sick leave plans depending on employment classification. For additional information please visit Benefits, Perks, and LeaveandTotal Rewards Calculator.

An employee of CWU may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program if the employee has student loans. To learn more, visit: https://ofm.wa.gov/state-human-resources/public-service-loan-forgiveness-program.

How To Apply

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To apply for this position, you must complete the on-line application and attach:

• A detailed cover letter clearly demonstrating how your education and experience: (a) meet the required (and, as applicable, preferred) qualifications, and (b) demonstrate the ability to perform the responsibilities as described by the posting;
  
• Resume including work history, education, training; and
  
• Contact information for three professional references.
  

Screening Begins: August 20, 2025

Priority will be given to applications received by the screening date. Incomplete applications may not be considered.

Contact Information

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Name: Joey Bryant

Title: Manager of Partner Engagement

Email: Joseph.Bryant@cwu.edu

Phone:509-963-2054

Website: Central Washington University | Human Resources

Please contact Human Resources at hr@cwu.edu or 509-963-1202 if you require technical assistance with the on-line application process.

Conditions of Employment

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Background Check/Reference Check Process:

Prior to employment, final candidate(s) will be required to sign a Sexual Misconduct disclosure in pursuant to RCW 28B.112.080 and submit to a background check. All information obtained through background investigations will be strictly confidential and revealed only to those required to have access.

Notice to Prospective Employees:

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Statement

Central Washington University is an EEO/AA/Title IX Institution. Central Washington University's policies and practices affirm and actively promote the rights of all individuals to equal opportunity in education and employment. Discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, age, marital status, disability, or status as a protected veteran is prohibited. The university provides an internal procedure for reporting discrimination and affords protection against retaliation for participating in the complaint process. Central Washington University complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and executive orders including when soliciting bids and in the fulfillment of all contracts with governmental agencies. Direct related inquiries to Civil Rights Compliance, 202 Barge Hall, Ellensburg, WA 98926-7501; Telephone 509-963-2050; or email crc@cwu.edu.

Reasonable Accommodations

Central Washington University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact Human Resources at HR@cwu.edu or call 509-963-1202. This job announcement and other material on this site will be made available in alternate formats upon request to an individual with a disability.

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)

For the Central Washington University Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (i.e. Clery Report) which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, available online here or call CWU Police and Parking Services at 509-963-2959 for a paper copy.