Talent Acquisition Specialist (HRC4-T) - Internal Only

Talent Acquisition Specialist (HRC4-T) - Internal Only

Salary

$69,348.00 - $102,996.00 Annually

Location

Thurston County - Olympia, WA

Job Type

Agency Internal - Permanent

Remote Employment

Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number

2026-08320

Department

Employment Security Department

Division

Human Resources

Opening Date

10/15/2026

Closing Date

10/22/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

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

As a Talent Acquisition Specialist, you will provide expert-level recruitment and workforce planning consultation to supervisors and managers across ESD. You will serve as a trusted advisor, helping programs acquire qualified, diverse talent for agency-wide job openings while ensuring strict compliance with all relevant authorizing environments, state and federal pre-employment laws, collective bargaining agreements, and merit system rules. Operating within the Human Resources Division, your work directly supports ESDs mission by building a skilled workforce equipped to strengthen Washington's communities.

In this role, you will independently analyze staffing issues, design effective sourcing strategies, and mitigate agency risk by oversight of the pre-employment process. You will guide hiring managers through position-specific recruitment plans, from creating compliant assessment tools to reviewing interview questions for legal sufficiency. Additionally, you will lead outreach initiatives, represent the agency at hiring events, and provide mentorship and training to hiring authorities and HR peers alike.

Additionally, some of your duties include:

• Provide expert-level consultation to supervisors and managers to design, develop, and implement classification-specific workforce planning and recruitment strategies.
• Resolve complex recruitment issues and identify technically and politically viable solutions for hard-to-fill, mission-critical vacancies.
• Ensure full compliance with state/federal pre-employment laws, RCWs, and collective bargaining agreements to mitigate risk to the agency.
• Formulate job announcements, supplemental questionnaires, and assessment criteria to effectively gather applicant screening data.
• Review interview questions for hiring managers to ensure legal compliance and direct relevance to the position description form.
• Develop and execute comprehensive sourcing plans, including conducting research to determine how and where to recruit viable applicants.
• Coordinate and lead recruitment events, career fairs, employee resource groups, and outreach activities as an agency representative.
• Prepare recruitment marketing materials and report on recruitment details, including applicant pool quality and advertising results.
• Document and maintain all phases of sourcing, recruitment, and pre-employment activities to ensure a justifiable hire and fulfill records retention requirements.
• Conduct and present training to agency managers and admins on recruitment systems and selection best practices.

To request a full job description, click here

Qualifications

Required Education, Experience, and Competencies:

To qualify at the HRC3 level:

Two (2) years of professional level human resource consulting experience providing HR advice and consultation to include experience working with managers to help identify and recommend recruitment timelines, sourcing techniques, and candidates of interest.

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 and interpreting and applying human resources laws, rules, policies, and procedures applicable to talent acquisition.

To qualify at the HRC4 level:

Option 1: Seven (7) years of broad-based professional human resource experience, including facilitating organizational development or change, and advising and consulting on human resource issues.

Option 2: Associate degree with focus on business, human resources, social or organizational behavioral sciences, or related field. Five (5) years of broad-based professional human resource experience, including facilitating organizational development or change, and advising and consulting on human resource issues.

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, including facilitating organizational development or change, and advising and consulting on human resource issues.

Option 4: A combination of equivalent education/experience that equals 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.

The Required experience includes:

• Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning Expertise: Ensures effective recruitment and onboarding processes.
• Interpersonal Communication & Problem-Solving Skills: Builds collaborative relationships and resolves challenges.
• Crisis Management & Discretion Skills: Handles high-pressure situations with professionalism and tact.
• Investigative Skills: Ability to gather facts and analyze grievances effectively.
• Equity & Inclusion Expertise: Promotes inclusive HR practices and provides mentoring for cultural competence.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree with focus on human resources, business, social or organizational behavioral sciences, or related field.
• Experience developing and presenting training.
• Professional work experience in an organization's human resource office in recruiting, staffing, career counseling functions, applying federal and state employment law, rules, process and agency policies.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• 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. Any documents uploaded through this platform will be securely transmitted electronically to support application review.

Please submit your Cover Letter* and Resume with your Online Application through the "Add Attachments" field. A resume will not substitute for the "work experience" section of the application or vice versa. Applications with blank fields, or supplemental question responses with comments such as "see attachments" may be considered incomplete.

Supplemental Information

Why work with us?

Our agencys 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. We understand that a work environment that respects your work/life balance is key; thats why many of our positions are eligible for flexible work schedules and teleworking opportunities. Through support, value, and trust, our employees are empowered to grow and develop into their best self.

Opportunity for All

We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, ethnic, racial, religious, sexual orientation, and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, people over 40 years of age, people with religious beliefs, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

The Employment Security Department is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

If you are a person needing assistance in the application process, if you need this job announcement in an alternate format, or if you have general questions about this opportunity, please contact Katie Swanson (360-742-8208), the Talent Acquisition Team, or Washington Relay Service 711 prior to the recruitment closing. If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please contact careershelp@des.wa.gov or (360) 664-1960 or toll free (877) 664-1960, Washington Relay 711.

This Organization Participates in E-Verify

More than Just a Paycheck!

Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. Thats why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:

The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits

Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation

State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security

All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays

Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave

Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)

Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave

Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave

Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave

Leave Sharing

Parental Leave

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026

01

Have you attached your cover letter and resume to your application? Please ensure both documents are included as they are crucial for the evaluation process.

• Yes
• No

02

Under RCW 73.16.010, certain military spouses are eligible for preference Do you attest that you meet one of the following eligibility criteria?

• You are the spouse of an active-duty service member; or
• You are the widow or widower of a member of the uniformed services who had a qualifying discharge, as defined in RCW 73.04.005; or
• You are the spouse of a veteran who has a qualifying discharge, as defined in RCW 73.04.005, and a service-connected permanent and total disability.
• None of the above.

03

This position is only available to current, internal employees of the Washington Employment Security Department. Do you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

04

Please explain (referencing minimum qualification options) how your experience qualifies you for this position.

05

Please provide a brief explanation of how your work experience demonstrates talent acquisition & workforce planning expertise. If you do not have this type of experience, please type N/A.

06

Please provide a brief explanation of how your work experience demonstrates interpersonal communication & problem-solving skills. If you do not have this type of experience, please type N/A.

07

Please provide a brief explanation of how your work experience demonstrates the ability to rapidly synthesize new information. If you do not have this type of experience, please type N/A.

08

Please provide a brief explanation of how your work experience demonstrates investigative skills. If you do not have this type of experience, please type N/A.

09

Please provide a brief explanation of how your work experience demonstrates equity & inclusion experience. If you do not have this type of experience, please type N/A.

10

• Preferred Qualification (not required): Please provide a brief explanation of your professional work experience in an organization's human resource office in recruiting, staffing, career counseling functions, applying federal and state employment law, rules, process and agency policies. If you do not have this type of experience, please type N/A.

11

ESD How did you hear about this job opportunity?

• WWW.Careers.Wa.Gov
• WorkSource Center or Website (WorkSourceWA.com)
• Washington State Employee Referral
• ESD Employee Referral
• Employment Security Departments job web page: WWW.Esd.Wa.Gov
• Monster
• College/university career fair or website
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• VERG
• Craigslist
• CareerBuilder
• Diversity Jobs
• Handshake
• Other

Required Question

Employer State of Washington

Address View Job Posting for Agency Information

View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504

Website http://www.careers.wa.gov