Human Resources & Development Specialist

Join Yakima Valley Libraries as our Human Resources and Development Specialist!

Yakima Valley Libraries is seeking a Human Resources and Development Specialist for a full-time (32 hours per week) position. In this role, you'll help shape the employee experience by leading onboarding, training, and professional development initiatives that support employee success and organizational growth. Working closely with the Human Resources Manager, you'll help attract, develop, and retain talent by coordinating learning opportunities, strengthening leadership capabilities, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Bargaining Unit: No

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The following duties are normal for this position. However, they are not to be construed as exclusive or all–inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. Other duties may also be required or assigned.

• Staff Development & Training: Design and implement a learning solution for staff at all levels of the organization: from staff onboarding, development, management and leadership to customer service, and work culture.

• Program Evaluation: Collect, analyze, and report performance and learning metrics to measure the impact of learning and development initiatives.

• Policy Development and Interpretation: Assists the Human Resources Manager in developing and interpreting goals, objectives, policies, and procedures within the framework of the library’s mission.

• Policy Review and Recommendations: Reviews and recommends updates to human resources and staff development policies and procedures. Disseminates approved changes to YVL staff.

• Legal Compliance: Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local labor laws and library policies.

• Recruitment and Equal Employment Opportunity: Assists with employee recruitment, including advertising positions, screening resumes, and conducting interviews when needed. Promotes equal employment opportunities.

• Training Retention: Maintains training documentation, completion records, and compliance tracking required by internal audits.

• Personnel and Benefits Management: Helps maintain personnel files and employee benefit information.

• Employee Support and Policy Explanation: Assists employees with personnel and benefits issues, explaining policies and resolving problems.

• Benefits Administration: Assists in administering enrollments, changes, and annual open enrollment for employee benefits when needed.

• HR Information System (HRIS) Maintenance: Assists in maintaining the Human Resources Information System (HRIS) and ensures it meets regulatory requirements.

• Compensation Administration: Assists in the administration of wages, salaries, benefits, and other forms of compensation.

• Leave Administration: Assists in administering FMLA, PFML, and other required leave programs.

• Budgeting: Assists in monitoring and managing the training and development budget.

• Relationship Building: Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with staff, the public, and outside organizations.

• Professional Development and Trends: Participates in professional associations, reads professional journals, and stays updated on trends in staff development and human resources management.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Business, or a related field.
• Two (2) years of experience in organizational and staff development program implementation and project management.
• Two (2) years of public library experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Two (2) years of human resources experience.
• Master’s degree in Library Science (MLS/MLIS).

• Human Resources Knowledge: Proficient in public sector HR management, including policies, procedures, and benefits administration.

• Legal Knowledge: Understanding state and federal labor laws, including FMLA and PFML, and compliance with regulatory requirements.

• Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking and relationship-building.

• Analytical Skills: Ability to analyze complex problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement solutions.

• Organizational Skills: Ability to manage multiple tasks, set priorities, and maintain composure under stress.

• Technology Proficiency: Strong computer skills, including HRIS systems and intermediate Microsoft Office Suite skills (SharePoint, Outlook, Word, Excel).

• Interpersonal Skills: Ability to maintain effective working relationships with staff, public, and outside organizations.

• Confidentiality: Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding employee matters and library operations.

• Detailed Oriented and Accurate: Ability to focus on small elements with high precision, quality, and accuracy.

• These competencies highlight the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the role, focusing on key areas essential for success in the position.

Nothing in this job description limits management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Compensation and Benefits

• The pay for this position spans from $32.88 - $43.14 an hour, to reflect experience and years of service.
• Yakima Valley Libraries offers many benefits. Please visit our site for more information: https://www.yvl.org/about-us/employment-opportunities/benefits/