Overview
The Human Resource Division (HRD) consists of both commissioned and civil service employees. Each position within HRD has a specific purpose related to the management of personnel needs of the organization. HRD staff includes, HRD Commander (Captain) recruiters, background investigators, polygraphists, various levels of human resource consultants, human resource manager, human resource operations manager, diversity equity inclusion officer, industrial organizational psychologist, industrial hygienist, safety officer, forms and records analyst, secretary senior, and a secretary supervisor.
HRD recognizes the importance of its role as a business and strategic partner to districts, divisions, and WSP executive staff. Therefore, HRD provides HR procedures, training, systems, and programs to assist all facets of WSP to accomplish it vision, mission, and strategies.
Key Measurements and Statistics
Annually HRD facilitated WSP’s participation in the Governor’s Annual Employee Engagement Survey. The results showed an increase in participation from 74% for year 2019 to 76% for year 2020. One significant question on the survey: “I would recommend my agency as a great place to work” resulted in a 73% positive percentage or average score of 4.0 out 5. These results continue to inform and influence HRD initiatives.
Since March 2020 WSP HRD advised and tracked employees that were impacted by COVID-19. The statistics show the COVID-19 impact on WSP employees:
Total number of COVID-19 exposures to WSP staff: 458
Total number of COVID-19 positive (quarantined) cases involving WSP Staff: 65
Commission: 36
Civil Service: 29
Total Number of quarantined employees not including positive cases: 393
Commission: 212
Civil Service: 181
Total loss of essential services due to COVID-19: 1,679 days
In 2020, HRD hired 38 trooper cadets for the 38th Arming Class. Though the goal was to hire 40 for the class, COVID-19 became problematic to recruit and test applicants as schools closed and Public Safety Testing suspended testing dates.
Successes of 2020
During the 2020 year a budget shortfall was predicted as a result of COVID 19 for the next biennium. Therefore, a hiring freeze was implemented and any hiring freeze exemptions were to be approved by Office of Financial Management. HRD was successful in acquiring approval to hire a Diversity Equity Inclusion Officer (DEIO) to assist with the improvement of recruitment and retention of underrepresented minorities within the WSP. The DEI Officer started working in August 2020. HRD also acquired funding to hire a vendor to assist in developing a WSP DEI program with that work beginning early 2021.
During 2020, HRD re-aligned the district recruiter program centralizing the unit within the Human Resource Division. This new alignment established two full time recruiters on the west side of state and one on the east side of the state focusing their efforts on increasing diversity composition within the commissioned and civilian ranks. This newly reorganized unit will increase flexibility and focus on specific data driven HR recruitment goals.
In 2020, the Background Unit began using Skill Survey to conduct backgrounds for all agency positions. By using Skill Survey, WSP backgrounds are able to be completed within days rather than weeks and increased quality through the use of this job validated scientific index. This proved to be an important customer service adjustment and resulted in quicker times to hire without sacrificing the quality of the comprehensive background.
HRD is committed to continually create and sustain HRD initiatives that contribute to WSP being an employer of choice in the State of Washington. To say 2020 was a challenge is an understatement but the Human Resource Division continued to provide service to all 2400 WSP employees despite a significant transition to flexible and telework systems.