Human Resources Assistant

Position Title Human Resources Assistant About the University

Western Washington University, with over 15,000 students in seven colleges and the graduate school, is nationally recognized for its educational programs, students and faculty. The campus is located in Bellingham, Washington, a coastal community of 90,000 overlooking Bellingham Bay, the San Juan Islands and the North Cascades Mountain range. The city lies 90 miles north of Seattle and 60 miles south of Vancouver, British Columbia. Western has additional sites in Anacortes, Bremerton, Everett, Port Angeles, and Poulsbo. Western is recognized nationally for its successes, such as being named one of the top public master's-granting institutions in the Pacific Northwest for 25 years in a row by U.S. News & World Report.

Western Washington University is committed to achieving excellence through advancing inclusive success, increasing our Washington impact, and focusing on transformational education grounded in the liberal arts and sciences and based on innovative scholarship, research, and creative activity. Western's greatest strength is the outstanding students, faculty, staff, and alumni/ae who make up its community. Western supports an inclusive governance structure for all and provides a learning and working environment in which everyone can thrive. In pursuit of this excellence, individual employees are expected to establish and maintain productive and effective inclusive working relationships amongst diverse populations including staff, faculty, administration, student, and external constituents. Further, individual employees are expected to have the ability to operationalize sustainability concepts (economic, societal, environmental) into all aspects of performing their job duties.

About the Department Human Resources supports Western's mission, which states that together with our students, staff, and faculty, we are committed to making a positive impact in the state and the world with a shared focus on academic excellence and inclusive achievement. We encourage applications from women, people of color, people with disabilities, veterans, and other candidates from underrepresented backgrounds and with diverse experiences interested in this opportunity. About the Position The Human Resources Assistant serves as the primary point of contact for individuals who email, call, or visit HR and provides essential front desk coverage for approximately 50% of the position. The HR Assistant is also responsible for supporting a variety of generalist functions under general supervision.

This is an on-site position with no remote option, except when campus is closed due to unforeseen circumstances (such as inclement weather). In addition to front desk responsibilities, the position perform administrative HR tasks including: explaining and applying human resource rules, policies, regulations, and procedures; processing HR transactions; maintaining accurate records; and providing support across multiple HR functional areas such as Onboarding, Benefits and Payroll.

The HR Assistant ensures a high level of customer service, confidentiality, and accuracy while balancing reception duties with general HR responsibilities.  The State HR classification for this position is HR Consultant Assistant 1.

Required Qualifications

• High school graduate or equivalent
• Three years of office experience, and six months of experience in HR or similar
• Front-desk reception experience, including extensive customer service experience
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task, subject to frequent interruptions
• Detail-oriented, with a high-level of accuracy and organization
• Strong technical skills and demonstrated ability utilizing technology to work efficiently
• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel and Outlook, including calendar management
• Demonstrated ability to problem solve effectively
• Ability to deal with HR matters in confidential, discretionary and professional manner

Preferred Qualifications

• 1 year experience in Human Resources
• Understanding of Form I-9 rules and regulations
• Hands-on experience with human resource information systems
• Experience with Banner and On Base

 

Conditions of Employment All employees must comply with our Immunization policies, including Proof of Rubeola Measles Immunity within 60-days of hire. Please reach out to [email protected] if you need information regarding medical or religious exemption and applicable accommodations. Salary  $3,864 - $4,792/month depending on qualifications and experience Benefits Information Benefits Overview for Classified Positions Bargaining Unit This position is part of bargaining unit A and is covered by the collective bargaining agreement with Washington Federation of State Employees. Application Instructions

Application materials should address your experience related to the position responsibilities and the required and preferred qualifications.

Closing Date Notes Position closes 03/27/2026 at 11:55 pm.

Western Washington University (WWU) is an equal opportunity employer. In compliance with applicable laws, WWU does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, citizenship or immigration status, pregnancy, use of protective leave, genetic status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, creed, religion, veteran or military status, disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal (including a service animal in training) by a person with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law, in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs. See WWU’s Policies on Prohibiting Discrimination Based on A Protected Class and Prohibiting Discrimination Based on Sex. Inquiries may be directed to the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance, Title IX and ADA Coordinator, Western Washington University, Old Main 126 (MS 9021), 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225; 360.650.3307 (voice) or 711 (Washington Relay); [email protected]

WWU is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request an accommodation, please contact Human Resources Disability Services, 360.650.3751 or 711 (Washington Relay).

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report: This report is provided pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act ("The Clery Act"). It includes statistics for the previous three calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on Western's campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Western; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. You can obtain a copy of this report in printed or alternate formats by contacting the Office of Student Life at [email protected]. The report can be found at: Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.

All new employees must comply with the immunization policy and show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service before beginning work at WWU. A thorough background check will be conducted on all new hires which includes a sexual misconduct background check.