Human Resources Director

The Department & Position

The Human Resources Department, part of Kitsap Transit’s General Administration, consists of 14 FTEs who are committed to supporting a positive work environment, advancing employee development, and ensuring workplace safety. The current Human Resources Director has established a strong foundation of stability, professionalism, and trust across the agency. The next Director will inherit a well-functioning department with experienced staff and will have the opportunity to elevate HR operations, modernize systems, and strengthen safety and security programs.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Human Resources Director oversees a wide range of human resources and risk management functions and serves as a key member of the executive leadership team. The Director also oversees all agency safety, security, and training responsibilities and serves as Kitsap Transit’s designated Safety Officer, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and industry standards.

While the agency is not seeking disruptive change, the Director must be fully prepared to identify and correct compliance deviations, strengthen processes and procedures, and implement improvements necessary to uphold the highest standards of safety, security, training, and regulatory adherence. This work requires a strategic, respectful approach that honors Kitsap Transit’s governing leadership, history, and culture, yet places compliance, safety, and security at the forefront. It is a challenging balance for some, but a defining capability of a true HR professional with a strong safety, security, and training background. This role offers a unique opportunity for a strategic HR leader to build their professional portfolio through measurable accomplishments in workforce development, safety leadership, organizational improvement, and modern HR practices.

Upcoming Priorities

Support Continued Organizational Growth: Kitsap Transit has experienced significant growth, and the HR Department has adapted effectively. The next Director will evaluate practices, clarify responsibilities, and ensure the department’s structure and resources align with the agency’s evolving needs. This includes identifying areas where compliance, safety, training, and security improvements are required and implementing changes in a manner that respects the agency’s culture and leadership.

Advance Continuous Improvement: The agency is operating from a strong foundation. The Director will identify opportunities for thoughtful adjustments, streamlined processes, and steady improvement—challenging outdated practices while preserving stability. When regulatory requirements or safety standards necessitate change, the Director will lead those efforts strategically and respectfully.

Complete Policy and Procedure Updates: A near-term priority will be completing updates to the agency’s policy and procedure handbook to ensure clarity, practicality, and alignment with operational needs and regulatory requirements. The Director will ensure that policies reflect current federal and state mandates and that any needed corrections are implemented with professionalism and respect for the agency’s established practices.

Strengthen Safety and Training Resources: The Director will support and guide the agency’s safety and training functions, ensuring adequate resources, responsive programming, and compliance with safety standards. As Chief Safety Officer, the Director will proactively identify risks, correct deficiencies, and reinforce a culture where safety and security are paramount. This includes electronically delivering training and integrating it with Kitsap Transit’s HRIS.

Build Visibility and Trust Across the Agency: The Director will maintain a visible presence across Kitsap Transit’s operating bases, build strong relationships, and reinforce trust through active listening, clear communication, and consistent follow-through. This includes communicating compliance-related changes in a manner that is transparent, respectful, and supportive of staff and leadership.

Strengthen Staff Ownership and Decision-Making: The HR team is knowledgeable, respected, and deeply committed to the agency’s mission. The Director will empower employees to fully utilize their expertise, make confident decisions, and grow professionally, while reinforcing the importance of compliance and safety in all operational and administrative practices.

The Ideal Candidate

Kitsap Transit seeks an experienced, well-rounded human resources professional with strong judgment, strategic insight, and the ability to handle complex organizational matters with professionalism and skill. Public sector experience and familiarity with union environments are highly important. They should bring credibility, discretion, and practical awareness of how decisions affect employees throughout the organization.

The ideal candidate will be a strategic, big-picture leader who understands how human resources supports organizational direction and long-term planning. They must be prepared to identify and address compliance issues, strengthen processes, and implement improvements that enhance safety, security, and regulatory adherence. This includes taking corrective action when deviations from federal or state requirements are identified and doing so in a manner that respects the agency’s leadership, history, and culture.

The agency is not seeking disruptive change. Instead, the Director will respect what is working, preserve continuity, and identify thoughtful improvements while ensuring that compliance, safety, and security remain the highest priorities. This balance requires a disciplined, strategic approach and is a defining capability of a true HR professional with a strong background in safety, training, and security.

An open-door, accessible, and supportive leadership style is essential. The HR team is passionate, hardworking, and well respected. The Director will empower staff, encourage independent decision-making, and provide guidance without micromanagement.

Experience overseeing safety programs and security protocols and serving as a designated Safety Officer in a public transportation environment is strongly preferred.

Education & Experience

A bachelor’s degree in human resource management, industrial relations, public administration, business administration, or a closely related field, and five (5) years of increasingly responsible public-sector human resources experience, including three (3) years of program management and supervisory experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

Experience in public-sector HR, labor relations, safety oversight, training, risk management, and organizational development is highly desirable.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: $145,244 - $195,233 DOQ. Typical starting salary of $145,245 - $160,255.
• Subsidized medical insurance for employees and dependents
• Fully paid vision and dental insurance
• Fully paid disability and life insurance
• Washington State Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS)
• State administered deferred compensation plan
• 33.5 days of general leave per year
• 12 paid holidays per year
• Free transportation pass for dependents, including ferry service