ABOUT US

 

The Human Resources Department is responsible for recruiting, training, and retaining the best employees around. We provide competitive compensation and benefit packages for all regular full-time positions. Our mission is to provide the following core services which respond to Lacey's need for a diverse, well-qualified, positive workforce.

 

Policy Development

The Human Resources Department takes a lead role in developing and disseminating city-wide policies relating to employment, supervision, training, benefits, leaves, holidays, and safety. The department also advises and provides assistance to other departments with their internal development of Standard Operating Procedures.

 

Employee and Labor Relations

The City of Lacey has contracts with three labor unions. General office, maintenance, and professional staff are represented by the Association of Federal, State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) local 618. Police Sergeants and Lieutenants are covered under a contract with the Lacey Police Management Association, and Police Officers are members of the Lacey Police Officers’ Guild. The Director of Human Resources facilitates the collective bargaining process, which includes contract negotiation, implementation, grievance resolution, and ongoing labor-management relations.

 

Workplace Health and Safety
The City of Lacey has active programs for employee health and safety. This charge is led by the Wellness Committee, which strives to promote healthy choices for employees through an annual series of workshops, activities, demonstrations, and printed information.  For the last ten years the city has received the “Well City” designation from the Association of Washington Cities which recognizes the Lacey’s innovation and commitment to providing wellness programs for its employees.

 

Employee safety programs administered by the Human Resources Department include new employee orientations, blood borne pathogen vaccinations, and safety audits.  The department also manages the city’s Hearing Conservation, Respiratory Protection, and overall Accident Prevention Program.  Because city employees follow safe work practices, the city’s overall incident rate is lower than the State average.

 

The Human Resources Department also administers the city’s workers compensation program.  The city is a State Fund employer, which means that employees are covered by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries for injuries and illnesses that occur on the job.

 

Employee Training and Development
The Human Resources Department facilitates employee training and development through a variety of delivery methods. Some training classes are held “in-house” and instructed by fellow City employees. Other courses are offered by partners such as the Washington State Department of Personnel or other municipalities. Still others are contracted through third party vendors or professional organizations specific to a discipline or department. Whatever the delivery method, training hours are tracked to document compliance with State and Federal mandates. The Human Resources Department ensure that staff has an updated knowledge of best practices in order to be effective in their jobs.  

 

Property and Liability Insurance
The City of Lacey contracts for liability, property, automobile physical damage, and other insurance programs through Washington Cities Insurance Authority (WCIA), a municipal insurance and risk management pool. Damage claims are received through the Human Resources Department and are coordinated through WCIA to be adjusted and resolved.  WCIA also provides defense counsel for lawsuits that are initiated against the city.