Entry Level Hris Jobs in Bellingham, WA (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $7,151.00 - $8,692.00 Monthly
Location : City of Bellingham, WA
Job Type: Limited Term
Job Number: 26-HRIS Specialist
Department: Human Resources
Opening Date: 08/25/2026
Closing Date: 9/1/2026 4:30 PM Pacific
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: Eteam
Nature of Work
The City of Bellingham is seeking a Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) Specialist to join our Human Resources team as we roll out our new HRIS system, Workday. In this limited-term role, you will support system implementation, data integrity, reporting, troubleshooting, and administration while collaborating with staff across the City. If you enjoy problem-solving, program implementation, teamwork, and helping create smoother processes, this is a great opportunity to make an impact during a major system transition.
This full-time, limited-term position is anticipated to begin on October 1, 2026, and expected to conclude between December 31, 2026 and March 31, 2027 depending on operational needs.
JOB SUMMARY:
Provides support for the City's Human Capital Management (HCM) system under the guidance of senior staff. Assists with the implementation, administration, maintenance, and support of the HCM and related applications. Works collaboratively with Human Resources, Payroll, Benefits, Information Technology, and City staff to support HR business processes, maintain system data integrity, prepare reports, troubleshoot system issues, and assist with system improvements and upgrades.
Provides technical assistance to system users, participates in system testing and implementation activities, develops documentation, and assists with training. Supports ongoing HCM operations by maintaining system data, monitoring security access, and performing routine system administration activities.
For more information, please review the
WHY JOIN OUR TEAM?
Joining the City of Bellingham means becoming a part of a team that believes our greatest impact comes from working together with purpose, humility and a shared commitment to our community. Every employee contributes to delivering meaningful results for the people who live, work and visit here. We value people who approach challenges with curiosity, respect and collaboration. If you are motivated by building a career in public service, we encourage you to apply.
SALARY AND BENEFITS:
The current full salary range for this position is $7,151/month - $8,692/month. Employees receive step increases annually in accordance with the and City policy.
The City places new employees within the published salary range based on qualifications and professional experience as listed on the application material, in accordance with City policy. Candidates who exceed the minimum experience requirements shall be given credit for advanced step placement at the rate of one additional pay step for each two full years of directly related or equivalent professional experience beyond the minimum requirements. Candidates who meet minimum qualifications or have experience that is not directly related or in a lower-level position will be placed at step one in the salary range. For positions that require a bachelor's degree, one additional step may be granted for applicants with a master's degree in a related field when the master's degree is not required to meet minimum qualifications. The City's HR Department regularly evaluates minimum qualifications to provide equitable employment opportunities.
For internal candidates, placement within the range is based on City Pay Placement Procedures.
At the City of Bellingham, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that helps you thrive in both your career and personal life. Join our team and enjoy peace of mind knowing that you and your loved ones are well cared for. Here's a closer look at the outstanding benefits that come with being part of our team. You can page and

• 13.33 hours of vacation leave per month, with increased accrual over time
• 12 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday per year
• 40 hours of sick leave upon hire + 8 hours accrued monthly
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families
• Life insurance and long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts and medical insurance opt-out program
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Washington State Retirement plan (DRS) for retirement security
• Optional 457 deferred compensation savings plan and 401(a) Retirement Savings Plan with employer match

Leave accruals are based on 1.0 FTE, accruals are pro-rated if part-time and require employees to be in paid status at least 120 hours/month.
Experience and Training

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, human resources, public or business administration or related field. PHR or SHRM-CP certification may substitute for two years of education.
• Two years of experience in HCM/HRMS/HRIS administration. Experience with Workday preferred.
• One year of experience in Human Resources working with a full range of HR programs and services such as payroll; classification and compensation; recruitment and selection; benefits; performance management and labor relations.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to provide the applicant with the skills, knowledge, and ability to successfully perform the essential functions of the job will be considered.

Necessary Special Requirements

• Employment contingent upon passing a criminal background check (see Fair Hiring Practices below).

Selection Process
**You are encouraged to print a copy of this job announcement for your reference as the process moves along**
Please ensure your application is complete and all required information has been provided. Standard completeness means all application fields (contact information, personal information, education, work experience, references, and supplemental questions). Application materials should comprehensively document your experience and skills related to the position responsibilities and experience/training requirements. Only the documents listed as required will be reviewed.
Interviews for the most qualified candidates are scheduled for September 11, 2026. Invitations to participate in the Interview process will be sent via e-mail on or around September 04, 2026
Please Note: Candidates will receive updates regarding application status via email. Please be sure to check your email frequently, including your spam folders for messages filtered by your email providers.
Equal Opportunity:
Our environment is characterized by respect for cultural backgrounds, belief systems, and ethnic diversity. The City of Bellingham is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its work force. We do not make decisions on the basis of an individual's race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, age (40+), disability, retaliation, sexual orientation or gender identity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. All are encouraged to apply for employment.
Fair Hiring Practices

• The City provides individuals who have been arrested or convicted of a criminal offense an equal and fair opportunity to obtain employment.
• The City will not inquire about an applicant's criminal history until after a conditional job offer has been made.
• The City will disregard the prior arrest and conviction record of an otherwise qualified individual unless the offense is directly related to the job position for which the individual has applied.
• The City will notify an otherwise qualified applicant about a potentially disqualifying conviction and give the applicant an opportunity to submit information regarding the accuracy of the criminal records as well as evidence of mitigation or rehabilitation, as appropriate.

There are many good reasons for working at the City of Bellingham. The work is rewarding and you have an opportunity to serve your community. Another good reason is the great benefits that the City offers its employees. See our for additional information.
This position is unrepresented. Specific benefit information including Holidays, Vacation Accruals, Health, Dental and Vision Plans with cost sharing and Deferred Compensation Match can be found in the
This position is covered by the State of Washington Department of Retirement Systems PERS plan. PERS requires mandatory employee and City contributions. Please visit the for more information on PERS.
01
Thank you for your interest in this position at the City of Bellingham! To ensure a consistent review, only the City of Bellingham job application and required supplemental documents will be reviewed. Cover letters and resumes are not reviewed unless they are required as part of the process. When applying for this position, you must thoroughly complete each section of your application, and provide a thorough response to each of the supplemental questions. Please do not indicate "see resume" or copy content that is unrelated to the position being applied for from your resume when answering these questions.
Have you read and understood the information listed above?

• Yes
• No

02
This position is a limited-term role, meaning it is hired for a specific period of time, ranging from an end date of December 31, 2026 to no longer than March 31, 2027. By applying, you acknowledge and confirm your understanding that the position has a defined end date within this time frame.

• I acknowledge and understand that the HRIS Specialist position has a defined end date range.

03
Do you have a Bachelor's degree in computer science, human resources, public or business administration or related field?

• Yes
• No

04
Do you have one (1) year of experience in Human Resources working with a full range of HR programs and services such as payroll; classification and compensation; recruitment and selection; benefits; performance management and labor relations. (Note: this must also be reflected on your application under Education and Work Experience.)
How We Count Work Experience: Your experience must be equal to full-time paid work. If you worked part-time, we'll calculate your experience based on the total number of hours you worked in a year. For example, if you worked 10 hours per week for 12 months, that equals 3 months of full-time experience (10 hrs x 52 weeks= 520 hrs/173.33 full time hrs per month = 3 months).

• Yes
• No

05
Do you have two (2) years experience in HCM/HRMS/HRIS administration? (Note: this must also be reflected on your application under Education and Work Experience.)
How We Count Work Experience: Your experience must be equal to full-time paid work. If you worked part-time, we'll calculate your experience based on the total number of hours you worked in a year. For example, if you worked 10 hours per week for 12 months, that equals 3 months of full-time experience (10 hrs x 52 weeks= 520 hrs/173.33 full time hrs per month = 3 months).

• Yes
• No

06
Do you currently have a PHR or SHRM-CP certification? This may substitute for two years of education.

• Yes
• No

07
Please describe in detail your education and experience, or combination of education/experience that provides you the necessary skills, knowledge and abilities to perform this role.(Note: this must also be reflected on your application under Education and Work Experience.)
08
Please describe your experience assisting with a system implementation or upgrade. What tasks were you responsible for?
09
Please describe any experience you have with Workday or other HCM system? What modules have you used most extensively?
Required Question