Request to fill HR Generalist instead of HR Assistant 7.15.2025
Office: 360-740-1408 Angie Hodge
Cell: 360-880-8539 Human Resources Director Email: Angie.Hodge@lewiscountywa.gov Human Resources & Public Disclosure
Human Resources
To: Board of County Commissioners
Ryan Barrett, County Manager
From: Angie Hodge, Human Resources Director
Date: July 15, 2025
Subject: Request to Reclassify Vacant HR Assistant Position to HR Generalist
This is a request to reclassify the vacant HR Assistant Position to an HR Generalist position. The position has
been vacant since May 1, 2025, and the cost savings realized from the vacancy will cover the anticipated extra
expense for the higher salary for this fiscal year (from Salary Grade 118 to Salary Grade 122).
Justification:
To make Lewis County Human Resources as effective and efficient as possible, our greatest current need is in
the practical functions of HR operations, personnel records management, labor relations, protected leave and
reasonable accommodation, training, performance management consulting, and recruitment/selection. The
qualifications for an HR Generalist include: 3 years’ Human Resources experience and an associate’s degree in
business, human resources, or related field (or equivalent experience/education). We need someone with this
experience to join our team and perform these types of duties to prepare us for strategic change. The right
candidate with these qualifications will be able to ‘hit the ground running’ and immediately become an asset to
Lewis County.
The HR Assistant role is not intended to perform at the level required for the majority of the tasks that need to
be performed and is not able to be assigned these higher-level duties on an ongoing basis. Below is a snapshot
of the HR org structure over the past year, and highlighted is the requested change:
HR Positions July 2024 HR Positions January 2025 HR Positions Request July 2025
HR Director (133) HR Director (133) HR Director (133)
Deputy HR Director (130) HR Generalist, Senior (124) HR Generalist, Senior (124)
HR Generalist, Senior (124) HR Generalist (122) HR Generalist (122)
HR Generalist (122) HR Assistant (118) HR Generalist (122)
HR Assistant (118)
Budget Impact:
The HR Assistant was earning Grade 118 step 4 ($4,814 monthly) and scheduled to move to 118 step 5 ($4,935
monthly) on July 16, 2025. Assuming we hire an HR Generalist at the midpoint of the salary range (122-7), there
will be no negative impact to the HR Department’s budget for 2025. However, approving this request will
increase the budget for subsequent fiscal years approximately $15,000. The 4-grade difference between 118
and 122 represents approximately a 20% increase in earning potential for the incumbent. This salary should also
351 NW North Street Chehalis, WA 98532-1900 HR phone: 360.740.2737 HR fax: 360.740.1494 Email: HR@lewiscounty.wa.gov
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allow us to be competitive with other employers so that we can hire and retain the ideal candidate for this
position.
2025 Budgeted: 12 Months HR Assistant
January $4,814
February $4,814
March $4,814
April $4,814
May $4,814
June $4,814
July $4,875
August $4,935
September $4,935
October $4,935
November $4,935
December $4,935
BUDGETED 2025 SALARY COST $58,434
2025 Proposed: HR Generalist at 122-7, 8/1/25
January (HR Assistant) $4,814
February (HR Assistant) $4,814
March (HR Assistant) $4,814
April (HR Assistant) $4,814
May (HR Assistant Vacant) $0
June (HR Assistant Vacant) $0
July (HR Assistant Vacant) $0
August (HR Generalist, 122-7) $6,182
September (HR Generalist) $6,182
October (HR Generalist) $6,182
November (HR Generalist) $6,182
December (HR Generalist) $6,182
ESTIMATED ACTUAL SALARY COST $50,166