Human Resources

Kirkland Waterfront

Interim Director of Human Resources

Erin Warner has been serving as the HR Manager at the City of Kirkland since 2023, overseeing all HR operations including recruitment, benefits, leaves, orientation and compliance. Before joining the City, Erin was a Senior Employee Relations Consultant for Cambia Health Solutions (Blue Cross Blue Shield licensee) providing consultative services to leaders and employees across the 4000+ employee organization in the areas of disciplinary action, workplace investigations including allegations of discrimination, performance management, and employee misconduct.   

Erin was also the Director of Human Resources at Hawaii Medical Services Association (HMSA), also a Blue Cross Blue Shield organization.  She joined HMSA in 2018 to oversee all HR operations for nearly 1900 employees across the state.  The units under Erin’s oversight include Recruitment, Employee Relations, Position Management and Reporting, Compensation, Leaves and Benefits. Prior to HMSA, Erin worked for the State of Hawaii in multiple departments for over 15 years.  More recently she was at the Department of Education serving roles primarily in Labor and Employee Relations, Negotiations including collective bargaining, Investigations, Performance Management, Recruitment, Employee Transactions and EEO issues. 

Erin began her HR career as an Investigator with the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission after receiving a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Criminology from Southern Oregon University and a juris doctorate from the City University of New York School of Law at Queen’s College. Erin was born and raised in Hawaii, and had been considering relocation to the pacific northwest for some time and she is excited to be able to continue her HR operations and leadership career with the City of Kirkland. 

City of Kirkland Core Values Video

Mission
To build, develop and retain a high performing 21st Century workforce whose work advances the mission, vision and values of the City of Kirkland

Department Functions
Human Resources is responsible for the successful design and implementation of the following functions: recruitment, training, employee relations, labor relations, compensation, benefit administration, risk management, workers compensation and performance management.

The Human Resources Department staffs and supports the following Boards and Commissions: 

Civil Service: Police Officers and Firefighters are hired and promoted under the authority of the Civil Service Commission. The Commission ensures that these Public Safety employees are hired and promoted on the basis of merit.  The Commission can also discipline and terminate for cause.

Disability Board (LEOFF 1)The Kirkland Disability Board represents LEOFF I (Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters, plan I) members in developing, amending, and updating the policies and procedures relating to LEOFF I members. The Board also reviews, approves or denies payment of medical expenses, requests for pre-authorization of medical expenditures, disability leaves, and applications for retirement.

Salary Commission: As authorized by RCW 35.21.015, in 2005 the City of Kirkland established a Salary Commission to set the salaries of the Mayor and City Council Members. The Salary Commission is made up of three citizens who are appointed for staggered terms by the Mayor with the approval of the City Council.

The Human Resources Department is responsible for the negotiations, administration, and interpretation of collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) with all the City's unions. 

View CBAs

Cascadia Government Leadership Collective

About the Program
The Collective offers a series of in-person workshops focused on leadership, not just management, within the public sector. Participants will learn from experienced practitioners and explore topics such as emotional intelligence, communication, strategic decision-making, community engagement, and organizational culture.