Senior Human Resources Business Partner

SUMMARY: Under direction, the Senior Human Resources Business Partner performs work including strategic workforce management and planning, recruitment, selection, classification and compensation, employee relations, training, and other human resources functions; support assigned City departments, offices, and special projects; advise employees, supervisors, and Directors on HR policies, rules, regulations, procedures, and strategy; and perform functions to complete job analyses, job studies, position reviews, salary surveys and other market data analysis, job descriptions, and classification and compensation related reports.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: The Senior Human Resources Business Partner performs work which requires an advanced knowledge of the principles and techniques of the professional human resources field and exercise the greatest level of independent judgment. Employees work under limited supervision on assignments and are allowed initiative and discretion in accordance with established policies in order to exercise advanced professional knowledge and judgment. This class is responsible for providing guidance and limited supervision to lower-level classifications and projects.

Supervision Received and Exercised: Work is normally reviewed upon completion, with occasional review while in process, to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and conformance to established standards; autonomy is granted at the service or program level; work is subject to general and departmental policies, procedures, and guidelines. This position exercises limited supervision, guidance, and oversight to other positions.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Performs services including labor and employee relations, employee benefits, diversity programs, classification and compensation recruitment, performance and talent management, payroll administration, and employee development as assigned.
2. Serves as a consultant to assigned Departments by providing information and explanation of human resources policies, procedures, classification and compensation, employee benefits, payroll, recruitment, and labor relations and employment issues.
3. Provide guidance and support for organizational change initiatives; align workforce capabilities with new strategies; encourage a culture of continuous improvement and high-performance; develop change management strategies to guide leadership through workforce transitions.
4. Conduct regular analyses of assigned business unit’s workforce to identify trends in resource allocation and performance; provide solutions in alignment with human resources best practices.
5. Collaborate with leadership to develop a comprehensive and collaborative workforce strategy that aligns with City Council’s priorities and goals.
6. Makes effective oral presentations and presents information appropriately; explains technical human resources information in understandable, non-technical language; provides interpretations, guidance, and alternatives for City departments and employees.
7. Advise on best practices for talent management to optimize the talent life cycle; prepares, drafts, and/or edits, job postings, supplemental questions, ads, oral board questions and guidelines, examination procedures, job studies, position reviews, salary survey/pay comparisons, written studies, reports, advertisements for position vacancies, job announcement bulletins, application supplements, presentations, and other materials and documents.
8. Build relationships with key stakeholders to align human resources initiatives and best practices to business strategies; enhance collaboration across functions.
9. Provides research, analysis, and support in collective bargaining, grievances, employee discipline, administration of employee contracts and agreements; prepares reports and contract proposals; makes recommendations.
10. Strategically utilize analytics and workforce metrics to inform decision making; provide insight on workforce effectiveness; leverage data to drive evidence-based strategies.
11. Responds appropriately to sensitive and controversial situations, inquiries and requests, both internal and external; conducts investigations as required, recommends alternative courses of action, and advises employees, management, applicants, and others.
12. Supports the implementation of department and/or City goals, objectives, policies, and procedures; analyzes and recommends strategies to improve effectiveness of operation by conducting a variety of organizational and operational studies.
13. Performs specialized research to write reports which present and interpret data, identify alternatives, make and justify recommendations; presents findings both orally and in writing; prepare staff reports and present at City Council as requested.
14. Ensures that human resources programs, activities and services comply with relevant federal, state, and local laws, policies, and regulations.
15. Performs other duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Combinations of education and experience that are equivalent to the following minimum qualifications are acceptable.

Education: A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in human resources, public administration, business administration, communication studies, labor and industrial relations, or a related field.

Experience: Five (5) years of journey level experience in human resources with at least three (3) years of senior level experience directly related to developing HR strategies related to human resources functions such as development of department and functional structure, aligning business objectives with organizational goals, developing recruitment strategies, examining hiring practices, administering benefits, classification and compensation, policy and procedure development and review, and employee and labor relations.

Required Licenses or Certifications:

• Must possess a valid driver's license or otherwise demonstrate the ability to independently get to and from multiple work locations as required.

Desired Qualifications:

• Possession of a Human Resources Certification or equivalent from an accredited credentialing organization such as SHRM, HRCI, PSHRA, or similar is desired.

COMPETENCIES: These are reflective of the KSAs an individual would possess at the full-functioning level.

Knowledge of: Principles and practices of human resource programs, services, and activities; Organization and operation of municipal government; Municipal government functions specifically related to the program area; Techniques, principles, and methods used in recruiting and testing, classification and compensation, and employee relations; Human resources testing theories and practices; Principles and practices of collective bargaining and contract negotiation, preparation and administration; Principles and applications of critical thinking and analysis; Recent developments, research methods, current literature, and sources of information related to assigned programs and service areas; Terminology used in the area of assignment; Principles and practices of classification, compensation and conducting investigations; Organization and operation of the City, program, and outside agencies related to responsibilities.

Ability to: Perform the full range of analytical, programmatic and administrative duties; Collect, evaluate and interpret varied information and data; Research, analyze, and formulate recommendations, work plans, and activities regarding human resources programs; Represent the programs, operations, and functions of Human Resources to assigned areas; Participate in the preparation and administration of policies, procedures and labor contracts; Prepare clear and accurate tables, schedules, summaries, and materials in statistical and narrative form; Establish and maintain various data collection, record keeping, tracking, filing, and reporting systems; Conduct research and apply results to programs and procedures; Understand, interpret, and apply administrative and departmental policies and procedures as well as pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations; Exercise confidentiality in maintaining critical and sensitive information, records, and reports; Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; Perform work in an in-office environment; Demonstrate regular and reliable attendance; Work collaboratively with team, city staff, and constituents; Build strong and effective relationships.

Physical Demands and Working Environment: Work is performed primarily in a standard office setting with some travel to different sites and locations. Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; to travel independently to other locations using various modes of private and/or commercial transportation; and to verbally communicate to exchange information.