HR Business Partner

Job Description

Job Description

Robert Half is recruiting for an experienced HR Consultant / HR Business Partner for our public sector client. The consultant will have strong California public sector experience and can ensure compliance with labor laws, union agreements, and agency requirements. This role is hands-on and involves working closely with multiple departments to keep processes accurate, compliant, and efficient. This long term consulting opportunity will be located onsite in Downey, CA.

Responsibilities

- Manage a large team of 15-20 through a HRIS and payroll implementation

- knowledge of full-cycle payroll for public sector employees, ensuring accuracy and compliance.

- Knowledge of key HR functions including onboarding, benefits, leaves, performance processes, and policy interpretation.

- Compliance with California labor laws, CalPERS/CalSTRS, and collective bargaining agreements.

- Advise leadership on HR and payroll policies, procedures, and regulatory changes.

- Maintain HRIS/payroll data integrity and produce needed reports or audits.

- Collaborate with Finance, Legal, and other departments to improve workflows and documentation.

-Provide guidance and oversight to HR/payroll staff.

Qualifications

-Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business, Accounting, or related field (Master’s a plus).

-5+ years of HR and payroll experience, including 3+ years in a California public agency (city, county, state, district, or education).

-Strong knowledge of CalPERS, CalSTRS, FLSA, and CA wage and hour rules.

-Experience with union agreements/collective bargaining preferred.

-Skilled in payroll/HRIS systems (PeopleSoft, ADP, Workday, SAP, Tyler Munis, etc.).

-Strong organizational, communication, and confidentiality skills.

-Able to work independently and provide leadership as needed.

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Accounting, or a related discipline; an advanced degree is beneficial.
• At least 5 years of combined HR and payroll experience, including 3 or more years supporting a California public agency environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of California labor regulations, wage and hour requirements, and public sector retirement programs including CalPERS and CalSTRS.
• Experience working with union-represented employees and applying collective bargaining agreements in day-to-day HR or payroll decisions.
• Proficiency with HRIS and payroll platforms such as PeopleSoft, Workday, Tyler Munis, or similar enterprise systems.
• Strong background in employee relations, HR policy interpretation, performance management, and HR administration.
• Ability to manage sensitive information with discretion while maintaining strong organization, communication, and reporting skills.
• Proven capability to work independently while also coaching staff and partnering effectively with cross-functional stakeholders.