Human Resources Business Partner (In Office)

Human Resources Business Partner

SouthWest Transit is an award-winning Transit agency serving the SouthWest Twin Cities area through bus, on demand rideshare, and shuttle services. The agency is committed to serving the needs of their customers through diverse and innovative transit solutions that build community and connect customers from where they are to where they want to go.

Under the direction of the SouthWest Transit (SWT) Director of People and Culture, the Human Resources Business Partner (HRBP) provides comprehensive human resources support for a public transportation agency. This position is responsible for a broad range of HR functions, including HR records management, HR software maintenance and updates, recruitment and staffing, employee relations, compensation administration, benefits administration, policy interpretation, compliance, employee recognition and culture initiatives, and special projects.

Applications reviewed as submitted. Position open until filled.

The HRBP serves as a trusted partner, helping to foster a positive workplace culture while ensuring compliance with applicable employment laws, regulations, and agency policies. The ideal candidate is a self-starter with strong initiative, exceptional communication skills, a collaborative approach, and a high level of attention to detail. This role requires the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic public-sector environment while delivering outstanding customer service.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Compensation and benefits administration:

• Keep up to date on the federal and state regulations regarding employee benefits and ensures medical services, employee assistance, and compliance operations comply with Federal laws and regulations.
• Administer MN Paid Leave activities and ensure proper communication with MN Paid Leave provider.
• Manage the annual benefits open enrollment process, including coordination of information, employee enrollment, and troubleshooting benefits issues.
• Administer benefits including but not limited to retirement plans, health, dental, life, disability, and leave programs for new hires, current employees, and retirees.
• Partner with the Director of People & Culture in benefits coordination with the City of Eden Prairie's benefit plans.
• Monitor the effectiveness of existing compensation and recognition policies, guidelines, and procedures.
• Participate in both exempt and nonexempt salary surveys to ensure access to market salary data.
• Maintain and periodically update the Employee Manual to reflect changes in federal or state laws or policy changes approved by the Commission. Communicates updates to employees and ensures appropriate employees review of updates is recorded in Paylocity.
• Develop related programs; write related policies and procedures.

Lead recruiting and onboarding processes:

• Maintain and update the Applicant Tracking System
• Receive and process applications for employment, prepare and send applications, track applicants, prepare and send follow-up correspondence.
• Screen applications and forward qualified applications to Department Managers.
• Coordinate the recruitment process, including conducting preliminary interviews, reference checks, and pre-employment background checks, including criminal checks
• Maintain Personnel files for performance increases, annual reviews, status changes, and benefits enrollments.
• Maintain current job descriptions, audit positions, and make recommendations for appropriate pay grade levels/ranges with consideration for internal equity.
• Conduct new hire onboarding processes including benefits enrollments, Employee Manual/policy orientation, obtain required confirmations and signatures, prepare personnel files, benefits enrollment, and payroll data.
• Review new positions and monitor modification or creation of new descriptions to match roles for new positions for recruitment.
• Ensure compliance with SWT, departmental policies/procedures, state and federal regulations.

Support employee recognition, engagement, and culture initiatives:

• Lead the SW Troopers as a culture committee
• Implement the Employee Recognition Program
• Identify training, engagement, and other people and culture initiatives/activities/trainings that would be beneficial for employees
• Serve as a resource to employees and supervisors regarding workplace concerns, policies, procedures, and employment practices.

Assist in resolving employee relations issues through coaching, guidance, and problem-solving.

Support investigations related to employee complaints, misconduct, and workplace concerns.

Promote a positive, inclusive, and respectful work environment.

Coordinate SWT state fair service and other special project administrative functions:

• Recruit, interview, and hire part-time workers for the State Fair and Renaissance Festival
• Coordinate with Operations, Marketing, and Facilities Maintenance staff to ensure proper staffing is assigned.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelors Degree in Human Resources
• 1-3 Years' experience in Human Resources
• Knowledge of all functions in the Human Resources field
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and take initiative.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with HRIS systems and Microsoft Office applications

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with Paylocity HRIS
• Human resources experience within a public sector, government, municipal, transportation, or similar public-service organization.
• Knowledge of public employment practices, civil service systems.
• Professional HR certification such as SHRM-CP, PHR, or equivalent.

Physical Demands & Working Conditions

Work is indoors in a normal office environment. Occasional lifting of fifteen pounds or less is required. Requires a high attention to detail or deadlines between 45% and 70% of the time. A typical workday involves about 85% of the time spent sitting and about 50% or more of the time using a keyboard. A significant amount of time is spent handling paper and maintaining files. E-Verify will be used to verify employment authorization. Pre-employment drug test required. All requirements are subject to modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and experience required. To perform this job successfully, the worker must possess the abilities and aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" employment relationship. The Joint Powers Board of Directors retains the discretion to add duties or change the duties of this position at any time. SouthWest Transit provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

We offer the following benefits package to full-time employees:

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Pension plan: PERA (employer contributions vest after 3 years!)
• PTO: 21 Days Off Per Year!
• Flexible Spending Account
• Health Savings Account
• Life and AD&D Insurance and Voluntary Life and AD&D Insurance
• Voluntary 457 and (Roth) retirement plans
• 11 Paid Holidays
• 2 Floating Holidays
• Long-term Disability Income (60% of base rate of pay)
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Professional Development Assistance
• Employee Assistance Program