Human Resources Business Partner

HR Business Partner

This recruitment will close at 11:59 PM on October 2nd, 2026, or once 100 applications have been received, whichever occurs first. Qualified applicants are strongly encouraged to apply as early as possible to ensure consideration. Hello, we're Metro! Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today, and tomorrow.

The Human Resources department is looking for an HR Business Partner to provide strategic HR support and guidance to assigned departments within Metro. The HR Business Partner serves as a trusted advisor to managers, directors, supervisors, employees, and union representatives on a broad range of human resources matters, including employee relations, performance management, workforce planning, employee engagement, organizational change, and policy interpretation.

This position coaches and advises leaders and employees on complex workplace issues, including performance concerns, employee conflicts, workplace conduct, disciplinary processes, classification and compensation concerns and collective bargaining agreement interpretation.

The HR Business Partner partners with departments to foster employee engagement, improve organizational effectiveness, and support a positive workplace culture. The position also provides guidance regarding Metro policies, employment laws, and human resources best practices.

As the HR Business Partner you will:

• Serve as a liaison and trusted advisor between Human Resources and client departments.
• Address manager and employee questions and coordinate with internal subject matter experts to resolve concerns.
• Support performance management, including coaching, documentation, and goal setting to include discipline.
• Provide individual coaching to supervisors and managers on employee relations matters.
• Facilitate staff development and deliver training to new and existing managers.
• Attend manager meetings and share relevant human resources information.
• Support change management efforts with assigned Departments.

Attributes for success:

• Cultural Humility--Appreciates differences and is conscious of dynamics when different cultures interact.
• Openness to Change—Accepts change as inevitable part of work, adapts plans as needed, and is willing to try new things.
• Effective Communication--Skillful communicator who listens to understand and is direct, honest, and respectful.
• Accountability--Follows through on commitments in a timely manner.
• Public Service--Supports public trust and commitment to public good.
• Teamwork--Builds strong and healthy relationships and works with others to achieve shared objectives.

Diversity and Inclusion

At Metro, we strive to cultivate diversity, advance equity, and practice inclusion in all of its work. This means attracting and empowering a workforce that is inclusive of a broad range of human qualities. Workplace diversity is both a moral imperative and a business strength, essential to providing quality support and services to our region. Metro's goal is to hire, develop and retain highly skilled and talented individuals across all departments and programs who best reflect the diversity of our community.

To qualify

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application materials on how your background is relevant.

Minimum qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a field related to assigned responsibilities or professional certification related to the job's duties, and
• Five years of directly related and progressively responsible experience, or
• Any combination of education, professional, volunteer and lived experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the classification duties and responsibilities.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in a standard office environment where work pressures, disturbances of workflow and/or irregularities in the work schedule are expected and occur on an intermittent basis. Changes in the performance environment require occasional upgrading of skills. Minimal physical exertion is generally required. Learned physical skill is required to perform keyboarding and 10-key functions.

If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply

If you were terminated for cause during any employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, you may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.

Hybrid Telework

This position is designated as "hybrid telework." You will be required to work onsite and at times have the option to work away from your assigned work location. Metro HR staff are expected to work in-person two (2) days per week. The specific schedule and balance of onsite and telework will be discussed with the hiring manager at the time of offer. Employees must reside in Oregon or Washington to work at Metro. Please note, the designation of hybrid telework may be subject to change at a future time.

Like to have qualifications

• Government agency experience.
• Experience working in a union environment.
• Experience developing and implementing HR projects and programs.
• Experience interpreting policies and contracts in a multi-union or multi-layered policy environment.
• Experience working with personnel management systems, or experience managing or supporting data management tools.
• Experience partnering and building relationships with directors, managers, supervisors, staff and union representatives, stewards, as well as external stakeholders.
• SHRM–CP or PHR certification.

Screening and Evaluation

The application packet: The application packet consists of the following required documents. Please ensure that you upload these documents in your online application. Make sure your application is complete, missing any part of these items could result in an incomplete application and will not be moved forward in the recruitment.

• A completed online application
• A cover letter outlining your interest in the position and how your experience aligns with the role. Please provide details regarding your experience coaching and advising leaders and employees on complex workplace issues. Be sure to include examples related to performance concerns, employee conflicts, workplace conduct, disciplinary processes, classification and compensation concerns and collective bargaining agreement interpretation.
• Answers to supplemental questions

The selection process: We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows. The selection process is subject to change.

• Initial review of minimum qualifications
• In-depth evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
• Consideration of top candidates/interviews
• Testing/assessments
• Reference check
• Background records check for finalist candidate

Compensation, Benefits and Representation

The full-salary range for this position is step 1: $98,744.96 to step 7: $132,325.45 per year. However, unless a candidate's qualifications justify, based on the Oregon Pay Equity Act requirements and Metro's internal equity review process, the appointment will likely be made between step 1: $98,744.96 to the equity range step 4: $114,307.87.

This position is not eligible for overtime and is non-represented. It is classified as a Program Analyst position. Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions. View the classification description.