Human Resource Business Partner (SDA)

Human Resources Business Partner

This recruitment is open all King County Metro employees who have passed probation in their current career service position.

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The Enterprise Employee Services Division of King County Metro is seeking an experienced, and collaborative Human Resources Business Partner. Metro Human Resources Business Partners (HRBPs) are committed to creating a healthy, safe, and inclusive work environment where employees at all levels feel welcomed, have a sense of belonging, and can thrive. Our mission is to center employee experience by partnering with agency leaders and workgroups to improve people practices and policies that impact employees at all levels, experiences, backgrounds, and identities. Our ideal candidates are experienced senior-level HR Generalists who can deliver strategic, knowledgeable, and invaluable service to all levels of Metro employees. A successful HRBP will be comfortable in a fast-paced, rapidly growing, large, unionized organization and can thrive in a dynamic environment. HRBP's partner as a strategic advisor to Metro's leaders, divisions, and other King County partners on Human Resources-related matters. You will bring your expertise in various HR functions to this role and can create a lasting impact on our organization.

King County Metro Transit Metro's ability to provide movement through the transit system can be life changing. As a mobility agency, we move hundreds of thousands of people in our region every day, helping them get to their destination. We know that mobility connects people to opportunity and that destination is sometimes more than an actual place. It may be a new job, a better education, a critical medical appointment, or a chance to start over.

Metro has pioneered or refined dozens of ideas that have subsequently been adopted by transit agencies nationwide, and for this and other reasons, is recognized as a transit industry leader. We are one of the 10 largest transit systems in the country, providing more than 120 million trips a year on transit while maintaining a fleet of more than 1400 buses, including diesel hybrids, electric trolley buses, and one of the largest fleets of articulated buses in the country. We also operate the largest public van pool fleet in the nation as well as Sound Transit Regional Express buses, Link Light Rail, and the Seattle Streetcar. We are a leader in technology and eco-conscious practices and continuously develop new and innovative ways to improve the overall transit experience for our customers and the public, through Lean Management and other continuous improvement principles.

Vacancy Information: This recruitment will be used to fill one (1) Special Duty Assignment (SDA) vacancy lasting up to one (1) year.

In addition, this selection process may be used to generate an eligibility pool for future Special Duty Assignment (SDA) positions that may occur in this classification and work group. The eligibility pool will be retained for 12 months from the date of posting and may be used at the discretion of the hiring authority.

Job Duties

Applying equity and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. In this role, you will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of the work.

As a Human Resource Business Partner, you will:

• Serve as the first point of contact for managers and employees for all HR matters and refer specific technical questions to appropriate members of the Employee Services team.
• Coach and support managers to address employee issues and develop employee-centered programs in a manner consistent with Metro's values.
• As a trusted advisor (making data-informed decisions) and strategic partner for King County Metro Transit's divisions, work closely with division leadership to align talent strategy with strategic business goals to foster a community-oriented, diverse, and inclusive work environment.
• Assess divisional needs and collaborate with partners to drive sensible, sound HR solutions including workforce management (performance appraisal procedures, reclassifications, etc.) and succession planning performance management; training; career and leadership development; employee engagement; and employee recognition Assist business leaders in facilitating change management best practices and provide support to the business for the development and delivery of change initiatives.
• Support managers on key employee relations issues such as: conversations regarding career growth, performance management, compensation, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Review internal programs, policies, and practices for compliance with employment laws, regulations, policies, and best practices; recommend modifications if appropriate.
• Work in collaboration with Employee Services team members to support management and employees to improve work relationships, effectively engage in conflict, build morale, and increase productivity and retention.
• Support the implementation and mastery of leader standard work across Metro's divisions.
• Collaborate with Employee Services team members to ensure consistency in HR programs and practices across Metro's divisions.
• Facilitate group meetings related to organizational development issues/solutions. Provide effective meeting design and consultation.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

We are looking for candidates who have the experience, education, and training that provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the body of work.

Qualified candidates will demonstrate experience with the following:

• Effectively collaborate with and leverage Employee Services' functional teams and cross-functional teams to ensure organizational needs are met and provide insight and input to help inform the approach, priority focus, and strategy.
• Exhibit strong organizational and prioritization skills through:
• Multi-tasking, prioritizing competing priorities, and following through to completion.
• Consolidating information from various sources, including feedback from others, to reach sound, policy-based decisions.
• Working independently and collaborating appropriately with section peers.
• Ability to be a self-advocate and self-starter.
• Establishing goals, producing quality and on-time work, and coordinating well with teams to ensure consistency across divisions.
• Effectuate healthy organizational change with:
• An understanding of organizational goals and employee experience, strong knowledge of human resources, innovative thinking, and problem-solving.
• An ability to advocate effectively; practice attentive and active listening; engage people with dignity and respect; and exhibit composure in challenging situations.
• Resilience and the ability to seize opportunities through collaboration with others.
• Operate with high integrity, a commitment to customer service, and:
• A strong sense of self, understanding personal strengths, weaknesses, and biases, and the impacts of these on others; possesses a commitment to continuously advancing self-awareness and self-management.
• Ability to build trust, courageously and consistently acting upon a strong set of core values that are aligned with King County and King County Metro Transit's values.
• Willingness to engage in difficult conversations, particularly related to diversity, protected classes, power, and privilege.
• The courage and ability to identify and take steps necessary to ensure that all have equitable opportunities to thrive.

Desired Qualifications (but not required):

• Demonstrate progressively responsible HR generalist experience, including practical knowledge of Human Resources competencies in a union environment. This encompasses policy and contract interpretation and application, as well as familiarity with local, state, and federal employment laws, organizational design, performance management, leadership development, talent practices, employment practices, compensation, equity, inclusion, and belonging, and employee and labor relations.
• Experience working in a King County or other public sector human resources environment.
• PHR, SHRM-CP, IPMA-HR

Supplemental Information

Who May Apply:

This recruitment is open to all King County Metro Employees.

Required Application & Selection Process:

• Submit an online employment application.
• Resume highlighting your HR experience.
• Complete supplemental questions.
• Letter of Interest describing how you meet the minimum requirements of this role.

Work Schedule: This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not eligible for overtime pay. Work schedule is normally Monday through Friday, 40-hour work week. Variations may be required depending on the needs of the work. Work Location: This is a hybrid position. The main work site for this position is King Street Center, 201 S Jackson St., Seattle, WA 98104. The team works in a hybrid model, with days in the office as well as telecommuting. Currently, employees are required to be in the office a minimum of two days per week. There is a plan for