Human Resource Business Partner

Idaho Department of Education

This position is exempt from classified state service and the rules of the Division of Human Resources and the Idaho Personnel Commission.

Please note: Applications will be accepted through 11:59 PM MST on the posting end date.

The Idaho Department of Education (Department) is dedicated to serving and providing common-sense leadership, support, and resources to educators across the state. The knowledge, skills, and experience of the Department’s employees are among our most valued and important assets. Employment with the Department provides a rewarding career that positively affects the lives of children in Idaho. To learn more, please visit our website at

The principal function of this position is to provide comprehensive day-to-day human resource services for the Department. This position serves as the primary human resource contact for employees and supervisors and independently performs a broad range of professional human resource functions, including employee relations, performance management, medical accommodations, leave administration, recruitment, payroll, benefits administration, onboarding, and human resource information system activities.

The position provides consultation and assistance to supervisors and employees in interpreting and applying established human resource laws, rules, policies, and procedures. The position researches, analyzes, and resolves routine to moderately complex human resource matters and coordinates with the Chief Operations Officer, Office of Group Insurance, State Controller's Office, legal counsel, and other appropriate resources when additional guidance or expertise is needed.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serves as the Department's primary day-to-day human resource contact for employees and supervisors and provides responsive, professional human resource services.

• Administers employee leave programs, including the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and assists employees and supervisors in understanding leave requirements, eligibility, documentation, and available options.

• Coordinates requests for reasonable accommodation, including engaging employees and supervisors in the interactive process, reviewing medical documentation, evaluating accommodation options, maintaining appropriate records, and coordinating with appropriate resources as necessary.

• Provides employee relations support to supervisors and employees, including addressing workplace concerns, assisting with conflict resolution, conducting or participating in complaint inquiries and investigations, gathering and documenting relevant information, and recommending appropriate resolutions.

• Provides consultation and assistance to supervisors regarding employee performance management, including performance expectations, coaching, performance appraisals, documentation, and corrective or disciplinary processes consistent with established policies and procedures.

• Coordinates and administers the Department's performance appraisal process, including communicating timelines and requirements, monitoring completion, assisting supervisors and employees with the process, and maintaining appropriate documentation.

• Administers the recruitment and hiring process, including working with hiring managers to initiate recruitments, preparing and posting vacancies, communicating with applicants, processing hiring actions, and ensuring recruitment activities comply with applicable requirements. Coordinates onboarding and offboarding of employees with IT.

• Administers employee onboarding and separation processes, including new employee orientation, required documentation, personnel actions, benefits information, and coordination with supervisors and other Department staff.

• Processes and coordinates payroll activities, including reviewing timesheets and payroll actions, processing personnel and payroll changes, resolving payroll questions and discrepancies, ensuring appropriate documentation, and meeting established payroll deadlines.

• Reviewing and submitting the bi-weekly Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho’s payroll transmittal.

• Provides employees with information and assistance regarding benefits programs and coordinates benefit-related activities with applicable state offices and benefit providers.

• Processes workers' compensation claims and coordinates required documentation and communication with employees, supervisors, and applicable state offices.

• Maintains employee personnel files, medical and confidential records, and other human resource documentation in accordance with applicable recordkeeping and confidentiality requirements.

• Enters, maintains, reviews, and retrieves employee and position information in applicable human resource information systems and ensures information is accurate and current.

• Interprets, applies, and explains established federal and state employment laws, administrative rules, and Department human resource policies and procedures.

• Monitors human resource activities for compliance with applicable laws, rules, policies, procedures, and established processes and brings potential compliance concerns to the attention of the Chief Operations Officer.

• Responds to employee and supervisor questions regarding human resource processes, policies, procedures, payroll, benefits, leave, performance management, recruitment, and other employment-related matters.

• Coordinates classification and compensation requests and activities with the Chief Operations Officer and assists with gathering job information, documentation, and other information necessary for review.

• Prepares correspondence, reports, personnel documentation, and other human resource materials.

• Collects, maintains, and analyzes human resource information and prepares reports as requested.

• Provides human resource training, presentations, and informational materials to employees and supervisors as needed.

• Maintains current knowledge of human resource laws, rules, policies, procedures, systems, and professional practices through ongoing training and professional development.

• Works collaboratively with Department leadership, supervisors, employees, and other state agencies and partners to address human resource needs and ensure timely completion of human resource activities.

• Maintains confidentiality and exercises appropriate discretion and judgment when handling sensitive employee and organizational information.

• Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with Department policies, procedures, and safety practices.

• Department safety liaison. Update and regularly disseminate evacuation map and plans. Attend the quarterly Emergency Operations meeting and provide relevant information to all staff.

• Performs other related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, public administration, or a related field; OR Five (5) years’ experience in human resource administration is required; OR any equivalent combination of experience and college which provides the knowledge and abilities necessary to perform the work.

• Professional human resource certification, such as PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP.

• Experience managing employee relations matters, including gathering and analyzing information, addressing workplace concerns, assisting with conflict resolution, and recommending appropriate courses of action.

• Experience advising supervisors on employee performance matters, including performance expectations, coaching, documentation, performance appraisals, and corrective or disciplinary processes.

• Experience coordinating reasonable accommodation requests, including participating in the interactive process, reviewing supporting documentation, evaluating accommodation options, and maintaining appropriate confidential records.

• Experience administering employee leave programs, including the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

• Experience in recruitment and selection, including job postings, applicant review, interview and selection processes, and hiring activities. Employee onboarding and separation processes.

• Some experience in classification and compensation processes.

• Experience in developing and providing human resource training and presentations.

• Experience working independently as the primary human resource contact for an organization or business unit.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: (with or without reasonable accommodation)

This position requires the ability to perform the following physical and job-related tasks:

· Approximately 90% of time is spent sitting at a desk or workstation, up to 4 hours at a time.

· Approximately 10% of time is spent standing, walking, bending, or kneeling.

· Occasionally lift items, typically weighing under 5 lbs., and occasionally up to 20 lbs.

TRAVEL REQUIRED:

This position typically does not travel but may occasionally be requested to do so.

BENEFITS:

The State of Idaho offers a robust total compensation package, including medical, vision, and dental insurance; PERSI retirement benefits; paid sick, vacation, and parental leave; and 11 paid holidays per year. For additional information related to benefits and/or State programs, please visit

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS INCLUDE:

Vesting in the Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho (PERSI): All employees of the Idaho Department of Education are non-classified. They are appointed by the elected official and serve at the pleasure of the elected official. As such, employees working at a non-classified agency are considered vested in the PERSI retirement system after five (5) consecutive months of service, versus five (5) years of service at a classified agency.

Tuition Fee Waiver: All Idaho Department of Education employees in permanent full-time positions may register for instructional courses during any academic period, at any participating state funded institutions of higher education, for a $20.00 nonrefundable registration fee per semester and $5.00 per credit hour charge.

TO APPLY:

To apply for this position, please submit 1.) a customized cover letter, 2.) a resume, and 3) a list of three professional references. Please upload your resume, cover letter, reference list, and any additional supporting documents in the Supporting Documents section of the application.

Your cover letter should specifically address how your education, training and work experience meet the responsibilities, qualifications, and required skills of the position. A writing sample, such as a cover letter, provides an opportunity to evaluate your writing skills as well as your ability to demonstrate you meet the qualifications of the position. Your resume must clearly support the information provided in your cover letter. A resume does not substitute for a cover letter. Applications that do not include a cover letter will not be accepted.

EEO/ADA/VETERAN:

The State of Idaho is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, political affiliation or belief, sex, national origin, genetics, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

The State of Idaho is committed to access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, auxiliary aids and services are available upon request. If you require an accommodation at any step in our recruitment process, you are encouraged to contact View phone number on click.appcast.io (TTY/TTD: 711), or email View email address on click.appcast.io.

Preference may be given to veterans who qualify under state and federal laws and regulations.