Senior Human Resources Business Partner

Salary range is $90k to $185k, with a midpoint of $135k. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Sound Transit also offers a competitive benefits package with a wide range of offerings, including:

• Health Benefits: We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan all at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner.
• Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Retirement Plans: 401a - 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit; 457b - up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution).
• Paid Time Off: Employees accrue 25 days of paid time off annually with increases at four, eight and twelve years of service. Employees at the director level and up accrue additional days. We also observe 12 paid holidays and provide up to 2 paid floating holidays and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year.
• Parental Leave: 12 weeks of parental leave for new parents.
• Pet Insurance discount.
• ORCA Card: All full-time employees will receive an ORCA card at no cost.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Sound Transit will pay up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.
• Inclusive Reproductive Health Support Services.
• Compensation Practices: We offer competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity. In addition to compensation and benefits, you'll find that we provide work-life balance, opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues.

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Under the general direction of the Deputy Director of HR Strategic Impact & Improvement, this position will serve as a consultative business partner to assigned business groups. The role will be responsible for leveraging HR knowledge and experience to assess human capital needs in alignment with business objectives and to deliver effective HR solutions. Areas of HR support include, but are not limited to, talent and organizational effectiveness management, total rewards, policy administration, performance management, employee and labor relations, culture and engagement, and leadership and team effectiveness. This position may also serve as a back up to the Deputy Director of HR Strategic Impact & Improvement.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Supports key stakeholders and senior leaders in implementing a variety of HR priorities and programs for assigned client groups.
• Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit's Equity & Inclusion Policy.
• Create, drives, and executes HR priorities for clients, including talent planning and management.
• Provides feedback from clients and HRBP team to assist HR Partners in developing HR programs, policies, and practices.
• Collaborates with Learning & Development (L&D) team to develop training content and facilitates training sessions for managers and employees.
• Enhances talent and organizational effectiveness of assigned client groups.
• Collaborates with Labor Compliance to gather, collect, and maintain documents and records required for union information requests, investigations, and negotiations.
• Analyzes data to identify potential trends, address concerns with management, and recommend improvements to the work environment.
• Takes a proactive approach with client groups to anticipate, assess, and deliver HR solutions aligned with business needs, providing guidance as necessary.
• Provides timely and effective advice on HR-related matters to employees and managers including interpreting and applying Agency policies and procedures.
• Partners with management to implement HR programs within their respective areas.
• Partners with HR functional areas and legal counsel, as needed to resolve internal customer issues.
• Acts as a change agent to support integration efforts and drive cultural change.
• Remains up to date on state and federal employment laws and regulations.
• Serves as consultant to employees and managers on a wide range of issues, including training needs, underperformance, policy interpretation, career development, conflict management, and other factors impacting productivity and morale.
• Manages employee relation concerns while adhering to Agency, HR, and legal policies; conducts thorough and confidential investigations in response to formal complaints.
• Drives the resolution of issues in collaboration with legal partners and other HR functions (e.g., Talent Acquisition, Total Rewards).
• Identifies opportunities to reduce employee relations issues within client groups.
• Ensures business groups are trained on the Agency's employment-related policies as required by law.
• Assists managers in developing position descriptions and conducting job evaluations in order to ensure proper FLSA and pay classification.
• Collaborates with Total Rewards to review and recommend promotional increases, equity adjustments, market class adjustments, and other process changes.
• Supports Total Rewards with leave policies and programs for assigned client groups, including FMLA, LTD, STD, and Workers' Compensation.
• Ensures integrity and timely maintenance of all personnel paperwork and records within the department.
• Supports the development and implementation of talent management initiatives and programs, including career development/succession planning, employee development, employee engagement and experience, leadership development, performance management, and workforce planning for assigned business groups.
• Consults with managers to identify employee development needs.
• Facilitates the annual performance management process for assigned business groups.
• Coaches functional management to enhance people management skills and accountability, thereby improving employee and manager engagement.
• Acts as an employee champion and identifies trends to help inform and support management in building an effective culture.
• Leverages data to influence recommendations and gain support from client stakeholders for HR initiatives and specific client inquiries.
• Partners with management to identify, develop, and manage talent and workforce plans for assigned groups.
• Informs and implements change and readiness plans, including communication plans that enable the successful launch of business-specific programs or processes.
• May serve as a back up to the Deputy Director of Strategic Impact & Improvement.
• Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency.
• Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit's Equity & Inclusion Policy.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or a related field. Five years of HR primarily with generalist HR responsibilities or in a Business Partner role with strong employee relations experience; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Licenses or Certifications:

• SHRM certification preferred.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Microsoft Office Suite.
• Advanced principles, practices and standards of human resources administration in assigned areas.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations and compliance.
• Broad understanding of HR principles and practices.
• Customer service methods and techniques.
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• HRIS systems application.
• Exceptional customer service, establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other division staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, community groups, and the general public.
• Maintaining a high degree of discretion, confidentiality, and integrity.
• Multi-tasking in a fast-paced environment and to work independently or as part of a team.
• Working effectively under pressure, meet deadlines, and adjust to changing priorities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, communicating with tact and diplomacy.
• Ability to demonstrate sound judgment on employment related matters.
• Strong follow through.
• Advanced computer skills.
• Strong research, analytical, and problem solving skills.
• Capability to lead project team members that are not direct reports.
• Ability to balance the needs of both management and employees.
• Ability to make effective small and large group presentations.
• Ability to take initiative.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Accuracy and attention to detail.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a hybrid office environment.
• The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required.

Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment action based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or other protected class.