Human Resources Business Partner

MESD is seeking a HR Business Partner (HRBP) to provide agency-wide support as the primary point of contact for employees, supervisors, and leaders on a broad range of HR matters. This role delivers equitable, responsive, and compliant services in recruitment, employee and labor relations, performance management, classification and compensation, training and development, and organizational effectiveness. The HRBP advances MESD’s equity goals by fostering inclusive practices and supporting a workforce that reflects and meets the diverse needs of the communities we serve. 

Department: Human Resources

Reports to: Director of Human Resources

Classification: Confidential Non-Contracted (CNON), Range 12

FLSA Status: Exempt

Schedule: 260/261 days

NATURE & SCOPE: 

The HRBP operates in a collaborative, fast-paced environment, offers critical consultation to ensure consistent application of HR processes and MESD policies, procedures, and best practices. As a key partner to agency leaders, the HRBP contributes to workforce planning, employee engagement, and equity-centered decision-making. The role partners closely with HR specialists and functional leads to coordinate services, ensure compliance with collective bargaining agreements, and drive continuous improvement. While working with a high degree of autonomy, the HRBP is a key member of the Human Resources team and helps shape MESD’s organizational culture and talent strategies.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Provide comprehensive human resources support across the full employee life cycle, including recruitment, onboarding, development, retention, employee relations, labor relations, and offboarding.
• Partner with hiring managers to lead full-cycle recruitment, including position development, posting, candidate selection, and onboarding.
• Advise supervisors and employees on HR policies, procedures, and collective bargaining agreements to ensure consistent, equitable, and legally compliant practices.
• Serve as a key resource in employee and labor relations, conducting investigations, facilitating resolutions, and consulting with senior HR leadership on complex or high-risk matters.
• Provide coaching and consultation to supervisors on employee performance, conflict resolution, discipline, and grievance processes.
• Support classification and compensation practices, including job analysis, salary placement, and organizational structuring, in coordination with HR leadership.
• Guide and support performance management processes, including goal setting, evaluations, and professional growth planning.
• Coordinate and/or deliver training related to HR policies, supervision, culturally responsive practices, and compliance topics.
• Collaborate with and provide support to other Human Resources team members, including specialists and administrative staff, to ensure consistent service delivery, cross-functional coordination, and coverage during peak periods or absences.
• Ensure accurate and timely HR transactions, documentation, and recordkeeping; prepare reports and analyze data to inform decision-making and identify process improvements.
• Contribute to the advancement of MESD’s Racial Educational Equity Policy by embedding equity-centered practices throughout all HR functions and supporting a culturally responsive workforce.

ESSENTIAL QUALITIES:

Equity: Lead and support regional equity initiatives

Vision: Lead with vision, follow-through, and student focus. 

Trust: Develop trust among coworkers and students through honesty and fairness. 

Communication: Communicate in an inclusive, effective, and collaborative manner. 

Personal Qualities: Be respectful, excel in customer service, caring, humble and courageous. 

Attendance: Daily and consistent attendance and punctuality are paramount as this provides consistency and alignment with students, colleagues, and programming outcomes. 

Agency-wide perspective: Be involved in and supportive of continuous overall improvement of MESD programs and services.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, ABILITIES: 

Knowledge of:

• General principles and practices of human resources administration across the employee life cycle.
• Federal and Oregon employment laws, rules, and regulations.
• Basic labor relations concepts and collective bargaining frameworks.
• Human resources policies, procedures, and compliance requirements.
  HRIS platforms and productivity tools, including Google Workspace and systems such as TalentEd, PeopleSoft, BusinessPlus, or equivalent.

Skill in:

• Communicating clearly and respectfully in both written and verbal formats.
• Applying HR procedures consistently in accordance with policy and labor agreements.
• Supporting recruitment and onboarding processes.
• Managing multiple tasks and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Building relationships with employees, supervisors, and cross-functional teams.

Ability to:

• Maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion.
• Analyze information and make sound decisions aligned with policy and law.
• Provide guidance and support to staff and supervisors with professionalism and equity-mindedness.
• Demonstrate cultural humility and respect when working with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Work both independently and collaboratively with a team.
• Maintain regular and predictable attendance.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, Education, or a related field.
• Three (3) years of progressively responsible human resources experience, or a combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge and skills.
• Experience working in a public agency or K–12 school district environment is highly desirable.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, ABILITIES: 

• Bilingual or multilingual in Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese and/or Russian
• Knowledge of collective bargaining agreements and grievance procedures.
• Experience with classification and compensation practices in a public agency setting.
• Skilled in conducting workplace investigations and facilitating conflict resolution.
• Demonstrated ability to coach supervisors on performance management and progressive discipline.
• Experience supporting organizational change, talent development, and culture-building initiatives.
• Ability to navigate complex employee and labor relations issues with professionalism and emotional intelligence.
• Skilled in interpreting and applying contract language and employment laws in nuanced, real-world situations.
• Experience in designing and delivering HR-related training to supervisors and staff.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work is primarily performed in a standard office setting with frequent computer and phone use. Occasional travel to school sites or partner districts may be required. The position involves managing sensitive and complex personnel matters requiring discretion, sound judgment, and emotional resilience. Must be able to sit or stand for extended periods and lift up to 25 pounds. A typical schedule is Monday–Friday during business hours, with occasional extended hours as needed.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this classification. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Mobility:  Ability to sit, stand, walk, and move around for extended periods of time.

• Lifting: Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds.

• Vision:  Visual acuity to read and interpret written and electronic information.

• Dexterity: Ability to use hands and fingers to handle, feel, and operate objects, tools, or controls.

• Hearing/speaking: Ability to communicate and exchange accurate information so others will understand. 

• Emotional/Psychological: Ability to maintain composure and professionalism in challenging situations, remain empathetic and understanding towards individuals with diverse backgrounds and needs, handle stress and pressure effectively, and adapt to change in the workplace. 

BENEFITS: 

• District pays full medical, dental and vision premiums for eligible employees and dependents

• Three medical insurance plan options: 
• Group Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA)
• Health Savings Account (HSA), or
• Opt-Out option
• MESD pays employee’s 6% Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) contribution
• Selection of one annual additional benefit option: 
• Two (2) additional Floating Holidays 
• One (1) additional Floating Holiday AND $500 MESD Paid contribution to a Section 125 Medical Flexible Savings Account 
• One (1) additional Floating Holiday AND $500 paid contribution to a Health Savings Account (HSA)* 
• $1000 MESD paid contribution to their Section 125 Flexible Spending Account 
•  $1000 MESD paid contribution to their Health Savings Account (HSA)* 

*Employee must be enrolled in a HSA-eligible medical plan through MESD

• Paid holidays, sick leave, personal time off and vacation
• Tuition Reimbursement and Professional Development 

This position is subject to board policies, administrative rules and procedures, department regulations and applicable state and federal statutes. This position does not carry administrative authority. All commitments outside of authorized programs and services are subject to prior approval by the supervisor of this position.

NOTE: The description contained herein reflects general details as necessary to describe the principal functions  of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be  considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned,  including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload.  

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER 

MESD recognizes the diversity and worth of all individuals and groups. It is the policy of MESD that  there will be no discrimination or harassment of individuals or groups based on race, color, religion, gender,  sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, marital status, age, veterans status,  genetic information or disability in any educational programs, activities, or employment. 

Reasonable accommodations for the application and interview process will be provided upon request and as  required in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Individuals with disabilities may  contact the Human Resources Director for additional information or assistance.  Speech/Hearing impaired persons may contact the district for assistance through the Oregon telecommunications Relay Service at 1-800-735-2900. 

Salary : $70,992 - $85,840