HR Business Partner, Advisor

City of Seattle; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 71,000 - 107,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

The City of Seattle is seeking an HR Business Partner to deliver high-quality HR services to division Chiefs, senior leaders, managers, and employees within CARE’s HR function. This hybrid role supports employment relations, performance management, compliance with laws, and strategic workforce initiatives in a large public safety–oriented organization.

Responsibilities include advising executives, shaping policy, coaching leaders, and mitigating risk while partnering across City Attorney and

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Labor Relations, Business or Public Administration, Human Resources Management, Economics or a closely related field.
• Experience: Five or more years of progressive Human Resources experience, current SHRM C/SCP or PHR/SPHR, experienced in Employment Law, ADA/EEO, Collective Bargaining Agreements, and a commitment to Race and Social Justice.
• SME on Personnel Rules, Policies and Procedures, Workplace Expectations and Performance Management, Equity and Race issues.

Responsibilities

• Lead high-impact employee and labor relations matters and provide strategic guidance on performance management in a public safety environment.
• Partner with division Chiefs and senior leadership to advance organizational development and change management.
• Advise executives on policy interpretation and align people strategies with organizational priorities.
• Strengthen leadership capability through coaching and consultation and mitigate risks.
• Collaborate with cross-functional experts including City Attorney and Labor Relations to provide strategic options.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Labor relations

Conflict resolution

Relationship management

Organizational change

Risk assessment

Communication skills

Political acumen

Equity & inclusion

Employment law

Education

Bachelor's degree in Labor Relations, Business or Public Administration

HR management or related field

Job description

The Seattle Community Assisted Response & Engagement Department (CARE) is Seattle’s third branch of public safety, alongside the Seattle Police Department and the Seattle Fire Department. The CARE Department operates the city’s 911 Communications Center, Community Crisis Responders, Diversion programs, and Community Violence Intervention work. CARE’s mission is to send the best first response to each emergency so that the underlying needs are addressed and cycles of crime and crisis are broken, leading to a stronger, safer Seattle.

CARE is committed to cultivating an inclusive, high-performing organization that reflects and effectively serves our community. CARE Human Resources partners across the organization to design and deliver equitable talent strategies, ensuring fair and consistent recruitment, strong people management, continuous development, and clear role alignment so that employees are positioned to contribute to department priorities and accomplish the department’s goals. The HR team supports 240+ positions in 3 unique divisions. We have an opportunity for an HR Business Partner to join our team and play a key role in advancing strategic HR initiatives and delivering high-impact support across the organization.

This is a critical position that delivers high-quality HR services to division Chiefs, senior leaders, managers, and employees. You will provide expert advice on human resources best practices as it relates to employment, employee relations, labor relations, performance management, compliance with federal/state/local laws, and act as a collaborative business partner. You will lead the evaluation of risks tied to employment actions and collaborate with cross-functional experts, including the City Attorney, Labor Relations, and the Citywide Policy Advisor, to provide comprehensive analysis and strategic options that enable informed, compliant, and effective decisions.

In this role, your priorities will center on:

• Leading high-impact, high-visibility employee and labor relations matters, and providing strategic guidance on complex performance management issues, ensuring these are addressed with sound judgment, discretion, and diplomacy in a public safety environment.
• You will partner with division Chiefs and senior leadership to advance organizational development and change management efforts particularly during periods of transformation, growth, or workforce disruption.
• You will also serve as a trusted advisor by shaping and interpreting policy, delivering strategic recommendations, and aligning people strategies with organizational priorities.
• You will play a key role in strengthening leadership capability through coaching and consultation, proactively identifying and mitigating risks, and fostering an inclusive, high-performing culture that supports employee engagement and operational excellence.

You will be most successful in this role if you bring:

• Demonstrated ability to think strategically while executing with strong operational discipline in a complex, fast-paced, public safety environment.
• Deep expertise in employee and labor relations, ideally within a highly regulated or public sector setting.
• Strong judgment and decision-making skills, with the ability to navigate sensitive and high-stakes situations with professionalism and discretion.
• Proven strength in conflict resolution, with the ability to de-escalate complex situations and facilitate constructive, solutions-oriented outcomes.
• Exceptional relationship management skills, with the ability to build trust, credibility, and influence with senior leaders and diverse stakeholders.
• Experience leading or supporting organizational change, including workforce transitions, restructuring, or leadership shifts.
• Ability to assess risk, manage competing priorities, and translate ambiguity into clear, actionable strategies.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a collaborative and solutions-oriented approach.
• High level of political acumen and understanding of complex organizational dynamics.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and fostering a respectful, high-performing workplace culture.

Experience in:

• Significant progressive experience in Human Resources, including HR Business Partner or equivalent roles supporting complex organizations and public safety environments.
• Background working in a highly regulated environment (e.g., public safety, public sector, unionized workforce, or similarly complex setting) with strong knowledge of employment law and labor practices.
• Demonstrated experience managing high-risk, high-visibility employee and labor relations matters including discipline and conflict resolution
• Experience advising senior leaders and executives, with a track record of influencing decisions and building trusted partnerships.
• Proven experience leading or supporting organizational change initiatives, including restructures, leadership transitions, and workforce planning efforts.
• Experience managing multiple priorities and delivering results in a fast-paced, high-demand environment.
• Strong experience in performance management, including coaching leaders through complex employee performance issues.

Qualifications

Demonstrated deep technical knowledge and expertise in human resources, particularly in providing coaching, guidance, and direction to executives, managers, and line-level staff, is essential in this role. A commitment to listening, to creating space for diverse perspectives, and to pursuing inclusive and just outcomes must be at the center of your professional practice. The ability to thoughtfully and effectively communicate at all levels has contributed to your success. Your strong, hands-on work ethic and desire to achieve excellence will be essential. Specifically, you'll be prepared to take on this role if your work history includes:

• Serving a diverse employee base at all levels within a large organization.
• Consistent professional judgment, especially with sensitive and confidential issues.
• Effectively resolving conflict while maintaining positive working relationships.
• Leveraging a human resources generalist background with expertise in accommodation, leave administration, organizational development, and performance management.
• Providing coaching and consultative services to executives and management.
• Achieving positive outcomes through your knowledge of labor laws, benefits, leaves, and/or accommodations.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Labor Relations, Business or Public Administration, Human Resources Management, Economics or a closely related field.

Experience: Five or more years of progressive Human Resources experience, current SHRM C/SCP or PHR/SPHR, experienced in Employment Law, ADA/EEO, Collective Bargaining Agreements, and a commitment to Race and Social Justice or a combination of education and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work.

Successful Candidates will have expanded knowledge and act as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) on the following subjects: Personnel Rules, Policies and Procedures, Workplace Expectations and Performance Management, Employee and Labor Relations, Compensation, Workers Comp and Equity, and Race and Social Justice.

This position reports to the HR Director and is classified as a Strategic Advisor 1, Exempt. It is exempt from the FLSA (not eligible for overtime). The full pay range for this position is $51.88 - $77.82 per hour.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please email [e-mail] to request accommodation.

This position offers a hybrid work schedule. Employees will be expected to be in the office three times a week and may work a varied schedule to support operations in a 24/7 public safety environment. Individual schedules will be based on agreement between the employee and their supervisor.

Applicants must successfully pass an FBI background check for a Criminal Justice Information System environment, which will be conducted in accordance with Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17. Applicants will have the opportunity to explain or correct background information and provide verifiable information of good conduct and rehabilitation.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City’s website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits

We encourage you to review the City of Seattle’s Application and Interviewing Tips Guide (Download PDF reader) , which can serve as a resource as you prepare to apply for and interview for positions with the City of Seattle. (https://www.seattle.gov/documents/Departments/HumanResources/Talent/Application%20a nd%20Interviewing%20Tips.pdf) (https://get.adobe.com/reader/)

This position is open to all applicants who demonstrate alignment with the skills and experience described above. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation ,medical condition, or pregnancy. The City of Seattle encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences. If you have questions, please contact Heidi Eren at [e-mail].