Human Resources Business Partner

Oregon Metro; Oregon; Hybrid; USD 99,000 - 132,000; Full time

Job summary

Metro is seeking an HR Business Partner to deliver strategic HR support to assigned departments and act as a trusted advisor on employee relations, performance management, and policy interpretation.

You will coach leaders, support change management, and drive staff development to foster engagement and a positive workplace culture. This hybrid role requires onsite presence and Oregon residency.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or professional certification related to HR duties.
• Five years of direct HR experience or equivalent combination.
• Ability to advise managers on employee relations and performance.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic HR support to assigned departments.
• Coach managers on performance, discipline, and employee relations.
• Support workforce planning and organizational change.
• Interpret policies and collective bargaining agreements.
• Deliver training and staff development for managers.

Skills

Employee relations

Performance management

Workforce planning

Policy interpretation

Coaching managers

Education

Bachelor's degree in a field related to assigned responsibilities or professional certification related to the job’s duties

Tools

HRIS (HR information system)

Data management tools

Job description

This recruitment will close at 11:59 PM on October 2nd, 2026, or once 100 applications have been received, whichever occurs first. Qualified applicants are strongly encouraged to apply as early as possible to ensure consideration.

Hello, we’re Metro! Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today, and tomorrow.

The Human Resources department is looking for an HR Business Partner to provide strategic HR support and guidance to assigned departments within Metro. The HR Business Partner serves as a trusted advisor to managers, directors, supervisors, employees, and union representatives on a broad range of human resources matters, including employee relations, performance management, workforce planning, employee engagement, organizational change, and policy interpretation.

This position coaches and advises leaders and employees on complex workplace issues, including performance concerns, employee conflicts, workplace conduct, disciplinary processes, classification and compensation concerns and collective bargaining agreement interpretation.

The HR Business Partner partners with departments to foster employee engagement, improve organizational effectiveness, and support a positive workplace culture. The position also provides guidance regarding Metro policies, employment laws, and human resources best practices.

As the HR Business Partner you will:

• Serve as a liaison and trusted advisor between Human Resources and client departments.
• Address manager and employee questions and coordinate with internal subject matter experts to resolve concerns.
• Support performance management, including coaching, documentation, and goal setting to include discipline.
• Provide individual coaching to supervisors and managers on employee relations matters.
• Facilitate staff development and deliver training to new and existing managers.
• Attend manager meetings and share relevant human resources information.
• Support change management efforts with assigned Departments.

Attributes for success

• Cultural Humility--Appreciates differences and is conscious of dynamics when different cultures interact.
• Openness to Change—Accepts change as inevitable part of work, adapts plans as needed, and is willing to try new things.
• Effective Communication--Skillful communicator who listens to understand and is direct, honest, and respectful.
• Accountability--Follows through on commitments in a timely manner.
• Public Service--Supports public trust and commitment to public good.
• Teamwork--Builds strong and healthy relationships and works with others to achieve shared objectives.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

At Metro, we strive to cultivate diversity, advance equity, and practice inclusion in all of its work. This means attracting and empowering a workforce that is inclusive of a broad range of human qualities. Workplace diversity is both a moral imperative and a business strength, essential to providing quality support and services to our region. Metro’s goal is to hire, develop and retain highly skilled and talented individuals across all departments and programs who best reflect the diversity of our community.

Learn more about how Metro is advancing diversity

TO QUALIFY

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application materials on how your background is relevant.

Minimum qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a field related to assigned responsibilities or professional certification related to the job’s duties, and
• Five years of directly related and progressively responsible experience, or
• Any combination of education, professional, volunteer and lived experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the classification duties and responsibilities.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in a standard office environment where work pressures, disturbances of workflow and/or irregularities in the work schedule are expected and occur on an intermittent basis. Changes in the performance environment require occasional upgrading of skills. Minimal physical exertion is generally required. Learned physical skill is required to perform keyboarding and 10-key functions.

If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply

If you were terminated for cause during any employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, you may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.

Hybrid Telework

This position is designated as “hybrid telework.” You will be required to work onsite and at times have the option to work away from your assigned work location. Metro HR staff are expected to work in-person two (2) days per week. The specific schedule and balance of onsite and telework will be discussed with the hiring manager at the time of offer. Employees must reside in Oregon or Washington to work at Metro. Please note, the designation of hybrid telework may be subject to change at a future time.

Like to have qualifications

You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider them when identifying the most qualified candidates. Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience, including the military, or life experience that are relevant for this position.

• Government agency experience.
• Experience working in a union environment.
• Experience developing and implementing HR projects and programs.
• Experience interpreting policies and contracts in a multi-union or multi-layered policy environment.
• Experience working with personnel management systems, or experience managing or supporting data management tools.
• Experience partnering and building relationships with directors, managers, supervisors, staff and union representatives, stewards, as well as external stakeholders.
• SHRM–CP or PHR certification.

SCREENING AND EVALUATION

The application packet:

• A completed online application
• A cover letter outlining your interest in the position and how your experience aligns with the role. Please provide details regarding your experience coaching and advising leaders and employees on complex workplace issues. Be sure to include examples related to performance concerns, employee conflicts, workplace conduct, disciplinary processes, classification and compensation concerns and collective bargaining agreement interpretation.
• Answers to supplemental questions

The selection process:

• Initial review of minimum qualifications
• In-depth evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
• Consideration of top candidates/interviews
• Testing/assessments
• Reference check
• Background records check for finalist candidate

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND REPRESENTATON

The full-salary range for this position is step 1: $98,744.96 to step 7: $132,325.45 per year.However, unless a candidate’s qualifications justify, based on the Oregon Pay Equity Act requirements and Metro’s internal equity review process, the appointment will likely be made between step 1: $98,744.96 to the equity range step 4: $114,307.87.

This position is not eligible for overtime and is non-represented. It is classified as a Program Analyst position. Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions. View the classification description.

Equal employment opportunity

All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made, or any other status protected by law.

Non-discrimination in hiring decisions

Metro is committed to equal employment opportunity and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local civil rights laws. Metro employment decisions – including recruitment, screening, interviewing, selection, promotion, compensation, and separation – must not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected class.

Accommodation

Metro will gladly provide a reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.

Veterans' preference

Under Oregon Law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans' preference when applying for Metro positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veterans' preference for this job, please provide qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.

Hybrid Telework

This position is designated as “hybrid telework.” You will be required to work onsite and at times have the option to work away from your assigned work location. The specific schedule and balance of onsite and telework will be discussed with the hiring manager at the time of offer. Employees must reside in Oregon or Washington to work at Metro. Please note, the designation of hybrid telework may be subject to change at a future time.

Pay equity at Metro

No matter who you are or where you work at Metro, you deserve to be paid fairly for the work you do.Every worker must get equal pay for equal work regardless of your gender, race, age, or other protected characteristics. Metro has established processes and conducts routine pay equity reviews as part of the hiring process to ensure compliance with the 2017 Oregon Pay Equity Act.

Online applications

Metro accepts job applications online. If you need assistance or accommodation with your application, or access to a computer, please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.

Metro

Led by an elected council, this unique government gives all residents of greater Portland a voice in shaping the future and provides parks, venues, services, and tools at a regional scale. We find solutions for our area’s garbage and recycling that protect clean air and water; help plan land use and development to provide jobs and safe transportation; manage local venues that provide a connection to arts and culture and help keep the economy growing; protect 17,000 acres of parks and natural areas, and run the Oregon Zoo, to keep nature close to home.