Human Resources Business Partner

Environmental Science Associates; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 125,000 - 153,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP shares

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

Environmental Science Associates (ESA) seeks a strategic HR leader to guide employee relations and modernize HR practices using data, systems, and AI tools. The role partners with leaders to strengthen culture, support growth, and navigate people-related challenges in our Seattle office.

You will oversee HRIS, analytics, and AI-enabled processes, drive talent planning, development, and compliance with federal and state laws, with a focus on WA/OR/CA.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in human resources or related field required.
• 8+ years HR experience with employee relations and org development.
• Experience with HRIS platforms and data-driven decisions.
• Experience with HR technology solutions, automation, or AI-enabled tools.
• Strong knowledge of federal and state employment laws (WA/OR/CA).
• Consultative and influencing skills across all levels.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; training experience.

Responsibilities

• Serve as trusted advisor to leaders aligning people strategies with business goals.
• Lead complex employee relations matters including investigations and performance management.
• Provide guidance on organizational development, change management, and leadership coaching.
• Partner with leadership to drive talent planning, workforce strategy, and succession development.
• Leverage HRIS data and AI-enabled tools to track trends and improve HR processes.

Skills

Employee relations

HRIS platforms

Data analytics in HR

AI in HR tools

Change management

Training & facilitation

Microsoft Office

HR consulting

Education

Bachelor's degree in human resources or related field

Tools

Greenpoint ATS

HRIS software

HR analytics tools

Job description

Environmental Science Associates (ESA) is a 100% employee-owned environmental consulting firm. We plan, design, permit, mitigate, and restore for projects across our communities, infrastructure systems, open spaces, and wildlands. We are 50 years strong in 21 offices across California, the Pacific Northwest, and the southeastern United States.

Strategic HR Leader | Employee Relations | HR Technology & AI Enablement

Are you a strategic HR leader who thrives at the intersection of people, business, and technology? Do you enjoy guiding leaders through complex employee matters while helping modernize HR practices with data, systems, and emerging AI tools?

We're seeking a Human Resources Business Partner (HRBP) who brings strong employee relations expertise and a solid understanding of HR systems to support thoughtful, people-centered HR practices. This role partners closely with business leaders to strengthen team culture, support organizational growth, and help leaders navigate people-related challenges. While the role uses HR tools and data to inform decisions, the primary focus is building trusted relationships, supporting employees and managers, and helping foster an inclusive and collaborative workplace. The selected candidate should expect to be in our Seattle office when needed.

Who You Are

• You hold a bachelor's degree in human resources or a related field
• You have 8+ years of progressive HR experience, including strong employee relations and organizational development expertise
• Demonstrated experience working with HRIS platforms (required) and using HR data to drive insights and decisions
• Experience leveraging or implementing HR technology solutions, automation, or AI-enabled tools in HR processes
• Advanced knowledge of federal compliance and state employment laws (Title VII, ADA, FMLA, FLSA, ADEA), especially in WA, OR and CA
• Strong consultative and influencing skills across all organizational levels
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including training and facilitation experience
• Ability to manage multiple priorities with discretion, sound judgment, and professionalism
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)

Preferred Qualifications

• HR certification (SHRM-CP/SCP, PHR/SPHR)
• 10+ years of HR experience of mid-advanced general HR experience or 3+ years of direct HRBP experience
• Experience in a consulting or professional services environment
• Experience with various HRIS, ATS (Greenpoint specifically), ERP and other similar type systems
• Experience supporting digital transformation or HR technology initiatives

What You Will Do for ESA

• Serve as a trusted advisor to leaders, aligning people strategies with business goals
• Lead complex employee relations matters, including investigations, performance management, and conflict resolution
• Provide expert guidance on organizational development, change management, and leadership coaching
• Partner with leadership to drive talent planning, workforce strategy, and succession development
• Leverage HRIS systems, data analytics, and AI-enabled tools to track trends, inform decision-making and improve HR processes**Oops**
• Identify opportunities to modernize HR workflows through automation, reporting, and responsible AI adoption
• Deliver HR training programs (harassment prevention, interviewing skills, supervisor development, onboarding, etc.)
• Ensure consistent interpretation and application of HR policies and employment laws
• Collaborate with the HR team to enhance employee development programs and tools

What's Special About ESA

Joining ESA means becoming part of a close-knit team of environmental professionals who contribute to outstanding projects, improve environmental stewardship, and advance a more sustainable and resilient future for our communities and wild places.

At ESA, we provide benefits such as medical, dental, and vision insurance (paid at 70% for you AND your family), annual allocations of company shares through our ESOP, a 401(k) plan with company match, and paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays, to name a few.

We also provide specific programs whether you want to further your technical expertise, sharpen your business acumen, or help lead the next generation of employee-owners. We want to support you in reaching your career goals through tuition reimbursement, professional development bonuses, and attendance at conferences.

ESA has established multiple pay ranges tailored to the economic factors in the geographies in which ESA staff reside. For this position, the range is approximately as listed based on our anticipated hiring locations as noted in the above job details. Actual compensation is determined by several factors including but not limited to an individual's related experience, education, skills, and the city in which the applicant lives.

CA Pay Transparency Clause

$125,000 — $153,000 USD

Who We Are

We are a 100% employee-owned environmental consulting firm who values diversity and inclusion and celebrate the differences that make each of us unique. Our culture is built on mutual respect, recognizing that our variety of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives leads to better solutions, which fosters our continued success for our employee-owners and clients.

In accordance with ESA's duty and responsibility to provide and maintain a safe workplace that is free of known hazards and to minimize the exposure to potential hazards, any employee who works from an ESA office or conducts any other in-person ESA work-related activity is required to submit their proof of vaccination status or have received an approved exemption and accommodation in states which this applies.

Please note: We do NOT accept unsolicited resumes from agencies

If you are an applicant with a disability that requires a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability-or unable to use-the online application system and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact our Human Resources Department via email:[e-mail] assistance.

Please include the following in your message so we can promptly address your request:

• Full name
• The best method to contact you (phone number and/or email address)
• Title of Job Position Applied
• Description of your accommodation request

ESA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. (EOEM/V/F/D)