Human Resources Business Partner

Environmental Science Associates, Inc.; Seattle, Northern (WA, KY); Hybrid; USD 125,000 - 153,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

ESOP company shares

401(k) with company match

Paid vacation, sick leave, holidays

Tuition reimbursement

Professional development bonuses

Conference attendance

Job summary

Environmental Science Associates (ESA) is a Seattle-based environmental consulting firm seeking a Strategic HR Leader to advance employee relations, HR technology, and AI enablement. The role partners with business leaders to strengthen culture, navigate people challenges, and modernize HR practices with data and systems.

With 8+ years in HR, you will drive HRIS initiatives (Greenpoint ATS, ERP), ensure compliance across WA/OR/CA, and foster an inclusive, high-performing workplace through

Qualifications

• Hold a bachelor’s degree in human resources or a related field.
• 8+ years of progressive HR experience with strong employee relations.
• Experience with HRIS platforms and using HR data to drive insights.
• Experience implementing HR technology solutions and AI-enabled HR tools.
• Strong knowledge of federal/state employment laws (WA/OR/CA) and compliance.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

HRIS platforms

Employee relations

Organizational development

Compliance knowledge WA/OR/CA

Consultative & influencing

Written & verbal communication

Project & priority management

MS Office suite

HR data analytics

AI in HR tools

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR or related field

HR certification (SHRM-CP/SCP, PHR/SPHR)

Tools

Greenpoint ATS

ERP systems

AI-enabled HR tools

HRIS platforms

Microsoft Office

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

Identify opportunities to modernize HR workflows through automation, reporting, and responsible AI adoption

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.

$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

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