People & Culture Business Partner at City of Seattle, WA

About the Department

Seattle City Light, a department of the City of Seattle, is one of the nation’s largest municipally owned utilities in terms of the number of customers served. Over the years we have worked very hard to keep Seattle's electricity affordable, reliable, and environmentally sound. Today, City Light is a recognized national leader in energy efficiency and environmental stewardship.  
  
At Seattle City Light, we believe that innovation and collaboration that result from diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission. We seek employees who bring different and innovative ways of solving problems. 
  
The People & Culture Business Partner position serves as the primary point of contact for human resources to City Light employees, working collaboratively with people across the utility to create and maintain a welcoming, healthy, effective environment where everyone can do their best work.

Position Duties

Here is more about what you’ll be doing:  

• Build and maintain effective, trusting working relationships with all levels of the organization. 
• Serve as the primary contact point regarding SCL employment matters including workplace expectations, policies, practices, and resources.  
• Manage information and requests in a timely, accurate manner; navigate sensitive matters with respect and compassion. 
• Monitor the pulse of employees. Elevate and tackle potential issues negatively impacting the employee experience. 
• Engage and collaborate with People and Culture divisions and units to bring functional expertise to solve business challenges and provide an exceptional client experience. 
• Provide HR partnership for both strategic and tactical initiatives, as well as day-to-day support for assigned business groups. 
• Consult with management on employee matters to provide appropriate guidance and resources. 
• Understand and address the upstream and downstream impacts of decisions/solutions on the workforce. 
• Appropriately challenge traditional practices and identify innovative solutions which meet evolving business/industry demands. 
• Serve as a steward of race and social justice. 
• Contribute to building and maintaining People and Culture Business Partner program effectiveness, innovation to accomplish SCL’s operational and strategic objectives. 
• Maintain in-depth knowledge of legal requirements related to day-to-day management of employees, reducing legal risks and ensuring regulatory compliance.  Partner effectively with the Labor Relations and Employee Relations as needed/required. 
• Comprehend, interpret, and apply the appropriate sections of Personnel Rules, Workplace Expectations, Seattle Municipal Code, and Collective Bargaining Agreements.  
• Partner with leadership to develop, monitor and report on workforce and succession plans. 
• Advise on leadership, professional development, and training. 
• Analyze workforce data to identify trends, inform decisions and shape recommendations to achieve business objectives.
• Champion City Light change initiatives to ensure successful implementation of programs, policies, procedures. 
• Pivot from high level strategy development to tactical hands-on execution as needed.  

Minimum Qualifications

Required Qualifications: In addition to the skills and experience mentioned below, a successful applicant will have experience that reflects a commitment to creating fair and equitable outcomes and has:  
  
Experience: Requires three years experience in professional personnel administration as a human resources generalist or a business partner.
  
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business or Public Administration, or related field (or a combination of education and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work).
  
Desired Qualifications - You will be successful if you have the following experience, skills, and abilities:   

• 5 or more years of experience as a human resource generalist or business partner 
• Experience working effectively with people from diverse backgrounds, and in a large unionized or public sector environment 
• Additional experience in HR specialty areas like diversity and inclusion, work force planning, training and development and/ or employee relations is a plus. 
• Experience handling confidential information; attention to detail; excellent organizational and time management skills; and an ongoing commitment to always providing superior customer service 
• Experience applying fundamental concepts and principles of HR as a professional discipline and/or technical specialty to the position
• Strong written and verbal communication skills are required and the ability to communicate complex issues both verbally and in written form 
• Proven ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a matrixed team environment 
• Experience working cross functionally across teams at all levels of the organization collaboratively to identify solutions to address problems, change management and process improvement opportunities. 
• Experience with conflict resolution practices (such as mediation, restorative justice, etc.) in the workplace 
• Working knowledge of appropriate HR laws and regulations
• Specialized HR training or certification such as SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR or SPHR

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Other Qualifications

The full salary range for this position is $54.28 to $63.26 per hour.

Please submit the following with your online application: 

• A cover letter in which you clearly describe how your knowledge, experience, skills, and abilities prepare you for the job responsibilities and qualifications outlined in the job announcement 
• A current resume of your educational and professional work experience. 

Incomplete applications may not be considered.

Who May Apply: This position is open to all candidates that meet the qualifications.   Seattle City Light 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, or gender identity. Seattle City Light encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.

Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process, including the completion of a background check. The background check will involve a criminal history check, which includes conviction and arrest records in compliance with the Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17and the City of Seattle Personnel Rule 10.3(Download PDF reader). A driving history review may be conducted in compliance with SMC 4.79.020. Applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain or correct background information.

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/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans.