Human Resources Business Partner

Job Summary:  To inspire and prepare each and every scholar with the confidence, courage, and competence to achieve their dreams; contribute to community; and engage in a lifetime of learning.  Deliver and implement employment/compensation/benefits programs and services and the maintenance, integrity, and security of applicable human resource data and records; initiating applicable personnel actions that encompass the employment lifecycle of employees; provide recruitment support; serves as a resource for benefit and insurance questions; maintain human resource data and ensure compliance; facilitate leave requests; make appropriate and equitable use of resources and technologies; implement the goals and objectives of the District and department for which employed; support District and department leaders implementation of improvement plans; build capacity in staff to meet system-wide and department initiatives to ensure equitable achievement gains for scholars; initiate and sustain collaboration within and across departments, programs, and buildings to improve scholar achievement; support in-person, synchronous and asynchronous learning and services when applicable; participate in District and department leadership activities.  Ability to be flexible with work hours to meet the needs of the district and department at the discretion of the supervisor.

Responsibilities and tasks include: 

Demonstrate Professionalism by:

• Aligning function with mission and core values of the organization; acting as a leader in District and department initiatives and strategies; attending training; serving on task forces and committees, as appropriate.
• Developing and communicating shared vision for areas of responsibility.
• Initiating, coordinating, and sustaining collaboration with a variety of leaders, colleagues, and staff on professional learning opportunities, support, and resources aligned with the District Strategic Plan and department and content/program outcomes; ensuring an equity lens in the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of area of responsibility. 
• Planning and executing continuous improvement processes for area of responsibility; monitoring and guiding the process; establishing clear and equitable outcomes, developed using data from multiple sources, that are representative of research based best practices and District guidelines and standards.

Demonstrate Performance Leadership by:

• Developing individual capacity to apply technical/functional expertise for maximum impact.
• Demonstrating attention to quality enhancement by incorporating formative feedback from supervisor in order to improve efficiencies and effectiveness in recordkeeping, workflow and compliance.
• Assuming appropriate responsibility for tasks; following established procedures to guide system and departmental work; collaborating to achieve shared objectives; monitoring and demonstrating effective decision-making strategies in order to meet project deadlines.

Demonstrate Management Skills by:

• Showing knowledge of resources aligned to areas of responsibility; managing District and department resources equitably, effectively, and efficiently; collaborating with department leaders to develop tactical and strategic goals by analyzing program operational and strategic needs and resources (including; budget, personnel, time, facilities, materials) to ensure that  actions and expenditures are appropriate, meet objectives, and are within budget.
• Ensuring compliance with applicable policies, rules, and regulations.
• Applying effective and equitable decision-making processes. 
• Preparing employee contracts and related correspondence and records; ordering and interpreting background and criminal  history checks.
• Monitoring and maintaining licensing documents; records and licensure data; ensuring employees maintain valid licensure; preparing personnel reports for School Board agendas; monitoring and assuring employee personnel files are accurate, complete and up to date; reviewing and approving all lane change applications.
• Serving as a primary resource to all staff in the understanding and application of the district collective bargaining agreements and terms and conditions of employment; working collaboratively with union representatives in the application of collective bargaining agreement provisions.
• Establishing salaries and confirming applicable provisions of collective bargaining agreements terms and conditions of employment for all new staff; consulting with administrators on next steps regarding staff performance concerns; meeting with all new hires to complete required paperwork and explain personnel policies; notifying appropriate stakeholders of staffing changes.
• Communicating with the payroll department on applicable pay changes affected by personnel actions, including changes in budget codes, status changes, and lane/step placements; responding to unemployment insurance benefits claims and representing the district in appeal hearings; finalizing all on-boarding and off-boarding required steps, transfers, benefit enrollments and changes in pay.
• Providing expert technical and strategic support and advice to managers and other personnel on policies, procedures, employment concerns, labor contract language, FMLA and COBRA regulations, and personnel issues/actions; serving on negotiation teams when applicable.
• Researching human resources best practices and assisting in the development and/or recommendation of new human resources practices.
• Partnering with department/site leaders to reach organizational equity goals while maintaining a work environment that respects and supports cultural agility; serving as a team lead for functional projects and systems; working with administrators on job studies.
• Managing all district job postings in compliance with labor contracts and district procedures; posting positions on applicable websites; attending job fairs and recruiting for district positions; serving as a liaison for all employment questions concerning job application process and selection procedures.
• Acting as district liaison and developing partnerships with external entities to disseminate information and promote employment opportunities; providing strategic input at district staffing meetings and when meeting individually with hiring managers; providing technical support and training on applicable human resources systems.
• Providing advanced technical information and assistance to employees, retirees, providers and third parties regarding various insurance programs such as medical insurance, dental insurance, prescription plan, disability insurance, life insurance and flexible benefits plan; resolves problems or complaints and assists Human Resources Coordinator in resolving complex problems.
• Participating in the coordination and communication of the School District’s employee benefits programs, including the annual enrollment.
• Participating in ensuring that regulations and internal policies and procedures regarding HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), deferred compensation, COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) insurance and the flexible benefits plan are followed and explained to employees; staying current with changes in law.
• Compiling, verifying and preparing data, records and reports concerning human resource metrics; providing data for summarizing employee status, compensation/benefits coverage, and data entry; auditing district records and information pertaining to employment information; developing and maintaining documentation of human resources processes and procedures; compiling and tracking Tier 1 and Tier 2 licenses and Out of Field Permission to ensure licensing compliance.
• Serving as the district liaison with the Professional Educators Licensing and Standards Board, as well as with the district re-licensure committee, to ensure that licensure requirements are met for all licensed staff; reviewing and maintaining HRIS licensure and assignment data to ensure compliance with STAR requirements.
• Responding to questions about leave regulations and procedures; advising managers and staff on labor contract requirements for leaves of absence; monitoring leaves of absence and following up with data response requirements.
• Collaborating and providing leadership for projects that integrate various district departments and/or outside agencies; collaborating with staff, community, and the Minnesota Department of Education on issues of mutual interest.

Demonstrate Interpersonal Skills by:

• Establishing and cultivating mutual respect and rapport including positive interactions with and among colleagues, staff, recruits and others; consistently demonstrating knowledge and caring about individuals; demonstrating and applying appropriate cultural and developmental awareness in interactions with colleagues, staff, recruits and others; recognizing and honoring the dignity, needs, and individual identity of colleagues, staff, recruits and others.
• Expressing ideas clearly in speaking and writing; communicating effectively in public; encouraging frequent and open communication; maintaining accessibility and visibility in the organization; inviting suggestions and feedback. 
• Perceiving the needs and concerns of others and providing appropriate support; resolving conflicts; demonstrating cultural responsiveness.

Demonstrate Professionalism by:

• Showing commitment to own professional growth; reflecting on knowledge and practice through self-assessment; accurately assessing the effectiveness of own leadership and activities; citing specific examples, ideas, and means for areas of improvement; identify personal growth areas and independently seeking opportunities to develop and refine knowledge and practices; maintaining documentation of progress toward professional learning goals.
• Managing work duties effectively; organizing and scheduling time commitments to meet demands of the job; meeting established timelines and deadlines; maintaining accurate, accessible, and clear department and content/program documentation and records.
• Effectively initiating contact, communication, and collaboration with staff, colleagues, and administrators; providing timely, constructive, and substantive information in a culturally sensitive manner; seeking opportunities to develop relationships and engage scholars, guardians/caregivers, staff, colleagues, and community.
• Cultivating and sustaining positive and productive relationships with colleagues; helping to identify challenges and taking positive action toward their solution; actively participating in a culture of professional inquiry to improve practice; participating in school, program/content, District and state meetings and events; supporting implementation of the District’s mission.
• Remaining current regarding knowledge, skills, and trends for area of responsibility; maintaining professional and technical knowledge and certifications; seeking collegial support and feedback; seeking knowledge regarding the scholars and community served and applying findings to program/content practice participating in professional organizations to enhance practice; providing leadership and support to colleagues.
• Demonstrating professional demeanor; representing the district in a positive manner; establishing and maintaining a positive image with sites and community.
• Consistently maintaining and modeling honesty, integrity, and confidentiality in interactions with staff, colleagues, scholars, guardians/caregivers, and community; inspiring trust by demonstrating competence, reliability, sincerity, and caring; demonstrating adaptability and flexibility; actively addressing scholars’ needs; advocating for scholars.
• Perform other comparable duties of a like or similar nature as assigned.

Minimum qualifications include: 

• Bachelor’s Degree.  Coursework in human resources, business administration, or a closely related field. If education requirement is not met, then must have related Human Resources certification or recognized equivalent certification or must have minimum of 5 years of increasingly responsible professional human resources work experience. Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) certification or recognized equivalent certification required if education requirement is not met through college degree requirement.
• Minimum of 3 years of professional experience in human resources and/or benefits administration.

Essential knowledge and specialized subject knowledge required to perform the essential functions of the job:

• Basic knowledge of employment laws and practices.
• Basic knowledge and experience in the administration of benefits and compensation programs and other human resources programs.
• General knowledge of labor contract law and principles.
• Enhanced knowledge of school district organization, functions, operations, and jobs; understanding mission statement, goals, and philosophy as it impacts the support functions and responsibilities of human resource programs and services. 
• Enhanced knowledge of the operation and applications used in maintaining personnel files, records retention, record/file/database  maintenance requirements, compliance reporting, and administrative requirements pertaining to human resource programs and objectives.
• Enhanced knowledge of district administrative policies and procedures.
• Knowledge and understanding of the characteristics of an effective and equitable program; awareness and understanding of improvement processes.
• Knowledge of racial equity  and racial equity transformation.
• Knowledge of multicultural, gender and disability fair curriculum concepts.
• Excellent computer skills in a Microsoft Windows environment and the Internet, including Excel and demonstrated skills in human resource information system (HRIS) database management and recordkeeping; ability to learn new computer program applications quickly.

Salary:  View salary grid on Page 2, Section 1 of the Salaried Professional’s contract 
Salary range: $67,766-$78,500 
Job type: Full-time,  260/261 days per year
Bargaining unit: Salaried Professionals
Desired start date: 12/9/2024
 

Osseo Area Schools offers:

• Meaningful and impactful work 
• Opportunities to grow professionally
• A variety of benefits
• Summer opportunities
• and more 

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: 

Osseo Area School District ISD 279 is an Equal Opportunity, and veteran-friendly employer.

Osseo Area School District ISD 279 ensures equal employment opportunities regardless of race, creed, gender, color, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation or disability. Osseo Area School District is committed to a workforce that reflects the diversity of the district and strongly encourages persons to apply who can strengthen our diversity. For more information, view the District’s Equal Opportunity and Prohibition Against Discrimination, Harassment and Violence Policy. 

Veteran’s Preference: If you are an eligible veteran, please submit a legible copy of your DD214 with your application. 

Accommodation: If you have a disability that requires an accommodation during the selection process, please email Human Resources at HR@district279.org or call 763-391-7007.

Background Check Upon Conditional Offer: 

Background checks are conducted upon receiving a conditional offer. Employees must complete a background check and are responsible for the background fee. A passing background is required.  Criminal convictions are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.