HR Business Partner

Mission Statement

Through the use of social and restorative justice principles, Five Keys provides traditionally underserved communities the opportunity to improve their lives through a focus on the Five Keys: EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, RECOVERY, FAMILY, COMMUNITY.

Five Keys Overview

Five Keys is a nonprofit organization that operates an extensive network of programs across California. With a presence in 14 counties and over 120 locations, Five Keys focuses on various initiatives aimed at empowering individuals and families to overcome poverty and inequity. The organization's programs encompass a wide range of services, including public charter schools, restorative justice programs in jails and prisons, shelters, permanent supportive housing, and the development of new housing and support programs. At Five Keys, the overarching objective is to uplift individuals and families by providing them with essential resources. This includes education, housing, employment, and the necessary tools to sustain their progress. By offering these fundamental elements, the organization aims to create positive and lasting change in communities, making them better places for everyone.

Our Core Competencies

A well qualified candidate has the capacity to communicate effectively, collaborate with others while building positive relationships, demonstrates strong problem solving skills, has a dynamic learning mindset, and remains committed to a high level of cultural and social awareness. A successful candidate will work well under pressure, observe appropriate boundaries and operate with a high degree of emotional intelligence.

What it’s really like to join our agency…

At Five Keys, culture matters. Culture is at the very core of everything we do and impact on a daily basis. We’ve made a commitment to building an inclusive culture that seeks collaboration over hierarchy to create empowered work teams. We serve vulnerable populations daily and we strive to approach everyone with compassion, patience and a trauma informed approach. We choose to push past discomfort to have difficult conversations to impact the greater good. This allows us the opportunity to collaboratively create an inclusive culture and transform the world around us.

BENEFITS

We offer very low monthly costs for medical insurance!  Dental, vision and life insurance premiums paid by Five Keys and various pre-tax flexible spending accounts and retirement account 403b. Generous time off. Annual reimbursement up to $100 towards gym membership, smoking cessation and weight loss programs.  Annual reimbursement up to $50 towards annual athletic event participation and annual massage after 6 months of employment. FREE access to wellness-related apps, Employee Assistance Program and a comprehensive mental health care platform for you and your dependents.

JOB SUMMARY

The HR Business Partner (HRBP) position reports to the Assistant  Director of Human Resources and is accountable for hybrid responsibilities covering both daily core human resources operations and strategic planning for their designated business unit. As the designated employee-facing human resources representative for their department, the HRBP ensures functional human resources operations and compliance align with departmental objectives. 

We are looking for someone who maintains a positive attitude and enjoys supporting a diverse group of people. If this job is for you, you are highly proficient in your understanding of human resources functionality, rules, and regulations and are ready to support leaders in making people-related decisions that involve every aspect of the employee life cycle

BUSINESS UNIT 

This opening is for an HRBP to support our housing division. Five Keys Housing serves more than 1000 unhoused individuals throughout California; most of our housing sites are located in the Bay Area / San Francisco. 

This is a hybrid position and requires on-site work at one of our San Francisco housing facilities at least 3 days per week. 

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Meet weekly with designated business unit leaders to discuss staffing, employee relations, performance, and emerging HR needs
• Consult with leaders and provide guidance on HR matters, policies, and practices
• Advise managers on day-to-day performance management, including coaching, counseling, career development, and disciplinary action
• Partner with leaders and employees to strengthen working relationships, support morale, and improve productivity and retention
• Interpret HR policies and guide leaders and employees through applicable HR processes
• Respond to employee questions and connect employees with the appropriate resources or contacts for additional assistance
• Analyze workforce trends and HR metrics in partnership with the HR team to recommend solutions, programs, and policy improvements
• Coordinate with partner agencies to ensure personnel practices meet applicable contract requirements
• Identify gaps in policies or practices and recommend improvements
• Assess business unit training needs and identify opportunities for leadership and executive coaching
• Apply knowledge of employment laws and regulations when advising on employee matters, and partner with the Legal Department as needed
• Develop and maintain a thorough understanding of the agency’s employee benefits programs and eligibility requirements; clearly explain benefit options to employees and provide timely guidance and assistance with benefit-related questions, enrollment, and available resources. 
• Audit, update, and maintain accurate HRIS records for the designated business unit
• Manage employee relations matters and conduct thorough, objective investigations
• Administer workers’ compensation matters and leaves of absence for employees within the designated business unit
• Manage the workplace accommodations process, including coordinating requests, facilitating the interactive process, maintaining required documentation, and ensuring timely communication and follow-up with employees and appropriate stakeholders  
• Develop and implement strategies for process improvement and operational enhancement, with rollout plans aligned with change management principles 
• Prepare and administer offer letters and coordinate new-hire onboarding
• Coordinate promotions and transfers, ensuring all required steps and documentation are completed
• Understand and promote the Employee Benefits and Wellness program
• Participate in evaluating training programs and follow up with leaders and employees to assess whether training objectives have been met
• Coordinate and conduct employee terminations in accordance with established policies, procedures, and applicable requirements 
• Oversee administrative assistants’ assigned HR duties to ensure accuracy, completeness, and adherence to established processes and requirements 
• Perform other duties as assigned

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Strong knowledge of Human Resources practices, employment laws, employee relations, performance management, and workplace investigations, with the ability to apply policies consistently 
• Ability to build effective partnerships with Housing leadership, managers, and employees, providing practical HR guidance that supports both operational needs and organizational policies
• Strong problem-solving, critical-thinking, and conflict-resolution skills, with the ability to assess complex employee relations matters, identify risks, and recommend appropriate courses of action
• Ability to effectively support a diverse, frontline workforce operating across multiple programs and locations, including environments that require flexibility, responsiveness, and an understanding of trauma-informed and client-centered services
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to communicate sensitive information professionally, facilitate difficult conversations, prepare clear documentation, and maintain appropriate confidentiality
• Advanced proficiency in Zoom, Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and databases
• Able to maintain strict confidentiality and take all precautions when handling sensitive information
• Ability to effectively and efficiently work from home and independently, with high levels of self-accountability
• Excellent customer service, and organizational skills, with strong attention to detail 
• Ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply the appropriate sections of applicable laws, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, and policies
• Ability to acquire a thorough understanding of the organization’s hierarchy, jobs, qualifications, compensation practices, policies and procedures, and the administrative practices related to those factors
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills 

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE

• High School Diploma or Equivalent required
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management, Business Administration, or  Management, or a related field preferred 
• Minimum of three years of progressively responsible Human Resources experience at the HR Generalist level or above required 
• Strong working knowledge of multiple human resource disciplines, including compensation practices, benefits, organizational diagnosis, employee relations, diversity, performance management, leave of absence/accommodations, workers’ compensation, and federal and state employment laws required
• SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) or SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) credential preferred

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS  

• Must wear provided PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and adhere to all safety guidelines and requirements when needed
• Frequent talking and hearing conversations
• Long periods of walking, sitting at a desk and/or computer station
• Lifting items that weigh up to 25 lbs.; reaching, bending, carrying, and stooping within the daily routine of tasks and activities

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

This position is contingent upon: 

• Satisfactory results of a Live Scan (criminal background investigation)
• Submitting proof of clear TB results. Results dated within 60 days prior to hire date are acceptable

WORK ENVIRONMENT  

• Moderate to high noise level
• Work environment varies from site to site
• Some personal safety risk working in underserved communities
• Must live in Northern California where Five Keys operates  
• Must be willing and able to travel throughout the area to community sites 
• Must be willing and able to travel statewide to various locations or meetings as needed
• Up to 30% travel to Five Keys locations throughout California as needed
• Hybrid position and will be required to work onsite in one of our housing facilities at least 3 days per week in San Francisco 

GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES

At Five Keys, we understand that when our employees grow, the agency has a greater capacity to thrive and accomplish its mission. It is for this reason that we remain committed to providing ongoing professional development opportunities for all of our employees. These include but are not limited to: conferences, staff development training, and coaching plans that allow incumbents to grow into new positions within and across programs within the agency (i.e., programs, schools, housing).