Human Resources Business Partner

Who we are:

We are a water-focused engineering consulting firm, certified as a Great Place to Work® based on feedback from our community of over 260 team members.  We ranked top three in the AEC Advisors 2021 and 2022 Diversity Index Top Firms and have been recognized as one of Fortune’s® Best Workplaces in Consulting and Professional Services from 2023 – 2025.  Since 1990, our mission has been to be the water firm of choice for both our clients and our team. Over the years we have built upon that mission and now integrate a host of high-quality services in groundwater, water supply, water and wastewater treatment, water and wastewater infrastructure, stormwater, recycled water, construction management, and operations technology from our multiple locations in the west.  As a team, we work with our clients to understand their true needs. Our long-term relationships are based on integrity, partnership, and high-value solutions. In 2026 and beyond, West Yost is advancing water resources for future generations and living our core values every day.

Compensation range: $90,000 - $110,000.  Based on our office location.  (West Yost uses geographic salary differentials that would apply for candidates in other regions). 

Status: Full-time, Exempt

LOCATION:   Davis, CA (https://www.westyost.com/locations/ ).

**This is a Hybrid role with 3 days in the office and 2 days remote.**

Standard benefits:

We provide a comprehensive array of valuable benefits to protect your health, your family, and your way of life. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, health saving accounts (with West Yost contribution), paid vacation, paid sick leave and holidays, two employee assistance programs, travel assistance program, 401(k) profit sharing with employer match, leaves of absence with additional supplemental paid time off, parental leave, life and AD&D insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance, and even pet insurance.

HUMAN RESOURCES BUSINESS PARTNER

BASIC JOB FUNCTION

The Human Resources Business Partner serves as a hands-on HR professional responsible for delivering comprehensive HR support across the employee lifecycle. This role owns and executes core HR functions including benefits administration, compensation, HR operations, HR data analytics and reporting, employee relations, performance management and compliance. This role partners closely with leaders and employees to support consistent HR practices, regulatory compliance, and a positive workplace culture, while contributing to the effective execution and continuous improvement of HR programs, processes, and pay and benefit practices.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

HR Operations

• Lead day-to-day HR operations across the employee lifecycle, ensuring accurate, compliant, and consistent execution of HR processes, systems, and data.
• Maintain HR data integrity by overseeing HR systems, documentation, workflows, and employee transactions, including HR inputs that feed payroll, through regular quality checks and audits.
• Design, implement, and monitor standardized HR workflows, including QA/QC and auditing processes, to ensure accuracy, compliance, and consistency across HR operations.
• Identify and implement process and system improvements to support efficiency and scalability, and the overall employee and manager experience.

Compensation, Benefits & Total Rewards

• Lead administration of compensation and benefits programs, including salary administration, incentive programs, benefits enrollment, and leave programs.
• Oversee and support the design, administration, and employee experience of benefits programs, including open enrollment, leave of absence programs, compliance, employee education, and continuous improvement of benefit offerings and delivery.
• Drive annual compensation planning activities, including merit cycles, market reviews, job evaluations, and internal equity analysis.
• Manage benefits vendors, brokers and captive resources, supporting renewals, plan performance review, compliance requirements, and employee communications.
• Serve as a primary resource for compensation, benefits and total rewards guidance for leaders and employees.

HR Data, Analytics & Reporting

• Lead HR reporting and analytics across headcount, turnover, compensation, benefits, performance, and compliance metrics.
• Ensure accurate and timely statutory, regulatory, and internal reporting.
• Analyze HR data to identify trends and support workforce planning and decision-making.

Employee Relations & Performance Management

• Provide hands-on support for employee relations matters, including issue resolution, investigations, and corrective action.
• Coach managers on performance management, feedback, documentation, and accountability.
• Support and administer performance management processes, including reviews and performance improvement planning.

Career Development & Organizational Support

• Support career development and performance growth initiatives, including role clarity, development planning, and internal mobility.
• Partner with leaders and HR team members on organizational initiatives such as job architecture, role evolution, and workforce planning.

HR Partnership & Flexibility

• Serve as a trusted, hands-on HR Business partner to leaders, providing consultation, insight and guidance on people strategy, organizational effectiveness and workforce-related initiatives.
• Proactively identify opportunities to improve people practices, support change initiatives and align HR programs with business goals.
• Collaborate across the HR team, flexing responsibilities as business and team needs evolve.
• Exercise sound judgement and discretion while partnering closely with leaders and employees. Take on additional HR responsibilities and projects as needed.

 QUALIFICATIONS

Required Education and/or Experience

• 10+ years of progressive HR experience
• Strong knowledge of employment laws and HR best practices
• Knowledge of compensation strategy, performance management, employee relations, safety practices and talent acquisition, and the ability to apply this information in a manner that is compliant with relevant employment law
• Experience managing HRIS systems and ensuring data integrity
• Proven ability to handle confidential information with discretion and professionalism
• Strong organizational skills with a high level of attention to detail
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook) or equivalent tools

 Preferred Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field
• HR certification (e.g., PHR, SHRM-CP)
• Experience with UKG, Asana, ticketing systems, Tilt, Lever
• Experience working with vendors or third-party administrators for benefits and leave programs
• Experience working with captive healthcare models preferred
• Familiarity with payroll processes and collaboration across departments
• Experience with project management or process improvement initiatives
• Exposure to data reporting and HR analytics tools

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job; reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:
• Some lifting of materials (45 lbs. or less)
• Bending, Stretching and reaching required
• Use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms
• Sitting for long periods of time
• Standing for long periods of time
• Walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Environmental Factors

• Indoor 100%
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate

Work Week

The base work week and core hours are 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, 8:00AM to 5:00 PM.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

*This position may require travel to other offices and/or client offices.

Our commitment to quality begins with our hiring practices. We employ the most talented team members in our industry from all backgrounds. We are highly selective of the individuals we choose to represent the firm, seeking only those individuals whose technical abilities and commitment to client service matches our vision for excellence.  We are dedicated to our number one asset, our employees.  Because we are employee-owned, we are responsible for and rewarded by our own success. Come to West Yost where, with our support, you’ll do the best work of your life.

A day in the life:

You will experience many opportunities to grow and develop professionally with your colleagues through collaborative in-person work experience, knowledge sharing, and mentorship opportunities. We also offer hybrid and flexible work schedules to our employees to help promote and encourage a healthy work/life balance.  All of our team members have access to local and company-wide events, our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Workgroup, Culture Workgroup, Wellness Workgroup, book clubs, charitable giving and community service, firm-wide resources, peer groups (young professionals & middlers group), and mentorship and leadership programs.  We support and foster your career success and encourage you to be in control of your future with us. Our annual company-wide monthly staff meetings, annual in-person All Staff meeting, Duck Dinner, company camping events, company celebrations, and other company-sponsored events provide an important part of the West Yost culture, which is to have fun.

Other unique benefits:

You’ll be provided with support in on-going education through our 529 college savings plan/student loan repayment program, tuition reimbursement, paid professional memberships, paid training, and Leadership Academy programs. You’ll be recognized for your contributions at West Yost through milestone anniversary benefits, peer to peer recognition programs, the potential for employee stock ownership, annual monetary and paid time off bonuses, performance-based bonus eligibility, merit increase eligibility, and employee referral bonuses. We also offer a wellness reimbursement.