Human Resources Business Partner (12054, Grade 22)

Human Resources Business Partner

Montgomery Parks is seeking a Human Resources Business Partner to provide dedicated, hands-on Human Resources support to the Horticulture, Forestry and Environmental Education (HFEE) Division. The HFEE Division manages a budget of more than $15 million and supports more than 260 career and seasonal employees across public and community gardens, nature centers, horticulture and urban forestry programs, and a park activation and events team. Through programming, training, events, and interpretation, HFEE fosters lifelong learning, promotes environmental stewardship, and encourages healthy habits that support mental and physical well-being, while strengthening community connections. This position plays an important role in ensuring that HFEE staff are supported in achieving this work. Under the direction of the HFEE Division Chief, the Human Resources Business Partner serves as a trusted advisor and subject matter expert on HR policies, procedures, programs, collective bargaining agreements, and employee lifecycle processes. This role also serves as the HR liaison between the HFEE Division, Montgomery Parks HR Unit and Commission-wide HR service teams. The ideal candidate will be organized, responsive, and collaborative, with the ability to balance administrative accuracy, compliance, employee support, and strategic HR partnership in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

Montgomery Parks is an award-winning park system and part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). Supported by more than 800 dedicated employees, we care for 416 parks, along with trails, sports fields and natural spaces across Montgomery County. Our team members work in a wide range of roles, including park operations, public programs, planning, public safety, and administration. Our work is visible in everyday moments, from safe, well-maintained trails to welcoming parks and community programs. Careers with Montgomery Parks offer purpose, stability, and the opportunity to make a visible, lasting impact where people live, work, and connect.

Core Areas of Responsibility

Recruitment and Hiring

Lead the Division's workforce planning, recruitment, and hiring processes for career and seasonal positions. Responsibilities include tracking vacancies, preparing and updating job requisitions and advertisements, selection criteria and interview materials, coordinating interviews, communicating with applicants, reference checks, background checks, hiring packets, compensation reviews, and working with Montgomery Parks HR and Commission-wide HR service teams to ensure timely and accurate processing.

Onboarding and Employee Lifecycle

Coordinate and support onboarding, employee transitions, and related lifecycle processes for the Division. Responsibilities include preparing orientation materials, coordinating system access, badge access, training requirements, manager checklists, and division-specific orientation for new and promoted employees. Track performance evaluation requirements and assist managers with timely completion of probationary, interim, annual, and other required evaluations.

HR Partnership and Advisory Support

Provide advisory support for the HFEE Division on HR policies, procedures, programs, forms, and processes. Assist staff and managers with questions related to benefits, payroll, timekeeping, leave, collective bargaining agreement provisions, personnel actions, and other HR services. Serve as liaison between HFEE Division, Montgomery Parks HR Unit, and Commission-wide HR service teams. Monitor and communicate HR-related updates that affect the Division, help managers understand appropriate processes and documentation requirements, and support consistent application of Commission, department, and divisional policies and practices.

Employee Relations

Provide guidance to managers and employees on workplace concerns, corrective action procedures, accident and injury reporting. Assist with gathering information, preparing documentation, coordinating required reviews, and communicating with Montgomery Parks HR and other appropriate HR service teams on sensitive personnel matters. Participate in personnel investigations as assigned by helping coordinate interviews, organize information, analyze findings, prepare summaries or recommendations, and coordinate corrective actions.

Administrative

Maintain accurate, secure, and confidential HR records, reports, and tracking tools for the Division. Prepare, review, route, and process personnel actions and related HR documentation. Help identify opportunities to improve administrative processes, records management, and reporting. Use Enterprise Resource Planning Software (ERP) and Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) to organize information, support document control, monitor deadlines, track HR transactions and prepare routine and ad hoc reports. Utilize Microsoft Office, SharePoint, OneDrive, and other digital tools to create, share and organize information and support document control.

Training and Special Projects

Recommend, coordinate, and track divisional training needs, training plans, and surveys in partnership with the Department Training and Organizational Development Team. Support and encourage utilization of the Learning Management System (LMS) to monitor and track training. Support division meetings, trainings, events, awards, recognition programs, and reclassification processes. Prepare communications, procedures, presentations, reports, correspondence, meeting materials, and other documents for division leadership. Assist with budget-related HR data, process improvements, special assignments, and cross-departmental projects.

Skills and Characteristics That Support Success

• Knowledge of Federal and State employment laws and regulations including FLSA, FMLA, ADA, NLRA
• Proven ability to prioritize competing tasks and deadlines, and effectively handle multiple employee matters, recruitment needs, and administrative responsibilities with accuracy and professionalism.
• Proven ability to approach and interact with people of all backgrounds and the ability to think collaboratively with members of the organization, working as a member of a team
• Ability to work with highly confidential documents and data while ensuring discretion.
• Superb written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Proficient in up-to-date Microsoft office software, enterprise software and specialized programs for planning, scheduling, communicating, word processing, collecting and reporting data, preparing presentations, researching and document control

Preferred Qualifications

• A Bachelor's Degree in Management, Business Administration, Human Resources or Communications and four (4) years of related experience in Human Resources Support in a large organization.
• Certified Professional (PHR/SHRM-CP) credential or ability to obtain credentials
• Possess a valid Driver's License and qualify to drive Commission vehicles to locations within Montgomery County.

Working Conditions

Works in an office setting; may work outdoors briefly on an incidental basis. Work is primarily sedentary and requires very light to light physical effort. May be subject to various job demands such as high volume of work and tight deadlines.

Additional Details

• Bilingual candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• We offer a flexible and competitive benefits package.
• Hybrid work schedules may be considered.

Classification Specification Administrative Specialist II

May be subject to medical, drug and alcohol testing. The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate a workplace culture of diversity, equity and inclusion without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, gender identity, or any other non-merit factor.

Applicants with Disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

If you require accommodations or special arrangements due to a qualifying disability, please notify the Recruitment & Selections Services Unit at the time of applications at or 301-454-1411 (Maryland Relay 7-1-1)

M-NCPPC will make all efforts to reasonably accommodate you.