RRC - HR Business Partner or Senior HR Business Partner (HR Specialist IV – VI)

The Railroad Commission of Texas is a state agency with primary regulatory jurisdiction over the oil and natural gas industry; pipeline transport and pipeline safety; natural gas utilities; the LP-gas industry; and surface mining operations. You can find more details about us on the Railroad Commission of Texas' website here https://www.rrc.texas.gov/about-us/.   

To support our mission to serve Texas, we need great people to join our team. We provide a great working environment along with outstanding benefits, including:  

• Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick time, and at least 12 paid holidays per year
• Telework options for eligible positions  
• Flexible work schedules
• Retirement pension with a 150% agency match – you can watch this YouTube video that describes this amazing benefit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJI6M7g73-w 
• 401(k), 457(b) and Roth
• Health premiums 100% paid for full-time employees
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Wellness and Exercise Leave
• Career development programs/opportunities for advancement  

For a complete list of our total compensation package, please visit our website at https://www.rrc.texas.gov/about-us/jobs/. To view benefits available to all State of Texas employees, visit the Employee Retirement Systems website at https://ers.texas.gov/benefits-at-a-glance. 
 

Job Description

Performs advanced to advanced human resources work supporting organizational objectives and operational effectiveness. Provides strategic consultation, guidance, and support across a broad range of human resources functions. Serves as a trusted advisor to leadership and staff, ensuring alignment of HR practices with organizational priorities and regulatory requirements. Works under limited to minimal supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative, independent judgment, and decision-making.

Essential Job Duties

• Partners with leadership to provide strategic and operational human resources guidance across functional areas, employee relations, talent management, classification and compensation, workforce planning, and organizational effectiveness.
   
• Advises management on human resources policies, procedures, and best practices to support informed decision-making and consistent application. 
   
• Supports the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of human resources programs and initiatives.
   
• Provides consultation and guidance on employee relations matters, ensuring appropriate resolution and alignment with policy and applicable laws.
   
• Conducts thorough and objective investigations as needed, assesses risk, and determines appropriate course of action, working closely with HR Director as appropriate.
   
• Conducts or supports workplace reviews or inquiries, assesses risk, and recommends appropriate actions in coordination with leadership and legal counsel as needed.
   
• Interprets and applies federal and state laws, regulations, and internal policies to ensure compliance and mitigate organizational risk.
   
• Assists in the development and maintenance of job documentation, classification structures, and compensation alignment. May conduct desk audits and job surveys.
   
• Manages unemployment claims for assigned divisions, including participating in unemployment hearings as needed.
   
• Supports performance management processes by providing guidance on coaching, development, and corrective actions.
   
• Analyzes workforce trends and metrics to inform recommendations and support organizational planning.
   
• Collaborates with stakeholders to identify opportunities for process improvement and enhanced service delivery.
   
• Promotes effective communication, positive working relationships, and a productive work environment.
   
• Support training initiatives and organizational development efforts. This includes coordinating periodic New Manager HR Training classes and required HR compliance training.
   
• Maintains confidentiality of sensitive information and exercises sound judgment in handling personnel matters.
   
• Performs other duties as assigned.
   

• This position may require up to 10% travel.

  
  
   

  Additional Military Crosswalk information can be accessed at:  http://www.hr.sao.texas.gov/compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_HumanResources.pdf 

Minimum Qualifications

Human Resources Specialist IV:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, public administration, or a related field.
• At least four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in human resources or a related field, including experience managing employee relations and conducting investigations.
• Experience applying human resources principles, policies, and procedures in a professional setting.
  Relevant education and experience may be substituted for one another on a year-for-year basis.

Human Resources Specialist V

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, public administration, or a related field.
• At least six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in human resources or a related field, including experience managing employee relations and conducting investigations.
• Experience providing consultative human resources guidance and handling complex HR issues.
• Demonstrated experience interpreting policies, laws, and regulations.
• Relevant education and experience may be substituted for one another on a year-for-year basis.

Human Resources Specialist VI

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, public administration, or a related field.
• At least eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in human resources or a related field, including experience managing employee relations and conducting investigations.
• Extensive experience providing strategic human resources consultation to leadership and managing complex or sensitive HR matters.
• Experience leading or supporting major HR initiatives, programs, or organizational efforts.
• Relevant education and experience may be substituted for one another on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional HR certification (e.g., SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR).
• Experience in a human resources business partner or similar consultative role.
• Experience managing employee relations and conducting workplace investigations.
• Experience working in government, preferably in the State of Texas.
• Experience supporting geographically dispersed teams or complex organizational structures.
• Experience in analyzing workforce data and compiling reports.
• Advanced proficiency in using and administering PeopleSoft HCM products, ideally the State of Texas' Centralized Accounting and Payroll/Personnel System (CAPPS).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of human resources principles and practices across multiple functional areas.
   
• Knowledge of applicable federal and state employment laws and regulations.
   
• Knowledge of organizational and operational practices.
   
• Skill in analyzing information and developing recommendations.
   
• Skill in problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making.
   
• Skill in effective verbal and written communication.
   
• Skill in job evaluation and analysis.
   
• Skill in workplace investigations.
   
• Skill in negotiating.
   
• Skill in managing multiple priorities and adapting to changing demands.
   
• Skill in building relationships and providing customer-focused service.
   
• Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, and regulations.
   
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work activities.
   
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality.
   
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
   
• Ability to communicate with professionalism, tact, and diplomacy.
   
• Ability to support organizational goals and initiatives.
   
• Ability to effectively use PeopleSoft products to manage personnel changes and serve as a technical expert.
   

Work Hours: Standard office hours for Commission employees are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Our agency offers alternative schedules for employees, provided they do not adversely affect operations or service levels and standard hours of operation are maintained. The Commission may also offer telework in accordance with the agency's approved Telework Plan. Alternate work schedules may be discussed with the hiring manager during the interview process.

APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED THROUGH WORK IN TEXAS:  Work In Texas (WIT) applicants must complete the CAPPS Recruit Prescreening Questionnaire to be considered for the posting. To complete the Prescreening Questionnaire, go to CAPPS Recruit to register or log in: https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en 

Remarks:  

• There is one available position.  
• Official transcripts, DD214 or DD1300, copies of license/certifications, or other minimum requirement validations will be requested at the time of the job offer.
• Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.
• Criminal background checks will be conducted on all final candidates. An applicant who has been convicted of a criminal offense relevant to the position may be disqualified from employment.

THE RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS ONLY ACCEPTS ONLINE APPLICATIONS FOR THIS POSTING.  

Due to the high volume of applications, we do not accept telephone calls. Only candidates selected to interview will be contacted. Notifications to applicants are sent electronically to the email address you provide. 
 

The Railroad Commission of Texas is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not 
discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age 
or disability in employment or in the provision of services. 
The Railroad Commission of Texas is a tobacco-free workplace.