HR Business Partner - Join Robert Half in Downey, California

Robert Half is thrilled to partner with a leading public sector organization in Downey, California, to recruit an exceptional HR Business Partner. This interim HR Manager/Consultant role offers a dynamic opportunity for seasoned professionals with deep California public sector expertise. If you thrive in hands-on HR operations, excel in benefits administration, HCM configuration, and leading large teams through critical HRIS and payroll implementations, this position is your next career milestone. Located onsite in Downey, CA, you'll play a pivotal role in ensuring compliance, efficiency, and strategic HR alignment across multiple departments. With a focus on public sector challenges like CalPERS/CalSTRS, union agreements, and California labor laws, this role demands precision, leadership, and collaboration. Discover how your expertise can drive impactful change in governmental HR—apply now for this high-impact contract position with Robert Half.

About the Role

As an HR Business Partner with Robert Half, you'll serve as a strategic advisor and operational leader for our public sector client. This onsite role in Downey, California, emphasizes HR operations excellence, including overseeing payroll execution, HRIS projects, and team management of 15-20 staff. Ideal for consultants with prior experience in cities, counties, state agencies, districts, or education sectors, you'll ensure seamless compliance with complex regulations while optimizing processes. Robert Half provides unparalleled support, leveraging our national network to connect top talent like you with rewarding public sector opportunities. Whether you're advancing your career in HR consulting or seeking a bridge to permanent roles, this position offers professional growth, competitive compensation, and exposure to cutting-edge HR technologies.

Key Responsibilities

Your impact will be immediate and far-reaching. Key responsibilities include:

• Managing a team of 15-20 professionals through a major HRIS and payroll system implementation, ensuring on-time delivery and minimal disruptions.
• Championing full-cycle payroll for public sector employees, with meticulous attention to accuracy, CalPERS/CalSTRS contributions, and compliance.
• Navigating California labor laws, FLSA standards, wage and hour rules, and collective bargaining agreements to mitigate risks and support fair practices.
• Leading core HR functions such as onboarding, benefits enrollment, leave management, performance evaluations, and policy interpretation.
• Advising executive leadership on evolving HR policies, payroll procedures, and regulatory updates to foster a compliant, agile organization.
• Maintaining data integrity in HRIS/payroll systems like PeopleSoft, ADP, Workday, SAP, or Tyler Munis, while generating insightful reports and conducting audits.
• Fostering cross-departmental collaboration with Finance, Legal, and operations teams to streamline workflows, enhance documentation, and drive efficiency.
• Providing hands-on guidance, mentorship, and oversight to HR and payroll staff, promoting a high-performance culture.

These duties position you at the heart of organizational success, blending tactical execution with strategic foresight.

Required Qualifications

To excel, candidates must bring:

• A Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business, Accounting, or a related field (Master’s degree highly preferred).
• At least 5+ years of progressive HR and payroll experience, with 3+ years specifically in California public agencies (e.g., city, county, state, school district, or higher education).
• Deep expertise in CalPERS, CalSTRS, FLSA, California wage and hour laws, and union/collective bargaining dynamics.
• Proven proficiency with enterprise HRIS/payroll platforms including PeopleSoft, ADP, Workday, SAP, Tyler Munis, or similar systems.
• Exceptional organizational, communication, and confidentiality skills, coupled with the ability to lead independently in fast-paced environments.

Prior public sector, governmental, or education industry experience is non-negotiable, ensuring you hit the ground running.

Why Join Us

Partnering with Robert Half means accessing premier benefits tailored for consultants: competitive pay estimated at $120,000-$160,000 annually (based on Downey, CA market rates), comprehensive health coverage, 401(k) matching, generous PTO, and ongoing training. Gain exposure to high-profile public sector projects, build your network through our vast resources, and enjoy the stability of interim roles with potential for extension or permanency. Downey, California, offers a vibrant community near Los Angeles, with excellent work-life balance. SEO-optimized for careers in HR Business Partner roles, public sector jobs in California, HRIS implementation specialists, and payroll experts—Robert Half is your gateway to transformative opportunities. Apply today and elevate your HR career!

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