Job Description
MESD's HR department is a vibrant, hard working team dedicated to building a culturally responsive workforce. We support and empower staff through equitable practices, innovative solutions, and responsive services so they can focus on delivering the highest quality education and support to students in the Portland Metro area.
Department: Human Resources
Reports to: Director of Human Resources
Classification/Range : Confidential Non-Contracted/Range CEA01
Schedule: 240 days per year, 8 hours per day
POSITION PURPOSE:
Provide high-level executive support to the Human Resources Director. Manage complex projects, coordinate department priorities, oversee budget tracking, and maintain discretion in handling sensitive information. Support HR operations, including recruitment, labor relations, and compliance with district policies, CBAs, and applicable laws. Serve as a key liaison between HR leadership, internal stakeholders, and external partners.
NATURE & SCOPE: This position manages high-visibility, time-sensitive HR projects from initiation to completion, requiring frequent interaction with senior leaders, employees, union representatives, and external agencies. It demands advanced judgment, the ability to anticipate executive needs, and strong decision-making skills. The role oversees HR administrative functions, supports strategic initiatives, and manages sensitive matters involving personnel, labor relations, and organizational planning. It requires a deep understanding of HR processes, clear communication across diverse audiences, and oversight of the HR department's budget, including tracking expenditures and assisting with budget planning.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: - Provide direct administrative support to the HR Director and HR Department, including calendar management, meeting preparation, and executive correspondence.
- Plan, coordinate, and execute HR department projects, ensuring scope, timelines, and deliverables are met.
- Coordinate and track high-priority HR initiatives, ensuring deadlines and deliverables are met.
- Prepare briefing materials, reports, and presentations for leadership and board-level review.
- Oversee the HR department budget: monitor expenditures, reconcile accounts, and prepare financial reports.
- Coordinate department responses to public records requests, including gathering, reviewing, and organizing responsive records in compliance with applicable laws and district policy.
- Develop project plans, assign tasks, monitor progress, and provide regular status updates to leadership.
- Serve as a point of contact for high-level internal and external inquiries, using discretion in triage and response.
- Maintain confidential personnel, labor relations, and executive records.
- Draft, review, and edit communications for accuracy, tone, and clarity.
- Plan and coordinate department events, leadership meetings, and cross-departmental work sessions.
- Conduct research, compile data, and prepare executive summaries to support decision-making.
- Manage timelines, follow-up actions, and status updates on strategic priorities.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
ESSENTIAL QUALITIES: Equity : Lead and support regional equity initiatives
Vision : Lead with vision, follow-through and student focus.
Trust : Develop trust among coworkers and students through honesty and fairness.
Communication : Communicate in an inclusive, effective, and collaborative manner.
Personal Qualities : Be respectful, excel in customer service, caring, humble, and courageous.
Attendance: Daily and consistent attendance and punctuality are paramount as this provides consistency and alignment with students, peers, and programming outcomes.
Agency-wide perspective : Be involved in and supportive of continuous overall improvement of MESD programs and services.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, ABILITIES: - Executive-level administrative experience in a complex organization.
- Strong project management skills, including planning, tracking, and reporting.
- Budget management skills, including monitoring, reconciliation, and reporting.
- Familiarity with HR processes, including recruitment, personnel records, and labor relations.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
- Advanced proficiency with MS Office Suite, Google Workspace, and HRIS systems.
- Ability to manage sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, ABILITIES: - Experience supporting executive leadership in the public sector or education.
- Experience in a unionized environment.
- Bilingual or multilingual in Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Russian, and/or Somali.
- Project management certification or formal training.
MINIMUM EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: - Associate's or bachelor's degree in business administration, human resources, or related field; and
- Five years of progressively responsible administrative or HR experience;
- Any combination of education and experience that would provide the applicant with the desired skills, knowledge, and ability required to perform the job
WORKING CONDITIONS: Work is performed in an office environment with occasional travel between MESD sites. May require flexibility in schedule to meet project deadlines or attend events. Work is performed fully in-person.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this classification. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Mobility: Ability to sit, stand, walk, and move around for extended periods of time.
- Lifting: Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds.
- Vision: Visual acuity to read and interpret written and electronic information.
- Dexterity: Ability to use hands and fingers to handle, feel, and operate objects, tools, or controls.
- Hearing/speaking: Ability to communicate and exchange accurate information so others will understand.
- Emotional/Psychological: Ability to maintain composure and professionalism in challenging situations, remain empathetic and understanding towards individuals with diverse backgrounds and needs, handle stress and pressure effectively, and adapt to change in the workplace.
The description contained herein reflects general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload.
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS: - District pays full medical, dental and vision premiums for eligible employees and dependents
- Three medical insurance plan options:
- Group Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA)
- Health Savings Account (HSA), or
- Opt-Out option
- MESD pays employee's 6% Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) contribution
- Selection of one annual additional benefit option:
- Two (2) additional Floating Holidays
- One (1) additional Floating Holiday AND $500 MESD Paid contribution to a Section 125 Medical Flexible Savings Account
- One (1) additional Floating Holiday AND $500 paid contribution to a Health Savings Account (HSA)*
- $1000 MESD paid contribution to their Section 125 Flexible Spending Account
- $1000 MESD paid contribution to their Health Savings Account (HSA)*
- Paid holidays, sick leave and personal time off.
- Tuition Reimbursement and Professional Development
*Employee must be enrolled in a HSA-eligible medical plan through MESD
This position is subject to board policies, administrative rules and procedures, department regulations, and applicable state and federal statutes. This position does not carry administrative authority. All commitments outside of authorized programs and services are subject to prior approval by the supervisor of this position.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER MESD recognizes the diversity and worth of all individuals and groups. It is the policy of MESD that there will be no discrimination or harassment of individuals or groups based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, marital status, age, veteran status, genetic information, or disability in any educational programs, activities, or employment.
Reasonable accommodations for the application and interview process will be provided upon request and as required in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Individuals with disabilities may contact the Human Resources Director for additional information or assistance. Speech/Hearing-impaired persons may contact the district for assistance through the Oregon Telecommunications Relay Service at 1-800-735-2900.
Job Tags
Flexible hours,