People & Culture Business Partner

Experience Bachelors Degree or equivalent HR Experience

Posted September 03, 2026

The Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines, Iowa is a non-profit organization and home to more than 2,800 animals representing nearly 240 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish, and is fully accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The mission of the Blank Park Zoo is to inspire an appreciation of the natural world through conservation, education, research and recreation.

Under the direction of the VP/COO, supports the overall human resources function of the Zoo, including services, policies, and programs related to recruitment, performance management, employment and compliance, employee orientation and training, policy development and documentation, compensation, employee safety and wellness and diversity and inclusion. Additionally, the People & Culture Specialist supports our Zoo Mission.

• Build and cultivate strong partnerships with all levels of the organization, utilizing people-focused strategy and execution to ensure a high-performing, engaged workforce.
• Provide advice and counsel to managers and employees on all conflict resolution, performance-related issues, performance management, and professional development. Conduct thorough investigations of complaints or concerns.
• Monitors and advises managers and supervisors in the progressive discipline system of the Zoo. Monitors the implementation of a performance improvement process with non-performing employees.
• Make recommendations for proactive measures/solutions to address opportunities and trends impacting operations and employee experience.
• Establish and lead recruiting and hiring efforts and establish relationships with external sources such as universities, professional organizations, and community resources to source candidates.
• Partners with management to communicate HR policies, procedures, programs, and laws.
• Administrator of the employee management system, including entering new employee information, updating information and developing programs to track data and utilize the system to its fullest potential.
• Foster an employee-oriented culture that emphasizes inclusion, continuous improvement, strong communication, a growth mindset and innovation.
• In conjunction with the VP/COO, develops and monitors an annual budget that includes HR services, employee recognition, and employee benefits.
• Establishes departmental measurements and produces reports that support the accomplishments of the Zoo’s mission and strategic goals.
• Coordinates employee training and professional development programs including orientation, leadership development, HR policies, employee management techniques, and programs or activities to reinforce the Zoo’s values.
• Reviews, guides and approves management recommendations for employee terminations.
• Leads the implementation of company safety and health programs. Monitors the tracking of OSHA-required data.
• In coordination with the CEO, VP/COO, and CFO, evaluate the Zoo’s wage and salary structure, pay policies, and overall variable pay system. Researches compensation benchmarks for all positions.
• With the assistance of the CEO, VP/COO, and CFO, obtain cost-effective, employee-serving benefits annually. Leads the development of benefit orientations, training, and overall benefit administration.
• Leads company compliance with all existing governmental and labor legal and government reporting requirements including any related to the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), the Department of Labor, worker compensation, the Occupational Safety and Health…