Applications will be accepted through Monday, July 22nd, 2024.

Job Title: Director of Human Resources

Department: Human Resources

Immediate Supervisor: County Administrator

FLSA Status: Exempt

DBM Rating: E82

Union: Non-Union

Job Summary

Under the direction of the County Administrator, the Director of Human Resources is responsible for the overall strategic development and administration of the operations and staff engaged in planning, formulation, recommendation, implementation and maintenance of human resource programs, systems and services county-wide. The Director of Human Resources oversees County compliance to administrative and HR policies, procedures and to assure adherence to laws, rules and regulations, and provides direction to County executives, department heads and supervisors with respect to human resource and employee relation programs, policies, procedures. The Director is responsible for all County-wide talent acquisition; benefits administration; performance management; classification and compensation programs; collective bargaining; labor relations; employee onboarding; training and staff development activities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Serves as an advisor and strategic partner to the County Administrator and provides direction, interpretation and advice to County managers and/or employees on various human resource and employee relation issues, policies, procedures, compliance issues, laws, rules, and or guidelines.
  • Leads and implements all human resource and employee relation programs, policies, and initiatives based on best practices.
  • Investigates, researches, advises and recommends the development of policies and procedures to ensure compliance with federal and state laws, regulations or to better address organizational needs.
  • Provides interpretation, direction and advice to executives and managers concerning policies, procedures, collective bargaining agreements/provisions, statutes, laws and regulations, conflict resolution, corrective actions and discipline and handles grievance procedures/actions.
  • Investigates, monitors and assures departments are in compliance with relevant HR laws, rules, regulations, guidelines including HR policies, procedures, and programs.
  • Leads collective bargaining process as Chief Negotiator to include data collection, strategy development, and bargaining approaches.
• Administers the classification and compensation programs of the County.
  • Administers, directs and reviews employee benefit programs including the design, evaluation and modification of benefit policies to ensure that the programs are competitive and complaint with various legal requirements.
  • Researches, investigates and recommends changes in practices to assure ongoing compliance with the MN Pay Equity Act. Coordinates and/or prepares and submits required state reports.
  • Oversees the administration of the employee performance appraisal process by leading compliance of county executives, managers and supervisors; reviewing performance appraisal forms to conformance with guidelines and procedures; mediating employee/manager disputes; recommending and/or conducting training and development Advise managers on employee performance matters including the setting up of developmental/improvement plans, clarifying expectations, coaching and other related issues.
  • Administers and implements human resource policies and procedures to assure positions are properly evaluated, classified and compensated in accordance with County human resource policies and procedures.
  • Conducts wage surveys; evaluates market trends and pay practices; makes recommendations to County Administrator concerning the positioning of the County with respect to market influences, practices and/or trends.
  • Leads and coordinates department managers and/or consultants regarding the development, slotting and/or maintenance of classifications and job descriptions.
• Leads and administers a centralized talent acquisition and hiring process for the County.
  • Strategic partner in consultation with department heads in determining staffing needs.
  • Develops recruitment strategies and plans to attract high quality applicant pools.
  • Provides training and advisement to department heads, executives and supervisors concerning the employment/recruitment/selection process to assure County HR policies and procedures are being followed and the employment process is in compliance with all HR laws, rules and regulations.
  • Coordinates pre-employment screening, testing programs and background checks.
  • Develops new selection, recruitment, and retention programs, processes and procedures.
  • Oversees and conducts new employee onboarding/orientation programs and exit interviews.
  • Develops and makes tentative offers of employment and notifies applicants of selection/non-selection.
  • Makes final recommendations and decisions for all new hires and determination of compensation for new hires, transfers, promotions, discipline, termination and reclassification of employees.
• Investigates, plans for and implements new technologies and procedures in the enhancement and administration of HR programs.
• Conducts presentations, public relation activities and responsibilities with both internal and external customers and members of the public.
• Prepares, recommends and administers the division budget and expenditures through the planning and anticipation of division needs.
• Negotiates contracts with benefit and 3rd party administrators.
• Represents the County at personnel related hearings. Investigates discrimination complaints, issues or harassment, or legal complaints.
• Serves as a member of the County’s management team. Leads, participates and serves on interview panels, committees, task forces, and work groups to provide assistance, recommendations, and input into the development of County plans, processes, and strategic initiatives.
• Develops and collaborates in training needs assessments and the formulation of training programs to address organizational needs, problems or issues.
• Supervises HR office staff, oversees and/or participates in the maintenance of employee personnel records to assure they comply with policies, procedures, bargaining agreements, or mandates. Provides direction to payroll personnel authorizing and notifying them of changes in compensation matters.
• Oversees and/or compiles, summarizes and prepares various county, state and/or federal reports on personnel related issues, compensation, benefits, classification, and/or statistical summaries pertaining to HR statistics/outcomes/activities.
• Performs other duties of a comparable level or type, as required.
  • Keeps abreast of changing legislation, trends and developments in areas of responsibility.
  • Participates, attends and/or serves on various committees, professional organizations or groups.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree in Human Resources Management, Public Administration, Industrial Relations, Personnel Administration or closely related field.
• 5 years of human resources experience in the areas of recruitment, performance management, classification and compensation, benefits, labor relations/bargaining, and employee relations. OR
• An equivalent combination of education and experience
• Supervisory experience preferred
• Valid Driver’s License
• Ability to pass a standard background check

Essential Knowledge

• Considerable knowledge of human resource principles, practices, concepts and trends pertaining to employment, compensation, classification, benefits, employee relations and personnel administration.
• Knowledge of laws, rules, statutes, regulations, and/or guidelines pertaining to areas of responsibility.
• Knowledge of descriptive and inferential statistics utilized in human resource administration.
• Knowledge of the principals, fundamentals and practices of needs assessment, training and development.
• Knowledge of human resource functions, organization, operation and administration.
• Knowledge of supervisory and management fundamentals and principles.
• Knowledge of County functions, organization, and its jobs.
• Considerable knowledge of computer operations, general business productivity software/applications, and specialized HR technologies, systems or databases utilized in maintaining HR systems, programs, and recordkeeping.

Essential Skills

• Human relation and communications skills in working and partnering with all level of executives, managers, supervisors, employees, third party administrators, employee representatives, consultants or the general public in matters involving conflict resolution, problem identification, compliance monitoring, team building and the development of communication techniques.
• Researching, planning, designing, recommending and implementing new HR programs, initiatives, procedures and policies.
• Administering employment, benefit and compensation programs and provisions of the County.
• Administering and implementing performance management, training and staff development programs and initiatives.
• Utilizing statistical, descriptive and inferential, in reporting, and/or assessing, researching, and evaluating the implications of HR data and information.
• Interpreting and advising administrators, managers, employees and board members concerning contract interpretation, personnel policies and practices and programs.
• Interpreting, applying and advising others concerning human resources practices, approaches, policies, procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Analyzing and effectively resolving a variety of personnel management problems.
• Applying and interpreting county rules, policies, state, federal laws, rules or guidelines pertaining to benefits administration and treatment.
• Compiling, summarizing and preparing and presenting statistical and narrative reports.
• Supervising and coordinating the activities of human resource support personnel.
• Interviewing, evaluating and assessing problems and conducting needs assessments.
• Organizational and time management skills.

Physical Job Requirements (Percentage of Time)

Category: Sedentary Work

• Stand: occasionally (1-33%)
• Walk: occasionally (1-33%)
• Sit: frequently (34-66%)
• Use of hands: frequently (34-66%)
• Reach with hands & arms: occasionally (1-33%)
• Climb or balance: never
• Stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl: occasionally (1-33%)
• Talk or hear: frequently (34-66%)
• Taste or smell: never
• Lift & carry: up to 10 pounds frequently (34-66%)

Working Conditions

Duties of the job are primarily administrative functions in nature performed in a typical County office. While the incumbent may be subjected to irate county employees or members of the public with some frequency, making the job less than desirable, the physical and environmental hazards and risks associated with the job can best be characterized as minimal.

This description is intended to describe the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty being performed by people assigned to this classification. The list of responsibilities is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.