Human Resources Director

Duties and Responsibilities: HR Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and implement HR policies and procedures in alignment with the Tribe’s mission and goals.
• Provide strategic guidance to leadership on workforce planning, retention, and employee engagement.
• Ensure compliance with tribal, federal, and state employment laws.
• Serve as the primary advisor on HR matters to the Tribal Council and Tribal Administrator.

Recruitment & Talent Management:

• Oversee the hiring process, including job postings, candidate screenings, interviews, and onboarding.
• Develop programs to attract and retain top talent within the tribal organization.
• Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in hiring and workplace policies.

• Develops a strategic plan for all Human Resources functions, including recruitment and employment, compensation and benefits, personnel records, information systems and performance development and evaluation programs.
• Develops, updates, and implements the Tribe’s Personnel Policies and Procedures, in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances.
• Reviews and makes recommendations on policies and procedures, rules, and regulations, forms and documents and ensures compliance with federal, state, county, local, and tribal laws.
• Assists in the interpretation of the Tribe’s policies and procedures manual, and ensures adherence.

 Employee Relations & Performance Management:

• Mediate and resolve employee conflicts and workplace disputes.
• Oversee performance evaluation processes and provide training for managers on employee performance management.
• Develop and enforce disciplinary policies while ensuring fairness and adherence to tribal laws.

• Improves staff effectiveness by hiring, counseling, training and recommending disciplinary action for employees; planning, delegating, monitoring, and appraising job tasks and results in a timely manner.

• Ensures appropriate departmental staffing levels based on efficiency and cost effectiveness; yet, maintaining operational requirements as dictated by internal controls and management.

Compensation & Benefits Administration:

• Manage employee benefits programs, including health insurance, retirement plans, and leave policies.
• Ensure competitive salary structures and equitable compensation strategies.
• Conduct periodic reviews of benefits and make recommendations for improvements.

Training & Development:

• Design and implement training programs to enhance employee skills and leadership development.
• Provide HR compliance training, including workplace ethics, harassment prevention, and safety protocols.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning and professional growth.

• Acts as an advisor on HR issues to employees, departments, and other manager’s throughout the organization.
• Develops, recommends, implements and administers benefit plans and procedures, including assistance with claims resolution, charge reporting, payment, annual evaluation of plans for cost effectiveness and service.
• Develops and implements HR policies and procedures, which is compliant with all organizational policies.

Compliance & Risk Management:

• Maintain compliance with labor laws, OSHA regulations, and tribal employment policies.

• Manage HR records, employee files, and confidentiality requirements.
• Oversee workplace safety programs and ensure a secure working environment.
• Acts as the Drug-Free Workplace Officer for the Tribe.  Administers and manages the program.
• Develops, implements and maintains a salary administration plan, which includes compensation and benefit packages; the classification of positions; pay policies; and performance appraisal programs.
• Maintains an effective performance evaluation process and ensures compliance for submission of evaluations within pre-determined timeframes.
• Participates in all hearings and manages the grievance process.
• Conducts employee relations counseling and works with department managers to ensure that policies have been followed and employees are allowed due process in the event of disciplinary hearings.
• Contributes to departmental effectiveness by identifying short-term and long-range issues and goals that must be addressed, recommending options and courses of action and implementing directives.
• Ensures that all HR functions are completed which are required of any funding agencies, i.e. background investigations, reference verifications, employment verification, etc.
• Keeps leadership and other departments informed of status of activities and of significant events and problems by attending meetings, submitting reports, and meeting individually as necessary.
• Organizes, implements, and maintains an employee recognition program.
• Ensures confidentiality of all employee records, investigations, and other information.
• Coordinates the technology needs of the office; purchases hardware and software; ensures staff is fully trained on systems, policies and procedures.
• Represents the department and the Pueblo to external agencies, consultants, and other organizations and individuals.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by conducting research; attending seminars, educational workshops, classes and conferences; reviewing professional publications; establishing networks; participating in professional societies; conferring with representatives of contracting agencies and related organizations.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Accounting, Finance or related field.
• 2- 3 Years human resources experience.  One year in a managerial or supervisory capacity.

• Excellent computer and communication skills.
• HR Certification preferred.
• Must have a valid NM Driver’s License.
• Must successfully pass a pre-employment drug/alcohol screen and background investigation.

Tribal preference and Native American Indian preference shall apply to all positions.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of applicable tribal, federal, state, county and local laws, regulations, and requirements.
• Knowledge of human resources strategic planning, organizational management and organizational development practices.
• Knowledge of principles, practices and trends in employee relations, recruitment and employment; compensation and benefits; record-keeping systems; and performance development and evaluation systems.
• Knowledge of business English, proper spelling, grammar, punctuation, and basic arithmetic.
• Skill in operating business computers and office machines, including in a Windows environment, specifically Word, Excel, Access, and presentation software (such as PowerPoint).
• Skill in preparing, reviewing, and analyzing operational and financial reports.
• Skill in providing leadership to, supervising, training, and evaluating assigned staff.
• Skill in analyzing problems, projecting consequences, identifying solutions, and implementing recommendations.
• Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints.
• Ability to communicate effectively in the English language, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to create and present effective speeches and presentations.
• Ability to analyze situations and adopt appropriate courses of action.
• Ability to work independently and meet strict time lines.
• Ability to make solid decisions.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to interpret applicable federal, state, county, and local laws, regulations, and requirements.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with the individuals of varying social and cultural backgrounds.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly is required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.   The employee occasionally is required to stand; and walk.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. 

Work Environment

Work is generally performed in an office setting with a low noise level.