Human Resources Director

Job Title

Directs the planning, design, development, implementation, administration and improvement of human resources policies, procedures and programs in compensation and classification, benefits, employment, training, labor and employee relations, legal compliance, collective bargaining and contract administration, payroll administration and human resources information systems.

Essential Job Functions

The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Designs, develops, and implements/directs the development and implementation of policies and procedures to accommodate changes in the legal environment of human resources administration and to improve organizational effectiveness.
2. Develops and implements/directs the development and implementation of policies, programs, and practices to ensure that the County extends equal employment opportunities to qualified candidates from all segments of the population.
3. Designs, develops, and supervises the implementation of programs and practices to increase the cost efficiency and effectiveness of human resources processes and procedures.
4. Collaborates with the County Administrator, Fiscal Services Director, and Budget and Audit Manager to develop staffing plans and proposals and innovative job designs to control County employment costs.
5. Develops and/or directs the proposals for delivery of cost-effective health benefits to meet the needs of employees. Negotiates plan design and administrative fees with third-party administrators of County self-funded benefit plans.
6. Designs, develops, and implements/directs the indirect and direct compensation programs to enable the County to compete effectively in hiring markets and maintain internal equity.
7. Leads the employer's bargaining committee in negotiating collective bargaining agreements with the recognized bargaining agents of County employees and develops cost-effective proposals and counterproposals in response to employee bargaining positions.
8. Develops and/or directs the requests for proposals for consulting services for human resources technology and other projects and programs; reviews proposals; develops contract specifications; and, subject to Board approval, awards contracts.
9. Manages the design, development, implementation and evaluation of training and development programs to improve employee efficiency and effectiveness and provide employees with skills, knowledge, and self-confidence to pursue opportunities for advancement within the County. Directs the design, development and implementation of programs and practices to promote the professional growth and development of County employees.
10. Provides administrative oversight to the staff that perform maintenance of the HRIS database and conduct payroll processes.
11. Assists supervisors, managers and department directors in interpreting and administering the provisions of collective bargaining agreements and County human resources policies and procedures.
12. Ensures that the County complies with state and federal labor relations and employment statutes, rules, and regulations in all facets of its relationship with its workforce.
13. Investigates and responds to/directs the alleged violations of human resources policies and procedures, collective bargaining agreements, and state and federal employment and labor relations statutes, rules, and regulations.
14. Provides advice and assistance to elected officials, department directors and managers in resolving complex issues in employee discipline.
15. Serves as a facilitator for the evaluation and appeal committees of the County Position Classification and Compensation System.
16. Develops the annual operating, personnel and capital budget requests and controls operating, personnel and capital budgets.
17. Develops requests and motions for presentation to the Board of Commissioners.
18. Administers the Human Resources policies and procedures for the entire County workforce.
19. Meets with the County Administrator on a regular basis to review any changes or adjustments to operations.
20. Performs other functions as assigned.

Required Education, Training and Experience

Master's Degree in Human Resources, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field is preferred, combined with five (5) years progressively responsible experience in human resources administration, including at least two (2) years of experience in employee and labor relations and five (5) years of experience in supervision and management; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Additional Requirements and Information

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

1. Thorough working knowledge of federal and state statutes governing the employment relationship, including, but not limited to, FLSA; Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act; ADA; ADEA; FMLA; COBRA; ERISA; HIPAA; Sections 125 and 457 of the Internal Revenue Code: Bullard-Plawecki Right to Know Act; etc.
2. Thorough working knowledge of the County Benefit Manuals and Collective Bargaining Agreements.
3. Thorough working knowledge of the principles and practices of human resources administration.
4. Thorough working knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration.
5. Thorough working knowledge of the principles and practices of conflict and alternative dispute resolution.
6. Thorough working knowledge of the principles and practices of collective bargaining.
7. Thorough understanding of confidentiality and employee right to privacy issues.
8. Thorough working knowledge of health insurance business practices and plan design principles.
9. Thorough working knowledge of direct and indirect compensation theories and practices.
10. Thorough working knowledge of budgeting and financial control principles and practices.
11. Computer literacy, including working knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, database management, and internet search applications software.
12. Excellent oral and written communication skills.
13. Excellent interpersonal and human relations skills.
14. Ability to interact positively and objectively with elected officials, department directors, managers, supervisors, employees, collective bargaining representatives, external consultants, state and federal agency staff, media representatives and members of the general public from a wide range of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds and with varying levels of interpersonal communications skills.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Must be able to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodations, including, but not limited to, visual and/or audiological appliances and devices to increase mobility. WORKING CONDITIONS: Work is performed onsite in a normal office environment. Disclaimer: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice. Ottawa County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.