Human Resources Manager (Union)

Job Description

Job Description

Are you an HR professional with union experience ready to advance your career and take on an exciting new industry? The Niles-Maine District Library is seeking a Human Resources Manager who brings fresh ideas, embraces innovation, and is eager to join a dedicated team and community committed to the mission of the library. This is a unique opportunity for a strategic HR professional to build and shape the library's human resources function from the ground up. The successful candidate will establish foundational HR processes, develop policies and training programs, and create sustainable systems that support organizational growth and employee success. This role offers the chance to make a lasting impact and leave a meaningful legacy by positioning the library for long-term success. We offer a 37.5-hour work week, Monday through Friday, with a flexible start time.

ABOUT NILES-MAINE DISTRICT LIBRARY

Our mission is to support our community with resources and experiences that connect, inform and inspire. In support of this, we offer an array of unique resources to include full-service digital resources, a recording studio with green screen, community outreach programs and passport services. To learn more, please visit to view the services we offer for parents, children, teens, adults, teachers, businesses, job seekers, and everyone in the community.

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Executive Director, the Human Resources Manager is responsible for the administration, coordination, and continuous improvement of the Library's human resources functions. In your role, you will serve as the Library's primary resource for labor relations, employee relations, recruitment, training, assist with benefits administration, employment law compliance, policy administration and other essential HR areas. Success in this role will require working closely with Library Administration, the Library Board of Trustees, Department Heads, employees, legal counsel, and external partners to support organizational effectiveness, foster positive employee and labor relations while ensuring compliance.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serves as the Library's primary resource regarding human resources policies, procedures, employment practices, labor relations matters, and workforce issues.
• Administers and supports labor relations activities, including contract interpretation, grievance administration, labor-management communication, and collective bargaining preparation in collaboration with the Executive Director and legal counsel. Assists the Executive Director and management team in maintaining positive labor-management relationships and fostering a productive, respectful, and inclusive workplace culture.
• Advises and provides guidance to Department Heads regarding employee relations matters, performance management, workplace concerns, conflict resolution, investigations, attendance issues, accommodations, and corrective action processes. Conducts and coordinates employee relations investigations and prepares documentation, findings, and recommendations.
• Develops, reviews, recommends, implements, and administers personnel policies, procedures, employee handbook provisions, and related documentation.
• Ensures compliance with applicable federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, including but not limited to FMLA, ADA, FLSA, EEO, workers' compensation, unemployment compensation, labor relations requirements, and applicable public-sector employment regulations.
• Coordinates recruitment, selection, onboarding, orientation, and retention initiatives for Library employees.
• Assists supervisors and managers with position administration, workforce planning, organizational development initiatives, classification reviews, and succession planning efforts.
• Coordinates employee training, leadership development, compliance training, and professional development programs.
• Administers employee benefits programs and serves as liaison with benefit providers, insurance carriers, consultants, and related vendors. Serves as the Library's authorized agent and administrator for Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) matters.
• Collaborate with the Business Office Manager to support payroll administration, benefits administration, employee compensation records, and related personnel transactions. Maintains personnel files, employment records, human resources information systems, and related documentation in accordance with legal requirements and best practices.
• Collects, analyzes, and reports workforce data, trends, metrics, and human resources information to support organizational decision-making and strategic planning. Researches emerging trends, best practices, and innovations in human resources, labor relations, employee engagement, organizational development, and public-sector employment practices.
• Coordinates workers' compensation, unemployment compensation, leave administration, and accommodation processes.
• Collaborates with the Executive Director, Department Heads, and other Library staff on strategic initiatives, special projects, organizational priorities, and workplace improvement efforts.
• Acts as Person in Charge (PIC) of the library on a regular basis.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS

• Thorough knowledge of human resources principles, labor relations practices, employee relations, employment law, and personnel administration.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, supervisors, union representatives, legal counsel, elected officials, vendors, and community stakeholders.
• Exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and handle sensitive matters with professionalism, discretion, and diplomacy. Ability to investigate, analyze, and resolve complex personnel and workplace issues.
• Strong written and verbal communication, presentation, facilitation, conflict-resolution, and interpersonal skills.
• Interpret and apply policies with regards to procedures, collective bargaining agreements, employment regulations, and organizational practices. Ability to provide guidance, consultation, and support to managers and organizational leaders regarding personnel matters and workplace issues.
• Manage multiple priorities and projects while maintaining attention to detail, accuracy, and deadlines.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, human resources information systems, payroll systems, and related software.

REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Public Administration, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field required.
• (5)+ years of progressive human resources experience including experience in employee relations, labor relations, recruitment, benefits administration, and employment law compliance, required.
• Experience administering collective bargaining agreements, grievance procedures, workplace investigations, and employee relations matters strongly preferred.
• Experience supporting payroll administration and employee benefits programs preferred.
• Experience providing guidance, consultation, and support to managers and organizational leaders regarding personnel matters preferred.
• Experience in local government, public sector, library, educational, or unionized environments preferred.
• Professional certification such as SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR, IPMA-HR, or related credential preferred.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Hiring range for the position is $ $76,736 - 95,921/year (Salary offered will be based on experience and education.)
• Medical Insurance; PPO/ /HMO
• Vision Insurance
• Dental Reimbursement
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• (3) weeks' vacation
• (4) Personal
• (12) sick days
• Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF)
• 457(b) Retirement Savings Plan
• AFLAC
• Employee Assistance Program

The Niles-Maine District Library is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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Key words: HR Mgr, HR Manager, Human Resource Manager, Union, Labor Relations, HR Generalist, HRG, Human Resource Generalist, Union HR, Union Human Resource, HR Labor Relations