Director of Human Resources

Director of Human ResourcesSalary Range: $125,000-$150,000Position SummaryThe Director of Human Resources leads the District's human capital strategy, labor relations, and administrative workforce management. This role serves as one of the principal negotiators for collective bargaining agreements, overseeing recruitment, hiring, employee relations, statutory compliance, tracking and monitoring all staff attendance, timely submission of state and federal reports, leave administration (FMLA, medical, and extended leaves), mandatory safety training/regulatory compliance, performance evaluation systems, HR website accessibility, official personnel records, and performing other duties as assigned. The Director partners closely with the Superintendent, Board of Education, legal counsel, and building administrators to cultivate collaborative labor relations and attract, develop, and retain high-quality staff.QualificationsEducation: Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Human Resource Management, Educational Leadership, or a related field; doctoral degree preferred.Experience: Minimum of three (3) years of experience in an educational human resources role, or principal leadership position with direct involvement in labor negotiations.Licensure: Valid Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) with required administrative endorsement.Legal & Compliance Knowledge: Demonstrated expertise in federal and state employment law, including the Illinois School Code, Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act (IELRA), Performance Evaluation Reform Act (PERA), FMLA, ADA/ADAAA, Title VII, Title IX, OSHA/IDOL guidelines, IDEA, and paid leave mandates, alongside state/federal reporting requirements.Technical Skills: Proficiency with HRIS platforms, web content management systems (CMS), automated time and attendance tracking systems, leave management software, state reporting portals (e.g., ISBE IWAS/EIS), compliance training platforms, and applicant tracking systems (e.g., Frontline).Skills: Consensus-building, conflict resolution, and communication skills, with a commitment to equitable and inclusive employment practices.Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesDirect recruitment, screening, interviewing, and hiring processes across all bargaining units and non-union employee categories.Administer provisions of the Illinois School Code, Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act (IELRA), and federal/state employment statutes.Ensure the accurate and timely submission of all required state and federal personnel reports, maintaining strict compliance with reporting deadlines and data integrity standards.Report regularly to the Superintendent on labor management dynamics, staffing trends, staff attendance patterns, leave utilization, workplace safety, evaluation timelines, state/federal compliance status, and HR operational priorities.Advise and counsel probationary and tenured staff, supervisors, and administrative leadership on contract interpretation, grievance procedures, evaluation protocols, and personnel concerns.Maintain a comprehensive calendar of statutory, contractual, state/federal reporting, evaluation, and District deadlines (e.g., EIS data submissions, nonrenewal notices, tenure milestones, PERA timelines, collective bargaining notification windows, licensure renewal).Oversee the annual review, updating, and compliant publishing of certified and support staff employee handbooks.Foster a collaborative, inclusive workplace culture aligned with District goals and labor-management partnerships.Perform other duties as assigned by the Superintendent.District Responsibilities In coordination with the Superintendent, the Director of Human Resources will:Labor Relations & Collective BargainingAct as one of the District's principal negotiators in labor union contract negotiations, leading collective bargaining sessions on behalf of the Superintendent and Board of Education for all certified and support staff bargaining units.Formulate negotiation strategies, cost proposals, and contract language options in close consultation with the Superintendent, Business Manager, and District legal counsel.Oversee the administration, interpretation, and enforcement of all collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) across the District.Manage contract grievances, conduct formal investigations, and serve as the Superintendent's designee in union grievance hearings and labor arbitrations.Lead joint labor-management committees and maintain open lines of communication with union leadership to address workplace concerns proactively.State & Federal Compliance, Safety & Regulatory OversightOversee, complete, and guarantee the timely submission of all required state and federal reports, including Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Employment Information System (EIS) data, Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC), Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) reporting, Title IX compliance documentation, and teacher/administrator salary and benefit reports required by the Illinois School Code.Direct and monitor mandatory annual staff training and regulatory compliance programs across the District (e.g., DCFS Mandated Reporter, Bloodborne Pathogens, Title IX, Sexual Harassment Prevention, School Safety, Erin's Law).Serve as the primary HR administrative lead for workplace safety, collaborating with building administrators and the Business Office on safety committees, OSHA/IDOL compliance, and workplace injury prevention strategies.Monitor changes in state and federal legislation or regulatory guidelines affecting school district HR compliance and reporting, adjusting administrative workflows and data collection procedures accordingly.Staff Evaluation & Professional Growth SystemsManage District-wide administrative implementation and statutory compliance for certified and support staff evaluation systems under the Performance Evaluation Reform Act (PERA) and applicable collective bargaining agreements.Maintain evaluation tracking systems, monitor observation/summative evaluation completion timelines, ensure proper evaluator certifications (e.g., ISBE qualified evaluators), and maintain official records of evaluation ratings.Co-lead Joint Evaluation Committees (PERA Joint Committees) with union leadership to review, refine, and update district evaluation instruments and student growth measure frameworks.Attendance, Leave & HR OperationsTrack and monitor all staff attendance, absences, and time-off utilization across all schools, departments, and personnel classifications.Analyze staff attendance and absence data to identify trends, ensure full compliance with collective bargaining agreements and Board policies, and proactively address chronic absenteeism or misuse of leave.Administer and oversee all standard and extended leave requests (FMLA, medical, parental, ADA disability accommodations, military, and unpaid leaves), ensuring strict compliance with legal frameworks and union contracts.Serve as the primary HR liaison for medical certifications, return-to-work fitness evaluations, modified duty assignments, and the ADA interactive accommodation process.Maintain and manage the District's applicant tracking, hiring, leave management, automated time/attendance tracking systems, and state reporting portals.Website & Compliance CommunicationsMaintain, regularly update, and audit all District Human Resources webpage content (including job postings, collective bargaining agreements, salary summaries, statutory notices, handbooks, and application portals) to ensure transparency, statutory compliance, and digital accessibility (ADA standards).General Administrative ResponsibilitiesAttend Board of Education meetings to advise on executive session personnel matters, labor negotiations strategy, and employment actions.Oversee employment background checks, criminal history checks, licensure verification, and Form I-9 compliance in accordance with state and federal law.Manage substitute teacher recruitment, onboarding, long-term substitute placements for extended employee leaves, and substitute handbook updates.Oversee administration of Workers' Compensation claims in coordination with the Business Office and insurance carriers.Represent the District in unemployment compensation hearings and related administrative proceedings.Keep the Superintendent informed of all HR operational, bargaining, reporting, and personnel developments.Perform other duties as assigned.Physical Demands and Working Conditions The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.Physical Capacities: Sitting for extended periods at a computer desk; frequent standing, walking, reaching, bending, and light lifting (up to 20 lbs.) of office materials or files.Mental/Cognitive Demands: Ability to handle high-stress situations, maintain strict confidentiality, manage complex interpersonal conflicts, lead high-stakes negotiations, and analyze intricate data/legal mandates.Environmental Conditions: Primary work is performed in a standard office environment with low to moderate noise levels. Occasional travel between district schools, community sites, and off-site meetings/hearings is required.This job description reflects the general nature and level of work performed and