Located on Wisconsin’s western shore, the City of La Crosse offers a rich culture and quality of life experiences from miles of bluff-land trail systems to extraordinary kayak, canoe and boating trails of the Upper Mississippi River and its tributaries, and three major performing arts venues. The City has progressive leadership with an eye on preserving our beautiful environment, rich history and development of beautiful new architectural landmarks.

The City of La Crosse is seeking a dynamic DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES to provide strategic direction and leadership in the development, implementation and management of a variety of human resource programs, including training and development, policy development and administration, classification and compensation, employee benefits, employee/labor relations, collective bargaining, workers compensation, DOT regulated drug and alcohol programs, and compliance with federal, state and local laws. The City of La Crosse employs 500 full time employees, and has 4 represented unions. Appointed by the Mayor, the position is responsible to the Mayor and Finance and Personnel Committee. Annual salary range is $96,343 to $126,369. Starting salary is commensurate with qualifications.

Requirements: To be considered, candidates shall have a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management, Public Administration, Business, or a related field of study, with a minimum of 10 years of experience in the personnel management function, with at least 7 years of which are at the supervisory managerial level preferably in labor relations in local government; or an acceptable equivalent combination of experience, knowledge and training. Strong communication and listening skills required. A Master’s degree is preferred. Demonstrated proficiency in computer software. Valid driver’s license required.

Benefits: The City offers a comprehensive benefit package including medical insurance, voluntary dental and vision plan, Wisconsin Retirement Plan, flexible spending account, deferred compensation, Roth IRA, life insurance, income continuation insurance, paid holidays, vacation and sick leave. Benefit perks: low medical plan premium costs having a $400 deductible, participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System with a 6.5% employer contribution, 11 paid holidays, ability to earn sick days and vacation time available as of date of hire.

Selected candidate is subject to background check and post-offer/pre-employment drug screen.Applications accepted until position is filled, with an initial review of applications November 4th, 2022. To be considered, submit an employment application by visiting the City of La Crosse website and clicking on City Services, then clicking Career Opportunities or by visiting https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lacrossewi.

Purpose of Position

The purpose of this position is to organize, plan, develop and direct a comprehensive human resources management program for the City of La Crosse. The Director of Human Resources is considered a city executive by Common Council resolution and performs administrative level responsibilities in the human resources functions for the City and general guidelines as established by the Mayor and the Finance and Personnel Committee. The employee in this job classification is appointed by the Mayor subject to confirmation by the Finance and Personnel Committee and the full Common Council and is responsible to the Mayor and Finance and Personnel Committee. The employee works under general supervision of the Mayor and is required to make complex judgments and decisions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Responsible for the administration, interpretation, enforcement and compliance of all City collective bargaining agreements.

Serves as chief spokesperson/lead negotiator for the city in all labor relations matters including contract negotiations, mediation proceedings, interest arbitration, grievance procedures and all labor law matters before the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission (WERC).

Adjudicates employee grievances in accordance with collective bargaining agreements, city ordinances and resolutions.

Conducts internal investigations into personnel employment matters for determination of discipline or termination consistent with City policies and practices. Monitors department administered discipline to ensure consistency in the application of discipline.

Represents the City in ERD/EEOC cases.

Studies legislation, arbitration decisions and collective bargaining agreements from public sector comparable employers and private sector employers in the local labor market to assess trends.

Oversees recruitment, testing and the selection process for filling vacant full time positions.

Conducts classification reviews of positions for determining appropriate job title, description, wage rate and qualifications required for appointment to city employment.

Analyzes internal and external wage and salary data to determine competitive compensation plans for city employees.

Prepares personnel forecasts to project employment needs for the city.

Responsible for the administration of the City’s DOT drug and alcohol program. Serves as the Designated Employer Representative (DER) for the City’s DOT drug and alcohol program. Maintains and updates program to ensure compliance with DOT FTA and FMCSA regulations. Participates in DOT audits.

Researches, formulates and updates human resources policies and oversees their implementation. Creates and maintains employee handbook.

Consults legal counsel to ensure that policies comply with federal and state law.

Writes directives advising department managers of city policy regarding employee relations, compensation, benefits, equal employment opportunity and other policies affecting employees.

Serves as chief employee benefits administrator for the city’s self-insured medical benefit plan and worker’s compensation program. Represents the City at Workers Compensation hearings.

Prepares requests for proposals (RFP’s) and specifications for health, dental, life insurance benefits and related administrative services for claims management, stop loss coverage, preferred provider networks, utilization review and case management services.

Conducts the evaluation of proposals and selection of vendors to perform various employee benefit administrative services.

Works with consultant to establish premium rates for the self-funded city medical benefit plan. Evaluates City’s medical benefit plan for trends, and compliance with the Affordable Care Act. Recommends changes to medical benefit plan to Common Council.

Maintains current knowledge of city sponsored benefits, contracts and policies and ensures their consistent implementation.

Prepares and delivers presentations to the Mayor and Common Council regarding human resources policies, practices and issues.

Provides general oversight of the City’s wellness programs.

Develops strategies and training to enhance diversity awareness and workplace diversity.

Oversees the performance evaluation process for non-represented employees.

Serves as the City’s Equal Employment Opportunity Officer and HIPAA compliance officer.

Additional Tasks and Responsibilities

While the following tasks are necessary for the work of the unit, they are not an essential part of the purpose of this position and may also be performed by other unit members.

Develops employee training programs.

Monitors administration of Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Oversees United Way Campaign.

Minimum Training and Experience Required to Perform Essential Job Functions

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources management, business, public administration or a related field of study, a minimum of seven (7) years of experience in the personnel management function, at least four (4) years of which are at the supervisory managerial level, or an acceptable equivalent combination of experience, knowledge and training. Master’s degree preferred. Experience in collective bargaining is required. Strong communication and listening skills required. Demonstrated proficiency in computer software. Demonstrated proficiency in MS Office.

A valid driver’s license is required.

Physical and Mental Abilities Required to Perform Essential Job Functions

Language Ability and Interpersonal Communication

Ability to analyze and categorize data and information in order to determine the relationship of the data with reference to established criteria/standards. Ability to compare, count, differentiate, measure and assemble. Ability to classify, compute and tabulate data.

Ability to manage and direct a group of workers, including the ability to provide counseling and mediation. Ability to persuade, convince and train others. Ability to advise and provide interpretation to others on how to apply policies, procedures and standards to specific situations.

Ability to utilize a variety of advisory data and information such as employment forms, grievances, union contracts, benefit forms, job bids, billing statements, requisitions, budget, payroll records, wage surveys, job postings, advertisements, job applications/resumes, benefit handbooks/manuals, service contracts, personnel policies, request for proposals, ordinances, resolutions, statutes, procedures, guidelines and non-routine correspondence.

Ability to communicate orally and in writing with all city employees, Common Council Members, union representatives, job applicants, attorneys, medical care providers, training personnel, benefit plan administrators, news media, consultants and the general public.

Mathematical Ability

Ability to add and subtract, multiply and divide, and calculate percentages, fractions, and decimals.

Judgment and Situational Reasoning Ability

Ability to use functional reasoning in performing influence functions such as supervising, managing, leading, teaching and coaching.

Ability to establish priorities.

Ability to exercise the judgment, decisiveness and creativity required in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory and/or judgmental criteria, as opposed to criteria which are clearly measurable.

Physical Requirements

Ability to operate a variety of office equipment including computer terminal, typewriter, telephone, calculator/adding machine and photocopier.

Ability to coordinate eyes, hands, feet and limbs in performing movements requiring skill and training, such as data entry.

Ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some stooping, lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling.

 Ability to sustain prolonged visual concentration.

Environmental Adaptability

Ability to work under generally safe and comfortable conditions where exposure to environmental factors, irate individuals and intimidation may cause discomfort and poses a limited risk of injury.

The City of La Crosse is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.