Overview

The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS), the Massachusetts public defender agency, is seeking a Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) who will promote our organizational values of Courage, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence in all areas of HR policies, practices, and programs, and also support the agency as it works to fully integrate these values into our organizational culture. The CPCS CHRO will lead the development and implementation of the agency’s HR strategies and goals.

The mission of CPCS’s HR Department is to attract, develop, support, and retain high-performing employees committed to delivering and supporting client-centered, culturally competent, and holistic representation across all practice areas. We provide representation in criminal, delinquency, youthful offender, child welfare, guardianship, mental health, sexually dangerous person, and sex offender registry matters. Our workforce includes approximately 700 employees in legal, investigative, social service, managerial, oversight, administrative, financial, and IT positions. As a member of CPCS’s Senior Management Team, the individual selected for this position will report directly to the CPCS Chief Counsel.

Major areas of responsibility for the HR Team include: policy development, review, and interpretation; on-boarding, recruitment and hiring; classification and compensation; benefits and leave administration; worker’s compensation; performance evaluation and management; employee relations; management consultation and coaching; training; payroll; human resources information systems (HRIS) used to maintain and analyze employee and applicant data and to track various HR processes; legal compliance; reasonable accommodations; and investigation and resolution of workplace complaints, including those alleging disparate treatment or harassment.

Qualifications

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully, the individual must possess the following:

• A bachelor’s degree or higher in human resources, business administration, organizational development or related field, or a comparable mix of education, experience, and skills.
• At least ten years of HR experience with increasing responsibilities, including at least five years of direct management and supervision experience.
• Access to a personal computer with home internet access sufficient to work remotely.

QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates should possess the following attributes for the position:

• Broad knowledge of and experience in HR principles and practices and HR functions, including policy development and administration, recruitment and retention, compensation and classification, employee relations, performance management, and current HRIS.
• SHRM or PCP certification.
• Experience successfully incorporating Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) goals into HR processes, programs, and initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully develop and meet strategic HR goals and improve HR performance by utilizing data and metrics.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to effectively interact with stakeholders and staff at all levels.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with multiple competing priorities and projects.
• Experience navigating large, complex organizations.
• A solution-oriented attitude and expertise in change management.
• Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Oracle-based HRIS applications.
• Prior experience working for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in an HR or related position and working in a legal environment or as an attorney preferred.

Responsibilities

The CHRO manages and supervises an HR Team responsible for the administration and delivery of a variety of HR services and for ensuring that CPCS HR practices align with the mission, values, and goals of the agency to best serve the needs of our clients and staff. The HR Team currently consists of nine positions: the CHRO, two Assistant HR Directors/Senior HR Business Partners, a Recruitment and Hiring Manager, a Payroll/HRIS Manager, a Benefits Manager, three HR Generalists, and an HR Assistant. The CHRO directly supervises the two Assistant HR Directors/Senior HR Business Partners, the Recruitment and Hiring and Payroll/HRIS Managers, the Benefits Manager, and the HR Assistant.

The Chief Human Resources Officer also is responsible for:

• Ensuring that the HR priorities are aligned with the agency’s strategic and annual goals.
• Working with Senior Management Team (SMT) members, including the Equity and Inclusion Director (EID); the HR Team; and others to address and resolve critical organizational issues that have HR implications, such as staff retention.
• Working closely with the Director of Administration and Operations on staffing and related issues, including hiring, compensation, and classification.
• Conducting an ongoing assessment of all human resources policies, programs, and practices in conjunction with the General Counsel’s Office and keeping current on trends, changes, and significant court cases in employment law to ensure compliance with applicable state and federal laws and administrative regulations.
• Designing, recommending, implementing, and monitoring changes and updates to HR policies, systems, processes, and procedures.
• Managing employee relations activities, including overseeing investigations performed by the Assistant Directors and providing guidance to the Assistant Directors to ensure the timely completion of investigations.
• Working with the HR Team to ensure that CPCS’s HRIS applications and programs provide the agency with accurate and timely data and analysis on staff demographics, applicant and recruitment trends, hiring and attrition statistics, performance management, and succession planning.
• Collaborating with the Training Chief on employment law trainings and professional and skill development programs for managerial, supervisory, operational, and administrative staff. 
• Serving as the Agency’s ADA Coordinator and Sexual Harassment Officer. 
• Participating in CPCS committees and workgroups, and completing special projects and other duties as assigned by the Chief Counsel.

COMPENSATION

CPCS offers a competitive compensation, benefits, and pension package; a diverse and inclusive culture; colleagues and co-workers who are committed to and passionate about their work; and the opportunity to serve. Salary Range: $150,000.00 to $162,500.00, commensurate with experience.

APPLICATION INFORMATION

The position will be posted until filled, however preference will be given to candidates who apply prior to November 7, 2023.