Position: Human Resources Director

Department: Human Resources

Reports to: Superintendent

Classification/Range: Confidential Contracted, EXE01 ($147,547-163,763 annually)

Schedule: 260 days

Interview Timeline: Open until filled. Initial application review to begin April 10, 2024.

POSITION PURPOSE: 

The Human Resources Director will provide leadership and strategic vision in human resources management. They will create a systems-based approach that provides responsive programs and synergy to each major human resource management function including compensation management and wage administration, labor relations and collective bargaining, recruitment and placement, induction and performance and behavior management. The HR Director will participate in developing, leading and implementing priorities which sustain a richly diverse, inclusionary workforce and support the District’s racial educational equity policies and goals. Actions and focus will support the District’s commitment to educational equity which fosters a barrier-free environment in which all students and staff, regardless of race, class, creed, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, economic status, sex, sexual orientation, including but not limited to gender expression or identity, pregnancy status, marital status, physical appearance, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, have the equal opportunity to access education and benefit in learning.

NATURE & SCOPE: 

Serves under the broad guidance and administrative supervision of the Superintendent. Is responsible for results in terms of effectiveness of equitable planning, policies, programs and for achievement of district goals and objectives. Work is guided, and must be in compliance with, federal and state law, policy direction of the school board, and compliance with state and local regulatory agencies.

ESSENTIAL QUALITIES:

Equity: Lead and support regional equity initiatives

Vision: Lead with vision, follow-through and student focus. 

Trust: Develop trust among coworkers and students through honesty and fairness. 

Communication: Communicate in an inclusive, effective and collaborative manner. 

Personal Qualities: Be respectful, excel in customer service, caring, humble and courageous. 

Agency-wide perspective: Be involved in and supportive of continuous overall improvement of MESD programs and services.

Attendance: Daily and consistent attendance and puncuality are paramount as this provides consistency and alignment with students, peers and programming outcomes. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

District Leadership: Serves as a member of the Superintendent’s Cabinet and other committees as required. Lead implementation of strategic plan goal area(s).

Planning and Programming: Stays abreast of research on the changing nature of the profession, the field of public education and changing national, regional and local trends that may impact program areas. Participates in discussions on evolving demands and expectations and the impact those demands and expectations will have on assigned programs. Uses data sources that are disaggregated to forecast District future needs. Anticipates and develops strategies and programs that respond effectively to anticipated needs and the changing profession.

Department Key Functions: Provide for competitive and equitable classification, salary and benefits programs by directing the District’s salary and benefits administration program. Work actively to recruit a balanced teacher and administrator workforce to reflect the diversity of the student body. Lead the ESD’s efforts to recruit, employ, support and retain a workforce that include racial, sex and linguistic diversity, as well as culturally responsive administrative, instruction and support personnel. Prepare position descriptions and obtain external salary and benefits information; review and analyze data and recommend adjustments. Organize and direct the recruitment and selection activities of the District. Contribute to the District’s educational mission of providing an excellent and equitable education to students by overseeing human resources programs which result in the selection, evaluation, retention and development of highly qualified personnel who reflect the racial and ethnic diversity of the students and families served by the MESD.

Serve as the Affirmative Action Officer: Promote equal employment opportunity and function for the District. Demonstrate measurable progress each year in reaching the goal established by the Educator Equity Act.

Financial Management and Strategic Planning: Advises the Superintendent and Board on the financial implications of human resource management programs. Administers programs within approved budget parameters including allocation of staff (FTE) resources. Oversees and/or participates in preparation of staffing and compensation reports to assure accurate receipt and accounting for state funding.

Policy Formulation and Guidance: Recognizes the need for and formulates equitable policies necessary to implement district human resource management goals and objectives and to assure effective implementation and operation of assigned programs. Establishes a system for periodic review of policies to determine when modifications are necessary to advance the goals of the department and to serve the overall needs of employees, managers and the organization. 

Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining: Provides leadership to the collective bargaining process to include identifying and researching bargaining issues, develop bargaining strategies and positions, participating and/or chairing the District bargaining team, developing contract language and training staff on implementation of contracts. Provides leadership to effective labor-management relations; conducting regular joint meetings to address operating issues; managing grievance and arbitration proceedings; and preparing response and defend in unfair labor practice issues.

Program Direction and Staff Supervision: Oversees organizational management in all assigned areas. Assures that functions are effectively structured and work coordination procedures are in place to achieve a high level of integration and synergy across programs functions. Recruits and assigns staff who mirror MESD’s student and family demographics. Ensure staff possess and practice the values necessary to achieving the level or program delivery and customer services that is essential to a highly effective organization. Establishes an environment in which all staff members are comfortable and forthcoming in sharing their ideas, needs and on concerns, and in which the staff collaboratively works together to seek solutions and resolutions. Actively coaches agency supervisors in effective performance management practices. Supervises and evaluates staff assigned to the Human Resources department.

Program Evaluation, Analysis and Feedback: Establishes a system of data collection and analysis that provides for continuous assessment of program effectiveness and/or changing needs. At least annually, conducts a comprehensive assessment review of all programs to determine their level of effectiveness and contribution to the mission of the department and to identify areas of high success, problem areas and areas in need of change.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. Attend meetings as required to include: Cabinet, MESD Board meetings and others as assigned.
2. Work with the Director of Business Services to assure that all District personnel are employed in accordance with available resources expended according to budgetary guidelines.
3. Provides in-house consulting for District administrators and staff; provides information to and assists supervisors in resolving employee relations and work performance problems in accordance with District policies, procedures and all pertinent laws and regulations.
4. Develops and conducts training to instruct staff in human relations skills, conflict resolution and various other issues pertaining to employee support and management.
5. Assists other personnel for the purpose of supporting them in the completion of their work activities.
6. Administers the new-employee orientation program.
7. Coordinate reduction-in-force activities.
8. Oversee the administration of Workers Compensation, Family Medical Leave and other leaves of absence.
9. Directs certification processes (e.g. notice to employees with certification changes/expiration dates) for the purpose of ensuring the District is in compliance with applicable state and federal regulations.
10. Directs employee background and fingerprint process for the purpose of ensuring District is in compliance with applicable state regulation.
11. Investigates grievance and/or complaints from employees (e.g. sexual harassment, pay and/or assignment disputes, etc.) for the purpose of reaching resolutions that provide a healthy work environment.
12. Use equity lens in all aspects of work and critically examine and make recommendations to policies that conflict with organizational equity goals.
13. Perform other job-related duties as assigned by the Superintendent.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, ABILITIES: 

• Incumbents must have successful experiences in working with culturally diverse families and communities, and have demonstrated a commitment to equity and strengthening engagement and skill in collaborating with a diverse population.
• Ability to maintain a highly confidential nature of personnel work.
• Participate, plan and execute diversity, racial equity & inclusion strategies as they relate to recruitment, retention and training strategies.
• Support, create and provide professional development to strengthen employees’ knowledge and skills for eliminating opportunity gaps and other disparities in achievement.
• Working knowledge and understanding of the collective bargaining process.
• Represent the district in a variety of public settings.
• Ability to work effectively with employees and supervisors on sensitive issues.
• Experience in use of Human Resource Information Systems.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and understanding of “client-centered” support and services.
• Excellent oral, written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work both independently and cooperatively. Ability to organize work, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships at all levels of the organization with a diverse workforce.
• Ability to remain calm, deliberate and tactful in stressful and emotional situations.
• Experience in a unionized environment.
• Demonstrated leadership and supervisory ability.
• Oregon TSPC administrative license, or ability to attain, preferred.
• Valid state driver's license

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with an emphasis on Personnel Administration, Public Administration or a related field.
• Successful completion of Personnel Administration Certificate Program or SHRM Certification or willingness to enroll in Oregon School Personnel Association Leadership Program within 1 year of start date.
• Two years administrative experience in a K-12 education setting or comparable organization
• Experience in public education human resource management.

Any other combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities will be considered.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work is performed in a typical office or school environment subject to light to moderate noise. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this classification. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this position the employee is frequently required to sit, talk, lift, carry, move about, hear and speak.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move 25 to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• The employee may sit or stand for longer than two (2) hours at a time, may lift objects repeatedly, and may undertake repeated motions.

BENEFITS: 

• District pays full medical, dental and vision premiums for eligible employees and dependents

• Three medical insurance plan options: 
• Group Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA)
• Health Savings Account (HSA), or
• Opt-Out option
• MESD pays employee’s 6% Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) contribution
• Annual additional benefit options for Confidential employees: 
• Two (2) additional Floating Holidays 
• One (1) additional Floating Holiday AND $500 MESD Paid contribution to a Section 125 Medical Flexible Savings Account 
• One (1) additional Floating Holiday AND $500 paid contribution to a Health Savings Account (HSA)* 
• $1000 MESD paid contribution to their Section 125 Flexible Spending Account e) $1000 MESD paid contribution to their Health Savings Account (HSA)* 

*Employee must be enrolled in a HSA-eligible medical plan through MESD

• Paid holidays, sick leave and personal time off
• Tuition Reimbursement and Professional Development 

This position is subject to board policies, administrative rules and procedures, department regulations and applicable state and federal statutes. This position carries administrative authority. All commitments outside of authorized programs and services are subject to prior approval by the supervisor of this position.

NOTE: The description contained herein reflects general details as necessary to describe the principle functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER 

MESD recognizes the diversity and worth of all individuals and groups. It is the policy of MESD that there will be no discrimination or harassment of individuals or groups based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, marital status, age, veterans status, genetic information or disability in any educational programs, activities, or employment. 

Reasonable accommodations for the application and interview process will be provided upon request and as required in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Individuals with disabilities may contact the Human Resources Director for additional information or assistance. Speech/Hearing impaired persons may contact the district for assistance through the Oregon telecommunications Relay Service at 1-800-735-2900.