Director of Human Resources

Role Description

The City of Jersey City is looking for an experienced human resources professional who is responsible for the City’s overall human resources function and its respective divisions. The incumbent will direct and supervise activities of personnel units involved in maintaining liaison between the City and the New Jersey Civil Service Commission in matters of personnel administration and coordinate personnel programs, policies, and practices for the employees of the City.

Job Duties:

• Oversees the operations of the divisions of the Department of Human Resources, including
• Workforce Management (which encompasses the Affirmative Action, Employee Relations, and Medical Leave functions), Health Benefits, Pension, Payroll and Risk Management.
• Maintains liaison between the City and the New Jersey Civil Service Commission in personnel matters including appointments, promotions, transfers, demotions, dismissals, and disciplinary actions.
• Establishes Human Resource policy and best practices.
• Provides counseling and advice on personnel issues to other Department Directors, Division Directors, Managers and Supervisors.
• Directs the personnel activities of the City.
• Interprets and applies the City’s labor contracts with multiple public-sector unions.
• Disseminates policy and procedural information to appropriate staff.
• Maintains information on employee performance and evaluations.
• Works in conjunction with the City’s departments to recruit appropriate personnel.
• Maintains a job classification and labor grade system.
• Coordinates the employment-related training programs of the City, including development of new programs as appropriate.
• Works closely with Departmental management to understand personnel needs and issues to better address and support operations of those Departments.
• Establishes and conducts procedures for hearing and adjusting of employee or union grievances; often in conjunction with the City’s Law Department.
• Supervises preparation of City ordinances or resolutions for the creation of new positions, and other personnel matters.
• Directs and supervises the investigation of employee relations and EEO complaints.
• Prepares clear, sound, accurate, and informative reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations
• Directs the establishment/maintenance of all personnel records and files
• Assists in the preparation and management of the Division’s budget.
• Able to coordinate intergovernmental actions and manage a relationship with New Jersey Civil Service.
• All other duties as assigned.

*Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Required Educational Background: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a

Bachelor's degree. A Master's degree in Personnel Administration, Human Resource Management,

Labor Relations, Industrial Psychology, Public Policy or other related field from an accredited college

or university. A Law Degree (Juris Doctor) may be substituted for a Master’s Degree.

Required Experience: Five (5) years of supervisory personnel experience, two (2) years of which shall

have included responsibility for a major public or private industry personnel program including review

of classification problems and wage studies, handling personnel problems, and coordination of the

training needs of the City. Experience working with and applying New Jersey Civil Service Commission

and Public Employment Relations Commission rules and regulations required. Prior experience with

collective bargaining or employee benefits is a plus. Successful candidate must be prepared to establish

residency in Jersey City within six (6) months of date of hire.

Essential Skills:

• Knowledge of problems and issues encountered in the administration of public personnel practices;
• Ability to apply theory, practices, and procedures of Human Resources;
• Ability to interpret labor contracts as well as disciplinary and grievance procedures;
• Knowledge of public pension systems, health benefits, and payroll;
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret laws and regulations relating to personnel matters, and the rules and regulations of the New Jersey Civil Service Commission and Public Employment Relations Commissions, and apply them to specific situations;
• Ability to analyze and resolve technical problems involved in the supervision of personnel programs across various divisions within the Department of Human Resources; and
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with internal and external partners and other individuals engaged in or concerned with issues relating to public employment.

To apply for this job with the City of Jersey City fill out our Employment Application