Director of Human Resources

Purpose of Position:

The Human Resources Director provides strategic leadership and oversight of the County's human resources function, including workforce planning, employee and labor relations, compensation and benefits, compliance, and HR operations. The Director advises County leadership on workforce matters and ensures HR programs and practices support organizational goals, legal compliance, and a positive and productive workplace.

Essential Job Functions:

Strategic HR Leadership: Develops and implements the County’s human resources strategy in alignment with organizational goals and objectives. Provides leadership and guidance to the HR team, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. Responsible for preparing and administering the HR budget and monitoring expenditures. Has the authority to hire, discipline, evaluate, and terminate HR employees. Partners with executive leadership to anticipate HR needs and develop solutions that drive organizational success.

Workforce Planning and Recruitment: Leads workforce planning efforts to ensure the County has the right talent to meet present and future needs. Oversees recruitment and selection processes, ensuring fairness, consistency, and adherence to applicable laws and regulations. Develops and implements strategies to attract and retain a diverse and skilled workforce.

Employee Relations:

Provides expert guidance to supervisors and employees on matters related to employee and labor relations. Ensures the consistent application of HR policies, procedures, and applicable labor laws. Oversees and/or provides guidance regarding:

• Workplace investigations
• Grievances
• Progressive discipline, corrective action, suspension, and termination processes
• Performance management
• Labor relations

Compensation and Benefits: Maintains relationships with retirement systems, insurance carriers, benefits brokers, employment counsel, state and federal agencies, auditors, and HR professional organizations. Oversees health, dental, vision, life, disability, retirement, leave programs, COBRA, and related benefits. Analyzes compensation and benefits trends and recommends adjustments.

Policy, Compliance and Risk Management:

Develops, revises, and implements HR policies and procedures, keeping them current with changing laws and best practices and ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. Advises the County Manager, executive leadership, elected officials, and supervisors on the interpretation and application of personnel policies and applicable employment requirements, including:

• Employment law including but not limited to; FLSA, FMLA, ADA, Title VII, EEO, ADEA, USERRA applicable Maryland and Dorchester County employment laws
• Harassment and discrimination
• Workers’ compensation
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements and workplace safety initiatives
• Regulatory reporting
• Policy compliance

HR Operations and Records: Responsible for personnel records, HRIS integrity, data security, retention requirements, public records requirements, and confidentiality. Partners with the Payroll Department to ensure wage and hour compliance and the accurate administration of pay changes, deductions, and timekeeping.

Employee Lifecycle Administration:

Leads new-hire onboarding, orientation, transfers, training/development, promotions, separations, exit interviews, succession planning and required documentation.

HR Analytics & Reporting:

Collects, analyzes, and reports HR metrics to assess the effectiveness of HR programs and support data-driven decision-making. Presents HR-related information to executive leadership and elected officials as needed

Performs other duties as assigned.

Education/Experience/Certifications (minimum qualifications):

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field required. Master’s degree preferred. Five years of progressively responsible HR experience, including at least three years in a senior HR leadership role. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in accordance with County policy.
• Experience in a publicsector or governmental environment is strongly preferred.
• Professional HR certification (e.g., SHRMSCP, SPHR) is strongly preferred.
• Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Experience interpreting and applying federal and state employment laws,
• Experience with classification and compensation systems.
• Knowledge of publicsector personnel practices, government records requirements, and confidentiality requirements.
• Experience with Microsoft 365.
• Experience with HRIS systems and applications.

Required Abilities:

• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills.
• Strong problemsolving and decisionmaking abilities.
• Demonstrated experience leading and managing teams.
• High level of integrity, ethics, and confidentiality.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with County officials, employees,subordinates, outside vendors, representatives from other agencies, and the public.

Physical requirements and working environment:

• Must be able to operate standard office equipment, including computers, telephones, copiers, and other communications equipment.
• Occasionally lifts and moves materials weighing up to 20 pounds. Physical demand requirements are consistent with those for light work.
• Position is primarily performed in an office environment and requires the ability to perform the essential functions of the position.
• Requires the ability to communicate effectively and access and use information necessary to perform essential job functions.
• Requires frequent movement throughout County facilities and other work locations, as well as attendance at meetings and community events.

Other:

• May be required to work evenings, weekends, holidays, or during emergency situations based on operational needs.
• Regular and reliable attendance is an essential function.
• Must work cooperatively with others.
• When the position requires vehicle operation, the employee is responsible for the safety, readiness, and operation of the vehicle and must abide by Dorchester County’s safe driving policy.

Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance:

Dorchester County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The County provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss accommodation needs with the appropriate County representative. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between Dorchester County and an employee and is subject to change as business/operational needs change. Note: This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications, responsibilities, or duties associated with the role.

About Dorchester County

Dorchester County is called “The Heart of the Eastern Shore” because its mid-shore location and its geographic configuration is heart-shaped. Throughout history, renowned individuals have called Dorchester County home: Harriet Tubman, the “Moses of her people,” who risked her life time and again to help dozens of enslaved people find freedom through the Underground Railroad in the mid-1800s; Annie Oakley, famed sharpshooter who lived here in the early 1900s; and Anna Ella Carroll, President Lincoln’s secret adviser and military strategist.