Director of Human Resources

DESCRIPTIVE STATEMENT

OF POSITION:

Employee and Labor Relations

• Act as an advisor to administrators, managers, and supervisors on a broad array of employee relations and performance management issues.
• Serve as a resource to administrators, employees, and union leadership regarding contract interpretation, school district policies and procedures, and grievance resolution.
• Serve as a compliance officer for discrimination or sexual harassment issues, including receiving, investigating, and responding to complaints, or providing advice and consultation to the person handling the complaint.
• Participate in labor-management meetings and follow-up action based on labor-management discussions, working proactively to resolve issues before they become formal.
• Participate in the collective bargaining process for the district; assist in formulating proposals, negotiating, administering, and interpreting employee contracts, agreements, and policies.
• Act as a spokesperson for the District and/or the Superintendent on matters relating to human resources.
• Provide guidance to administration and staff related to the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and administer FMLA leaves and requests for workplace accommodations.
• Answer employee inquiries regarding human resources procedures and/or collective bargaining provisions; interpret and apply collective bargaining agreement language for the purpose of delivering services in conformance with established guidelines.

Recruitment, Selection, and Onboarding

• Oversee the position requisition and job posting process.
• Coordinate activities of bias-free recruitment, screenings, and recommendations of employment of diverse applicants as directed by the Superintendent.
• Lead and coordinate search committees for key, senior-level positions.
• Oversee the substitute hiring process and employee onboarding process, ensuring legal compliance with required new hire documentation requirements.

Human Resources Recordkeeping, Data Management, and Compliance

• Ensure that staff possess and maintain appropriate credentials and licensure at the point of hire and throughout employment tenure.
• Maintain the school district job descriptions and make updates when needed.
• Maintain Human Resources data across a variety of platforms, ensuring the accuracy of employees’ compensation, position eligibility, and compliance with state and federal regulatory mandates.
• Ensure the rules concerning confidentiality and retention are followed, and oversee the maintenance of 500 employee files.
• Prepare standard and ad-hoc reports as needed, such as annual employee salary reports for towns, seniority reports, unfunded liability reports, and employee satisfaction data.
• Ensure school district policies and procedures are up to date with state and federal employment laws and regulations and implement updates as necessary.

Contract and Salary Administration

• Direct the annual production, distribution, and payment of wage documents, including contracts, wage notices, and letters of assurance.
• Prepare individual employment contracts and salary agreements.
• Implement contractual processes for Reduction in Force and/or recall of employees.

Other Duties

• Attend regular meetings as part of the Superintendent's Leadership Team to improve communication, cooperation, and planning.
• Present at School Committee meetings on a variety of human resources topics.
• Perform other related duties as requested or assigned by the Superintendent.

Education and Certification

• Master’s degree in Human Resources, Educational Leadership, or a related field required (Bachelor’s Degree required; CAGS or Doctorate preferred).
• SHRM or PHR certification preferred.
• Massachusetts DESE licensure as a School Superintendent or Supervisor/Director preferred.

Experience

• Human Resources Generalist experience in a leadership role, with a minimum of 5–7 years of progressive leadership experience.
• Prior municipal or public school experience preferred.
• Deep operational knowledge of educator licensure regulations in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts preferred.
• Experience with a variety of HRIS, payroll systems, and HR data management and reporting.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Communication & Collaboration: Exceptional ability to articulate complex HR policies to diverse stakeholders, including the School Committee, union representatives, staff, and community members. Exemplary interpersonal skills, including relationship development, trust-building, and the ability to display tact, courtesy, and professionalism.
• Operational Management: Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and maintain grace under pressure. Sound professional judgment and an advanced ability to exercise discretion in dealing with confidential and sensitive information. Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Excel (intermediate), and Google Workspace tools.
• Compliance & Legal Literacy: Advanced legal literacy, including strong knowledge of state and federal labor laws, Massachusetts General Laws, and school district accountability standards.
• Conflict Resolution: Proven ability to navigate sensitive personnel matters and effectively resolve complex human resources issues with high emotional intelligence, discretion, and a solution-oriented mindset.
• Equity-Centered Leadership: A steadfast commitment to promoting inclusive, bias-free hiring practices and creating a professional culture that values and supports all staff members.
• Legal Requirements: Citizenship, residency, or work visa required.