What are the responsibilities and job description for the Human Resources Director position at Otero County?
Human Resources Director
Employment Status: Full-Time
FLSA Status: Exempt
Experience Required: Six to nine (6-9) years of experience in personnel or human resource management. Certification as a Human Resource Professional or a Master’s Degree is preferred. Experience with collective bargaining units is also a plus.
Minimum Education Requirements: Any combination of experience, education, and training equivalent to a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration, Human Resources Management, or Business Administration.
Department: Human Resources
Direct Supervisor: County Manager
Supervisory Responsibility: Direct (1); Indirect (0)
Primary Work Location: Works inside in an office setting.
Certification: A valid New Mexico driver’s license is required to drive a County vehicle.
Job Summary: Responsible for the development, implementation and maintenance of the comprehensive human resources program for the county. The director provides advice and assistance on personnel related matters to the Otero County Manager, County Attorney, and Elected Officials.
Essential Job Functions
An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the following essential duties:
- Directs the county human resource program, including recruitment, testing, classification, compensation, county benefits, employee discipline, affirmative action/equal employment opportunity, and coordinates training.
- Coordinates labor relations, provides personnel advice and assistance to the Otero County Manager, elected officials, department heads, and employees.
- Coordinates workers’ compensation functions with staff.
- Performs special research projects as directed by the Otero County Manager or Board of County Commissioners.
- Prepares a variety of personnel related presentations and reports.
- Responds to public inquiries and employment verification.
- Maintains all personnel files, active and inactive, in accordance with document-retention guidelines as outlined in state statutes or relevant case law. Maintains personnel-related documentation, including medical and investigative files on employees and applicants. Ensures confidentiality of such records in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws and county policies.
- Under the direction of the County Manager, oversees the County’s hiring procedures, disciplinary actions, and other personnel actions with regard to compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act, Equal Employment Opportunity laws, Affirmative Action status, and all other relevant federal, state and county directives. Under the direction of the County Manager, advises Elected Officials and department heads on compliance issues.
- Keeps abreast of personnel-related statutes, case law and other developments; informs county administration, elected officials and department heads of relevant information.
- Provides in-house training for elected officials, department heads and/or their designees on personnel and other issues.
- Prepare updated job descriptions for county positions; consult with county departments to compile data for job descriptions; ensure compliance with ADA guidelines.
- Participate in recruitment activities; prepare and coordinate advertisements to fill job vacancies; post job openings; place job announcements in local newspapers.
- Meet with job applicants; distribute job applications; answer questions concerning the application process and available positions; accept and review incoming applications; coordinate interview schedules; participate in applicant interviews; perform background investigations; perform employee orientations.
- Assists in designing, updating and distributing personnel-related county forms.
- Assists county Risk Management with workers’ compensation and other risk management functions.
- Conducts policy, legal, and other research related to Human Resource matters as directed by the County Manager.
- Addresses and advises on grievance issues.
- Preparation of documents, maintenance of confidential personnel files, maintenance of updated books of state statutes, county ordinances and other personnel library materials.
- Coordinate worker's compensation modified duty programs; prepare worker's compensation accident reports; maintain records on activities.
- May be required to organize and facilitate meetings or classes of various kinds as directed by the County Manager.
- May be required to assist with public relations duties as directed by the County Manager.
- Employee will be required to work irregular hours, overtime or weekends, attend job-related meetings, and perform other duties as assigned.
- Verify and review materials for completeness and conformance with established regulations and procedures.
- Represent the County through collective bargaining negotiations.
- Work with drug testing company for payment and random list for compliance.
- Add Human Resources items to the Commission Meeting agenda.
- Keep County Manager up to date on all Human Resources issues and possible liabilities.
- Other duties as required.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA’s) for Position
An employee in this class must have the following knowledge, skills, and abilities upon application:
Knowledge
- Principles, practices and procedures of human resource management.
- Principles of payroll administration.
- Principles of benefits administration.
- Principles and techniques of employee recruitment.
- Business letter writing and report preparation.
- English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
- Record keeping methods and procedures.
- Pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations.
- Thorough understanding of the County’s functions, policies, and procedures.
Skills
- Strong written and oral communications and relational skills.
- Public relations and customer service.
- Operate a variety of office equipment, including computer terminal, related software programs, printer, calculator, fax, and copier.
Abilities
- Listen to and provide appropriate advice to County personnel.
- Maintain concentration on details for long periods of time.
- Administer a comprehensive personnel program.
- Address a variety of personnel management issues.
- Work independently in the absence of supervision.
- Maintain confidentiality of work.
- Establish cooperative working relationships with County personnel, elected officials, and the public.
- Maintain mental capacity, which allows for effective interaction and communication with others.
Physical Demands
The following physical abilities are required:
- The work is light work which requires exerting up 40 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 40 pounds of force to move objects.
- While performing the duties of the job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.
- The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms.
- The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk.
- Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment
The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.
Safety Requirements
The employee is expected to follow all safety procedures as required.
**This position description is a general guideline for work behavior and is not intended to be a comprehensive listing of all job duties. Therefore, it is also not, nor can it be implied to be, a contract of employment. The contents of this position description may be changed without notice, and employment may be terminated by either party, at will. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential tasks.
How to Apply:
Complete the application and return to:
Otero County Administration Office
1101 New York Ave
Alamogordo, NM 88310.
Otero County Administration Office
1101 New York Ave
Alamogordo, NM 88310.
Job Details
Category
Personnel
Status
Open
Posted
April 30, 2026 8:00 AM
Closing
Open Until Filled