Director of Human Resources

Job Summary: This class is accountable for directing the programs and operations of the Human Resources Department for the Town.

Supervision Received: Receives administrative direction from the First Selectperson.

Supervision Exercised: Directs all department programs and operations.

Examples of Essential Duties: 

• Administers collective bargaining agreements and recommends terms and conditions of employment for administrators and other non-union employees. 
• Administers, coordinates and provides guidance over work activities and service delivery.
• Assists in the formulation of the human resources or equal opportunity/affirmative action budget and staffing plans and identifies and allocates resources in order to manage initiatives.
• Collaborates with other departments within the Town to address common issues around planning, budget, hiring, evaluations, discipline and professional development. 
• Designs and implements employee performance review standards.
• Develops and manages the budget for the human resources department. 
• Develops and recommends new/revised job classifications. 
• Develops, communicates, implements and evaluates Town human resources policies and procedures, goals and objectives. 
• Ensures appropriate interpretation of human resources rules and regulations. 
• Ensures Town compliance with federal and state laws and regulations relating to human resources, equal employment opportunity, and affirmative action. 
• Monitors relevant legal and legislative changes and court decisions and makes administrative recommendations to assure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. 
• Oversees compliance related to ADA, sexual harassment, discrimination, and equal employment opportunity matters which includes monitoring recruitment and directing hiring activities to assure compliance with diversity and fairness standards and requirements. 
• Identifies and measures key human resources performance metrics and uses those metrics to analyze workforce problems and leverage solutions to maximize operational effectiveness.
• Identifies areas for technological improvements and solutions and researches new and upcoming technological resources and how they can best be implemented to advance human resources or equal opportunity/affirmative action business practices.
• Leads through significant change.
• Meets and confers with Town officials and management, union representatives, members of the public and others and renders appropriate advice.
• Oversees benefits administration function. 
• Oversees the preparation and maintenance of documentation and manuals.
• Oversees the preparation of various federal and state reports. 
• Plans, develops and implements goals and objectives as identified through the annual evaluation and program review for human resources to improve the delivery of services and programs to the Town. 
• Provides advice and counsel to management regarding Town policies, regulatory compliance, state and federal laws, and contractual agreements related to human resources and personnel. 
• Provides counsel to the Town Manager on all matters related to human resources and employee relations. 
• Provides leadership and counsel to employees about issues related to job performance. 
• Provides leadership and oversight to the staff and operations of a comprehensive Town-wide human resources management including recruitment, selection, employee counseling, retention, performance management, HRIS, FMLA and administration, labor relations, contract administration, contract negotiations, workforce and organizational planning, classification and compensation, human resources training and staff development, etc.. 
• Provides training and assistance to staff in all phases of human resources administration. 
• Represents the Town at hearings involving complex and sensitive grievance issues.
• Reviews, evaluates and determines policies, procedures and practices applicable to all aspects of the assigned human resources or equal opportunity/affirmative action function.
• Serves as a member of the Town’s negotiating team. 
• Serves as the equal employment opportunity officer and coordinates policies and procedures. 
• Supervises the human resources staff in all administrative and support duties including the maintenance of employee records, licenses and reporting responsibilities. 
• Tracks and analyzes trends and best practices in order to evolve and progress the assigned human resources or equal opportunity/affirmative action function.
• Utilizes collaborative leadership skills to design, develop and communicate human resources programs and services. 
• Works collaboratively with the Finance and other operating departments to facilitate the processing of workers’ compensation claims, return-to-work, risk management, and to address general employee safety issues in the work place.
• May serve as a project team leader on complex administrative, human resources or equal opportunity/affirmative action projects involving the development and implementation of new systems, training initiatives, and other projects with Town-wide impact.
• Performs related duties as required.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee assigned to this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job responsibilities and duties performed by personnel so classified.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Considerable knowledge of and ability to apply collaborative leadership and decision-making methods.
• Considerable knowledge of and ability to apply management principles and techniques.
• Considerable knowledge of human resources practices and administration. 
• Considerable knowledge of labor relations. 
• Considerable knowledge of relevant federal and state statutes, guidelines and regulations, including statutes prohibiting discrimination and retaliation. 
• Considerable knowledge of technical areas of department programs and projects. 
• Knowledge of occupational safety and health. 
• Knowledge of principles and practices of automated information technology/data processing systems design, development, implementation and maintenance. 
• Considerable negotiation and conflict resolution skills. 
• Considerable written and verbal communication skills. 
• Considerable interpersonal skills. 
• Considerable problem-solving, analytical skills, and leadership skills. 
• Considerable ability to develop, communicate and implement Town-wide policies and procedures. 
• Effective personnel management and supervisory ability. 
• Ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Minimum Qualifications: 

Ten (10) years of professional experience in human resources management. Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been in a managerial capacity over professional human resources staff. College training may be substituted on the basis of fifteen (l5) semester hours equaling one half (l/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree. A Master’s degree in public administration, human resources management, labor relations, industrial/organizational psychology or closely related field or a law degree may be substituted for one (l) additional year. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s License.

The Town of Fairfield is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Town will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourage both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the Town when necessary.

Salary : $140,000 - $150,000