Summary: The Human Relations Manager is responsible for overseeing, operationalizing, and optimizing the day-to-day human resources functions in the areas of recruitment, selection, employee relations, training and development, benefits and leave administration, performance management, and HRIS management. Responsibilities include but are not limited to assisting with interviewing staff and selection, new employee orientation, onboarding process development, employee relations, administering benefits and leaves, training and development, and development of and enforcement of policies and practices. Assists with employee culture building, including Diversity, Equity, Inclusion efforts. Role involves creating and maintaining strong relationships with managerial-level staff in the district and is both administrative and leadership in nature.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Collaborates closely with Director of HR on work plan projects, training and development, and development and improvement of policies, procedures, and practices; Makes recommendations on HR-related initiatives and assists in achieving established HR goals.
• Effectively manages and collaborates with managers to handle employee relations issues, conflicts and other employment-related issues; handles investigations related to staff concerns, policy violations and/or other misconduct as needed; maintains documentation of conversations and assist with summarizing findings and providing recommendations for resolution.
• Handles employment-related inquiries from applicants, employees, and management staff, referring complex and/or sensitive matters to the appropriate staff.
• Performs routine tasks required to administer and execute human resource programs and functions.
• Coordinates new employee orientation material for all new hires and rehires; assists with administration of the orientation meetings with the HR and Payroll Coordinator; will provide direction to HR and Payroll Coordinator on facilitating orientation meetings.
• Creates learning and development programs and initiatives that provide internal development opportunities for employees.
• Maintains and edits job descriptions; assists with recruiting efforts by managing job postings on the District’s website, as well as other external websites.
• Leads benefits administration year-round and coordinates all annual open enrollment events and ongoing communications to eligible and enrolled participants with informational material.
• Acts as liaison with IMRF; actively understands IMRF programs, acts as an internal administrator to enrolled employees.
• Manages employee leave of absences; reviews medical documentation and coordinates required paperwork to include FMLA forms, work restriction memos, fitness for duty requests, and full duty release memos; provides updates to leave of absence procedures and addresses training need.
• Partners with Risk Management on Worker Compensation cases to ensure appropriate follow-up.
• Prepares and distributes annual Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax forms as required.
• Coordinates with Unemployment Consultant Inc. to manage unemployment process; investigates terminations and reasons for leaving; provides feedback and recommends actions for decreasing unemployment costs and associated risks.
• Recommends and develops employment policies and procedures; stays abreast of employment-related laws and regulations; provides information to park district staff on general procedures and legal restrictions, furnishes answers and provides advice.
• Assist with HRIS development and maintenance; provide suggestions and assist with development of module use to optimize use the system; assist with system training.
• Provides back-up support as needed for administrative HR functions.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, or related field required. A minimum of five (5) years of related experience in human resources; or any equivalent combination of education, relevant experience and/or training. Related professional certification preferred. Spanish speaking skills a plus.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent active listening skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and conflict resolution skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate them when appropriate.
• Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Thorough knowledge of employment-related laws and regulations.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
• Proficiency with or the ability to quickly learn the organizations HRIS systems.

Classification: Exempt

Benefits: Excellent benefit package including paid holidays and paid time off, health, dental and vision insurance, Employee Assistance Program, life insurance, flexible spending, a defined benefit pension plan (IMRF) and a voluntary deferred retirement plan, opportunities to get involved in recreational programs for free or reduced cost, and more.

Physical Requirements: The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Operates a variety of office equipment, including computer hardware, telephone, calculator, and photocopier; required to grasp objects.
• Regularly speak to others one-on-one or in a group-training session.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds regularly and occasionally life and/or more up to 25 pounds.
• Must be able to access and navigate each department at the district’s facilities.

Working Conditions: The physical environment requires the employee to work primarily in an indoor office setting. Employee may occasionally work outside for short periods of time in heat/cold, wet/humid, and dry conditions. May be requested to work occasional evenings and weekends for staff trainings and special events.