Director of Human Resources at City of Seattle, WA

About the Department

The Seattle Fire Department is pleased to announce an opportunity for the position of Director of Human Resources (Executive 2). The Seattle Fire Department is the fourth largest City Department with an annual budget of over $240 million. The Department consists of more than 1,000 uniformed members and approximately 90 civilian employees. Employees are represented by multiple bargaining units.

The Human Resources Director is a key management position reporting directly to the Executive Director of Administration. This position plays a vital role in developing, implementing and communicating human resources strategies that align with the goals of the Department, with an emphasis on equity and inclusion in alignment with the City’s Race and Social Justice Initiative. With a division budget of approximately $2.3 million, the Director manages the work of seven personnel to design, implement, and administer all human resources initiatives and systems.

Position Duties

The Director of Human Resources’ scope of responsibility includes Labor Relations, Employment Services, Recruitment and Hiring, Employee Development, Performance Management, Personnel Records, Job Classification and Compensation, Workers Compensation, Disability Management, Occupational Wellness, and Equal Opportunity and Workplace Investigations. 

The Director is responsible for employee and labor relations. This position serves on the management team negotiating labor contracts, ensures compliance with memoranda of agreement, and addresses labor grievances. The Director also provides advice and direction on all employee relations issues and workplace concerns and ensures consistent and fair administration of disciplinary policies and procedures. 

As a member of the Department’s Leadership Team, the Director of Human Resources provides advice on strategic direction, policy, and implementation of human resource related work plans, and represents the Fire Department at City  meetings and on City work groups. The Director of Human Resources works collaboratively with the City’s Department of Human Resources on a variety of program and policy issues. 

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, human resources, or another discipline related to human resources management or a combination of education, training, and experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work described above. 
• Eight or more years of progressively responsible human resources management in an organization of comparable scope and size.
•  Experience working with represented employees and/or with labor relations groups.
• At least five years of experience supervising or leading a human resources function or team.

The successful candidate will also possess the following qualifications and skills.

• Champion of workforce equity and diversity. 
• Ability to communicate effectively with union representatives, other departments and agencies, employees at all levels and management regarding sensitive or controversial issues. 
• Demonstrated ability to provide effective leadership in programs, methods and procedures to ensure employee wellbeing, to improve work effectiveness, to control costs, to ensure ethical practices, and to meet policy and operational needs. 
• Problem-solving, conflict resolution, and decision-making skills.
• Strong collaboration and partnership building skills. 
• Open, honest, and accessible management style. 
• An understanding of labor law and employment standards. 
• Experience in internal investigations and the principle of Equal Employment Opportunity. 
• Experience working with public safety or paramilitary organizations. 
• Contract negotiation experience.
• Completion of on-going diversity, equity, and inclusion training is an expectation of this position.
• Familiarity with relevant Revised Code of Washington laws, Washington Administrative Code regulations, and National Fire Protection Association codes and standards.
• Graduate degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Human Resources, or another discipline related to human resources management is desired.
• Certified Professional Human Resource Management (PHR) or Senior Professional Human Resource Management (SPHR) by the Human Resource Certificate Institute is desired.

Other Qualifications

The full salary range for this position is $64.56 - $106.52 per hour. The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members. 

The mission of the Seattle Fire Department is to save lives and protect property through emergency medical services, fire and rescue response and fire prevention. We respond immediately when any member of our community needs help with professional, effective and compassionate service.

The Seattle Fire Department is a national leader in responding to and preventing emergencies with a commitment to excellence and teamwork. We seek a diverse workforce who embrace the following values.

• Integrity - We are honest, trustworthy and accountable. Honor guides our actions.
• Teamwork - We each bring our own skills and experience, yet we recognize that we are better together. We support and depend on each other to achieve our goals.
• Compassion - Caring is part of our job. We could not do what we do without a deep and motivating empathy for those we serve.
• Courage - We show fortitude and determination in a crisis.
• Diversity - We respect the different identities, experiences, and perspectives of those that we work with and the community we serve.

The Seattle Fire Department is looking to create a diverse team of hardworking, committed individuals with a passion for public service and who are deeply aligned with our City's values of Race and Social Justice. The City of Seattle is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants are considered for positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, gender identity, political ideology or any other basis prohibited by federal, state and local laws.