Director of Human Resources presso Pottawatomie County

Description

POSITION PURPOSE: 

The Director of Human Resources reports directly to the County Administrator and is part of the 

County’s management team, having overall responsibility for the County’s personnel processes, 

including, but not limited to, compensation and benefits, recruiting and hiring, onboarding, performance 

management, training, and all forms of compensation. Develops and implements approved policies 

and programs related to all phases of human resources. Possesses excellent interpersonal and 

communication skills and provides support to the County Administrator.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Provides management responsibility in consultation with the County Administrator for Human Resources services and activities including employee recruitment, compensation and classification, employee relations, training and development, human resources information systems and diversity.
2. Oversees the payroll process for all county personnel, ensuring compliance with all laws, appropriate withholdings, and distributions. Assures the completeness, timeliness, and correctness of information to the IRS, State of Kansas, KPERS, and benefit providers. Processes and distributes annual W-2 wage statements to employees 
3. Serves as an internal consultant to all departments/agencies of the County concerning HR issues, programs, and initiatives.
4. Leads the formulation, implementation, administration, dissemination, and interpretation of personnel policies and procedures.
5. Directs the design and presentation of managerial and supervisory training programs across the County; conducts periodic training needs assessments.
6. Manages Pottawatomie County’s Workers’ Compensation process to include filing the injury/accident claims with the insurance provider, acquiring prepared physicians report, preparing any correspondence, processing payments, and compiling detailed reports and statements as needed or required by the State of Kansas, insurance provider, or the County Administrator.
7. Consults and advises the County Administrator on matters relating to countywide personnel operations; provides input on utilization of staff, organizational design, and development of new positions or roles.
8. Directs the County’s employment functions; assist departments in filling position vacancies; develops and monitors job descriptions; recruits qualified candidates and screens applicants.
9. Manages onboarding process to include new hire paperwork and benefit orientation
10. Works with department directors, elected officials, and supervisors, to provide recommendations for promotions, demotions, lateral moves, internal equity adjustments, and all other compensation/classification related topics.
11. Resolves complex, sensitive and controversial issues involving all aspects of public personnel administration, including employment, unemployment, disciplinary actions, grievances, claims of harassment, and personnel problems and evaluations; consults with County Administrator in response and resolution of matters.
12. Manages the County’s benefits, health, and retirement program activities internally and/or through contract administration and outside provider services; represents the County at meetings with third party administrators.
13. Ensures continual county compliance with all Federal and State employment regulations including, but not limited to: equal opportunity, Title VII, Civil Rights Act of 1964, Family Medical Leave Act, Workers Compensation, etc.
14. Implements and monitors on-going employee evaluation processes.
15. Recommends policy revisions and administrative procedure changes to the County Administrator and ensures timely revision, distribution and training.
16. Manages the Employee Classification process to include writing Position Descriptions, classifying employees and reviewing reclassifications.
17. Oversees salary surveys and works in coordination with the annual budget process.
18. Maintains awareness of new trends and developments in the field of human resources and incorporates new developments.
19. Abides by a strict code of ethics and behavior, encourages others to behave; accordingly, treats others with honesty, fairness and respect; takes responsibility for accomplishing work goals within acceptable timeframes.
20. Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license and the ability to operate legally a motor vehicle. Position requires a clean driving record.

MARGINAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Coordinates county drug-testing policy and procedures to include scheduling random and pre-employment screening, reporting of screening results and monthly reports, and provides information regarding drug-screening policy.
2. Participates in any committee activities, board meetings, or other panels deemed relevant as a representative of the County Administration’s office at the request of the County Administrator, and effects and maintains a professional and cooperative relationship with peers, supervisors, and the community.
3. Other duties as assigned by the County Administrator

NATURE AND SCOPE:

Specialized, senior level management position responsible for the development and 

implementation of approved policies and programs related to human resources for Pottawatomie 

County government. Duties include classification and compensation, performance management, 

benefits management, training and organizational development, employee and retiree services, 

employee records management, payroll, and other duties necessary to ensure compliance with state 

and local laws. Work is performed with considerable independence and initiative and is reviewed 

through regular consultation with the County Administrator.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY:

• The principles and practices of public human resource management to include strategic planning, organizational staffing and development, personnel recruitment and selection, training, classification, compensation and benefits management, employee relations and change leadership
• Ability to maintain a professional demeanor
• Ability to take control of situations in a responsible manner
• Ability to develop, interpret and implement local policies and procedures, written instructions, general correspondence, Federal, State, and local regulations, etc.
• Federal/state/local/agency regulations pertaining to HR management (i.e. ADA, FMLA, FLSA, OSHA, COBRA, HIPAA, Title VII, unemployment, performance management, investigations, conflict resolution, etc.), and other governmental regulatory laws 
• Municipal budget preparation and administration
• Laws surrounding payroll administration, to include processing compensation, taxation and other deductions, etc.
• Effective loss prevention practices and health and safety programs, rules and regulations
• General worker’s compensation rules and regulations, general liability and auto liability 
• issues and claims processes and regulations.
• Skill and proficiency with the Microsoft suite of products.
• Ability to write and speak effectively, including the ability to conduct effective meetings.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with government officials, employees and the general public. 
• Knowledge of current federal, state, and local employment law and issues as it relates to the management of Pottawatomie County personnel. Follow Federal and State payroll tax guidelines. Detailed calculations involving payroll budgets. Accuracy is extremely important for all aspects of job tasks.

Requirements

EDUCATION/TRAINING/EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor’s degree from four-year college or university in Business Administration, Business 

Management, Human Resources, or related field. Five years’ experience in Human Resources, and 

at least three years’ experience in payroll processing preferred. A Master’s Degree in Public 

Administration, Business Administration, or a related field is preferred. An equivalent 

combination of education and experience may be accepted. Broad human resources experience in 

the public sector desired. PHR, SPHR, IPMA-CP, or CPM Certification a plus. Current State of 

Kansas Notary Public, or ability to obtain within 90 days of employment.

SUPERVISION/ACCOUNTABILITY:

Responsible for assisting with the overall direction and coordination of the Human Resources 

function. May carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies 

and applicable laws. Responsibilities may include the following: training employees; planning, 

assigning, and directing work; addressing complaints and resolving problems. The position works 

with a wide range of complex human resources, payroll, and benefit issues, which requires 

completing tasks in an efficient and timely manner. The variety of tasks and duties performed 

involve different and unrelated processes and methods relative to the operation of a multipurpose 

service department. The work requires strong organizational abilities and the skills necessary to 

interpret policies and procedures, to review and refine established methods. The position preserves 

knowledge on current employment law, Federal and State tax guidelines. Must act in an ethical 

and responsible manner.

DECISION MAKING:

This work includes ensuring compliance with a multitude of Federal/state/local/agency regulations 

pertaining to HR management (i.e. ADA, FMLA, FLSA, OSHA, COBRA, HIPAA, Title VII, 

unemployment, performance management, investigations, conflict resolution, etc.), and other 

governmental regulatory laws. Requires the ability to stay informed on current labor laws and new 

regulations with the ability to identify how they may affect County processes. Requires analytical 

and statistical skills.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• The physical demands 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.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception.
• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to a normal noise level in the work environment.

PERSONAL RELATIONS:

Personal contacts are with the Board of County Commissioners, the County Administrator, 

department heads, employees, and officials at the local, county, and state level, private 

organizations, benefit providers, and the general public.