Human Resources Director

The purpose of this position is to oversee and direct all Human Resources functions of Montgomery County Government following the policies and practices, the ethical and social consciences of business and society, and the laws, regulations, and administrative rulings of governmental organizations and other regulatory and advisory authorities and organizations. This position involves administering human resources policies, programs, and practices including planning, organizing, developing, implementing, coordinating, and directing.

Minimum Experience: Five (5) years of broad-based human resources experience, preferably in a community/public agency, two (2) years of management experience.

Minimum Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Human Resources Management, Organizational Development or related Personnel/Human Resources field required. Master’s degree preferred.

Certifications, Licenses:

• Professional Human Resources Certification is preferred.
• Must have dependable transportation.
• A pre-employment criminal background check is required.

GENERAL POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The following duties are normal for this position. However, they should not be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. Other duties may also be required or assigned.

• Provides leadership in attracting, retaining, and developing an engaged workforce in delivering superior services to County residents and businesses.
• Participates in the interview and selection process of new employees. Provides training and instructions. Assigns and reviews work and prepares performance evaluations. Recommends employee transfers, promotions, disciplinary action, and discharge.
• Delegates responsibility to staff and monitors their performance. Addresses day-to-day issues and questions, and initiates employee recognition, promotion, disciplinary action, and discharge processes as necessary and appropriate.
• Provides leadership and management to all assigned staff. Supervises the work of and monitors and evaluates the ongoing performance of staff members; assesses and makes recommendations of training needs. Directs staff on complex work and interpreting the application of policy and procedure.
• Participates in developing the County’s plans and programs as a strategic partner but particularly from the perspective of the impact on people.
• Develops, recommends, and implements annual departmental budget, and forecasts necessary funding for staff, equipment, materials, and supplies. Monitors budget throughout the year. Produces necessary reports for County, State, and Federal agencies.
• Implements human resources strategies by establishing department accountabilities, including payroll, talent acquisition, staffing, employment processing, compensation, health and welfare benefits, training and development, records management, safety and health, succession planning, employee relations/retention, and EEO compliance.
• Complies with Federal, State, and local legal requirements by studying existing and new legislation; anticipating legislation; enforcing adherence to requirements; and advising management on needed actions.
• Testifies in administrative or court proceedings regarding investigations conducted, disciplinary actions, and/or interpretation/implementation of County policies and procedures.
• Manages the administration of the employee performance evaluation system.
• Manages the administration of the County’s classification system, including the development and revision of job descriptions and evaluation and placement of positions within classifications.
• Assists supervisors, managers, and directors in resolving complex, sensitive human resources problems.
• Guides management and employee actions by researching, developing, writing, and updating policies, procedures, methods, and guidelines; communicating and enforcing organization values.
• Accomplishes special project results by identifying and clarifying issues and priorities; communicating and coordinating requirements; expediting fulfillment; evaluating milestone accomplishments; evaluating optional courses of action; changing assumptions and direction.
• Develops organizational strategies by identifying and researching human resources issues; contributing information, analysis, and recommendations to organization strategic thinking and direction; establishing human resources objectives in line with organizational objectives.
• Acts as senior-level advisor on human resources issues to other Department Heads, Elected Officials, and all levels of employees throughout County Government. Evaluate and advise on the impact of long-range planning of new programs/strategies and regulatory action as those items impact the attraction, motivation, development, and retention of the people resources of the County.
• Ensures compliance with all other Federal, State, and local mandates regarding employment. Works closely with County Attorney on matters that may involve litigation relating to employment law.
• Provides customer service to internal and external customers; addresses and resolves customer questions as able and refers complex inquiries, requests, or complaints to appropriate staff.
• Other duties as assigned.

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibility and accountability for the departmental operating and capital budgets. The ability to authorize any size expenditure that has gone through the budget process and internal controls.

COUNTY ORGANIZATION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Represent the Department to other County departments, elected officials and outside agencies; coordinate Department activities with those of other departments and outside agencies and organizations.
• Provide staff assistance to the Chief of Staff and County Commission; participate on a variety of boards, commissions and committees; prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
• Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.

SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIPS:

Works under general supervision of the Chief of Staff. The Director is allowed leeway to exercise independent, professional judgment. This position carries out supervisory responsibilities.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS – KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of personnel administration; knowledge of sound techniques in all aspects of human resources.
• Human Resource Information System (HRIS) management programs and processes such as MUNIS (Tyler Technologies). Experience with HCM (Human Capital Management) programs such as Oracle Cloud (preferred).
• Principles and practices of budgeting, fiscal management, and project management principles and techniques.
• The County and Department’s operating requirements, policies, procedures, and practices; and local, state, and federal regulations related to department programs and operations.
• Management and supervisory practices & principles, including the ability to make final employment recommendations, prepare performance evaluations, manage time off, and maintain personnel records.
• Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Computer software consistent for this position.

Skill in:

• Analyzing complex administrative information and issues, defining problems evaluating alternatives, and recommending methods, procedures, and techniques for resolution of issues.
• Managing multiple projects and prioritizing multiple tasks and demands.
• Applying solid business acumen, management reporting, and problem-solving.
• Organizational and time management to prioritize duties to accomplish a high volume of work product while adapting to constant changes in priority.
• Applying judgment and discretion in resolving problems and interpreting policies and regulations.

Ability to:

• Effectively utilize the principles of strategic and long and short-range planning.
• Prepare, recommend, and monitor an operating budget, including line-item budgeting.
• Develop department goals and objectives.
• Plan, develop, implement, and evaluate projects and programs.
• Instruct and train in methods and procedures.
• Organize, assign, and modify the work assignment of others, and (re)-establish priorities to meet deadlines.
• Develop long-term plans and programs and to evaluate work accomplishments.
• Interpret and implement local policies and procedures; written instructions, general correspondence; Federal, State, and local regulations.
• Perform mathematical calculations required of this position.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Analyze facts and to exercise sound judgment in arriving at conclusions.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Maintain confidentiality and discretion regarding business-related files, reports, and conversations, within the provision of applicable State and Federal statutes.
• Work the allocated hours of the position.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed in a typical indoor office setting; and is mostly sedentary with periods of mobility and light physical activity. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Level of responsibility subjects the incumbent to moderate stress due to interruptions.