Employee Relations Director

Job Summary

Leads, directs, and administers comprehensive human resources (HR) functions and programming to foster a great place to work and support the County's strategic initiatives, business plans, and goals. Manages and implements Human Resources/Employee Relations policy, programming, operations. Provides leadership, guidance, support, direction and advice to staff, supervisors, managers, directors, and elected officials on a wide variety of human resource topics, issues, and practices. Supervises staff and oversees the development and delivery of programs and services specific to: Employee benefits, HRIS and payroll functions, job classification and compensation, labor relations management, performance management, occupational health and safety, talent management, and employee training and development. Ensures compliance with HR related federal and state laws, regulations, and reporting requirements. Serves as an advisor to others on the most complex of personnel matters. Serves as Chief Labor Negotiator and primary contact for the County. This position is designated the County Personnel Director pursuant to MN Stat. 375.59.

Job Description

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Provides leadership and strategic direction for employee relations/human resources (HR) staff and programming for the County. Envisions, plans, develops, and delivers services across a broad spectrum of HR topics in support of county goals, mission, vision, strategies, and objectives related to county staff and the workplace. 

• Promotes a great place to work and a culture of inclusivity through empathy, respect, understanding, and active listening. 

• Oversees, supervises, and coordinates the work of other employees; hires, promotes, mentors, and trains employees. Makes work assignments, directs work, evaluates performance, rewards, and disciplines. 

• Provides technical assistance and advice on the application of HR laws, rules and regulations, policy, labor contract provisions, procedures and practices, and makes recommendations for the organization. 

• Serves as Chief negotiator and lead spokesperson for the county and its labor relations interests. Worksg collaboratively with union and county leaders and staff relative to collective bargaining agreements, county policy and procedure, and matters impacting the workplace. Serves as the county point of contact for arbitration and employment related lawsuits. Participates in court preparation and proceedings as required, working with the County Attorney’s Office and other counsel as warranted.

• Leads discussions about negotiation strategy and the financial and organizational impact of actions. Provides policy implications and analysis on collective bargaining agreement proposals.    

• Interprets and administers union contract provisions; including, advice on the application of rules and regulations, labor contract provisions, labor relations statutes, policy and procedures, and past practice.

• Researches emerging HR topics, collects data, understands employee needs, and prepares recommendations for county action. Prepares documents, presents programs and plans, and implements policy and procedure. Actively maintains relationships with a variety of internal and external stakeholders in the performance of the essential duties.

• Identifies and implements effective business processes for efficient delivery and support of department services. Evolves HR systems and processes with best practices to remain competitive as an employer. 

• Manages concerns and complaints. Mediates conflict between supervisors and employees, or between employees, to assist in resolving difficult issues that may be adversely impacting the work environment and job performance; directs and guides HR Business Partners in their work on these matters. 

• Develops and manages the annual department budget; oversees and authorizes expenses. Assures use of total rewards philosophy when making workforce investments

• Must work the days and hours necessary to perform all assigned responsibilities and tasks. Must be available (especially during regular business hours or shifts) to communicate with other employees, supervisors, customers, contracted professionals, and any other person or organization with whom interaction is required to accomplish work and employer goals.  

• Performs other related duties as required or assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Equivalency of a bachelor's degree

Eight years of progressively responsible leadership, supervisory, and administrative experience in human resources management; including at least 2 years of experience managing HR programs or staff.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Explicit experience in public sector human resources and labor relations programs development and design.

Supervisory experience over HR professionals.

Must possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills and have solid knowledge in policy/program development and human resource law.
Possess a valid driver's license and a reliable means of transportation for the performance of work responsibilities.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

The incumbent is under broad policy guidance and direction from the Deputy County Administrator/Chief Financial Officer, the County Administrator, and the County Board. Broad discretion is used in decision making to operate division within statutory provisions and administrative requirements.

The incumbent directs and oversees the work of others; including, program/service planning and delivery, personnel selection, evaluation of work performance, training, and disciplinary activities. Performs supervisory duties as defined in MN Statute 179A.03 Subd. 17.

The incumbent promotes employee professional development and provides coaching and mentoring to others.

CORE COMPETENCIES AND ABILITIES

Customer Service - Delivers government services in a respectful, responsive, and solution-oriented manner.

Communication - Is always clear about what we're doing and why we're doing it.

Collaboration - Works with partners – communities, schools, faith groups, private business, and non-profit agencies – to see that services are not duplicated but rather are complimentary, aligned, and provided by the partners who can deliver the service most effectively.

Stewardship - Works proactively to make investments, guided by resident input, which will transform lives, communities, and government.

Empowerment - Works with individuals and families to affirm strengths, develop skills, restore hope, and promote self-reliance.

Resiliency - Fosters public preparedness and responds when families and communities face health and safety emergencies.

Innovation - Takes informed risks to deliver services more effectively and learns from successes and failures.

Knowledge – Knowledge of laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations affecting county human resource management.

Knowledge of labor relations laws and practices as they exist and apply to public sector human resources in Minnesota. 

Knowledge of the best practices, methods, and techniques for effective public personnel administration.

Knowledge of local government organizational systems and structures.

Knowledge of sound labor relations practices, techniques, negotiating strategies, and methods.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration.

Knowledge of principles and practices of risk control and analysis related to employment law. 

Knowledge of methods and procedures of processing personnel transactions and maintaining personnel records. 

Knowledge of county policies, procedures, and labor contracts.

Abilities – Ability to demonstrate interpersonal skills in building and sustaining coalitions with employee groups, union representatives, elected and public officials, and public and private agencies.

Ability to exercise leadership in the development and administration of county policies, procedures, rules, contracts, program, and procedures.

Ability to develop employee programs to meet needs and goals as defined by the County Board.

Ability to analyze facts and exercise sound judgment in arriving at conclusions.

Ability to research information, conduct studies, prepare statistical data, and present findings.

Ability to plan, organize, supervise, and direct the work of others.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, county officials, and the public.

Ability to inspire and influence others to take action as intended. 

Ability to speak, present, and interact in public arenas with composure, professionalism, and discretion.

Ability to use MS Office software for the performance of essential duties.

Ability to use appropriate discretion in dealing with matters of a confidential nature.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Typical characteristics of the regular, ongoing work environment of this position requires inside work, typically in an office setting. The position is multi-task oriented and includes periods of stress when balancing multiple and varied needs/demands of services.

Physical activities include sedentary to light work: Reaching, sitting, standing, walking, pushing, lifting, pulling, fingering, grasping, feeling, stooping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions. Lifts and/or navigates up to 35 pounds on a routine basis in handling files and equipment necessary for performing the essential duties of the job.

SELECTION PROCESS

Selection for this position will be based on a minimum qualifications screening and rating of training and experience. Top candidates will be forwarded to hiring manager or supervisor for consideration for interview and/or additional assessments. Final selection will include a background check and approval by the County Board.