Join our City of Oak Harbor team to help build a legacy of commitment to excellence in diversity, equity, and inclusion in our vibrant waterfront community.

Description

The Human Resources (HR) Director is a working manager position and is responsible for the overall direction, leadership, management, supervision, and administration of the HR Department. Advise the Mayor, City Council, and Department Directors. Participate as a member of the Management Team during negotiations and administration of labor contracts. Investigate grievances and grounds for discipline. Provide expertise on compensation and benefits administration, safety and health, recruitment and employment, and employee training and development. Advise and assist staff with federal, state, and local law compliance and HR policies and procedures. Foster a positive work environment, healthy organizational culture and cultivate effective working relationships.

Essential Job Functions

Work activities involve multiple skills and may include, but are not limited to, any of the following depending on area of assignment, business needs, emergency services, special projects, and seasonal factors:

Participate as a member of the City’s Leadership Team, providing strategic input on decisions with significant organization-wide impact. Recommend, develop, and implement proposals for new/revised programs. Consult with legal counsel to ensure policies and programs comply with federal/state law.
Attend City Council meetings and workshops. Provide ongoing communications regarding HR matters, and serve as a resource to the Mayor, Council, and Department Directors.
Review federal, state, and local legislation to determine impact on personnel issues, policies, and strategies. Keep management informed of personnel requirements as applicable.
Direct and supervise HR staff; develop and evaluate performance. Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships and teamwork with the executive team, department heads, supervisors, employees, public officials, business representatives and the public using good judgment, tact, and courtesy.
In collaboration with City management, investigate and evaluate human relations and work-related problems to determine effective remediation techniques and recommend employee disciplinary actions consistent with City policies, procedures, and collective bargaining agreements.
Investigate discrimination complaints. Prepare the City’s response to complaints filed with external agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Serve as contract administrator for the City’s collective bargaining agreements; participate as a member of the Management Team. Assist in maintaining satisfactory labor-management relations, interpret collective bargaining agreements, ensure consistency in enforcement, administer grievance procedures and assist/advise/research all operational levels on labor relations activities/matters.
Lead the development and implementation of strategic citywide succession and workforce planning initiatives.
Administer the City’s recruiting and employment processes. Provide leadership, direction, and support to City departments to attract, retain and develop quality employees in compliance with federal, state, and local laws and City codes, regulations and policies.
Monitor the administration of the benefits programs. Manage Labor and Industries Workers’ Compensation program. Maintain Workers’ Compensation records/claims including return-to-work programs and efforts. Prepare necessary reports including the annual Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Report. Advise City departments of claim status as needed. Serve as the Retrospective Rating Program liaison.
Administer Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and advise staff on leave laws.
Provide guidance in Safety and Risk Management.
Monitor the timely completion of performance reviews for all City departments. Review evaluations for consistency and effectiveness. Make recommendations for change/review. Assist managers and supervisors with reviews, if needed.
Oversee citywide training and staff development. Foster educational opportunities and identify training needs. Develop and conduct training programs and/or contract with outside providers for programs.
Maintain confidential personnel and medical files. Establish, create, and maintain department records, forms, and reports.
Develop human resources budget. Monitor and control HR expenditures in accordance with City budget policies.
Serve as a member of the Safety Committee, Employee Advisory Committee and other groups or committees. May serve as Secretary/Examiner to the Civil Service Commission.

Associated Functions:

Attend various workshops, continuing education meetings, seminars, and conferences.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibility:

HR staff.

Performance Requirements (Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities)

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Knowledge Of

Public sector HR management functions, including benefits administration, workers’ compensation, return to work/light duty, safety, general liability, etc., including a knowledge of local, state and federal legislation, regulations and court decisions impacting personnel activities.
Job analysis relative to classification, compensation and organizational review.
Employee relations and labor negotiations.
Industrial safety and workers’ compensation administration.
Civil Service laws. Interpret and apply Civil Service Rules and Regulations.
Principles and practices of Risk Management.

Skill In

Project management, time management and leadership.
Writing, English, spelling, grammar, vocabulary, and punctuation.
Maintaining effective and persuasive communication, both in person and in writing, with diverse audiences, including sometimes stressful situations. Recognize and respond to nonverbal communication (body language and eye contact).
Developing, updating, implementing, interpreting, and monitoring HR functions in a nondiscriminatory manner to reflect changes in economic, management and legislative programs.
Using a personal computer and a broad variety of associated software and other standard office equipment.

Ability To

Compose complex documents and the ability to research, organize and compile data into meaningful reports. Prepare oral and written presentations and reports outlining findings and recommendations for policies, procedures, etc.
Provide facilitation skills in sensitive, emotional and/or hostile situations. Be approachable and nonjudgmental when discussing employee concerns.
Quickly gain and maintain knowledge through journals, seminars, and professional association membership.
Quickly acquire a thorough knowledge of Mayor, Council and department working relationships as well as the City’s administrative procedures, mission and vision and to present policy and technical information to senior management and Council.
Represent the City’s HR programs and assist in negotiations with a variety of people with differing interests.
Effectively manage and supervise the work activities of staff in a manner conducive to proficient performance and high morale.
Establish, implement, and enforce safeguards regarding confidentiality and privacy of sensitive information.
Develop HR programs and policies based on new requirements.
Learn and readily apply new specialized data systems.
Conduct labor relations activities/research.
Quickly acquire a thorough knowledge of Mayor, Council and department working relationships as well as the City’s administrative procedures, mission and vision and to present policy and technical information to senior management and council.
Represent the City’s HR programs and assist in negotiations with a variety of people with differing interests.
Effectively manage and supervise the work activities of staff in a manner conducive to proficient performance and high morale.
Establish, implement, and enforce safeguards regarding confidentiality and privacy of sensitive information.
Develop HR programs and policies based on new requirements.
Learn and readily apply new specialized data systems.
Conduct labor relations activities/research.

Qualifications & Requirements

An equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential job functions may be considered.

Bachelor’s degree in HR, industrial and labor relations, psychology, business, or public administration, organizational development, or closely related field.
Eight (8) years of professional HR experience
Five (5) years of senior management-level experience in a local government or other public sector agency.
Experience working in a labor union environment, including negotiations and contract administration in a public sector environment.
Experience developing and managing progressive programs in all areas of HR in a public sector environment.
Experience with employee medical benefit plan design and administration.
Valid state driver's license and ability to provide a driver’s abstract showing a good driving record.
Complete a comprehensive criminal background screening prior to hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

Master’s degree in a related field.
Certified Professional in Human Resources.

Working Environment & Physical Demands

The physical demands and characteristics of the work environment described here are representative of those occurring in the performance of the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.

Work is performed in an office, Council, or meeting room environment with frequent interruptions. Work requires reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting, the ability to communicate information and ideas so others understand, ability to observe details at a close range, ability to operate a personal computer, telephone and other equipment, as well as the ability to remain stationary for extended periods of time and access all areas of the facility including stairs. Attendance at weekend and evening meetings is sometimes required, with travel required to other City locations or out-of-town meetings and conferences.

Safety Statement

We expect employees to ensure compliance with all applicable safety practices and policies, including those established by OSHA/Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) regulations and the City’s Accident Prevention Program (APP). This includes, but is not limited to, actively identifying, and correcting potential hazards that may affect employee and public safety, including those identified by co-workers. Leading by example to promote a positive culture of workplace safety through everyday action, emphasizing safe completion of work throughout all aspects of developing and carrying out work plans.

The City of Oak Harbor is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment regardless of age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability or any other status protected by law.

The City of Oak Harbor offers a generous benefit package to our employees that include:

Vacation and Sick Leave Accrual

Sick leave accrual is 8 hours per month.

Full-time employees receive vacation accrual on the following schedule.

Years of Service Vacation Accrual Rate

0 to 5 years - 8 hours/month
6 to 10 years - 10 hours/month
11 to 15 years - 13.33 hours/month
16 to 20 years - 15 hours/month
21 plus years - 16.66 hours/ month

The vacation accrual rate for a part-time employee shall be pro-rated as a percentage of the full-time rate.

Holiday Pay

The City provides eleven (11) paid holidays per year plus two (2) floating holiday of your choice (total of thirteen (13) days).

Medical Insurance

A choice from three options is provided through the Association of Washington Cities (AWC).

Kaiser $200 Deductible Health Plan,
Regence High Deductible Health Plan (with a City funded HSA)
Regence HealthFirst 250 Health Plan.

The City pays 100% of the premium for a full time, regular employee (32 hours or more) and 90% of the premium for spouse and dependent children.

Part time employees who work 20 hours or more per week are eligible for full benefits but must pay for spouse and dependents coverage.

Vision Insurance

Vision Service Plan -The City provides a paid family vision plan which covers a yearly exam per person and a portion of vision hardware (frames, lenses and contacts) depending upon the use of accepted network providers.

Dental Insurance

Washington Dental Service/DELTA is preventive, incentive-based dental coverage provided through Association of Washington Cities, and pays as follows: 70-100% preventive, 70-100% basic, and 50% major dental to a maximum of $2000/person/year. Included is an orthodontic rider for children of 50% orthodontic expenses to a maximum of $1000 per child/lifetime. The City pays 100% of the premium for a fulltime, regular employee and 90% of the premium for spouse and dependent children.

Part time employees who work 20 hours or more per week are eligible for full benefits but must pay for spouse and dependents coverage.

Washington State Retirement Programs

Required pension plan for all City employees.

PERS (Public Employee Retirement System) plans 2 or 3 is for all general City employees.

LEOFF (Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters) plan 2 is for safety service employees.

PSERS plan 2 is for Public Safety Service Officers (Corrections Officers).

Employee contribution rates (% of gross income) vary for the plans. The City makes a contribution as well.

Basic Life Insurance & Long Term Disability

The City pays for a $50,000 basic group life insurance policy as well as a long term disability policy for employee only through Standard Insurance Company.

Wellness Program

The City of Oak Harbor is committed to promoting employee health and wellness, and offers a Wellness Program with fun and varied activities where regular employees can earn points to qualify for a wellness day off.

Employee Assistance Program

Free, professional and confidential counseling is available through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) via ComPsych. EAP is available to the employee and their immediate family, including their dependent children and anyone living in their household. Guidance counselors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to arrange an appointment with a qualified counselor in your area. Visit the EAP page for more information.

Other Benefit Options Include The Following

Voluntary Group Life Insurance- in addition to our life insurance policy this is a self-paid option.
Deferred Compensation Plan – Mass Mutual or Wash State DCP- in addition to our city offered pension plan, this is a self-paid option.
Colonial Life & Disability – This is a self-paid individual and/or family coverage for Cancer Care, Short Term Disability, Life, Accident, Critical Illness and more
Flexible Spending Account (FSA)- Pre-Tax deductions (IRS 125 Flexible Spending Account) for unreimbursed medical expenses and/or dependent day care
Health Savings Account (HSA)- Funded by the City, $3,500 individual, $7,000 family per year. Must be on the Regence High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP)

01

Do you hold a bachelor's degree in Human Resources or a closely related field?

02

Do you have at least eight (8) years of professional experience in Human Resources?

03

Do you have five (5) years of senior management-level experience in a local government or other public sector agency?

04

Do you have experience in any of the following?

Working in a labor union environment, including negotiations and contract administration in a public sector environment
Developing and managing progressive programs in all areas of HR in a public sector environment
Employee medical benefit plan design and administration

05

Do you have a valid state driver's license and ability to provide a driver’s abstract showing a good driving record?

06

Are you willing to submit to and complete a comprehensive criminal background screening prior to hire?

07

Do you have either of the following?

Masters degree in HR or a related field
Certified Professional certificate in HR
Required Question

Oak Harbor Financial Inc

Latest Jobs

Human Resources Director