Director of Human Resources

Foothills-Animal-Shelter; Golden (CO); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time off

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) with employer match

Job summary

Foothills Animal Shelter is seeking a Director of Human Resources to lead the full HR function, shaping strategy and handling day-to-day operations in a nonprofit shelter environment. You will partner with the Executive Director and leadership team to manage payroll, benefits, onboarding, and employee relations.

You will coach managers, ensure compliance with federal and state laws, and maintain strong HR programs while recognizing staff contributions and fostering a positive culture.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, business administration, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• At least three years HR generalist experience including benefits, payroll, and employee relations.
• PHR/SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP or equivalent certification required.
• Experience with Paycom or similar HCM system preferred.
• Nonprofit/public sector or government experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead the shelter's full HR function including recruiting, onboarding, payroll, benefits, safety, and compliance.
• Advise the Executive Director and leadership on employment matters and organizational risk.
• Coach supervisors and managers in employee relations and performance management.
• Maintain and strengthen HR programs, including hiring, onboarding, safety, and benefits administration.
• Oversee annual benefits renewal and open enrollment with our broker.
• Supervise the Volunteer Program Manager for ~300 volunteers.
• Ensure Paycom is used and HR records comply with laws.

Skills

Employee relations

Payroll processing

Benefits administration

Communication

Confidentiality

HR policies

Coaching managers

Paycom

Data analysis

Employment law

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR or related field

PHR/SPHR/SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP certification

Tools

Paycom

HCM systems

Job description

Foothills Animal Shelter seeks a Director of Human Resources who believes great HR happens both at the leadership table and in the everyday details. This role brings together strategy, sound judgment, and a genuine commitment to people to foster a workplace where employees are treated fairly, supported in their work, and recognized for their contributions.Who We AreAs an open admissions shelter, we are committed to being here for families and their pets in Jefferson County, Colorado. We identify as a socially conscious shelter, caring for over 9,000 dogs, cats, and small animals every year with a compassionate team of staff and volunteers who are committed to the physical and emotional wellbeing of every pet we serve.What You BringYou move easily between the big picture and the details. You’re as comfortable shaping long-range plans with the leadership team as you are answering a payroll question or processing a benefits change, and you can shift between the two several times a day without losing track of either.You exercise sound judgment. You handle performance concerns, employee relations matters, and ADA accommodation requests with care and consistency. You know when to act, when to gather more information, and when to bring in counsel.You enjoy helping others become stronger leaders. You're a patient, practical coach who helps managers navigate employee concerns, deliver constructive feedback, and approach performance management with professionalism and consistency.You are generous with recognition and appreciation. You naturally notice people's contributions, enjoy celebrating their successes, and find thoughtful ways to help employees feel valued and connected to their work.You build trust. Employees at every level see you as fair, approachable, and discreet, even when the answer isn’t the one they hoped for.You own the whole picture. You're organized, self-directed, and comfortable as a department of one, maintaining strong HR programs and practices while identifying opportunities to make them even better.You believe in our mission. You're excited to help build a community where pets and people can thrive together.What You’ll DoLead the Shelter’s full human resources function, including recruiting, onboarding, employee relations, compensation, payroll, benefits, safety, and compliance.Serve as the primary advisor to the Executive Director and leadership team on employment matters and organizational risk.Coach and support supervisors and managers in employee relations, performance management, communication, and effective people leadership.Maintain and strengthen established HR programs, including hiring, onboarding, employee safety, and benefits administration.Manage the annual benefits renewal and open enrollment in partnership with our broker.Champion employee appreciation and engagement, helping the organization recognize contributions, celebrate successes, and foster a positive workplace culture that keeps staff connected and valued.Supervise the Volunteer Program Manager, who leads our team of approximately 300 volunteers.Administer Paycom HCM and keep HR policies, practices, and records current with federal, Colorado, and public employer requirements.What We OfferLet’s start with the obvious: we offer truly meaningful work that positively impacts the lives of thousands of animals each year.You will work with a team of animal welfare professionals who work hard, care deeply, and are 100% dedicated to the well-being of our shelter animals.We strive for a healthy work-life balance, and we offer generous time off including six paid holidays, additional floating holidays (awarded annually on your employment anniversary), three weeks of accrued vacation (increasing with tenure), and paid sick leave.We offer a full spectrum of employee benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, health savings accounts, flexible spending accounts, and a retirement plan with up to 4% employer match and immediate vesting. Currently, two of our medical plans and our dental and vision plans are offered at no cost for employee-only coverage.The salary range for this position is $80,000 - $100,000 annually, commensurate with experience.Foothills Animal Shelter is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer.Schedule40 hours per week, with flexibility to respond to urgent employee matters as needed. This position is hybrid, with a minimum of three days per week onsite and up to two days remote.For a full list of duties and qualifications, see the complete job description.REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCEQualified candidates will have a bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field, or equivalent experience, and at least three years of progressively responsible human resources generalist experience, including benefits administration, payroll, and employee relations. Qualified candidates must hold a current PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP certification.The following additional qualifications are preferred:Experience as a sole or lead human resources practitionerHuman resources experience with a local government, public sector employer, or nonprofit organizationExperience administering Paycom or a comparable human capital management systemExperience in animal welfare or veterinary industryREQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIESThorough working knowledge of federal and Colorado employment law and the ability to apply it to day-to-day decisionsSound judgment and the ability to make independent decisions on complex and sensitive employment mattersAbility to communicate clearly and effectively, orally and in writing, with employees, supervisors, leadership, and outside partnersAbility to maintain the highest levels of confidentiality when dealing with personnel information and sensitive situationsStrong organizational skills and the ability to manage competing deadlines across payroll, benefits, and compliance calendarsData management, analysis, and reporting experienceAdvanced proficiency with HCM and payroll systems; computer proficiency in Microsoft Office including word processing, spreadsheets, meeting software, and emailFear Free Shelter certified or ability to become Fear Free Shelter certified within 60 days of employment.Must be able to manage the emotional aspect of end-of-life services and humane euthanasia, and support employees in high-emotion circumstances.WORKING CONDITIONSPrimarily office-based work in an animal shelter environment.Noise, odors, chemical fumes, animal hair/dander are encountered due to equipment and animals.Exposure to common allergens including animal dander, feathers, hay/straw, latex, peanut butter, dairy products, and other food items used for animal enrichmentExposure to zoonotic diseases and infectious agents through contact with animals and their bodily fluids (urine, feces, vomit, blood, saliva)Exposure to cleaning chemicals, disinfectants, and sanitizing agents used in animal care and facility maintenanceSubject to animal bites and scratches.Must maintain flexibility in work schedule to respond to urgent employee matters, investigations, or emergencies as needed.EQUIPMENT USEDBasic office equipment: telephone, computer, projector, printer, copierCloud-based human capital management, payroll, and data management softwareVehicle use (company provided and personal)