Director of Human Resources

Columbia Gorge Community College; The Dalles (OR); On-site; USD 83,000 - 97,000; Full time

Job summary

Columbia Gorge Community College in The Dalles, Oregon seeks an experienced HR leader to oversee payroll, staffing, compensation analysis, benefits, performance management, and leave administration. The role ensures policy interpretation and compliance with local, state, and federal employment laws while supporting equal opportunity initiatives.

Open until filled; starting salary ranges will reflect qualifications and internal equity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• SHRM-SCP; SPHR or IPMA-Certificate preferred; computer literate.
• Proficient with Windows, Office, and Internet.

Responsibilities

• Achieve financial objectives by managing budget expenditures for the President's Office, Insurance, legal, Audit and Human Resources.
• Provide direction, consultation, and training on wage laws, civil rights, OSHA and other HR policies.
• Oversee labor relations including negotiations and collective bargaining.
• Research, interpret, revise, and create workplace HR policies for compliance.
• Prepare job descriptions and oversee hires, terminations, and background checks.
• Administer leaves of absence and track compliance with documentation.
• Oversee payroll processing and staff performance evaluations.

Skills

Leadership

Team building

Communication

HR knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree

SHRM-SCP; SPHR or IPMA-Certificate

Tools

Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Office

Internet

Job description

Description

We offer an opportunity for…

Position serves to provide Human Resource expertise to CGCC in meeting business best practices and employee relations objectives. Oversees payroll, staffing retention and recruitment, compensation analysis and benefits, performance management, workplace safety compliance, employee leave administration, professional development and training, policy interpretation, volunteer processes, and other employee issues with respect to policies and with local, state and federal employment laws. This position also provides support in providing equal employment and volunteer opportunities.

Who we are…

Columbia Gorge Community College (CGCC) is a comprehensive community college dedicated to promoting an academic and social environment that serves the evolving needs of the vibrant and diverse communities across its district and beyond. The College aims to foster an inclusive and equitable climate where employees and students from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. We understand these values are foundational to our mission and are critical to ensure the well-being of the communities in our service area. As a college CGCC commits to being accountable to communities who have been historically excluded from higher education, and to the land in the area it serves. Candidates from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Mission:

CGCC prioritizes equitable access to education, empowers all students through learning, and drives inclusive prosperity throughout our community.

Vision:

As an institution of higher education, CGCC innovates and excels, champions equity and inclusion, and nurtures belonging among our students, employees, and the community.

Priorities:

• Ensuring equitable access to education
• Advancing equitable student learning and educational outcomes
• Fostering economic growth, inclusive prosperity, and a thriving community

Guiding Principles

Open Communication, Respect, Integrity, Collaboration, and Equity and Inclusion.

Where we are…

Columbia Gorge Community College serves a diverse region in north-central Oregon and south-central Washington. CGCC acknowledges we are on the homelands of the Confederated Tribe of the Yakama Nation and neighboring tribes as well as the 14 bands along the Inchi Iwanja (Columbia River). Our main campus is within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area in The Dalles, Oregon. We also have a beautiful site in the city of Hood River.

What the area offers…

Nestled in the breathtaking beauty of the Columbia River Gorge, our College offers more than just a job; it offers a unique lifestyle. Imagine waking up to stunning mountain views, enjoying outdoor adventures in your backyard, and being part of a tight-knit community dedicated to educational equity and innovation.

As a center of Native American trade for over 10,000 years and situated near the end of the Oregon Trail, the Columbia Gorge has a rich history. Much of the area is connected to agriculture, with large acreages of wheat fields, cherry, pear, and apple orchards. There are also dozens of world-class vineyards, wineries, and breweries that, together with outdoor recreation, have created a strong hospitality and tourism industry.

Organizations like Comunidades, The Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, Washington Gorge Action Programs, and The Next Door are representative of the groups that span the Gorge area to provide community resources and leadership. Manufacturing, technology, and IT companies are expanding rapidly in the area, which is home to companies such as Insitu, Tofurky, Cardinal Glass, Sagetech, HoodTech, and Google. Portland is roughly an hour away, with its various urban attractions and access to international travel.

What you will do…

1. Achieving financial objectives by preparing, presenting and managing budget expenditures for the President's Office, Insurance, legal, Audit and Human Resources.
2. Provide direction, consultation, training and dissemination of human resources-related information to management, staff, Board and Union. This information includes wage and hour laws, civil rights laws, worker's compensation, Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), American's with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Oregon Family Leave Act (OFLA), Family Leave Act (FLA) of Washington, other applicable leave laws, as well as internal human resources policies and procedures.
3. Provide oversight of labor relations including negotiations and administering the collective bargaining
4. Research, interpret, revise and create workplace policies and procedures related to HR practices. Maintain current knowledge of latest employment law decisions and performance standards to meet compliance. Attend training as needed to ensure knowledge base.
5. Prepare job descriptions to meet organizational recruitment, ADA and salary administration needs.
6. Provide oversight for all hires, terminations, call-backs and transfers of employees. Ensure policies and procedures are followed for initial screening, interviewing, reference checking, criminal background checks, I-9 completion, job offers, and informing those candidates not chosen.
7. Administer leaves of absence (i.e. unpaid, family medical, worker's compensation, FCA, OFLA, deployment, military, etc.), tracking time and compliance with necessary documentation.
8. Oversee employee relations and grievance issues through providing guidance on consistent application of policies and/or decisions. Facilitate discipline and termination procedures when necessary.
9. Supervise recruitment efforts as central conduit for hiring process. Oversee recruitment, selection, assignment, and record-keeping for parent and community volunteers.
10. Manage requests to wage changes, position level and new positions added. Ensure compliance with FLSA, Bargaining Agreement and internal practices.
11. Respond to staff complaints, following conflict resolution and/or grievance procedures and other internal guidelines. Perform necessary investigations and documentation when warranted. Provide training or present information to staff on a wide variety of HR and management issues.
12. Ensure staff performance evaluations are completed on time; report to President as needed for follow-up.
13. Oversee, approve and monitor payroll processing.
14. Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies.
15. Accomplishes other tasks as may be required and assigned by the President of the College.

Requirements

What you bring….

• Post Secondary: A Bachelor’s degree required. Degree must be from an accredited institution.
• Job Specific Training: SHRM-SCP; SPHR or IPMA-Certificate preferred. Computer literate and comfortable with Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office applications, and the Internet

Minimum Requirements….

• Job Related Experience: 7 years of demonstrated executive level work in one or more functional areas such as human resources and/or, labor relations.
• As a key element of this position, the employee must possess leadership and management skills as well as the ability to know when to utilize them. Team building and team membership skills. The employee must also be able to work effectively with a wide variety of college, community and governmental agencies as a team player.

Position information

Studies have shown that women and people of color may be less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every one of the qualifications listed. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job.

Open until filled. An initial review of applications begins August 27, 2026.

Starting salary is between $82,645-$97,206 and is based on qualifications, experience, and internal equity.