HR Manager - Fire Department

City of Bend, OR; Bend (OR); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Bend, OR is seeking a Department HR Manager to lead human resources for Bend Fire & Rescue. This exempt, non-represented role oversees HR functions, recruitment, employee relations, policy compliance, and equity initiatives within the Fire Department and collaborates with the City HR team.

Ideal candidate has strong public sector HR knowledge, leadership experience, and the ability to navigate labor relations, performance management, and training across a safety-focused department.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, Organizational Leadership, or other related field.
• 4 years’ of progressively responsible human resources experience in a similar position and/or performing similar tasks.
• 1 year of managerial experience; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience

Responsibilities

• Develop strong, trusting relationships with chiefs, supervisors, and employees within the Fire Department
• Directly supervise a small team of scheduling and HR logistics staff
• Implement equity-focused practices throughout all assigned HR functions
• Develop recruitment plans and processes to ensure fair and equitable hiring practices
• Partner with command staff to analyze departmental staffing needs and develop creative strategies to fill needs with existing or new resources
• Guides managers through expectation setting and performance improvement efforts
• Investigates complaints of policy violations, conduct, harassment, and discrimination
• Coordinates the employee disciplinary process including advising managers, working with labor associations, and providing information to employees
• Assists employees and managers with protected leaves and the ADA accommodation process
• Manages tasks related to onboarding, HRIS entry, timekeeping, and record keeping
• Collaborates with the HR Department on training, development, labor relations, citywide policy and processes, benefits, classification, compensation, and systems

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Confidentiality

Time management

Analytical thinking

Interpersonal skills

Presentation skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR/related field

Tools

MS Office

HRIS

Payroll systems

Job description

The City of Bend is accepting applications for one (1), full-time Department HR Manager to support the City of Bend’s Fire Department. This is a FLSA Exempt (overtime in-eligible), non-represented position. The City may use this job posting to create an eligibility list for future hiring purposes. Please review the entire job posting, including the application requirements at the end.

The Fire Department HR Manager provides full-service HR functions within Bend Fire & Rescue. The position serves as the department-level lead for human resources functions, including employee and labor relations, performance management, strategic planning and recruitment within the Fire Department at the City of Bend. They are responsible for performing a variety of administrative personnel functions that keep Bend Fire & Rescue in compliance and coordination with the Human Resources Department. The hybrid nature of Bend’s human resources service delivery seeks to maximize employee engagement and workforce management at the operational department level while ensuring systemwide incorporation of human resources best practices, compliance, program efficiencies, equity, cost containment, and consistent application of policies, processes, and practices Citywide.

If you enjoy solving challenges, supporting employees, contributing to an outstanding workplace, and working with public safety professionals, this could be the perfect opportunity. You’ll play a key role in supporting a dedicated team that serves our community every day!

Classification Framework

Department HR Manager

The following duties are a sample of major duties performed in the role and not intended to be an exhaustive list.

• Develop strong, trusting relationships with chiefs, supervisors, and employees within the Fire Department
• Directly supervise a small team of scheduling and HR logistics staff
• Implement equity-focused practices throughout all assigned HR functions
• Develop recruitment plans and processes to ensure fair and equitable hiring practices
• Partner with command staff to analyze departmental staffing needs and develop creative strategies to fill needs with existing or new resources
• Guides managers through expectation setting and performance improvement efforts
• Investigates complaints of policy violations, conduct, harassment, and discrimination
• Coordinates the employee disciplinary process including advising managers, working with labor associations, and providing information to employees
• Assists employees and managers with protected leaves and the ADA accommodation process
• Manages a variety of tasks related to new employee onboarding, HRIS entry, timekeeping, and record keeping
• Collaborates with the HR Department on work related to training, development, labor relations, Citywide policy and processes, benefits, classification, compensation, and systems

Highly qualified candidates will be an experienced HR professional with strong collaboration, problem solving, and relationship skills. We are looking for an innovative thinker who recommends creative solutions to solve people problems, while understanding the organization-wide impact of department-level decisions. A solid grasp of local government and first responder norms and equity principles will help accelerate performance objectives.

Working Knowledge

• Laws related to the public sector and human resources in the State of Oregon, including City, Federal policies, rules, regulations, codes, and ordinances, as well as internal policies and procedures
• Human resources practices and procedures
• Principles of equity and inclusion
• Hiring practices including recruitment processes and interviewing techniques
• Investigatory and report-writing practices
• Practices and principles of performance management and performance improvement
• Techniques for documenting behavior and disciplinary actions

Skills in

• Ability to work independently with minimal direction, while also working as part of a team and collaborating with others
• Manage a high volume of tasks at one time, including organizing and prioritizing own work and the work of others
• Communication, interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisors, the public and other stakeholders sufficient to exchange or convey information to provide and receive work direction
• Demonstrate a high attention to detail
• Effectively communicate with others verbally and in writing, including by phone, e‑mail, or in person
• Ability to analyze, interpret, and communicate human resources information, develop recommendations and alternatives
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality in all human resources matters
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with individuals and groups, be an effective collaborator in a team-centered environment and work effectively under general direction
• Ability to exercise keen time management skills, balance multiple priorities, and consistently meet timelines and due dates
• Skill in oral presentation and written communications and ability to utilize broad technology applications in documents processing, spreadsheets, data bases, power point presentations and publishing software applications.

• Ability to use software programs such as Microsoft Office including Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint and other interactive computer programs as well as operating common office equipment.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, Organizational Leadership, or other related field of study
• 4 years’ of progressively responsible human resources experience in a similar position and/or performing similar tasks; AND
• 1 year of managerial experience; OR
• An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job

Certification & Licensing Requirements

• Current and valid Driver's license per City policies outlined in the Employee Handbook

Desired (but not required) Attributes

• PHR/SPHR, SHRM CP/SCPE Certification, or other HR Professional Certification
• Progressively responsible experience supporting human resources functions in a public safety, unionized environment that supports 24‑hour operations, including personnel administration, labor relations, payroll coordination, and work involving leave administration, recruitment, investigations, and employee relations.
• Experience administering HRIS, payroll, timekeeping management systems
• Experience working for a public agency

Working Conditions

• Work is primarily performed in a professional office environment, with regular use of computers and other standard office equipment
• Work generally involves extended periods of sitting, standing and working at a computer station
• Work may occasionally require travel between City facilities or other locations

Application Deadline

Applications must be received by 8/25/2026, 12:00 PM (noon) Pacific Time to be included in an initial review and considerations for interview; however, the position will remain open until filled.

Equity Statement

The City of Bend remains committed to building a workforce that advances diversity and inclusion within our community and all we do. We recognize that not everyone starts from the same place, and that gender, race, ability, sexual orientation, and other identities face different barriers. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are dedicated to creating an inclusive, safe, and respectful workplace where employees can thrive without these barriers. A more extended version of the City of Bend’s Organizational Equity Statement is available upon request.

Benefits

The City of Bend offers an excellent competitive benefits package for Employees and Dependents for health and dental coverage, retirement benefits, and a robust paid leave program. Details are available on the benefits tab of the job posting.

Starting Compensation

Starting compensation is determined based on a pay equity analysis considering the candidate’s education, applicable work experience, and internal equity. Please include all relevant information on your application.