HR Operations Supervisor (10109461)

New Mexico State Personnel Office; Santa Fe (NM); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work options

Teleworking options

Wellness leave

Job summary

The Law Offices of the Public Defender (LOPD) in Santa Fe, NM is seeking an HR Operations Supervisor to provide strategic leadership and oversee HR staff. The role focuses on employee relations, union matters, policy implementation, and driving engagement while supporting flexible work arrangements.

Ideal candidates will have a related degree and HR management experience, strong communication skills, and the ability to navigate complex personnel issues within a public defender environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and two years of direct related HR senior-level or supervisory experience.
• Experience in employee and union relations, conflict resolution, and HR policy implementation.
• Ability to work with cross-functional teams and manage HR staff.

Responsibilities

• Guide day-to-day activities of subordinate HR team members; approve transactions and write evaluations.
• Maintain HR SOPs and ensure recruitment, onboarding, and payroll processes.
• Provide guidance to managers on employee relations and train staff.
• Coordinate HR staff training for new hires and SOPs.
• Assist Deputy/Director and act as liaison for HR leadership.
• Investigate complaints and handle confidential information.
• Ensure compliance with employment laws and organizational policies.
• Support union and internal investigations as needed.

Skills

Leadership

Employee relations

HR policy implementation

Conflict resolution

Training & development

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Job description

The objective summary of this job classification is to provided strategic leadership and supervision of subordinate HR staff. Focuses on employee and union relations, conflict resolution, implementing HR policies and procedures, and improving employee engagement.

Our respected leaders of the Human Resources department are Ronald Herrera, Director of Human Resources and Zachary Olivas, Deputy Director of Human Resources. Our HR team consists of people from different types of backgrounds who genuinely believe in being an excellent resource to all staff and management within our agency - treating each other respectfully and displaying common courtesies is of the utmost importance. Cassandra, Kortney, Cristina, Richard, Michelle, Victoria and Ashley are the trusted team members who make this a great place to work.

We also offer flexible work opportunities, including teleworking (a.k.a. working from home) and work schedules outside the typical 8 am to 5 pm schedule. Your health and wellness are essential, and we'd be happy to discuss alternative working arrangements. Please note, LOPD supervisors and managers are expected to report to their assigned office a minimum of 3 days per week.

For more information about working & living Santa Fe, click here.

The hourly rate of pay for an HR Operations Supervisor typically ranges from $38.38-$57.77/hourly

The Law Offices of the Public Defender offers a competitive benefits package that includes, LOPD paying 80% of benefit premium costs, PERA retirement with employer contributions effective your first day, sick and annual leave accruals, 11 paid holidays, paid Bereavement Leave, paid Administrative Leave awarded by the Chief, flexible schedules and so much more!

Employees who complete their probationary period are eligible for two hours of paid Wellness Leave every week and 12 weeks of Paid Parental Leave.

Supervision and Administrative Oversight

• Responsible for guiding the day-to-day activities of subordinate HR team members to ensure operations are running smoothly. Approves HR transactions, recommends corrective disciplinary actions, writes performance evaluations and internal HR procedures.
• This classification will ensure all HR SOP’s are maintained and updated to ensure a smooth and efficient training processing of transactions including but not limited to the recruitment, onboarding, and payroll within the HR Unit.
• Provides support and guidance to HR team members, management, and other staff when complex, specialized, and sensitive questions and issues arise; may be required to administer and execute routine tasks in delicate circumstances such as providing reasonable accommodations, investigating allegations of wrongdoing, and terminations.
• May assume an Investigator role and serve as the point of contact for all LOPD internal complaints, internal investigations, and union grievances.
• Gathers information, analyzes information, and drafts responses to internal investigations, and employee complaints from LOPD employees and labor groups for review and approval with the Deputy HR Director and/or HR Director.
• Researches and explains laws and legal affairs concerning employment relations to managers, supervisors, and employees.
• Advises and trains managers and supervisors in best employee relations practices and strategies for managing supervisor problems and employee grievances. Develops further training as needed.
• Collaborates with cross-functional teams including, executive team members, general counsel, Training & Recruitment, IT, Fiscal, other internal LOPD offices, as well as various organizations outside the LOPD, as needed and assigned.
• Works promptly to resolve or recommend solutions for complaints or issues regarding the LOPD’s recruitment, payroll, and benefits practices.
• Oversees the work of assigned staff and will conduct performance evaluations that are timely and constructive.
• Will be responsible for coordinating and delegating HR Staff training. Including new hires, new SOP’s, and any task or duty assigned to the HR unit.
• Other responsibilities may include, creating guidelines and developing training for Supervisors/Managers, and all other required trainings for LOPD Employees.

Administrative Duties

• Works closely with and acts as a liaison for the Deputy and Director of HR. May be designated to assume decision-making and management responsibilities for the Deputy or Director of HR in their absence.

Contributing to a Positive Work Environment

• Builds positive relationships through effective communication, establishing trust, and maintaining confidentiality.
• Assists in creating a positive and supportive work environment; enforces a safe workplace; establishes a culture of teamwork and communication; creates a workplace that promotes the organizational values of workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion; and actively promotes a respectful environment.

Legal Work

• Thorough understanding of employee labor relations, and state and federal employment laws.
• Ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply the appropriate sections of applicable laws, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, and policies.

Other Duties

• Plan, develop and organize all phases of work to completion.
• Attends meetings as required; responds to emails, phone calls and provide HR information to LOPD employees, supervisors and managers.
• Back up Human Resources employees as needed.
• May be required to take job-related or agency-related courses and training.
• A Bachelor’s degree in a related field and two (2) years of direct related experience in a Human Resources senior-level or supervisory role.
• Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling six (6) years may substitute for the required education and supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated performance, skills, and knowledge may substitute for any amount of the combination of human resources experience and relevant education.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's License.
• Employment eligibility to work with the Law Offices of the Public Defender (LOPD) in the U.S. is required. We are not able to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.
• Collective Bargaining: This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
• Preference may be given to multilingual applicants fluent in English and other languages.

Default FLSA: Exempt (including Managers/Supervisors, Executive, Administrative, Professional Exempt Status)

In accordance with DOL FLSA and LOPD NMAC and LOPD’s Compensation Agreement that is signed upon hire during onboarding, classifications identified as Exempt may be compensated for all authorized hours worked over 80 hours in a pay period. These classifications are eligible for compensatory time (paid time off accrued) at an even (1:1) rate if they request to work extra hours in advance and get approval from their supervisor. These classifications are not eligible for cash payments for extra hours worked. Compensatory time may be paid-out upon leaving the department depending on budget availability.

The Law Offices of the Public Defender is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, national origin, sex, age, spousal affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, political affiliation or religion, mental or physical disability, or serious medical condition.