Human Resource Director

Derby Public Schools; Derby (CT); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Derby Public Schools seeks a seasoned Director of Human Resources to lead all HR functions for the City and the Derby Public Schools under the Mayor and Superintendent. This role oversees benefits, staffing, compliance, labor relations, and policy development.

The ideal candidate has extensive public sector HR experience, strong communication skills, and a track record of building collaborative relationships with employees, administrators, and unions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Human Resources, or related field.
• 5–10 years of HR management experience at municipal or Board of Education.
• Strong knowledge of HR regulatory requirements for municipalities and boards.
• Ability to work independently and multitask in fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication with employees, students, parents, boards, and vendors.
• Confidentiality and professionalism.
• Experience with union contracts and collective bargaining.
• Knowledge of payroll and HR practices.
• Experience with AESOP and HRIS.

Responsibilities

• Maintain knowledge of regulations and HR trends.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state and regulatory requirements.
• Recruitment for exempt and nonexempt staff.
• Advertise vacancies and manage job postings in Frontline.
• Manage hiring process including background checks and offers.
• Coordinate onboarding with Payroll.
• Provide HR guidance to management and staff.
• Administer benefits programs.
• Liaise on ADA accommodations.
• Administer leaves and FMLA.
• Handle unemployment inquiries.
• Labor relations and contract negotiations.
• Budgeting inputs to Finance.
• Train employees and coordinate with vendors.
• Maintain HR records and data systems (EDS/ED163).

Skills

HR management

Regulatory knowledge

Negotiation skills

Communication

Confidentiality

Public sector

Project mgmt

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/HR

Master's degree preferred

Tools

HRIS software

Microsoft Office

Google Suite

Payroll systems

Job description

An important, highly responsible, confidential position under the direct supervision of the Mayor and the Superintendent of Derby Public Schools or his/her designee, the Director of Human Resources is responsible for all aspects of the City's and the Derby Public Schools Human Resources functions including day-to-day HR administration, benefits, employee relations, employment, labor relations, regulatory compliance, staffing, training and development, and overall development, implementation and oversight of the City's and the Board's HR policies and procedures.

The Human Resources Director will have experience in all areas, practices, operations, and day-to-day Human Resources responsibilities and activities for Municipalities and Boards of Education.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree (Master's degree preferred) in Business, Human Resources, or a related field.
• Five to ten years of increasingly responsible generalist experience in human resources at the management level of a Municipality and/or a Board of Education.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of HR-related regulatory requirements that may impact Municipalities and Boards of Education.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and multitask in a fast-paced environment.
• Necessary skills to effectively work with and communicate with employees, students, parents, Boards, Commission Members, outside vendors, and members of the general public.
• Excellent time management, organization, communication (written and verbal), and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively with a diverse employee and community population.
• Office skills, including the use of general office equipment, such as personal computers, copiers, and fax machines.
• Knowledge and proficient in Microsoft Office programs, Google Suite, HRIS software, email, and electronic calendars.
• Knowledge and practical use of various payroll and HR practices preferred.
• Experienced with negotiation and application of collective bargaining agreements, preferably in the public sector.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to maintain an effective working relationship with co-workers and the community.
• Must be able to maintain high levels of confidentiality.

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The following duties are representative of the level of Director of Human Resources responsibilities, but do not include all of the duties of a similar complexity and responsibility, which may be assigned to a position in this class.

• Maintains current knowledge and understanding of regulations, industry trends, current practices, new developments, and applicable labor, wage, and hour and statutory laws regarding human resources.
• Responsible for Federal, State and Regulatory compliance pertaining to HR functions and ensure policies, procedures, and reporting are in compliance.
• Conducts recruitment efforts for all exempt and nonexempt personnel, and part-time or temporary positions.
• Advertises vacant positions internally and externally and maintains the Frontline system in regard to job postings, resume review, and email correspondence.
• Manages the hiring process, including background checks, pre-employment drug testing, and job offers.
• Meets with new employees to review employment paperwork and district procedures, and works with Payroll to ensure proper initiation into the system.
• Informs payroll of all pertinent changes involving personnel, salary, or insurance adjustments.
• Handles all Department of Labor inquiries regarding unemployment.
• Acts as advisor on human resources issues to management and all levels of employees, including performance and disciplinary issues, and responds to inquiries regarding HR policies, procedures, and programs.
• Processes all activities related to terminations and/or layoffs, including unemployment.
• Answers employee inquiries regarding all leaves of absence and generates necessary paperwork.
• Approves/denies and monitors all leaves, including FMLA, workers comp, maternity, and disability.
• Administers all employee and retiree benefits programs (Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability, COBRA, Workers Comp, HRA, Deferred Comp, Retirement); serves as liaison to broker and insurance company, and acts as a resource directly to employees about benefits-related questions and issues. Processes all enrollments, terminations, and other changes.
• Acts as ADA Coordinator for requests of accommodations.
• Calculates premium cost shares and produces salary reduction agreements for the annual open enrollment period and for plan/employee changes, as necessary.
• Collects and records retiree health insurance payments.
• Records and submits the first reports of injury to workers' compensation.
• Submits Teachers' Retirement contributions and demographic changes electronically.
• Answers inquiries regarding past service or TRB contributions for former employees.
• Completes verifications of employment in writing and verbally.
• Tracks employee attendance in AESOP and records in the Human Resources system.
• Assists the school staff in logging attendance and substitutes into AESOP.
• Enters and maintains data in the Educator Data System (EDS).
• Enters and maintains data in the ED163 Certified Staff File in the State of Connecticut DOE database.
• Completes state reporting for the ED162 Non-Certified Staff and Fall Hiring Survey.
• Directs and administers the City's and the Board's labor relations activities, Union contracts, negotiations, compliance, grievance processes, etc. Works with labor attorney as needed.
• Provides benefits and salary information to the Finance Director for budgeting purposes.
• Assists the Superintendent with the TEAM Program.
• Identifies, develops, implements, evaluates, and conducts training for all levels of employees; coordinates with outside vendors/consultants as needed.
• Writes job descriptions, letters, tests, notices, and communications on behalf of the department, the City, and the Board.
• Maintains the Human Resources page on the website and updates information and forms regularly for employees.
• Maintains all HR related records, systems, and databases.
• Provides leadership on Safety and RiskManagement initiatives.
• Leads Human Resource initiatives as appropriate and performs other duties as may be required by the Mayor and the Superintendent or his/her designee.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Works in an office environment. Required to sit for extended periods of time and to work subjected to interruptions and distractions. May occasionally be required to stand, walk, twist, or bend. At times may be required to use diplomatic communication skills in dealing with co-workers, students, parents, and other members of the general public.

Performance of this position will be evaluated by the Mayor and the Superintendent or his/her designee on an annual basis.