Human Resources Deputy Director

fmtn; Farmington (NM); On-site; USD 88,000 - 108,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Farmington is seeking an experienced HR professional to serve as Deputy Director of Human Resources. This hands-on leadership role oversees HR operations, payroll, and risk management, and acts as Acting HR Director as needed.

The ideal candidate blends strong HR instincts with sound judgment, excellent communication, and a collaborative style to balance employee, supervisor, and organizational needs across the City.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Public Administration, Business Administration, Management, or related field, plus three years of HR experience; equivalent combination of education and experience considered.
• SHRM-CP, PHR, IPMA-CP, or equivalent certification preferred.
• Municipal/public-sector HR leadership experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assists in planning, directing, and administering HR, payroll, and risk management functions.
• Oversees daily HR operations, staff, and policy implementation.
• Advises supervisors on employee relations, performance, and policy interpretation.
• Coordinates recruitment, benefits, classification and compensation, and training programs.
• Ensures legal compliance and reporting for HR activities.

Skills

Leadership

Employee relations

Policy interpretation

Communication

Decision making

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR or related field

SHRM-CP/PHR/IPMA-CP or equivalent certification

Tools

HRIS

Job description

JOB OPENING

CITY OF FARMINGTON

JOB TITLE: Human Resources Deputy Director

JOB POSITION: 168 Human Resources Deputy Director

NUMBER OF VACANCIES: 1

WORK LOCATION: HR Office 850 Municipal Drive

SALARY RANGE: $87,887.70 - $107,950.75

DEPARTMENT: Human Resources

PAY CLASS: Q -EXEMPT

TYPE OF POSITION: Regular, Full-time

DAYS WORKED: Mon-Fri

HOURS WORKED: 8:00 am to 5:00pm

APPLICATIONS WILL BE RECEIVED UNTIL: 10/19/2026

Ready for your next HR adventure? We might just have the job for you.

The City of Farmington is looking for an experienced, people-focused HR professional to join our team as our next Deputy Director of Human Resources.

We are looking for someone who is ready to jump in, solve problems, support a great team, and help lead HR operations across the organization. This is a hands-on leadership role with plenty of variety. One day you may be working through an employee relations issue, and the next you may be digging into compensation, benefits, recruitment, risk management, or a Citywide project-and occasionally several of those things before lunch.

Our ideal Deputy is collaborative, curious, comfortable making decisions, and always willing to keep learning. We are looking for someone with strong HR instincts, sound judgment, excellent communication skills, and the ability to balance the needs of employees, supervisors, and the organization. A willingness to roll up your sleeves is essential.

If you are looking for an opportunity to grow, lead, make a meaningful impact, and join an HR team that works hard, supports one another, and still knows how to have a little fun, we would love to hear from you.

JOB SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Human Resources Director, assists in planning, directing, and administering the City's Human Resources, Payroll and Risk Management functions. Oversees the daily operations of the Human Resources Department, supervises assigned staff, implements departmental goals and policies, and serves as Acting Human Resources Director in the Director's absence as assigned. Provides operational leadership for employee relations, classification and compensation, recruitment, benefits administration, compliance, organizational support, and assigned risk management functions while ensuring responsive, consistent, and legally compliant Human Resources services.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

Employees in this position are considered confidential.

Human Resources Operations and Administration

• Assists the Human Resources Director in administering the City's Human Resources, Payroll and Risk Management functions and implementing departmental goals, policies, and initiatives.
• Administers the daily operations of recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, classification and compensation, benefits administration, leave administration, Human Resources information systems, records management, and related Human Resources programs in accordance with policies, priorities, and approvals established by the Human Resources Director.
• Ensures Human Resources services comply with applicable laws, collective bargaining agreements, Personnel Rules, Administrative Regulations, and City policies.
• Reviews departmental workflow, staffing, service delivery, and operational processes, implementing improvements to enhance efficiency and customer service.
• Serves as Acting Human Resources Director in the Director's absence, as assigned.
• Coordinates data collection, reporting, implementation, and monitoring related to EEOP and affirmative Action Plans.
• Supports compliance with applicable accessibility, accommodation, and health-information privacy requirements and coordinates assigned administrative responsibilities.
• Coordinates or oversees implementation of Citywide employee and supervisor training programs.
• Oversees official personnel records and documentation of appointments, promotions, transfers, compensation actions, performance actions, leave, discipline, and separation in accordance with applicable retention, confidentiality, and reporting requirements.

Employee Relations, Workforce Support, and Organizational Services

• Advises supervisors and department leadership regarding employee relations, performance management, corrective action, policy interpretation, ADA accommodations, leave administration, and workplace issues.
• Conducts and coordinates routine investigations, grievance administration, unemployment matters, corrective-action support, and other assigned employment matters while ensuring consistency and legal compliance.
• Prepares classification and compensation analyses, recruitment recommendations, onboarding plans, workforce planning information, organizational studies, and position evaluations for review and approval by the Human Resources Director.
• Coordinates implementation of Human Resources policies, procedures, organizational changes, and Citywide Human Resources initiatives.
• Collects and analyzes Human Resources metrics and operational data to support planning and continuous improvement.

Risk Management and Employee Benefits Administration

• Develops working knowledge of the City's workers' compensation and related risk management programs and provides support and backup to the Insurance and Benefits Specialist as assigned. Assists with claim administration, return-to-work coordination, required reporting, and communication with the third-party administrator, legal counsel, departments, payroll, medical providers, and other stakeholders. Elevates significant, complex, or unusual matters to the Human Resources Director.
• Coordinates with the Safety Division, insurers, brokers, third-party administrators, consultants, and vendors to support program administration.
• Oversees day-to-day administration of the City's benefit programs and wellness initiatives and supports assigned return-to-work processes.
• Monitors claims, benefit utilization, program performance, and operational trends and recommends improvements to the Human Resources Director.
• Oversees benefit enrollment, billing reconciliation, contribution verification, eligibility administration, and resolution of discrepancies with employees, payroll, carriers, and vendors.

Leadership and Financial Administration

• Supervises, develops, and evaluates assigned Human Resources staff while promoting accountability, collaboration, and exceptional customer service.
• Assigns work, establishes priorities, and ensures continuity of department operations.
• Assists with development and administration of departmental budgets, procurement, contracts, vendor management, and departmental projects.
• Prepares reports, recommendations, and presentations for the Human Resources Director, City leadership, and other stakeholders.

Operates a motor vehicle to assist in carrying out the business of the department and the City.

Attendance at work is an essential function of this position.

Must be action oriented and self-motivated to be successful in this position.

NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

May be required to travel to attend seminars and conferences to keep up to date on issues, trends and required compliance to laws.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

QUALIFICATIONS

This position is subject to the City of Farmington's Drug and Alcohol Free Workplace Policy which includes: pre-employment testing, post-accident testing, reasonable suspicion testing, return to duty testing, and follow-up testing.

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Human Resources, Public Administration, Business Administration, Management, or a related field, supplemented by three years of progressively responsible Human Resources experience, which may include significant responsibility in employee benefits, risk management, employee relations, classification and compensation, or other Human Resources functions. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

• SHRM-CP, PHR, IPMA-CP, or equivalent Human Resources certification.
• Municipal or other public-sector Human Resources leadership experience.
• Experience in employee relations, classification and compensation, employee benefits, or related Human Resources functions.

Comprehensive knowledge of Human Resources administration, employment law