Human Resources Director

County of Door; Sturgeon Bay (WI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Door County is seeking an experienced HR Director to oversee the County’s human resources functions, ensuring policy compliance and effective workforce management. You will lead classification, compensation, recruitment, employee relations, and labor relations, while advising the County Administrator on personnel matters.

The role emphasizes reliable HRIS administration, budget stewardship, and strategic workforce planning in a public sector setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Public Admin, Business, or related field.
• A master’s degree is preferred.
• Certification such as SPHR/PHR/SHRM is expected within one year after hire.
• Valid Wisconsin driver’s license required.
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Oversee HR functions across departments with focus on service delivery and consistency.
• Guide interpretation and application of policies, procedures and classifications.
• Manage classification and compensation systems and labor market analysis.
• Ensure effective recruitment and selection processes in line with standards.
• Provide guidance on employee relations, performance management and discipline.
• Participate in investigations and advise on actions with counsel and administrator.
• Coordinate labor relations activities including contract administration and grievances.
• Develop, update and enforce HR policies and procedures.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state employment laws and regulations.
• Oversee HRIS, personnel records and benefits functions.
• Prepare and administer the HR budget and advise on workforce planning.
• Advise the County Administrator and committees on personnel matters.
• Attend committee and board meetings as required.
• Prioritize workload in a lean staffing environment.

Skills

HR Program Administration

Policy Interpretation

Workforce Analysis

Employee Relations

Labor Relations

Risk Assessment

Advisory Support

Policy Development

Confidentiality & Judgment

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources / Public Administration / Business Administration

Master’s degree preferred

Professional certification (SPHR/PHR/SHRM-SCP/SHRM-CP) within 1 year

Valid Wisconsin driver’s license

Job description

Job Summary

This position is responsible for overseeing and administering the County’s human resources functions, including policy application, employee relations, and personnel programs.

The position operates with delegated authority from the County Administrator to make and enforce routine human resources decisions, while coordinating with the County Administrator on high-risk, precedent-setting, or financially significant matters. The HR Director is accountable for the reliability, consistency, and effectiveness of the County’s human resource’s function and for reducing the need for routine escalation of personnel matters.

The role combines operational responsibility with organization-wide accountability and requires sound judgment in balancing legal compliance, fiscal constraints, and organizational needs including but not limited to engagement and retention.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

1. Manage the County’s human resource functions, with responsibility for service delivery, system integrity, and consistency of application across departments.
2. Provides guidance on interpreting and applying personnel policies, procedures, and classification standards; supports consistent implementation and identifies and addresses deviations as needed.
3. Manages the County’s classification and compensation systems, including position evaluation, pay structure administration, and labor market analysis.
4. Ensures effective recruitment and selection processes through assigned staff, including adherence to established standards and County hiring practices.
5. Provides guidance on employee relations matters, including performance management, discipline, and workplace issues; requires corrective action where policies are not followed.
6. Participates in investigations and gathers information; determines appropriate course of action in consultation with Corporation Counsel and the County Administrator as needed.
7. Coordinates labor relations activities, including contract administration, grievance handling, and participation in negotiations, in coordination with County leadership and legal counsel.
8. Develops, updates, and enforces personnel policies and procedures; ensures alignment with applicable laws and organizational expectations.
9. Ensures compliance with federal and state employment laws and regulations; identifies risks and implements corrective measures.
10. Ensures effective administration of HRIS, personnel records, and benefits functions through assigned staff.
11. Prepares and administers the HR budget; provides analysis and recommendations related to personnel costs and workforce planning.
12. Advises the County Administrator and governing committees on personnel matters, providing analysis, options, and recommendations.
13. Attends and participates in committee and board meetings as required.
14. Prioritizes workload and allocates departmental resources within a lean staffing environment, balancing transactional demands with higher-level organizational needs.

Key Competencies & Skills

• HR Program Administration: Oversees and coordinates core human resources functions, ensuring consistent application across departments.
• Policy Interpretation: Applies personnel policies, employment laws, and labor agreements to workplace situations with consistency and accuracy.
• Workforce Analysis: Evaluates positions, compensation structures, and workforce data to support organizational and pay decisions.
• Employee Relations: Addresses performance, discipline, and workplace issues; recommends and implements appropriate corrective actions.
• Labor Relations: Coordinates contract administration, grievance processes, and supports collective bargaining activities in alignment with County leadership and legal counsel.
• Risk Assessment: Identifies legal and operational risks in personnel matters and develops appropriate, defensible responses.
• Advisory Support: Provides guidance and recommendations to leadership on human resources issues and organizational impacts.
• Policy Development: Develops, updates, and implements HR policies and procedures to ensure compliance and consistency.
• Confidentiality & Judgment: Handles sensitive information with discretion and exercises independent judgment in decision-making.
• Communication: Conveys information clearly in writing and verbally to employees, leadership, committees, and the public.

Required Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field. A master’s degree is preferred.
• At least five (5) years of progressively responsible human resources experience, including two (2) years of supervisory or leadership experience in employee relations, classification and compensation, and policy administration.
• Experience in labor relations, including contract administration and grievance handling.
• Demonstrated experience applying employment laws and personnel policies in a complex organization.
• Professional certification (e.g., SPHR, PHR, SHRM-SCP, SHRM-CP) obtained within one year after hire.
• Valid Wisconsin driver’s license.
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered where permitted.

Preferred Education & Experience

• Experience in public sector human resources, preferably in local government, is strongly desired.

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

Work is primarily performed in an office setting with minimal exposure to adverse environmental conditions. Duties require extended periods of sitting, computer use, and communication via telephone and in person. Occasional standing, walking, and light lifting (up to 10 pounds) may be required. Frequent interaction with employees, supervisors, and the public is expected.

Emergency Response Statement

In an effort to provide for continuity of County government and to cope with the problems of the emergency, you may be required to work during a proclaimed state of emergency, consistent with Sec. 323.14, Wis. Stats. and County emergency management plans and programs.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Door County is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.

Disclaimer

The above is intended to describe the general content of the requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements. They may be subject to change at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons.