Human Resources Director

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

Job summary

Door County Government seeks a seasoned HR Director to lead the Workforce Services, apply personnel policies, and manage employee relations, classification and compensation, and budget oversight. This role reports to the County Administrator and partners with legal counsel to advance HR programs.

The position requires directing HR operations, ensuring policy compliance, and balancing legal, fiscal, and organizational needs while supporting engagement and retention across departments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Five+ years of progressively responsible HR experience with leadership in employee relations, classification and compensation, and policy administration.
• Experience in labor relations, including contract administration and grievance handling.
• Experience applying employment laws and personnel policies in a complex organization.
• Professional HR certification obtained within one year after hire.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and administer the County’s HR functions, ensuring service delivery and policy consistency across departments.
• Interpret and apply personnel policies and classification standards; address deviations as needed.
• Manage classification, compensation, and labor market analysis.
• Ensure effective recruitment and selection processes and adherence to hiring practices.
• Provide guidance on employee relations, performance management, and disciplinary actions.
• Coordinate labor relations activities, including contract administration and grievances.
• Develop and enforce HR policies, ensure legal compliance, and manage HRIS and records.
• Prepare and manage the HR budget; advise leadership on personnel costs and workforce planning.

Skills

Leadership

Employee relations

Policy administration

Labor relations

HRIS

Budgeting

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR / Public Administration / Business Admin

Professional HR certification (SPHR/PHR/SHRM-SCP/SHRM-CP)

Tools

MS Office

HRIS software

Job description

Job Description

Posted Thursday, August 6, 2026 at 6:00 AM

Thank you for your interest in joining Door County Government!

Door County is proud to be a premier place to live, work, and visit. We serve nearly 30,000 year-round residents and a vibrant seasonal population by providing essential services that support and protect the people, economy, and environment of the beautiful Door Peninsula.

Within the County organization, the Human Resources Department provides centralized support for workforce management and employee services. The department oversees recruitment, compensation, benefits, employee development, employee relations, recordkeeping, and compliance with employment laws and county policies. Human Resources works to ensure consistent practices, efficient processes, and a positive work environment across the organization.

The Department is committed to hiring qualified candidates, supporting employee growth, and maintaining equitable and well-communicated policies. Human Resources also promotes competitive compensation and benefits, safe and professional working conditions, and resources that help employees perform effectively and contribute to the county’s overall mission.

To continue this important work, we are seeking a candidate who will perform the responsibilities outlined in the job summary and contribute to our efforts in serving the community.

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.

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

Questions about the position or hiring process?

Contact Door County Human Resources at [e-mail]

In compliance with federal and state laws, if you require reasonable accommodation during any part of the application or selection process due to a disability, please notify Human Resources.

What to Expect:

Application Timeline

Application materials may be reviewed as they are received.

Selection Process

Applicants may be evaluated through one or more of the following:

• Review of application materials
• Structured interview(s)
• Skills tests, assessments, or work samples
• Other job-related evaluation methods as applicable to the position

Pre-Employment Requirements

Final candidate(s) may be subject to:

• Reference check(s)
• Background check
• Job-related pre‑employment screening, license and credential verification

Door County is committed to a fair, consistent, and job‑related hiring process.