Human Resources Director

Town of Westerly; Westerly (RI); On-site; USD 94,000 - 102,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) matching

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Employee assistance program

Health savings account

Life insurance

Paid time off

Retirement plan

Vision insurance

Job summary

The Town of Westerly is seeking a Director of Human Resources to lead the municipal HR program onsite in Westerly, RI. You will oversee classification, compensation, benefits, HRIS, employee and labor relations, training, and compliance to support a dynamic municipal workforce.

Reporting to the Town Manager, you’ll advise leadership, manage budget and staff, ensure regulatory compliance, conduct wage surveys, and implement effective HR initiatives in a collaborative government environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, public or business administration or related field.
• Minimum 5 years in human resources with 3 years in a management role.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to obtain HR certification within 2 years.
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience considered.

Responsibilities

• Direct, supervise, and mentor HR staff and activities.
• Advise leadership on policies, programs, and initiatives.
• Oversee budget development and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Oversee wage surveys to determine competitive compensation.
• Coordinate recruitment, orientation, and employee onboarding.
• Manage benefits programs, HRIS, employee leave, and records.
• Lead employee investigations and maintain confidential records.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws and ordinances.

Skills

HR leadership

Employee relations

Policy development

Leadership & supervision

Education

Bachelor's in HR/Public Admin

Tools

HRIS

Job description

Reporting to the Town Manager, this role directs and supervises the municipal Human Resources program for the Town of Westerly. The Director of Human Resources provides strategic guidance across personnel classification, compensation, talent acquisition, benefits administration, HRIS, employee and labor relations, training, and legal compliance.

Role Overview

The Director of Human Resources directs the Town’s personnel program under the general direction of the Town Manager. Responsibilities include advising Town leadership, overseeing core HR functions, ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, and Town laws, ordinances, and regulations, and maintaining effective HR operations that support municipal workforce needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee annual departmental budget development and ensure compliance.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and Town laws, ordinances, and regulations applicable to HR activities.
• Serve as principal advisor to the Town Manager, Town Council, and other city officials regarding human resources activities, including consultation on relevant policies, programs, and initiatives.
• Direct, manage, lead, coordinate, and mentor departmental staff.
• Recruit, interview, and assist in employee selection for vacant positions.
• Plan and conduct new employee orientation, including research, assembly, distribution, and explanation of an employee handbook covering Town policies and procedures.
• Conduct workplace investigations as they arise.
• Maintain confidential personnel records, including hiring, promotions, demotions, and transfers.
• Conduct wage surveys to determine competitive wages and compensation within the labor market.
• Prepare employee separation notices and related documentation, and conduct exit interviews.
• Plan for and organize employee training, assistance, and placement.
• Coordinate and administer vacancy postings and advertisements in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement.
• Plan and direct implementation and administration of benefit programs, including preparation and distribution of written and verbal information to employees regarding insurance plans, pension plans, employee leave, and related benefits.
• Provide oversight for workers’ compensation and injury on duty reporting and investigations.
• Provide leadership and direction in developing short- and long-range HR program goals.
• Perform other duties and projects as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Preferred Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in a human resources capacity.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in a management or supervisory role.
• Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential job functions.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, at least one professional HR certification within two (2) years of employment; certification must remain active and in good standing with the issuing body.

Technologies

• HRIS

Compensation and Location

• Location: Westerly, RI (onsite)
• Salary: USD 94,000 - 102,000 per year

Benefits

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance