Human Resources Manager

Distro; Hardin (MT); Hybrid; USD 83,000 - 131,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

6 health plans

HDHP with HSA options

Dental & Vision coverage

Wellness screenings

Discounted gym membership

PERS retirement

Job summary

County Government in Montana seeks a Human Resources Director to lead HR operations, ensuring compliance with policies and laws while managing recruitment, benefits, and wage programs. The role emphasizes employee relations, investigations, and safety management in a largely onsite environment with possible hybrid arrangements.

The position requires strategic leadership, extensive HR knowledge, and the ability to interact with elected officials and department heads.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field plus a minimum of eight (8) years of HR Management experience.
• HRCI or SHRM certification desired.
• Must possess a valid Montana driver’s license and be an insurable driver.
• Must successfully pass a Pre-Employment Criminal Background Check and Drug Screen.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all HR functions within the County, ensuring compliance with HR requirements.
• Manage recruitment and hiring processes and coordinate new employee orientation.
• Administer benefits and wage programs and monitor payroll processes.
• Foster employee relations, conduct investigations, and coordinate safety and injury response initiatives.
• Provide guidance in labor negotiations and review Unfair Labor Practice claims and grievances.
• Develop and implement HR policies and ensure compliance with employment law.

Skills

Excellent communication

Public sector HR

Labor negotiations

HR compliance

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or related field

8+ years HR management experience

Tools

HRIS

County software systems

Payroll systems

Job description

Human Resources Director

Reports to County Commissioners

Status: Full-Time | Non-Exempt | Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Salary Range: $82,947 - $131,109 annually

Primarily Onsite (Hybrid may be considered for the right candidate)

Under general direction, the Human Resources Director is responsible for overseeing all Human Resource functions within the County, ensuring compliance with HR requirements, managing recruitment and hiring processes, administering benefits and wage programs, fostering employee relations, conducting investigations into employee grievances and complaints, and coordinating safety and injury response initiatives. This leadership role requires strategic thinking, interpretive judgment and extensive knowledge of HR processes within established standards and procedures.

A hybrid work schedule may be negotiated.

Essential Duties, Responsibilities and Expectations

Compliance

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date personnel files and HRIS system information for current and past employees.
• Manage confidential notification and scheduling of drug and alcohol testing, maintaining separate files for each employee.
• Ensure job descriptions, salary ranges, and the County Handbook and policies are updated according to employment law.
• Administer Drug and Alcohol Testing Programs and maintain compliance with safety, discrimination, workers' compensation, and prevailing wage requirements.
• Assist Elected Officials and Department Heads with compliance and federal/state/county posting requirements.

Recruitment and Hiring

• Recruit, interview, and facilitate the hiring of qualified applicants in collaboration with Elected Officials and Department Heads.
• Conduct background checks, pre-employment drug testing, and eligibility verifications.
• Communicate with applicants regarding their application status.
• Coordinate and facilitate new employee orientation.

Benefits and Wage Administration

• Collaborate on payroll processes as needed and offboard employees from benefit systems.
• Prepare annual salary/benefit estimates for the Board of Commissioners.
• Monitor continuing education programs and certifications.

Employee Relations, Retention, and Off-Boarding

• Advise employees on benefits and handle employment-related inquiries.
• Oversee employee performance evaluations.
• Assist departments with personnel functions and provide management training.
• Recommend employee recognition and wellness programs.
• Cultivate a healthy, cohesive, inclusive, and supportive workplace culture.
• Review and investigate grievances and employee complaints.
• Document, attend, and provide advice in disciplinary meetings and terminations.
• Administer offboarding processes for terminated employees and maintain employee retention programs.
• Prepare reports and maintain frequent contact with staff and the public.
• Conduct labor negotiations and review Unfair Labor Practice claims and grievances.

Safety and Injury Response

• Develop policies for injury prevention, follow-up, and workers' compensation compliance.
• Review accident and hazard reports, ensuring appropriate follow-up actions are taken.

Supervision

• Supervise an administrative assistant.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Requires frequent contact with the public and fellow employees where tact, diplomacy, and confidentiality are essential.
• Knowledge of County policies and agreements is required.
• Knowledge of labor negotiations and business practices as they related to the public sector.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to maintain complex records and prioritize competing tasks.
• Thorough knowledge of principles and practices of personnel management.
• Ability to analyze and resolve personnel management problems.
• Ability to negotiate and resolve conflicts effectively.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with a strong commitment to public service.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) and County software systems.
• Ability to implement digital interface efficiencies for HR operations.

Minimum Qualifications (Experience/Education)

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field plus a minimum of eight (8) years of Human Resource Management experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience to fully meet the requirements of the position.
• HRCI or SHRM certification desired.
• Must possess a valid Montana driver’s license and be an insurable driver.
• Must successfully pass a Pre-Employment Criminal Background Check and Drug Screen.

Physical Demands & Working Conditions

The work environment and physical demands described below are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

The position may require prolonged periods of sitting, using a computer, and communicating with employees and the public.

Work is typically performed in an office environment, with occasional visits to other county departments or facilities.

May require occasional lifting or moving files, office supplies, or equipment up to 35 pounds.

Benefits Highlights

Health & Wellness

• 100% County-paid health insurance for full-time employees
• Choice of 6 health plans
• 3 High-Deductible Health Plans that may include County contributions to an HSA
• Affordable Dental & Vision coverage
• Free Wellness Screenings
• Discounted Gym Membership

Retirement

• Participation in the Montana Public Employee Retirement System (PERS)

Paid Time Off

• 15 vacation days annually (available after 6 months)
• 1 sick day earned per month (available after 90 days)

Holidays

• 10-11 paid holidays per year

Life Insurance

• $25,000 Life Insurance paid by the County
• Optional Supplemental Life & AD&D coverage up to $100,000

#HireFinder

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.